Getting a Free Trip to Alaska with One Trip to the U.S.

[inpd]

Hi,

I'm used this a few times, should still work.

Alaska Airlines is part of one-world and you can dump
your Qantas points into their FF program.

The Alaska frequent flier program only requires
20K points to get a free flight since they typically
operate only on the west coast.

So, if your doing a Australia-USA (about 16K points)
with a few internal flights you can usually get enough
points to quality for the free flight to Alaska next
time you visit.

There are plenty of nice cities in Alaska
(Juneau, Fairbanks). Ankorage is okay,
but it is too much of a big town for me.

Once, Alaska had a deal where if you dumped more
than 10K points into their account they would give
you an extra 5K.

Alaska really is an amazing place to visit, but be
careful when you book, the window to visit Alaska
is only a three months wide unless you want to be
very cold!

 

[Craigo]

A small correction required: Alaska Airlines is not a member of the Oneworld alliance. However, from what you're saying, it appears that members of the Alaska FF programme can redeem points with Qantas in a similar manner to Continental FF members.

 

[varyingtravel]

I'm not a huge fan of Alaska Airlines after the crash of one of their MD80's back in 2000.
The crash was caused by them changing the maintenance (lubrication of a jackscrew) and inspection schedule of the horizontal stabiliser. The thread was stripped off the bolt in the end and it was left to flap in the wind.
I don't like airlines that change maintenance schedules and as a result have accidents - even if the changes were approved by the FAA.
Full NTSB investigation is at
http://www.ntsb.gov/Publictn/2002/AAR0201.pdf
Not that I'm trying to scare anyone into not flying!

 

[QF WP]

varyingtravel, I remember that one well on Air Crash Investigation (Foxtel channel 18 or 19). But one single at fault crash that doesn't frighten me (but I prefer QF for the reason that their maintenance is better than most). I travel on AS a bit (usually at least one sector every trip), as I fly to SEA and GEG to see relatives.

I'm flying them SFO/SEA/LAX and SEA/YLW/SEA on QX (Horizon) in Dec/Jan, so I'll let you know if I come back.

I used to credit my AS/QX flights to NW WorldPerks (before I knew about AA). Now I know better

 

[varyingtravel]

Lindsay, I hope you do come back... What would we do without all that great information you provide on this forum.

As a private pilot I receive reports on all accidents with Australian registered aircraft and also tend to follow up the big overseas ones as well. In most of these cases, culture is a huge factor, whether that be cost cutting, company or pilot culture. This is why I'm always wary of airlines that have accidents where maintenance was involved. If I have a choice I avoid them.
I'd probably would fly AA if I needed to as the crash was a combination of factors including the FAA agreeing to changes in maintenance and MD for not providing a system with a backup.
Although I'm still happy to fly Qantas after the BKK accident (maintenance cost cutting)..

 

[inpd]

I've flown Alaska a few times. The planes are oldish
(as are most US domestic carriers), but it was not
apparent that they were poorly maintained.

Qantas is unique to never have had a fatality,
most U.S. carriers crash a plane every five
years or so unfortunately.

 

[robertz]

varyingtravel, I remember that one well on Air Crash Investigation (Foxtel channel 18 or 19). But one single at fault crash that doesn't frighten me (but I prefer QF for the reason that their maintenance is better than most). I travel on AS a bit (usually at least one sector every trip), as I fly to SEA and GEG to see relatives.

I'm flying them SFO/SEA/LAX and SEA/YLW/SEA on QX (Horizon) in Dec/Jan, so I'll let you know if I come back.

I used to credit my AS/QX flights to NW WorldPerks (before I knew about AA). Now I know better

Im going SFO/SEA/YVR in Jan as well. Hmmm, might be time to get my affairs in order :?

 

[Guest]

well at the moment its buy 2, get 1 free for me and USA.

with some creative routing, sticking with QF codeshares... each trip is worth about 45-50K points with 100% platinum bonus

 

[bigjobs]

i have flown Alaska Airlies previously. i found what they called executive class to be very old and tired and thought at the time that they used the term very broadly.

i flew with them LAX to YVR. ok service, friendly crew and a captain who kept us all informed throughout the flight. returned to LAX with them and was delayed due to a crack in the windscreen ... what are you going to do though.

overall i thought they were ok. and as a bonus i found about 12 days later some frequent flyer points and status credits on my QF FF account.

happy travels.