Can someone please help confirm my theory here. If I book the following flights SFO-LAS-SFO via American Airlines for flights operated by Alaska, I’ll get more than 10x the amount of nTPs than booking directly with Alaska.

AA 7518

Operated by Alaska Airlines

Class: (M)

420 miles = 15 nTPs if booked with Alaska.



AA 7412

Operated by Alaska Airlines

Class: (Y)

410 miles = 31 nTPs if booked with Alaska.

The fare is $687.44 + Taxes & carrier-imposed fees

Which would be approx. £510 = 510 nTPs as an American Airlines flight.

Booking direct via Alaska would be the same price so am I missing anything here?