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Since the recent confirmation of Alaska’s purchase of Virgin, the biggest question on all of our minds has been what this will mean for earning and redeeming miles. We now have a pretty clear picture of the answer. Let’s cut to the chase with the biggest question that’s been going around: What will the conversion rate be between Alaska and Virgin America?
What Will the Conversion Rate Be Between Alaska and Virgin America?
The answer Each Elevate point will get you 1.3 Mileage Plan miles. With the 1:1 transfer rate between SPG Starpoints and Elevate points, this means you will also have the option of getting 1.3 Mileage Plan miles per SPG point. You'll be able to convert your Elevate points beginning January 9, 2017.
Changes and Enhancements Alaska Has Announced Today
Alaska Award Flight Cost Reduction
One of the most significant changes is a reduction in the starting price of award flights on Alaska Airlines. The largest reduction is on interstate flights of less than 700 miles, for which the starting price has dropped from 12,500 miles to 5,000 miles each way.
Here are the new one-way Mileage Plan mile costs of the lowest award tier, organized by distance:
- Under 700 miles (intrastate): 5,000 Mileage Plan miles (previously 7,500)
- Under 700 miles (interstate): 5,000 Mileage Plan miles (previously 12,500)
- 701 to 1,400 miles: 7,500 Mileage Plan miles (previously 12,500)
- 1,401 to 2,100 miles: 10,000 Mileage Plan miles (previously 12,500)
- 2,101 or more miles: 12,500 Mileage Plan miles (no change)
Other Changes
Earning rates for miles in Business or First Class have gone up by “up to 80%” on international flights with Alaska’s partner airlines. Unfortunately, Alaska is pretty vague on the details here except to provide a handful of examples. The most promising of these is an example Business Class Qantas flight from San Francisco to Sydney, which would previously have earned 11,126 miles and would now earn 25,960 miles.
As we mentioned in our previous post on the subject, you can now earn Mileage Plan miles for Virgin America flights.
Mileage Plan elite members may now receive complimentary upgrades on award travel on Alaska Airlines flights (not Virgin America or other partner flights). Some fares are eligible for immediate First Class upgrades, with the type of fare qualifying depending on your elite status, as follows:
- Y, S, or Z for MVP members
- Y, S, Z, B, or M for MVP Gold members
- Y, S, Z, B, M, or H for MVP Gold 75K members
Interesting Timing?
The timing of these enhancements lines up with Alaska's breakup with Delta. Frankly, the news of losing Delta can really be hit or miss depending on your personal travel habits, and while losing a partner isn't desirable, you've got to give Alaska credit for stepping up their game with these enhancements.
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Awesome news from Alaskan!
Always happy to see positive changes to a frequent flyer program!
5000 miles with a free stopover is a really amazing option. It opens up the possibility of visiting multiple cities along the west coast for way less than it would cost by cash alone. I am planning to visiting PDX and SEA from SFO soon… I just hope devaluations don’t hit us too quickly.
On another note, any chances that Alaska will open up more opportunities for transfer of credit card points to miles? SPG is great but having Citi/Chase/Amex as well would be awesome!
Roy, we can only hope Alaska expands its credit card partnerships, but we can only speculate at this point.
Pretty positive changes. I miss having Alaska as my go-to airline!
I like AS but wish they would tie up properly with oneworld.
The dreaded devaluations are bound to happen, especially with the merger of competition.
What is the best “enhancement” for alaska airlines for the coming year?
It depends on your travel habits. For me, I’d say the additional route network that Virgin America brings to Alaska is the best part.
I think I will start using this programme.
Delta, American and United have devaluated their programmes a lot.
I hope Alaska will not devauate in one year or two!
This sounds interesting and good, but I’m with other when I say when will the other shoe drop? However, Alaska Airlines has always had a good mileage plan and partners. Consumer Reports has mentioned that Alaska was a good airline to have a mileage plan with. They say the best is a Canadian airline…just can’t remember which one :o\ Thanks for the info but I don wonder how this will be changing other things in the future.
The 5,000 miles tickets are great value, especially with the free stopover.
Haha i was also a bit scared when the title mentioned enhancements but this is actually a good change.
Keep up the good work AS!
It is quite unusual these days for a frequent flyer program to seem to get better. I wonder if there is some devaluation to follow soon.
Scary title since “enhancements” never means something positive!
these changes are good, but who knows what they will do later when they find they have given out too many miles
I have two Virgin accounts (by accident, but kept). It will be nice to transfer them both to Alaska and finally consolidate them. Thanks for the update.
I love AS! And, I’m very jazzed about having upgrades available when traveling on an award ticket!
Earning Milage Plan miles for Virgin America flights is the only great news here, the convertion ratio is not very generous though
always a big fan of alaska airline, look forward to more changes.
Awesome. News. Time for me to get on an Alaskan membership.
It’s refreshing to an airline not use “enhancements” as a euphemism for “devaluation”.
Great point.
Great changes. Hopefully there are no second thought a year after and they do a massive devaluation
Will AS round up or down?
I think we’ll find out when transfers can actually happen. I would think it is safe to assume, down or they’ll only allow you to transfer when the numbers come out even.