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Add to del.icio.usAlaska Airlines leaves the door open for anyone to fly Business and First Class the world over via its mileage program, Mileage Plan.
That’s because the carrier sells its miles -- and puts no limit (highly unusual) on the amount you can buy. The cost is about $27 (tax included) per 1,000 miles, and there are no service charges for online purchases.
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Here’s how this can work for discount Business Class travel to the Middle East:
A Mileage Plan partner award on British Airways from North America to Africa or India is 140,000 miles in Business Class and 160,000 miles in First Class. Purchasing 140,000 Alaska miles costs $3,780. Purchasing 160,000 Alaska miles costs $4,320.
By comparison, British Airways Executive Club charges 180,000 miles for Business Class, 270,000 miles for First Class.
I have recently begun flying US AIRWAYS over other carriers based on their ppromises of upgrades, fares, service, etc. Thus far, I have in their defense, been getting many complimentary upgrades to first class. BUT, and this is a big BUT, have you done some investigating into their SEAT PITCH in FIRST CLASS. To say it is coach is an understatement because it is like coach on a charter carrier. If you are in a window seat and the person in front of you or in the aisle seat in front of you has their seat leaned back----pray you do not need to head for the lavatory for the length of your flight!! Not only do you have to inconvenience your seatmate and has him/her to stand up but you have to get the person in front of you and adjacent and in front of you to move their seats forward so you can get up......it is a three ring circus..........THus, I dehydrate myself if I have the "luck" to get upgraded and then have to sit in an "A" of "F" seat. Secondlly, even with meals their beverages come out in plastic glasses but as one of their flight attendants told me and I quote "we do give you refills in fresh plastic glasses". SO, really, an aisle seat in the emergency row, although a smaller width seat, has much more leg room and even the window seat is much, much better.....better warn people looking to take the US Airways challenge going on right now that anyone can take the challenge for 90 days to upgrade their elie status by flying extra miles/segments to go up in status....it may/may not be worth it unless they live in US Airways hub cities or are already dedicated to US Airways.....
The Alaska Mileage Plan can easily make such generous offers, as they don't actually have the inventory to fulfill them. My wife and I recently returned from a trip to Japan. We wanted to make the trip using Alaska mileage for business-class tickets with Alaska's partner Northwest. We discovered that, for every flight across the Pacific, only a single business-class seat was available for each flight. Ever. (The planes that Northwest uses between Portland/Seattle and Tokyo are 2-class, so there are no first-class seats). This isn't a reward program. It's an insult.
I tried to use AMEX platinum to purchase a two for one business class Houston - Tokyo roundtrip. AMEX had nothing available other than convoluted routings. However, when I checked with the major Houston carrier, they had business class seats available for miles. How have subscribers found the AMEX program and the ability to purchase seats on a direct connection?
The AMEX platinum two for one international program is a joke. I was quoted prices like $8,000 to Europe when on the internet I could purchase tickets per person for $3,000 or less
Amex Platinum's 2 for 1 business class pricing is a joke! I recommend shopping the Internet for deals or purchasing “first class” & “business class” tickets from a travel broker. I have ALWAYS been successful with obtaining best pricing without Amex 2 for 1 deal.
I agree with the comments regarding AMEX platinum 2 for 1 program. I reside in Hawaii, and for most carriers to both Europe and S. America it doesn't apply. Appears I must first fly to the contigous U.S. and then only certain city pairs.....As to the Alasla partnership w/ Northwest, NW consistently has "perk plus"/ double miles on it's international routes, and its' online award finder is a joke.
How do you buy unlimited miles on Alaska...I says 30,000 limit. Has anyone had luck with this can you check availability and purchase at the same time? I am looking to go to India and Dubai.
Like ADeleon, I found that Alaska only allows you to purchase 30,000 miles. Like most airlines, they allow companies to buy miles for incentive programs, but the rules and restrictions prevent one from buying incentive program miles for oneself.
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