Alaska Airlines expands awards with more partners

Alaska Airlines is making it easier and more rewarding to be a participant in its Mileage Plan program.

It's providing upfront information that is more user friends and expanding award availability so members can find more award space when they want to travel.

There are new awards charts for the oneworld program and partner airlines that will go into effect March 2024.

With the new distance-based structure, 60% of partner nonstop routes in economy class and 64% of routes in business class will start at a lower price point. The streamlined information gives a better idea of how many miles are needed to fly to and within regions of the world with short-haul awards starting as low as 4,500 miles each way (down from 7,500). Many shorter-distance flights within continents will start at up to half the current price.

It is also access to premium economy awards with more partners than ever before, including American Airlines and Japan Airlines, at award levels starting just 30% higher than economy. Awards start at only 6,000 miles one-way in premium economy (down from 12,500) and business class is available from 9,000 miles each way (down from 20,000).