Miles Pile Up Fast With Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan
Written: Mar 02 '07 (Updated Apr 28 '07)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: No expiration on miles. Lots of ways to earn miles in addition to flying
Cons: It takes patience to redeem miles for flights on the days you want
The Bottom Line: Go for it! Lots of miles for lots of things in addition to actual flights.
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| StraightTalker's Full Review: Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan |
After years of not flying anywhere my first trip was to Mexico on Alaska Airlines.
It started when I wanted to take a long overdue trip to someplace new and exciting. I decided on Zihuatanejo, Mexico.
I went online and started looking for cheap airfare. After extensive research, Alaska Airlines was the winner and it was time to book a flight.
When I was booking my flight they asked if I had an Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan Number. I didn't. But, when I started reading it seemed like it might be a good idea.
I signed up and was given 1,000 miles when I bought my ticket. I got another 500 miles to sign up for their e-mail newsletter.
Cool! 1,500 miles in my account and I hadn't flown yet!
Just before I left I got the e-mail newsletter. Guess what? They were offering double miles for trips to Mexico! So I registered.
Now, before I go on, I've got to say that I was skeptical about all these miles they were offering. But, the plane ticket was cheap and I figured if the Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan ever paid off I would look at it as a bonus.
After I got back from Mexico I checked my account. My miles were there. And, guess what. So were the bonus miles for the double miles to Mexico thing. I was pleased.
While snooping around the Alaska Airline site I noticed I could get miles for shopping online at all kinds of sites if I went through Alaska Airlines. I buy a lot of stuff online so I thought I'd give it a try.
I ordered some goodies from Circuit City. And, sure enough, the miles showed up in my account. So far, so good!
After a few trips to Mexico and lots of online shopping the moment of truth was drawing near.
That's right. I had enough miles, according to the awards chart, to get a free ticket to Mexico. Did I mention that I was skeptical? Okay, I thought so...
I went to the "Award Reservations" page. I plugged in the dates I wanted. No luck. But, for twice the miles I could get the dates I wanted. Uh-oh. Were my suspicions right? I tried a few different dates. Same thing.
I came back a few days later and tried again. Hmmm... I still couldn't get the dates I wanted. But, I got closer.
Back again a few days later. Well, would you look at that! A free ticket on the days I want. I booked that baby, ASAP!
Since then I've checked back and looked for award reservations even when I didn't really want one. What I found was that it's a hit-and-miss kinda thing. Just keep checking until the dates you want are available.
Of course, the free tickets aren't really free. You need to pay the taxes, security fees, airport fees, and all the other hidden fees. Still, a roundtrip flight to Mexico for $100 or so ain't bad.
Recently I got an Alaska Airlines Signature Visa card. Now I'm earning miles for credit card charges. And I get double miles for buying my Alaska Airlines tickets with my Visa card. When I shop online with the Alaska Airlines shopping partners and pay with my Alaska Airlines Visa I do a little double-dipping. Oh, yeah. Did I mention the 20,000 mile bonus for being approved for the card? Not bad at all!
I haven't had a chance to try booking a flight with one of Alaska Airlines partners for a flight to Europe or Asia or South America yet. But, I've got enough miles on the books for a trip to Europe. I'll try cashing in some miles for that trip and report back on that.
But, so far, Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan has been good for me!
Update - Apr. 28: I'm planning another trip to Mexico and just booked a free trip for next November. Only had to check back twice to find the dates I wanted for 30,000 miles. That and $65 in taxes and airport fees and I'm set!
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
StraightTalker
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Member: Rick Jacobson
Location: Milwaukie, Oregon, USA
Reviews written: 107
Trusted by: 71 members
About Me:
Just hangin' out waitin' for my next trip to Mexico!
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