Last edit by: Joeykins
AS is a long standing BA partner and, as of 31st March 2021, a full member of oneworld. You can book AS flights using your Avios through BA: prior to AS joining oneworld this was only possible on the phone through your local service centre, but it is now possible to book online with some caveats, specifically that at this time (August 2022) it's not possible to retrieve the AS PNR via ba.com - the chat function on alaskaair.com is staffed by helpful and responsive agents though who can get your AS PNR issued quickly. You can book flights up to 330 days in advance.
It has been reported that flights operated by Skywest "Skywest operating as Alaska Airlines" for flights like SEA-SLO are not possible to book with Avios. The system may initially allow agents to grab inventory but then will send back an error message when going further even with the telephone booking.
Avios Cost
The cost should be in line with the normal BA reward price banding. To get an idea of what your flight may cost check the distance with the BAEC flight calculator or using gcmap, and then have a look at the avios banding here.
Note that all AS flights (just like any other non-BA flights) are priced at the peak avios rates. Also note that from 2 February 2016, redemption rates for travel on American Airlines, Alaska Airlines, and TAM will start at 7,500 Avios rather than 4,500 Avios, effectively pricing Distance Band 1 flights as Band 2.
If the flight includes a number of stops under the same flight number then the avios charge is for a non-stop flight from the departure point to the destination. For example, for Seattle to Juneau AS65 the service makes three stops enroute. However, the avios rate charged is as if it were non-stop Seattle to Juneau flight (7,500 avios) and not the avios total for four segments.
Taxes, Fees, and Charges
As with other non-BA reward bookings you need to pay the taxes, fees, and charges. You should be able to predict what this will be by having a look at the taxes, fees, and charges on the AS website or on itamatrix.
BA policy is to charge Ł15/US$25 for offline award tickets but there has been consistent and sustained reports for years of agents waiving fees. As recently as 1/2017, there have been confirmatory reports that the telephone fee has been consistently waived. When initially calling the call center let your first sentence be, "Can you help me with an Alaska booking that I cannot complete online." The agents have all proactively waived fees in every circumstance. If they do not, HUCA (hang up and call again - or ask supervisor to waive)
Can I Check Reward Availability Online?
You can attempt to make a booking on ba.com and this should at least show Alaska mainline routes. You can also check AA website and the AS website. If AS reward flights show as available on aa.com, then they should be bookable with BA using avios. Check MileSAAver availability not AAnytime availability. AA may be better to check as this should show partner reward availability.
Checked Bags?
AS charges for checked bags on all economy fares, however oneworld ruby & sapphire members are entitled to 2 free bags and emerald members to 3 free bags. Note that oneworld elite baggage allowance is only applied to the passenger with the elite status: 1 GCH and 3 blue members on the same booking only provides 3 bags free, not 12. See the baggage information here. Note that you can only add bags at OLCI, at the airport, or on the phone no earlier than 24 hrs before the flight. Baggage fees are also waived for Alaska Credit Card holders and up to 6 companions on the same booking.
Redemptions in First include 2 checked bags per passenger as the base entitlement.
oneworld Benefits?
AS joined oneworld on 31st March 2021: priority check-in, priority boarding, baggage allowance* and lounge access for passengers with status all apply per the normal oneworld/AS policies. Alaska's table is here.
(* see the Checked Bags question above for an important detail)
Does the 24 hour Cooling Off Period Apply?
Yes it does. However, you must cancel by phone - it is not possible to do it online. Miles are refunded immediately into your Avios account, taxes (if returned) just take a few days to be credited.
Can I Amend the Booking?
Yes, subject to fees and reward availability on the flight you want to move to. You need to do it on the phone. Fees (both the offline fee and change fee) are shown here.
Because of the fee structure of BA Avios - it is often beneficial to book two one ways instead of one roundtrip if you are unsure about either your departure or return dates.
Can I Cancel the Booking?
Yes you may subject to the usual fees here Fees (both the offline fee and change fee) are shown here. If the taxes, fees, and charges you paid were less than the cancellation fee due then you simply forfeit the taxes and fees paid and that serves as your effective cancellation fee. If taxes, fees, and charges you paid were more than the cancellation fee then you would pay the cancellation fee USD55 but get back your taxes in full as well as your miles. (Rather they debit USD55 from your taxes and fees and return to you the balance remaining to your form of payment.)
Can I SDC Same Day Confirm on an AS Avios Ticket?
Yes, AS Avios tickets are eligible for AS same day confirmed change benefits as detailed on the AS website. If AS agent tells you differently HUCA. But AS website should allow you to do this regardless.
Are AS Avios tickets upgradeable with cash?
