Alaska Airline 40% More Bonus Miles

[casanovawa]

Pity you can only buy 56,000 miles with this offer, gets you a one way in J with Qantas (if you can find any seats) but not the slightly more expensive awards with CX....

Do they ever have share bonus offers??

 

[Limewood]

Pity you can only buy 56,000 miles with this offer, gets you a one way in J with Qantas (if you can find any seats) but not the slightly more expensive awards with CX....

Buy what you like, as far as I know there are no restrictions, I did 3, one each day last time.

 

[drivatruk]

Each time mine posted next day.

Finding J seats using AS miles very difficult, JAL gives best show for CX seats availability they say. Calling AS toll free can help if your dates are flexible.

I booked last 2 x J Jan. last CNS/HKG/CNS on CX for May 2014 by calling AS, was lucky.

Do you the CX availability on QFF would be accurate????

 

[Limewood]

Do you the CX availability on QFF would be accurate????

Normally no, JAL is much more accurate.

Best use of AS miles is being flexible with dates.

 

[_TheTraveller_]

Does AS charge to upgrade classes on partner awards? Other than the mileage difference.

 

[Mumfreqflyer]

Do you mean if you book economy and a business class seat becomes available?

 

[_TheTraveller_]

Do you mean if you book economy and a business class seat becomes available?

Yeah. Thats what I meant.

 

[Mumfreqflyer]

You can make changes free of charge up until 60 days prior to travel.

Within 60 days it will cost you $125.

I changed a few legs to business/premium economy when they became available and just had an extra $2.50 to pay in taxes.

 

[_TheTraveller_]

You can make changes free of charge up until 60 days prior to travel.

Within 60 days it will cost you $125.

I changed a few legs to business/premium economy when they became available and just had an extra $2.50 to pay in taxes.

Ah yeah. Thanks for that, as I'm looking for CX F i'll most likely end up paying the $125...

Did AS fix the problem with foreign cards being used?

 

[ermen]

Just bought some today with an Australian visa card... no problem at all...

 

[Limewood]

Just bought some today with an Australian visa card... no problem at all...

Did they post that day or the next?.

 

[somebol]

They posted instantly for me

 

[avaction]

Buy what you like, as far as I know there are no restrictions, I did 3, one each day last time.

Do you get the 40% bonus on every "buy" and is there a restriction to the number of miles you can buy per year/transaction??

 

[diningdecadence]

Do you get the 40% bonus on every "buy" and is there a restriction to the number of miles you can buy per year/transaction??

Yes, and no. In that order. Unlimited purchases with promo during period.

 

[Beta4Me]

Out of curiosity, at present why would someone buy this over USDM? When is this preferable (other than a specific taste for Emirates)? I'm looking at it from the perspective of, for example, AUS-USA-AUS CX F with a Hong Kong stopover via Alaska miles vs USDM. USDM is fewer miles and a lower cost per mile. Wins hands down, no? Is there a specific use case where Alaska wins? Just trying to understand. Thanks!

 

[RooFlyer]

Out of curiosity, at present why would someone buy this over USDM? When is this preferable (other than a specific taste for Emirates)? I'm looking at it from the perspective of, for example, AUS-USA-AUS CX F with a Hong Kong stopover via Alaska miles vs USDM. USDM is fewer miles and a lower cost per mile. Wins hands down, no? Is there a specific use case where Alaska wins? Just trying to understand. Thanks!

I wouldn't venture that the Alaskan scheme is necessarily better value than the USDM one, but other than just the points equation, for me there is:

* I actually fly Alaskan, so am in the Mileage Plan scheme anyway; buying AS miles means the flown miles aren't orphaned;

* The AS scheme gives you access into SkyTeam airlines, which are very handy occasionally - eg Delta, KLM, Aeromexico - as well as the One World airlines such as CX etc; USDM of course is being merged with AAdvantage and access will be restricted to OneWorld (as I understand it).

* For me, if I want award flights on OneWorld, I can use my QFF points, which I don't have to buy (directly) at all.

 

[scwappy]

Out of curiosity, at present why would someone buy this over USDM? When is this preferable (other than a specific taste for Emirates)? I'm looking at it from the perspective of, for example, AUS-USA-AUS CX F with a Hong Kong stopover via Alaska miles vs USDM. USDM is fewer miles and a lower cost per mile. Wins hands down, no? Is there a specific use case where Alaska wins? Just trying to understand. Thanks!

The ability to book one ways may be useful sometimes

 

[blackjacknz]

Out of curiosity, at present why would someone buy this over USDM? When is this preferable (other than a specific taste for Emirates)? I'm looking at it from the perspective of, for example, AUS-USA-AUS CX F with a Hong Kong stopover via Alaska miles vs USDM. USDM is fewer miles and a lower cost per mile. Wins hands down, no? Is there a specific use case where Alaska wins? Just trying to understand. Thanks!

As scwappy said...probably the ability to book one way. Cost wise its not a big difference if flying Qantas:

Alaskan 40,000 +16,000 bonus = 56,000 points for $1100 USD so it would be $2200 for a AUS - USA return ticket on Qantas
USDM 50,000 + 50,000 bonus + 10,000 = $2100 USD

Works out better when you look at other airlines like Cathay Pacific (as you need 120,000 points on Alaskan). I have booked and flown using Alaskan miles earlier this year (Qantas PER - LAX)...and have rebooked and flying Cathay next year on Cathay using Alaskan again. I booked before the USDM bonus came out....but just happy to get the business class seat for the dates we want for just under $6000 AUD return for 2 x PAX.

 

[legroom]

The ability to book one ways may be useful sometimes

That will increase your chance as you can nab what is available now without waiting for the return date to become available.

Change is also simpler.

 

[RooFlyer]

Data point: Just bought Alaskan miles with ordinary Aussie cc; no problems; points posted an hour or so later.