Originally Posted by
pixelrogue1
For sake of a simplified example then....
Chase UR Portal > transfer points to partner > British Airways > 1,000 points (number will be obviously larger) > confirm > points are then immediately available in the British Airways Executive Club.
British Airways Portal > find Alaskan flight > book with points (where Chase UR are now Avios points).
(update: the basic flight search via British Airlines appears to only offer their own flights (not partner routes) so nothing displayed for Alaskan etc).
Newb questions here...researching...requires phone call to book Alaska etc....
If this works...a few questions...
1) Will British Airways portal offer the same point value as Alaskan Airlines? We found a few flights w/favorable point price. (meaning # of points for each flight if I am not using the proper terms)
2) We have the Chase Sapphire Reserve which is a 1.5 conversion (not the 1.25, not the 1.0)... so are those getting that conversion rate when transferring to partner?
3) Specific purpose of Alaskan is that you can cancel penalty free up to 6- days prior to the trip (albeit points/funds get locked to your Alaskan wallet) - would those points expire?
4) Any other airlines that will allow a cancellation w/o fees (after the first 24 hours)? Preference would be to book via AA, United or Delta given their fares at this point in time.
FYI, I know a lot of people get touchy but an Alaskan is a person who lives in Alaska while the airline is called Alaska just like the state.
1) No, If you use Avios you are subject to the distance based award chart on published on the BA website. You are also limited to booking seats that AS makes available at the saver award level. This may be a better or worse value depending on where you are going. For instance non-stop flight from West coast to Hawaii is 12.5K Avios but using AS points its 17.5K (is saver is available). Though if flying from east coast to Hawaii its lower to use AS since BA would be charged at a much higher rate than AS 17.5. If you are looking at super short under 750 mi non-stop you can get lower or high depending on whether the AS 5K awards are available or not as lowest level BA award is 7.5K.
2) CSR 1.5x is for revenue tickets booked through the chase portal not for transfers to another program. This can be good if the flights are super cheap. 1 UR = 1.5 cents (the 0.5x is a bonus over the statement credit option ) under this method. So 1K UR is worth $15 towards airfare purchase. At least you could earn points on the flight with that option.
3) Alaska allows cancel for no fee 60+ days from departure. The points go back to the AS balance and the taxes are returned to credit card. This only works when using AS points. AS account just need activity every 18 (maybe 24?) months to keep points active which is not too tough and can be done for a dollar or less with the dining, survey and shopping portal.
4) Southwest is the only other one that allows no penalty cancel (Though allowed closer in than AS). Avios you can cancel award and get points back at any time but you lose the taxes.