What can you use AS miles for?
Dec 21, 2011, 3:53 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Seattle, WA
Programs: PC Plat RA, SPG Gold, AS MVPG
Posts: 811
What can you use AS miles for?
I know with United, i can book car rental and redeem gift cards etc i believe.
Can I book anything other than award flights with Alaska miles? I looked online and can't seem to find anything other than flights..
For those who know. what about Delta's Skymile program? can you use that for anything besides flight?
Can I book anything other than award flights with Alaska miles? I looked online and can't seem to find anything other than flights..
For those who know. what about Delta's Skymile program? can you use that for anything besides flight?
Dec 21, 2011, 6:40 pm
#3
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend, Moderator, Information Desk, Ambassador, Alaska Airlines
Join Date: Dec 2006
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What was the exchange rate? Typically its pretty high...
Originally Posted by bree22
I recently used Alaska miles to purchase gift cards at points.com. It was easy and there isn't a fee to do it. I recevied the gift cards very quickly too.
Dec 25, 2011, 9:04 am
#6
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend, Moderator, Information Desk, Ambassador, Alaska Airlines
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Oh that was a while ago that AMTRAK was dropped 
Originally Posted by FreeFlight
I agree with New2japan. I have 60k plus points and have been looking to spend them but flights seem to be the only option - especially since AS dropped Amtrak
Dec 26, 2011, 4:44 pm
#7
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Escondido CA USA
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Posts: 3,207
I used 150,000 points for a cruise on Holland America
, oh, but that really was a long time ago
Or it might have been 250,000?
, oh, but that really was a long time agoOr it might have been 250,000?
Last edited by ranles; Dec 28, 2011 at 11:26 am Reason: Potential error
Dec 27, 2011, 3:20 pm
#8
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: PDX
Programs: Alaska MVP Gold, Hyatt Platinum
Posts: 101
The last good place to spend your miles is at the partner desk. Good values are in Spring and Fall coach redemptions to Europe or South America on American (40k) and Central America (35k). Asian redemptions are also great deals if you can get them (American 50k in the winter, Delta & Cathay 60k, Korean 70k), but you probably won't get them on Delta very often. Instead try to book a trip leveraging Cathay Pacific or Korean which is actually pretty flexible outside of their restrictive blackout dates (your challenge may be in finding connecting Alaska flights at a Super Saver level).
You will often have to be patient and book either well in advance or just shortly prior to your desired departure. Also, you can do quite a bit with American and Delta awards monkeying around online. Happy Travels!
Jan 4, 2012, 5:02 pm
#9
Join Date: Mar 2011
Posts: 4
As an example, I used 15,000 miles to get a $50 Barnes & Noble card. Figured it was worth it simply because I would never use the miles for travel (not enough to do anything with). At least the card was something I could use.
Jan 4, 2012, 10:20 pm
#10
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend, Moderator, Information Desk, Ambassador, Alaska Airlines
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Ouch- thanks for posting...but dang- those 15K are enough for a RT intra-AK...
Originally Posted by bree22
As an example, I used 15,000 miles to get a $50 Barnes & Noble card. Figured it was worth it simply because I would never use the miles for travel (not enough to do anything with). At least the card was something I could use.
Jan 5, 2012, 1:10 am
#11
Ambassador: Alaska Airlines
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: ANC, SAP
Programs: AS MVP Gold, Priority Pass
Posts: 1,863
7.5K one-way intra state
12.5K one-way US domestic (except Hawaii)
10K - 50% discount up to $100 off most paid fares.
Since their rate structure is based on one way travel (i.e. no price advantage to book a round trip), one can often get reasonable value out of relatively small amounts of miles via one of the above means.
Jan 5, 2012, 2:05 am
#12
Join Date: Dec 2009
Programs: AS MVPG75K
Posts: 85
This is why it does not make a lot of sense to use the AS BoA Signature Card for anything but AS travel and, or course, the companion certificate...get a better rewards card for all other purchases.
In short, unless you have maximum flexibility and patience, only earn miles for travel, the occasional dining reward, and no-downside situations like parking or any other vendor that will give miles. But, at least for me, the days of aggregating all rewards/miles in Alaska's program are over.
In short, unless you have maximum flexibility and patience, only earn miles for travel, the occasional dining reward, and no-downside situations like parking or any other vendor that will give miles. But, at least for me, the days of aggregating all rewards/miles in Alaska's program are over.