Alaska Airlines Award Redemption Sale - To Seattle

Great news for Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan members heading to Seattle: The airline announced a sale for award redemption's between Seattle and San Francisco, Los Angeles and Long Beach. Instead of the regular 25,000 miles required for a free round-trip ticket, you pay only 15,000 miles. Discounts are available for one-way and first class travel also.

The offer is valid for flights between January 6, 2009 and March 19, 2009.

Alaska Airlines Changes Miles Requirement for Free Travel

On Thursday, Alaska Airlines announced changes to its Mileage Plan account. Unlike recent changes to other airline frequent flyer programs, generally considered unfavorable to consumers, Alaska's announcement carries less of a sting.

For example, a domestic round-trip Coach Saver award ticket will now require 25,000 miles, compared to 20,000 points previously needed; this change aligns with most other airlines. But, the change begins November 1st, effectively allowing flyer's to redeem at the lower points level for the next few months.

Also, Alaska will offer Intra-State award travel for only 15,000 miles. Previously only available in Alaska, passengers flying wholly within AK, CA, ID, MT, OR, or WA receive a 10,000 mile reduction in the cost of award resumptions.

Other changes, including a $25 fee for booking award travel with an Alaska partner, will be instituted, but again, not until later this Fall. Click here to read the entire Alaska Airlines announcement.

Alaska Airlines Double Miles Promo: Bay Area to/from Seattle

Alaska is offering double Mileage Plan miles for flights between San Francisco, Oakland and San Jose to Seattle between June 1st and August 31st. You must register for the promotion prior to your first qualifying flight.

Regular travelers to Seattle will appreciate Alaska Airlines latest promotion: Earn double MileagePlan miles for flights to/from San Francisco and Seattle for the rest of the year. This is a qualifying promotion whereby you need to fly this route twice prior to being eligible for this promotion. Details here. This offer is likely in response to competitor Virgin America, who announced service into Seattle will begin in March.

Delta Airlines: Changes to frequent flyer redemption's effective December 1st. "SkyChoice Award Ticket Reservations will no longer be available on every Delta flight in which a seat is available for sale. SkyChoice Award Ticket Reservations will continue to be available on most Delta flights, but seats will be limited and possibly unavailable on some flights."

Translation: Under the current policy, a "SkySaver" award redemption for travel in the U.S is 25,000 miles, subject to capacity control (hard to find an available seat). You still had the option of spending 50,000 miles though "SkyChoice" and you could choose any seat on any flight. New policy states "SkyChoice" will now also be capacity controlled (you can no longer have any seat, any flight), but you will have more options than a Saver ticket.

Alaska Airlines: Effective April 1, 2008. Mile balances in your Alaska Air frequent flyer account will expire after 2 years of no activity (down from the existing 3 year requirement).

Horizon Air Announces Introductory Fares and Double Miles on New Service from Portland to Sonoma County/Santa Rosa
Horizon Air, part of parent company Alaska Airlines has announced a special introductory fare of $99 each way for the airline's new service between Portland and Sonoma County/Santa Rosa, which starts Oct. 28. Additionally, for a limited time, Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan members can earn Double Miles on the new route. Both offers are valid for travel through Dec. 13, 2007.
The daily nonstop flight departs Santa Rosa at 2:20pm. Visit Horizonair.com for more information.