Originally Posted by keitherson

Cathay Pacific: no Cathay Dragon (in contrast to oneworld)
Hainan Airlines: no Hong Kong Airlines, Beijing Capital, etc. (in contrast to Virgin Australia's partnership)
LATAM (LAN Chile) Airlines: No LATAM (TAM) Brazil (in contrast to oneworld)
Condor: No Thomas Cook
AA: no domestic flights now for accumulation

These limitations can be excruciating on top of the codeshares that constantly get rejected. For example, flying a BA flight coded as AA? No miles for you!

I understand there are FT folks here that are diligent, do their homework, and are pros at looking out for codeshares, maximizing the international discount business class fares for the stackable bonuses. That's part of the reason why it's a "game".

But for 99% of the Alaska's base of fliers actually looking at flying their partners I can't imagine this bringing anything but frustration.

EDIT: Let's also talk about the actual frequent flyer benefits when flying.

If you fly on an international itinerary as an elite on any competing airline, usually you have access. Alaska, you have nothing. While Alaska is trying hard to fix this (for example, getting QF/BA/HU lounge access as AS elite) with bilateral agreements, there's still huge gaps. Even flying Alaska on an international itinerary to Mexico and Canada, or heck, even Cuba and Costa Rica, will get you no access to the lounges, in contrast to DL and UA.