I just found out from Alaska Airlines that there will be substantial changes with their relationship with American Airlines. Here are the key changes effective on March 1, 2020
What’s changing:
- Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan members will no longer be able to redeem Mileage Plan miles on American Airlines domestic or international flights.
- American Airlines AAdvantage members will no longer be able to redeem AAdvantage miles on Alaska Airlines flights, freeing up more award space for Mileage Plan members
- Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan members will no longer earn Mileage Plan miles on American Airlines international flights
What’s not changing:
- Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan members can still earn a mile for every mile flown on American Airlines flights with an Alaska Airlines flight number (codeshare flights only)
- Alaska Lounge members can still access American Airlines Admirals Club lounges worldwide when flying on Alaska Airlines or American Airlines Earning on American Airlines
Earning Alaska Miles From American Airlines Flights
Base miles earned and class of service bonuses on eligible American-operated flights count toward Alaska Airlines elite status.
For domestic flights
To earn Mileage Plan miles on flights within the United States and Canada, American-operated flights must be marketed by Alaska Airlines. This includes American Airlines operated flights purchased as Alaska Airlines flights (AS) 4000-4799 and 6000-6999.
Base miles and class of service bonuses earned are based on the Alaska Airlines earning chart.
For international flights marketed and operated by American Airlines
For trips booked on or after October 2, 2019, travel must be completed by February 29, 2020 in order to earn miles. Trips booked before October 2, 2019 for travel after February 29, 2020 are still eligible to earn Alaska miles by submitting a mileage credit request after your flight is completed.
My Take on the Changes
This has been a relationship on the rocks for some time. It is difficult to find premium cabin award space, especially for international flights on American using Alaska miles. The code-share fares for American Airlines domestic flights are far too high to justify any mileage earnings. I am a member of the Alaska Lounge so American will still be honoring the reciprocal lounge benefits. I haven’t flown American Airlines in over two years so I won’t be sweating over this latest change. These changes leave Alaska Airlines without an airline partner for routes to/from the Caribbean and South America. Alaska does need to find another partner to replace American Airlines.
