Mileage Redemption Question for Alaska Award Segment (part of LATAM itinerary)
 

Saw some good redemption deals for SFO-LAX-Brazil for 25,000 each way, but in both directions, the connections in LAX are 12+ hours between Alaska and LATAM segments (same issue on the way home).

From what I can tell, for the SFO-LAX and LAX-SFO feeder segments to/from LATAM, it looks like the 25,000 award level maps to SFO-LAX Alaska award flights that would normally cost 6,000 on their own (and 6,000 for LAX-SFO on the way home).

However, Alaska has numerous earlier and later flights from SFO-LAX and from LAX-SFO with much better connection times available on AS metal for 9,000 for Main on the same dates.

Question: Can I book the SFO-LAX-Brazil roundtrip itinerary online and then call Res to "pay up" the 3,000 mile difference each way?

I guess I could also just SDC it the day of as MVP Gold, but it would be nice to have it confirmed in advance for just 6,000 more miles. THANKS!!

No, not an option. Either SDC or book two awards (not recommended)

Not OP, but I think this is related: can an AS MVP Gold or higher, SDC the AS-portion of a partner award? Sounds like yes.

Yes you can!

James

SDC isn't too bad. It's midweek so loads should be okay. I guess i can also keep an eye to see if a 6,000 mile award becomes available and call Res to change into it.