Does Alaska Airlines Hold Award Flights?

Does Alaska Airlines Hold Award Flights?

As we all know, Alaska Airlines is one of the major airlines in the U.S. aviation industry. Moreover, this airline is also known for its flexible and valuable partnerships. However, the airline does not permit award flight holds. Award flight holds basically enable passengers to redeem their miles for flights across its extensive network and partner airlines. In this writing, we will mainly explore details about the Alaska Airlines Award Flight program and address some doubts of travellers.

Are Holding Award Flights Offered by Alaska Airlines? 

Well, Alaska Airlines does not allow holding on award flights through its Mileage Plan program. Hence the travelers are required to confirm their bookings immediately by using the sufficient miles in their account. Moreover, this policy also demands that the passengers must have an average balance of miles in their accounts. Additionally, the passengers can also adjust or even cancel the award tickets without incurring any additional fees. Also, this approach is considered to be very convenient as it reduces the financial risk for the travellers. 

What Are Alaska Airlines Award Flights?

If we talk about the Award Flight Program of Alaska Airlines, this program has been very helpful for travellers, as it allows them to book their seats using their miles instead of cash by using the Mileage Plan of Alaska Airlines. Moreover, unlike other loyalty programs, Alaska Airlines also maintains a balanced integration of fixed award charts for the other partner airlines. For example, redeeming miles for a partner like Emirates might follow a fixed rate, while Alaska-operated flights vary based on demand. 

Key highlights:

• No blackout dates: Make sure that you book any available seat with miles.
• Stopovers permitted: Secondly, on international awards, don’t forget to enjoy a free stopover in one city (e.g., break up a Tokyo trip with a few days in Los Angeles).
• Partner-rich network: Access to 20+ airlines, including Oneworld allies (American Airlines, Qatar Airways) and non-alliance partners like Emirates and Singapore Airlines.

How to Earn Alaska Airlines Miles

Additionally, collection miles are the most basic step towards securing the award flights. Moreover, Alaska offers multiple earning avenues, some of which are mentioned below:

• Flying with Alaska or Partners: Earn miles on Alaska flights and partners like American Airlines, Fiji Airways, or Japan Airlines.
• Co-Branded Credit Cards: The Alaska Airlines Visa® Credit Card (issued by Bank of America) awards bonus miles on everyday purchases.
• Everyday Spending: Convert points from programs like Marriott Bonvoy (3:1 transfer ratio) or earn miles via shopping portals.
• Elite Status Benefits: MVP tiers earn bonus miles (50%–200% more per flight).

Pro tip: Focus on spending with partners like British Airways or Cathay Pacific to earn miles faster.

Discover the Best Sweet Spots for Alaska Awards

The Mileage Plan of Alaska Airlines is known all across the globe for its high-value redemptions, especially on partner airlines. Below are the top strategies:

1. Emirates First Class to Dubai

• Cost: 150,000 miles one-way (vs. $10,000+ cash fare).
• Why it’s great: Enjoy showers, caviar, and lie-flat beds on the Airbus A380.

2. Japan Airlines Business Class to Tokyo

• Cost: 60,000 miles one-way (a steal compared to $4,000 fares).
• Perks: Award availability is consistent, and Alaska allows stopovers in Asia.

3. Intra-U.S. Flights on Alaska Airlines

• Cost: As low as 5,000 miles for short-haul routes (e.g., Seattle to Portland).
• Dynamic pricing tip: Book early for the lowest mileage rates.

Additionally, Alaska’s unique partnership with American Airlines opens routes to the Caribbean and Europe, while Qantas unlocks Australia.

How to Search for Alaska Award Flights

Now, when it comes to searching for the Alaska Award Flight, you need to follow certain steps. Follow these steps:

• Use Alaska’s Website: Log into your Mileage Plan account, select “Book with Miles,” and search routes.
• Check Partner Airlines Directly: For carriers like Cathay Pacific, search their websites first, then call Alaska to book.
• Remember: Partner awards often have better availability 6–12 months in advance.

Tips and Tricks to Travel with Alaska Airlines

Here are some of the tips and tricks that travellers need to know about Alaska Airlines: 

• Leverage Stopovers: On round-trip international awards, add two stopovers (one outbound, one return) for multi-city adventures.
• Mix Partners: Combine Alaska Airlines and partner flights (e.g., fly Emirates to Dubai, then Qatar Airways to Nairobi).
• Avoid Fuel Surcharges: Skip airlines like British Airways, which impose hefty fees on award tickets.
• Pro move: Use the “Hidden Cities” trick to book cheaper awards (e.g., book a Tokyo-LA flight but disembark in Honolulu).

Common Mistakes to Avoid While Travelling with Alaska Airlines

Some of the common mistakes that passengers must avoid before going with Alaska Airlines are as follows:

• Ignoring Partner Caps: Some partners limit award seats (e.g., Singapore Airlines).
• Overlooking Elite Benefits: MVP Gold members get free same-day flight changes on Alaska-operated awards.
• Not Comparing Cash vs. Miles: Use Alaska’s “Money & Miles” option if cash fares are cheaper.

Conclusion

Alaska Airlines’ award flights offer unparalleled flexibility and value, whether you’re jetting to Bali in business class or hopping between West Coast cities. By strategically earning and redeeming miles, you can unlock aspirational journeys at a fraction of the cost. So, dive into the Mileage Plan, explore its partnerships, and let your next adventure take flight—all on points

Frequently Asked Questions