T_R_Oglodyte
TUG Lifetime Member
When using mileage awards at Alaska Airlines for flights that involve only Alaska Air metal, you have the choice of booking a flight using:
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I was just looking at these options for booking a one-way flight SEA-BOS. I want to arrive before 9 pm and no red-eye.
I thought the comparison of the options might be interesting to others. This example also illustrates the advantages that come with being a frequent flyer, and why I am loyal to Alaska when I fly.
Flight details.
Other considerations:
For comparison. The same itinerary on Southwest is $266 using "Wanna Get Away". And that is an 8:30 flight duration (one connection) vs 5:30 duration (non-stop) on Alaska. If I wanted to go No Frills and forego upgrades, Alaska Airlines "Saver" fare is $199.
The big competition on this route is not SWA but Delta. Delta's equivalent of Saver fare is $20 less, their equivalent of "Main" fare is less, and they are also non-stop. Alaska beats Delta on upgrade options. Interesting to see the playout. Delta is going after more of the mass market; Alaska is creating more value for FFs. SWA isn't competitive on this itinerary, even with their two bags free policy.
- miles only (which still entails a residual charge for other fees - small domestically, much larger for international flights).
- 10k miles per ticket + fees. This nominally results in a $100 credit toward air fare (but no more than 50% of base fare).
- 20k miles per ticket + fees. This nominally results in a $200 credit toward air fare(but no more than 50% of base fare).
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I was just looking at these options for booking a one-way flight SEA-BOS. I want to arrive before 9 pm and no red-eye.
I thought the comparison of the options might be interesting to others. This example also illustrates the advantages that come with being a frequent flyer, and why I am loyal to Alaska when I fly.
Flight details.
- "Main" fare (not "Saver" fare) = $229.
- Miles + money = $121 + 10k miles.
- Miles only = $6 + 20k miles.
Other considerations:
- I am MVP Gold on Alaska Air. So I get a 100% bonus on air miles and I get two pieces of free checked luggage for myself and everyone on my itinerary. I can cancel or change my flights anytime without cancellation charges or fees.
- I book on Alaska Air using the Alaska Air Visa for booking flights, which posts 3 miles to my FF account for every dollar spent at Alaska Air.
For comparison. The same itinerary on Southwest is $266 using "Wanna Get Away". And that is an 8:30 flight duration (one connection) vs 5:30 duration (non-stop) on Alaska. If I wanted to go No Frills and forego upgrades, Alaska Airlines "Saver" fare is $199.
The big competition on this route is not SWA but Delta. Delta's equivalent of Saver fare is $20 less, their equivalent of "Main" fare is less, and they are also non-stop. Alaska beats Delta on upgrade options. Interesting to see the playout. Delta is going after more of the mass market; Alaska is creating more value for FFs. SWA isn't competitive on this itinerary, even with their two bags free policy.
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