If you’re a loyal Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan member, buckle up. The carrier has just announced a new award chart set to take effect in March 2024. Alaska leaders are touting this as a major enhancement, but our preliminary research shows that it’s a mixed bag compared to current award rates — especially if you’re looking to book Alaska partners in 2024.
“Mileage Plan has long been known for offering great value on global redemptions with access to some of the most aspirational premium products and destinations,” Brett Catlin, vice president of loyalty, alliances and sales at Alaska Airlines, said in a press release. “We’re excited to provide a more straightforward award proposition while doubling down on the opportunities our guests will have to find amazing values.”
So, what “amazing” changes is Alaska Airlines making to its Mileage Plan award chart?
Related: The best websites for searching Oneworld award availability
Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan announces award redemption changes
In March 2024, the Mileage Plan award chart will have a new distance-based structure and will be divided into three region-based charts: the Americas; Europe, Middle East and Africa; and Asia-Pacific. The chart will show redemption rates that will vary based on the distance being flown.
The Americas
The first region is the Americas — which includes North America, the Caribbean, Central America and South America. These prices apply to flights flown between (or within) these areas.
| Distance flown (miles) | Economy (starting at) | Premium economy (starting at) | Business (starting at) | First (starting at) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Less than 700 | 4,500 miles | 6,000 miles | 9,000 miles | 13,500 miles |
| 701 to 1,400 | 7,500 miles | 10,000 miles | 15,000 miles | 25,000 miles |
| 1,401 to 2,000 | 12,500 miles | 17,500 miles | 25,000 miles | 40,000 miles |
| 2,001 to 4,000 | 17,500 miles | 22,500 miles | 35,000 miles | 52,500 miles |
| 4,001 to 6,000 | 25,000 miles | 32,500 miles | 50,000 miles | 75,000 miles |
| 6,001 and above | 30,00 miles | 40,000 miles | 60,000 miles | 90,000 miles |
Note that Hawaii, the Caribbean and Central America are no longer included as separate regions (as they are on the current award chart). Instead, flights to or from these areas will follow the above pricing.
Europe, Middle East and Africa
The next region is Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA). The prices below apply to flights within these three areas and for flights from the U.S. to any of these areas.
| Distance flown (miles) | Economy (starting at) | Premium economy (starting at) | Business (starting at) | First (starting at) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Less than 1,500 | 7,500 miles | 10,000 miles | 15,000 miles | 22,500 miles |
| 1,500 to 3,000 | 22,500 miles | 30,000 miles | 45,000 miles | 67,500 miles |
| 3,001 to 5,000 | 27,500 miles | 35,000 miles | 55,000 miles | 82,500 miles |
| 5,001 to 7,000 | 35,000 miles | 45,000 miles | 70,000 miles | 105,000 miles |
| 7,001 to 10,000 | 42,500 miles | 55,000 miles | 85,000 miles | 130,000 miles |
| 10,001 and above | 55,000 miles | 72,500 miles | 110,000 miles | 165,000 miles |
Asia
The final region is Asia — which includes Southeast Asia, the Indian Subcontinent, Japan, Korea and the South Pacific. These prices apply to flights within these areas, between these areas and EMEA, and between the U.S. and these areas.
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| Distance flown (miles) | Economy (starting at) | Premium economy (starting at) | Business (starting at) | First (starting at) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Less than 1,500 | 7,500 miles | 10,000 miles | 15,000 miles | 22,500 miles |
| 1,500 to 3,000 | 25,000 miles | 32,500 miles | 50,000 miles | 75,000 miles |
| 3,001 to 5,000 | 30,000 miles | 40,000 miles | 60,000 miles | 90,000 miles |
| 5,001 to 7,000 | 37,500 miles | 50,000 miles | 75,000 miles | 110,000 miles |
| 7,001 to 10,000 | 42,500 miles | 55,000 miles | 85,000 miles | 130,000 miles |
| 10,001 and above | 65,000 miles | 85,000 miles | 130,000 miles | 195,000 miles |
There’s a lot to unpack here, so let’s take a closer look at some of the regions.
Flights within the Americas
Under the current award chart, most award flights within the Americas are already distance-based (excluding those to South America). For example, an economy award flight within (or between) the contiguous U.S. and Alaska or Canada that is less than 700 miles currently starts at 5,000 Mileage Plan miles. In the new award chart (effective March 2024), flights less than 700 miles in economy will start at 4,500 miles. Meanwhile, flights that cover between 701 and 1,400 miles will retain a starting price of 7,500 miles.
