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In a lot of ways, American Airlines and Alaska are similar programs – both in the One World alliance for example, with some reciprocal elite benefits as well. But they’re plenty different as well. We’ll discuss how these programs differ and why you mind find one better than the other.
Coffee Break: AA vs Alaska: Which miles are more valuable?
(00:00) – Comparing AA to the new Alaska program (starting 1/1/25)
(00:08) – American Airlines and Alaska are Similar programs in a lot of ways…
(01:22) – Why AA miles might be more valuable…
(05:04) – Why Alaska miles may be more valuable…
(08:10) – Free stopover on one-way award
Learn how to book a stopover on Alaska award flights here: https://frequentmiler.com/how-to-book-alaska-mileage-plan-stopover-awards-video/
(10:31) – So which one do we think is best?
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Music Credit – Beach Walk by Unicorn Heads
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so should we transfer AMEX point to Hawaii?
AS hasn’t shown SQ availability for over a year I believe.
Great podcast!
Even though it confirms what I already knew (both programs are critical for biz awards), I always read between the lines and get what I need to help me with my own biz bookings (domestic for positioning flights). Then again, what we get from this, is pretty much YMMV. Works for me in many occasions if you know what you are looking for your (your next biz flight)!
You guys miss something…what are the best miles to book domestic/regional flights? People not only travel international with partners. In that case I value AA miles more since I live in FL and can travel everywhere with AA from here. Alaska for me is useless. Sure…many times you can use Alaska miles to book AA flights…but not always the case. regards
Alternatively, if you fly domestically AS could have more value, because you can book AA flights for relatively cheap totals; I often book Main Cabin for 4.5k miles, and rarely encounter issues with availability.
Sure. For as long as AA still allows it and if the AA flight is cheap. Usually when AA flights are expensive you dont see it available with partners.
You say AS miles are “useless”, then in the very next sentence you say that “many times you can use them”.
My bad
I agree but from the opposite side. Almost literally. I’m in the PNW and mostly fly around the West. So AS is much more of a value and AA is almost never a good option.
I agree – AS needs to prioritize getting multi-partner redemptions going. I’ve never understood why they’re incapable of it while others have been able to do it for decades.
If I want to fly internationally from home with Alaska miles, I always need to route through Seattle on Alaska which is very inconvenient to most places; stick strictly to AA operated flights, which aren’t that abundant internationally; or do a usually-expensive positioning flight.
Once multi-partner redemptions become available AS will have much expanded options for Europe. Some of the best OneWorld partner redemptions would require AA with a BA connector or BA with somebody else to avoid the high BA surcharges going through London, and Alaska can’t book those right now.
As is Alaska mitigates that somewhat with the Condor and Aer Lingus partnerships. But I have had a harder time finding Aer Lingus business availability since it’s not consistent on when or if space opens. They’ve added a number of routes that might help with this for 2025 and out (Las Vegas, Indianapolis, Nashville). Condor’s gone up to 70K west coast but that’s still pretty good considering the low taxes. Many of the routes are only seasonal though.
Long-haul award inventory on partners? Hit or miss.
To east Asia? Tough.
East Asia less than 200k points for J one-way? Tough.