Calculate Alaska Miles Worth: Maximize Your Mileage Miles!

If you’re a regular flyer from the West Coast or have signed in to the Mileage Plan, you must have wondered about the Alaska miles worth. Having clarity on how the value of your dearly won miles can help in determining the area of redemption. 

So, if you are wondering – “What are my Alaska miles worth?” This blog has got you covered! We are going to discuss how Alaska miles are valued at 1.3 cents each, along with some useful ways to maximize the earned rewards. 

Understanding the Value of Alaska Airlines Miles

On average, Alaska Airlines miles are worth about 1.2 to 1.8 cents, but this value is not carved in stone. Like most airline currencies, your actual value depends on how you use them. Think of it like shopping at a store – sometimes you pay the full price, and sometimes you score a fantastic deal! Your Alaska miles work the same way. 

On top of that, you earn them on the basis of the distance flown instead of the amount you spent. Thus, it is comparatively easy to earn miles on Alaska Airlines.

How We Calculated the Alaska Airlines Miles’ Value

According to our research and analysis, Alaska Airlines’ miles’ value comes to around 1.3 cents each. To determine the value, we compared the cash value of economy trips (for different dates and destinations) with reward redemptions. 

Now, by dividing the cash value of the ticket by the award redemption cost, we get the “cent per mile” value for every flight. Afterward, we averaged the outcome across several flights and dates. 

So, the determined value is actually based on real scenarios collected from multiple economy flights. In short, travelers must aim for miles redemption that offers at least 1.3 cents or more. 

Alaska Airlines Miles Compared to Other Airline Programs

Alaska Airlines consistently ranks among the most valuable airline currencies out there. When you stack them against other major U.S. airlines, they often come out ahead. Many different carriers provide mile values ranging from 1.2 to 1.5. In short, Alaska Airlines is among those carriers that provide the best value for the earned miles, offering captivating redemptions for domestic and international business class. All of this combined makes its frequent flyer program more attractive to travelers. 

Factors That Have a Direct Influence on Your Miles Value

No matter how easy it is to earn miles on Alaska Airlines, there are going to be some factors that can affect your miles’ worth. The following factors influence how much value you can squeeze out of your Alaska miles. 

1. Route Selection: Some routes provide more value than others. For instance, if you book a domestic flight within U.S. territory, you are bound to earn a lower rate per mile. In contrast, international routes will help you bag up more miles worth more.

2. Cabin Class: Mile redemptions on business and first-class tickets will provide more value than those economy-class redemptions. So, it is worth redeeming for premium cabins. 

3. Booking Timing: Last-minute booking can sometimes yield higher value per mile, especially when cash prices are expensive. 

4. Season: Peak travel times might require more miles, potentially reducing their value. You ought to score the highest per-mile value when you book far in advance. 

Maximizing Your Alaska Airlines Miles Worth

Alaska Airlines provides travelers with some of the best ways to earn miles in the sky. While other frequent flyer programs in the market switched to revenue-based earning models, Alaska stayed focused on enhancing its program. Previously, the airline entered the Oneworld airline alliance, multiplying options for frequent flyers and allowing them to use miles for global travel.

Book Flights with Alaska Airlines

This is the most basic way. If you purchase a ticket for an Alaska Airlines flight with your Mileage Plan account, you will get miles based on the distance of your flight. Travelers get to earn 100% of miles, except for those with the Saver fares.

If you book tickets on economy fares (H and K classes), you will earn a 25% bonus on flown miles. Even the highest classes, like Y and B, get you only a 50% bonus. At the same time, passengers with first-class tickets earn a 50% bonus on class D and I, 75% on class C, and 100% on class J. 

In addition to this, passengers with MVP elite status get extra bonus miles on top of base mileage points (not the fare bonuses mentioned above).  

Fly with Airline’s Oneworld Alliance Partners

Ever since becoming a member of the Oneworld Alliance, Alaska Airlines has partnered with more than 20 airlines. Frequent flyers can now earn miles by booking flights with partner airlines using the Mileage Plan account.

Just as you earn miles on Alaska flights, the partner airlines will also help you earn miles based on distance flown. But keep in mind: the discounted economy fares will earn you a mile bonus of less than 100% of miles flown. On average, you will earn a maximum of 25% bonus miles on most of the partner airlines. 

Nevertheless, booking premium cabins like first and business classes on partner airlines can be highly beneficial. The value you earn will vary from airline to airline, but many provide 2x miles or more.

Pay with Alaska Airlines Credit Cards

Alaska Airlines has two co-branded personal credit cards: the Alaska Airlines Visa Signature® credit card and the Visa® Business card. It is a popular choice among frequent flyers, as it has a lower annual fee and provides companion fare. Besides this, this card is one of the best ways to earn extra miles quickly!

What happens is that when you become the holder of these credit cards, you get bonus miles after spending a certain amount with them. So, you get 60,000 bonus miles, along with companion fare. To be eligible for these extra miles, you only have to spend at least $3000 in a span of 90 days. 

Moreover, you earn three miles for every dollar spent on Alaska Airlines purchases and two miles for a dollar spent on gas, EV charging stations, cable, streaming services, and local transit.

Purchase with Mileage Plan Shopping Portal

Shopping portals are clever ways to earn some extra rewards and miles. The Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan shopping portal lets you earn bonus miles when you shop at selected retailers. On most offers, you earn about 1 or 2 miles for every dollar spent on purchasing. Since we valued these miles at 1.3 cents each, you earn quite a good amount. However, this isn’t beneficial unless you often shop online. 

In addition to this, the airline comes up with promotional offers from time to time. For instance, 8x miles per dollar spent at a specific store, enabling you to bag up plenty of rewards. Quickly sign in to your Mileage Plan account and check the current offers and rewards.

Worst Ways to Use Alaska Mileage Miles

Not all redemptions are created equally! There are some ways through which you earn the lowest of miles and, thus, should be avoided. If you plan on using your hard-earned miles for the following purchases, then don’t because:

Short-haul Economy Flights

Spending your Alaska miles on short-haul economy flights often leaves you with poor value. For instance, you spend 7,500 miles on a $100 ticket with a 1.3 cent per mile value. You are better off paying cash for these flights, as you will be wasting your miles for something that’s relatively cheaper in cash price. We recommend saving your miles for long-haul and more expensive flights, which offer a more incredible cent per mile value. 

Gift Cards and Merchandise

Always avoid using Alaska miles for purchasing gift cards and merchandise. Such redemptions typically value your miles lower than 1 cent each, making it a terrible deal considering what else you can do with them. It generally provides a poor value as compared to redeeming them for flights.

Common Questions and Answers