American Awards with Alaska Mileage Plan Move to Dynamic Pricing
Joe Cortez January 31, 2022
American and Alaska Tails
But those who collect miles from the Seattle-based loyalty program may soon have to do more planning if they plan on cashing in awards aboard American Airlines. In an update to the Alaksa Mileage Plan website, the program announced that more changes are coming to awards aboard American.
Future Award Pricing “May Vary Depending on Demand,” Matching American Dynamic Chart
The update was added to the Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan website on Sunday, January 30, 2022. The brief notice is as brief as it is ambiguous:
Effective March 1, 2022, while the current award prices will continue to be available, note that award pricing on American Airlines flights in the US and Canada may vary depending on demand.
Although American award tickets for domestic travel through Mileage Plan already had some fluctuation built in based on several factors (the award chart states main cabin prices start at 12,500 miles one-way), the new changes suggest that Alaska Mileage Plan will change their pricing based on American’s dynamic factors. In turn, the new change suggests that Alaska flyers will have to pay more to book flights within North America aboard American.
There could be two reasons behind the subtle policy changes. First, the change could be attributed to Alaska’s new membership in the Oneworld alliance. Shortly after joining the group, Alaska added a fourth loyalty tier to their program, aligning closer with American and other partners. Conversely, American could be charging Alaska more for award tickets, resulting in the price changes for Mileage Plan members.
The move could also foreshadow changes to international travel plans. Currently, Alaska Mileage Plan offers one-way travel on American to the Caribbean for 17,500 miles, Hawaii for 22,500 miles, and Asia for between 32,500 and 35,000. If the change to U.S. and Canada travel proves successful, it could be a matter of time before the dynamic pricing moves to international options.
Change Comes After Alaska Reduces Mileage Plan Earnings
The change for Alaska Mileage Plan members comes nearly one year after American adjusted how many miles Mileage Plan members could earn on their flights. Prior to Alaska’s full Oneworld membership, American reduced 100-percent base miles earning on first class and full-fare economy tickets
It was bound to happen after the new management at AS jumped into bed with AA. Many of us long time AS FF are not real happy with this AA/OW.
Lol...... you think thats bad? Wait till the crummy cabin cleaning practices and poor customer service begins to permiate Alaska Airlinez.....
It already has. I'm an AS Gold 75k and have had terrible service on three flights in the past two weeks - ranging from gate staff, horrible cabin crews, sitting on the tarmac after landing for over an hour, horrible service on the phone and online...didn't take long for AS to become like AA.
Sad to hear. :(