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Alaska Airlines launched a new program called Mileage Plan Unlocked, giving members the chance to use their hard-earned miles for exclusive events and experiences. Some of these experiences start at just 10,000 miles and can include things like concert tickets, sporting events, travel packages, or food and wine tastings.
So, how do you redeem miles for Mileage Plan Unlocked experiences? Let's take a look.
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What Is Mileage Plan Unlocked?
Much like similar programs from other airlines, Mileage Plan Unlocked lets members bid on or directly purchase access to unique events using miles. Think VIP concert tickets, box seats at games, private dining, or curated travel packages.
The events span categories such as sports, concerts, food and wine, and more, although prices vary widely. I’m not much of a sports fan myself, but redeeming 10,000 miles for access to the Alaska Suite at Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle to see the Seattle Storm play the Golden State Valkyries seems like a great deal. You don’t just get to attend the game; food and drinks are included, too.
Other events, like concerts, also seem to be priced reasonably. For example, two VIP tickets to see Kylie Minogue in Seattle will set you back just 32,000 miles. That's a heck of a deal for an event that's been sold out for some time.
How to Redeem Alaska Mileage Plan Miles for Experiences
To start redeeming your Alaska Airlines miles — or just window shop — head to the Mileage Plan Unlocked website and sign in. The landing page gives an overview of the program along with a few featured experiences.
At the top of the site, you’ll find filters to help sort through the options. You can separate auctions from fixed-price experiences, filter by interest (such as food and wine or sports), set a mileage range, and select specific locations.
Clicking on any listing expands the event details, which may include seating info, dates, and terms and conditions. For “buy now” options, you can add the experience directly to your cart and check out. For auctions, you’ll enter the number of miles you’re willing to bid and wait for the auction to close. If you win, you’ll be notified by email with the next steps.
Keep in mind that miles are deducted from your Mileage Plan account at the time of purchase, and they are nonrefundable — even if you can’t attend the event.
Get a Discount on Unlocked Redemptions via Milestone Rewards
As part of the most recent Alaska Mileage Plan overhaul, elite members can now unlock special discounts on Mileage Plan Unlocked redemptions by reaching certain milestone rewards thresholds. These perks aren’t automatic; you’ll need to choose them from a list of available benefits once you hit each threshold:
- 55K milestone: Choose a discount of 10,000 miles off a Mileage Plan Unlocked redemption
- 85K milestone: Choose a discount of 25,000 miles off a Mileage Plan Unlocked redemption
- 100K milestone: Choose a discount of 75,000 miles off a Mileage Plan Unlocked redemption (the most generous discount offered)
- 150K milestone: Choose a discount of 25,000 miles off a Mileage Plan Unlocked redemption
- 200K milestone: Choose a discount of 25,000 miles off a Mileage Plan Unlocked redemption
- 250K milestone: Choose a discount of 25,000 miles off a Mileage Plan Unlocked redemption
To reiterate, you don’t automatically receive these discounts. They must be selected from a broader list of milestone rewards. The value ultimately depends on how much you plan to engage with Mileage Plan Unlocked experiences compared to the other options available at each milestone threshold.
Top Off Your Alaska Mileage Plan Account to Redeem
There are plenty of ways to grow your balance of Mileage Plan miles. Here are some of the top methods:
Buy Alaska miles
If you do not have enough miles to cover the full cost of an auction or “buy now” event, you can consider topping up your account by purchasing Alaska miles.
The Mileage Plan Unlocked site includes a link to purchase miles. While buying miles is rarely a good deal, it may be worth it if you only need a small amount to complete a redemption.
Leverage co-branded credit cards and transfer partners
If you don't need miles right away but want to build your balance for a future redemption, you might consider applying for a co-branded Mileage Plan credit card, such as the Alaska Airlines Visa Signature® credit card. Alternatively, both The Bilt Mastercard® (Rates & Fees) and Marriott Bonvoy credit cards offer rewards that can be transferred to Mileage Plan.
- Earn unlimited 3 miles for every $1 spent on eligible Alaska Airlines purchases
- Earn unlimited 2 miles for every $1 spent on eligible gas, EV charging stations, cable, streaming services and local transit (including ride share) purchases
- Earn unlimited 1 mile for every $1 spent on all other eligible purchases
- 3x points on dining
- 2x points on travel
- 1x points on rent payments without the transaction fee (up to 100,000 points each calendar year)
- 1x points on other purchases
For additional strategies to boost your Mileage Plan balance, consult our complete Mileage Plan guide.
Transfer HawaiianMiles to Mileage Plan
If you do not currently have enough miles in your Mileage Plan account but have a stash of HawaiianMiles, you can transfer them to Alaska to make Mileage Plan Unlocked redemptions.
HawaiianMiles transfer to Alaska at a 1:1 ratio, and you can transfer up to 500,000 miles per transaction. It's also possible to build your HawaiianMiles balance through co-branded credit cards or by transferring American Express Membership Rewards points at a 1:1 ratio.
Bottom Line
I appreciate that airlines are finding new ways for members to use their miles. And with some of these experiences starting at just 10,000 miles, it’s definitely worth taking a look. That’s the same price you’d sometimes pay for a one-way flight! But here, you might be getting VIP access to a concert or a suite at a game. From food and wine to live events, there’s real potential to get more from your miles than ever before.
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