Alaska Airlines MVP & miles - best use?
Jul 27, 2014, 12:34 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: NYC
Posts: 22
Alaska Airlines MVP & miles - best use?
I recently won a contest where I get 20,000 miles on Alaska Airlines and MVP status for a year. It seems like Alaska Airlines is great and that miles are redeemable across many different airlines. I don't have elite status on any other airlines although I have a lot (for me, anyway! 50-100k range) of miles banked across United, Delta, and American.
What would be the best use of these miles? Not sure whether I should use them on a domestic or foreign trip, on which airline to redeem them, etc. I don't have any trips planned right now where I need to buy airfare.
What would be the best use of these miles? Not sure whether I should use them on a domestic or foreign trip, on which airline to redeem them, etc. I don't have any trips planned right now where I need to buy airfare.
Jul 27, 2014, 12:52 pm
#2
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Wirelessly posted (BlackBerry: BlackBerry8530/5.0.0.1030 Profile/MIDP-2.1 Configuration/CLDC-1.1 VendorID/417)
Before you "accept" your winnings, you should find out what value the contest sponsor will report to the IRS for the 20,000 miles, and determine what your federal (and state, if applicable) tax liability will be.
Before you "accept" your winnings, you should find out what value the contest sponsor will report to the IRS for the 20,000 miles, and determine what your federal (and state, if applicable) tax liability will be.
Jul 27, 2014, 1:25 pm
#3
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I would begin to credit DL and AA to AS so you can grow that 20k miles. For 70k on AS you can fly one way (including a stopover) on CX F say JFK - HKG - JNB (with a stopover at HKG). For 100k you can do the same with EK F say LAX - DXB - JNB.
That's where the real value for AS is - congrats on winning the contest too!
That's where the real value for AS is - congrats on winning the contest too!
Jul 27, 2014, 3:11 pm
#4
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: NYC
Posts: 22
Thanks! I think this is the biggest thing that I've won so I'm super excited.
Would it be worth transferring miles to AS from DL or AA right now? Or just have future miles accrue on AS? Also, I have a trip coming up in December on AA, I've already booked with my AA mileage number - is it possible to change it at this point? I'm traveling with a companion, so would any MVP benefits extend to my companion if we're on the same AA itinerary? (We're flying JFK -- MIA -- LIR)
RE: taxes - I hadn't thought about that but they did put an ARV on the prize in the rules. So I'm guessing that's the value I'll be taxed on. Thank you for bringing that up!
Would it be worth transferring miles to AS from DL or AA right now? Or just have future miles accrue on AS? Also, I have a trip coming up in December on AA, I've already booked with my AA mileage number - is it possible to change it at this point? I'm traveling with a companion, so would any MVP benefits extend to my companion if we're on the same AA itinerary? (We're flying JFK -- MIA -- LIR)
RE: taxes - I hadn't thought about that but they did put an ARV on the prize in the rules. So I'm guessing that's the value I'll be taxed on. Thank you for bringing that up!
Jul 27, 2014, 3:23 pm
#5
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"Would it be worth transferring miles to AS from DL or AA right now?"
There is no cost-effective way to do that. Future flights on AA/DL can be credited to AS by ensuring that your AS FFP number is in the reservation record. And yes, you can change the FFP number in the record up until the flight departs.
But what type of redemption do you have in mind. As noted, AS is very good for some redemptions; other FFPs are better for other types.
"Would it be worth transferring miles to AS from DL or AA right now?"
There is no cost-effective way to do that. Future flights on AA/DL can be credited to AS by ensuring that your AS FFP number is in the reservation record. And yes, you can change the FFP number in the record up until the flight departs.
But what type of redemption do you have in mind. As noted, AS is very good for some redemptions; other FFPs are better for other types.
Jul 27, 2014, 5:49 pm
#6
Join Date: May 2009
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Might also look in to the Alaska Airlines credit card as a quick way to get 25k more miles as well as a coach companion voucher (only good on AS metal, not codeshares). No minimum spend either, just straight up 25k after approval.
http://www.alaskaair.com/content/cre...signature.aspx
http://www.alaskaair.com/content/cre...signature.aspx
Jul 27, 2014, 6:42 pm
#7
Join Date: Jul 2006
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Moving this thread to the airline specific forum where it is sure to get addituonal knowledgeable responses.
Note: This thread originated in the flame-free Information Desk forum. Please reply accordingly.
scoow, ID moderator
Note: This thread originated in the flame-free Information Desk forum. Please reply accordingly.
scoow, ID moderator
Jul 27, 2014, 8:09 pm
#8
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I recently won a contest where I get 20,000 miles on Alaska Airlines and MVP status for a year.
What would be the best use of these miles? Not sure whether I should use them on a domestic or foreign trip, on which airline to redeem them, etc. I don't have any trips planned right now where I need to buy airfare.
What would be the best use of these miles? Not sure whether I should use them on a domestic or foreign trip, on which airline to redeem them, etc. I don't have any trips planned right now where I need to buy airfare.
They also have reduced rates on several routes within Alaska.
Welcome to Flyertalk jennesy.
Jul 30, 2014, 2:12 pm
#9
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Since you have miles on other carriers to get you home ....
One-way coach to Hawaii
One-way coach to Europe (AA low season)
One-way coach to Hawaii
One-way coach to Europe (AA low season)