Yes, AS Avios tickets can be upgraded by paying a fee at 24hr check in, "U" inventory allowance, space available. Please note upgraded U fare class tickets are not eligible for lounge access.
Do AS Elite Benefits apply to AS Avios tickets?
Yes, if you are AS MVP Gold for instance your AS Avios ticket is eligible for Complimentary Upgrades and as long as your AS FFN is in the reservation, you will be automatically added to the AS complimentary upgrade list (AS in 12/05/16 changed policy to allow complimentary upgrades to apply to award tickets - including Avios awards) Gold Guest Upgrades, however, have never been allowed to be applied to AS Avios tickets.
Can I book Virgin America flights now using avios?
As of 25 April 2018, Virgin America no longer exists as far as reservations systems are concerned. Former VX flights are now AS flights and can be booked with Avios.
Booking Alaska Airlines with Avios
#661
Ambassador, British Airways; FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Leeds, UK
Programs: BA GGL/CCR, GfL, HH Diamond
Posts: 42,936
I have updated the wiki regarding former VX flights and the ability to book with avios beyond April 2018 as reported here You Can Now Redeem British Airways Avios For Virgin America Flights
#662
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Not here; there!
Programs: AA Lifetime Gold
Posts: 29,571
Do an award search at aa.com; if the AS flights appear on aa.com, then they should be bookable with Avios by calling a BAEC Service Center.
#663
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: YVR
Posts: 1,847
I have updated the wiki regarding former VX flights and the ability to book with avios beyond April 2018 as reported here You Can Now Redeem British Airways Avios For Virgin America Flights
#664
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: London
Programs: BA GGL & CCR, AS Gold 75k, IHG Aspire, Marriott Titanium , National Exec Elite, Amex Plat
Posts: 382
Is it possible to book AS flights operated by SkyWest using Avios? I tried today and the agent could see availability but couldn't price up the ticket. Should I try again with another agent?
edit: I see the note about this in the Wiki but is this a hard no or something that's a short term bug?
edit: I see the note about this in the Wiki but is this a hard no or something that's a short term bug?
#665
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 1999
Location: Juneau, Alaska.
Programs: AS 75K;BA Silver;AA G;HH Dia;HY Glob
Posts: 15,811
After months of research and in-depth conversations with fliers, we’ve made the difficult decision to retire the Virgin America name and logo likely sometime in 2019.
#666
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: PDX
Programs: AA,DL,BA,UA,SPG, and any other free trip!
Posts: 1,803
Is it possible to book AS flights operated by SkyWest using Avios? I tried today and the agent could see availability but couldn't price up the ticket. Should I try again with another agent?
edit: I see the note about this in the Wiki but is this a hard no or something that's a short term bug?
edit: I see the note about this in the Wiki but is this a hard no or something that's a short term bug?
#667
Join Date: Feb 2011
Posts: 4
#668
Join Date: Sep 2004
Posts: 973
The 12.k on AA website for the AS flight if you use AA miles, for BA it will be less. For example, we booked SEA to LAS, on AA it showed 12.5K but (telephone) booking with BA using avios was only 7.5K.
#669
Join Date: Jan 2013
Programs: Hyatt Glb, MR Plat
Posts: 2,577
My grandma's first name has two separate words with a space in between, so the agent booked the name as is and the reservation e-ticket showed it as combined together (as usual for all airlines I book for her).
Name on the Avios booking show Ms. Firstname Lastname. However, on Alaska it now shows "First Name (first name separate) Ms. Lastname". The "Ms" is in the middle of her name now. Any issues with this?
Name on the Avios booking show Ms. Firstname Lastname. However, on Alaska it now shows "First Name (first name separate) Ms. Lastname". The "Ms" is in the middle of her name now. Any issues with this?
#670
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: The Internet
Programs: Alaska Mileage Plan
Posts: 714
Should be no issue to fly as issued but if the TSA gives you static, Alaska will fix it at the airport. They're pretty good and will know it's not your fault since you booked over the phone.
#671
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: SF
Posts: 48
BA is telling me that they only get some of the Alaska stock. I see W7 in expertflyer for several dates OAK-KOA, but the agent is telling me no availability. We triple checked the flight number, dates, etc. He said that BA only gets some of those seats, but I haven't read that anywhere..
#674
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Not here; there!
Programs: AA Lifetime Gold
Posts: 29,571
BA is telling me that they only get some of the Alaska stock. I see W7 in expertflyer for several dates OAK-KOA, but the agent is telling me no availability. We triple checked the flight number, dates, etc. He said that BA only gets some of those seats, but I haven't read that anywhere..