However, many longer flights will see an increase:
- Economy flights within (or between) the contiguous U.S., Alaska and Canada covering 1,401 to 2,100 miles: Going from 10,000 miles to 12,500 miles (a 25% increase)
- Economy flights within (or between) the contiguous U.S., Alaska and Canada covering 2,101 to 4,000 miles: Going from 12,500 miles to 17,500 miles (a 40% increase)
- Economy flights from the U.S. to Hawaii covering 2,101 to 4,000 miles: Going from 15,000 miles to 17,500 miles (a 16.67% increase)
It’s a similar story for flights from the U.S. to South America (which are operated by partners LATAM and American Airlines). Currently, economy awards from the U.S. to any South American destination start at 20,000 miles, but as of March 2024, these will be even lower:
- Under 1,401 miles in length: Starting at 7,500 Alaska miles
- 1,401 to 2,100 miles: Starting at 12,500 Alaska miles
- 2,101 to 4,000 miles: Starting at 17,500 Alaska miles
Unfortunately, the award rates for one of Alaska’s top sweet spots is going up. Starting in March, long-haul flights on LATAM covering between 4,001 and 6,000 miles, which currently start at just 45,000 miles each way, will climb to 50,000 miles — an increase of 11.1%.
International flights
It’s a similar story on the EMEA and Asia award charts, as some prices are dropping while others will see some notable increases — especially for premium-cabin redemptions.
Here’s a snapshot of some popular routes that are changing.
Fiji Airways
Under the current award chart, you can fly from the U.S. to Nadi International Airport (NAN) for just 55,000 miles in business class. Amazingly enough, that price also applies if you connect through Fiji to Australia or New Zealand.
However, the new award chart will price these business-class awards as follows:
- U.S. to Fiji: 75,000 miles
- U.S. to Australia via Fiji: 85,000 miles
However, the starting price of nonstop economy tickets from the U.S. to Fiji will drop slightly — to 37,500 miles.
Japan Airlines
The current award rates for nonstop flights from the U.S. to Asia on Japan Airlines fall at 35,000 miles, 50,000 miles and 60,000 miles for economy, premium economy and business-class award tickets (respectively).
For the new chart, only certain flights to Tokyo — from either Seattle-Tacoma International Aiport (SEA) and Vancouver International Airport (YVR) will be priced the same or lower (30,000/40,000/60,000). However, flights from other U.S. gateways to Tokyo will start at the following rates:
- Economy: 37,500 miles (up 7.14%)
- Premium economy: 50,000 miles (no change)
- Business: 75,000 miles (up 25%)
Note that if you add a connecting flight and your total distance exceeds 7,000 miles, you’ll get bumped into the next pricing band.
Starlux Airlines
Earlier this year, Alaska added Starlux Airlines as a redemption partner, with some amazing redemption rates (that only lasted ~24 hours). However, you can still find some Starlux awards at 85,000 miles in business class, like this routing from San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to Singapore Changi International Airport (SIN).
Under the new award chart, this flight would price out at the same 85,000 miles.
Cathay Pacific
Hong Kong-based Cathay Pacific has long been an incredible sweet spot with Alaska miles, with one-way award rates from the U.S. to Hong Kong International Airport (HKG) starting at 30,000 miles in economy, 50,000 miles in business class and 70,000 miles in first class. While availability in the carrier’s premium cabins remains very scant, almost every Cathay gateway in the U.S. (aside from SFO) will see increased award rates under the new chart.
- Economy: 42,500 miles (up 41.67%)
- Business: 85,000 miles (up 70%)
- First: 130,000 miles (up 85.7%)
Related: Best Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan sweet spot redemptions
Other updates
Beyond the new award charts, Alaska is also teasing a number of additional updates to the Mileage Plan program:
- Increased partner award inventory: Alaska has long allowed you to use additional miles to book some partner award tickets (though these can be quite pricey). The carrier has committed to opening up “increased award inventory on 10% of partner routes” to further expand this feature.
- New partner award sales: Starting in 2024, Alaska will launch limited-time promotions and special pricing for specific routes, partners and/or destinations.
- Upcoming flexibility with partners: As of now, you can only combine Alaska-operated flights with partner-operated flights on one-way award tickets. However, the carrier is working on offering “mileage redemption when combining two partner airlines in a single itinerary on a one-way trip.”
- No change to stopover policy: Alaska’s award ticket stopover policy is one of the most generous out there, allowing you to add a stop of up to 14 days on one-way, international award tickets. This is not changing with the new award chart.
Of course, details are scant on the first two items, so it remains to be seen how widespread and useful these updates will be.
Our take on the changes
The new award chart is a mixed bag for Alaska travelers. Generally speaking, a distance-based award chart tends to benefit those who book shorter, nonstop itineraries — since adding a connecting flight increases the distance you fly and thus has the potential to push you into a higher pricing band. This logic appears to hold with Alaska’s new award chart.
Of course, it’s also worth noting that using “starting from” in a published award chart continues to add some notable uncertainty to booking award tickets with Alaska miles. After all, there’s no guarantee that you’ll be able to find an award ticket at that price on the date you want to travel.
If you’re sitting on a large stockpile of Alaska miles, be sure to look carefully at your upcoming 2024 trips. Compare the current award pricing to the new, distance-based award rates, and then decide if it makes sense to lock in your flights now before the new pricing takes effect in March 2024.
Bottom line
Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan is overhauling its award chart next year, shifting to a distance-based model covering three regions: the Americas; Europe, the Middle East, and Africa; and Asia. This has led to some decreases in award prices, but some of the carrier’s sweet spots will require more miles when the changes take effect in March 2024.
Take a look at your plans for next year now to see if you should book award flights before this pricing takes effect.
