Alaska Airlines Will Buy Virgin America. Impact on Miles & Points?

Today Alaska Airlines announced it will buy Virgin America, after weeks of speculation. Alaska beat out JetBlue in the bidding.

Alaska is predicting that it will take nine months to close the deal and another year beyond that for the carriers to combine onto a single operating certificate.

To give you an idea of the relative sizes of these airlines, look at the 2015 passenger numbers for North American airlines, according to Wikipedia.

Virgin America is a minnow.

US Airways to Have Oneworld and Star Alliance Partners Starting March 31, How to Take Advantage

US Airways Premier World MasterCard with 40,000 bonus miles after first purchase to book these Star Alliance and oneworld partners

Earn 40,000 bonus miles after your first purchase and payment of the $89 annual fee*
First checked bag FREE on eligible bags for you and up to four companions on domestic US Airways operated flights
One companion certificate good for up to 2 guests to travel with you on a US Airways

Yes, The American Airlines/US Airways Merger Will Happen–Your Best Play

According to Bloomberg, AA/US have reached a deal with the Department of Justice, so that the latter will stop objecting to the merger.

I've long maintained that I expected the merger to happen.