Alaska Airlines Mile Sale 40% Bonus
April 2, 2015
Update 4/2/15: This ends tomorrow 4/3/15.
Until April 3, 2015, you can buy 56,000 or more Alaska Airlines miles for 2.11 cents each.
The sale is structured as a bonus on the normal number of miles you'd receive.
Alaska Airlines Statement on the Blocking of Emirates First Class Award Space
March 6, 2015
Emirates First Class is not bookable with Alaska Airlines miles for flights past March 28, 2015. There has been a workaround, but I think all Alaska agents have gotten the memo not to use it.
I reached out to Alaska Airlines for a statement on what's going on. This is from a spokeswoman for Alaska:
It’s not a glitch. Emirate awards show in our system if there are a minimum of three seats available per flight. The minimum threshold is due to the connection in place between Emirates and our shopping system vendor.
Updated: How to Book Emirates First Class with Alaska Miles Beyond March 28
February 18, 2015
Update 2/18/15: I cancelled my award reservation in Emirates First Class using Alaska miles. I was invited to a wedding that changed my plans. I tried to change my reservation to different dates.
I called up and asked for the change.
35% Bonus on Purchase of Alaska Miles. Good Deal?
November 11, 2014
Until December 20, 2014, you can buy Alaska Airlines miles for as little as 2.19 cents each.
The sale is structured as a bonus on the normal number of miles you'd receive. The bonus is tiered, so the biggest 35% bonus comes from purchasing 35,000 to 40,000 miles at the normal price of about 2.96 cents each after tax.
To buy 47,250 miles (35,000 + 12,250 bonus) during this sale costs $1,034.69, which is 2.19 cents per mile.
Alaska,SkyMiles,Virgin Australia
Delta.com No Longer Displaying Alaska and Virgin Australia Award Space
October 30, 2014
Update 11/6/14: Delta.com is again displaying Alaska Airlines and Virgin Australia award space. The disappearance must have been a glitch. Bookmark this post in case the glitch recurs!
Delta.com is no longer displaying award space on Alaska Airlines or Virgin Australia. You can search for award space on both airlines on other websites and book it by phone with Delta.
Virgin Australia Business ClassDelta.com is pretty terrible.
Amazing Emirates First Class Award Space from SFO/IAH to Dubai
September 24, 2014
Emirates is releasing two First Class seats on its A380 flights from San Francisco and Houston to Dubai on a ton of days in Winter 2015.
My flight in Emirates First Class was my favorite ever because of the over-the-top service and amenities, like two onboard shower spas.
Emirates First: Chauffeur Service
Pre-Departure Services and Emirates Club Auckland
Emirates First: Suite, Seat, and Bed
Emirates First: Service and Food
Emirates First: Shower Spa
At the MileValue dinner, when I shared these five tips, a reader (wish I could remember a name for credit here) shared the tip that Emirates First
Cheap Alaska Airlines Awards to Mexico and US This Fall
August 29, 2014
Alaska Airlines is having a sale on award flights between select cities. One way flights are going for as little as 5,000 Alaska Airlines miles + $5.60 for flights between August 30 and October 31, 2014.
Many cities are on the sale list. Check out the full list and sale prices here.
Domestic awards and awards to Canada are discounted from their normal price of 12,500 miles each way to 5,000, 7,500, or 10,000 miles each way.
Alaska,Free First Class Next Month
Free First Class 2014: Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan Basics
August 11, 2014
This is the eighteenth post in a monthlong series that started here. Each post will take about two minutes to read and may include an action item that takes the reader another two minutes to complete. I am writing this for an audience of people who know nothing about frequent flyer miles, and my goal is that by the end, you know enough to fly for free anywhere you want to go.
I've covered how to earn miles and the redemption options for miles.
Three Emirates First Class Showers for 100k Alaska Airlines Miles
June 30, 2014
You can take up to three showers in the First Class Shower Spa onboard Emirates A380s on a single award that costs only 100,00 Alaska Airlines miles.
United,Alaska,AAdvantage,Award Booking,Avios,Lufthansa
Great Award Space to Kona, Hawaii
June 20, 2014
Getting to the Big Island of Hawaii from the United States mainland is easy with miles. There are a ton of direct flights on several airlines, most of which have fantastic award space. Several of the flights can even be booked for as little as 12,500 miles each way.
I've been on the Kona side of Hawaii Island this week with my family, and it has been fantastic.
The snorkeling on this coast is the best I've ever experienced.