[Rant] The Sad Death of Alaska Mileage Plan
Jan 3, 2025 | 2:06 pm
#16
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Pacific Northwest
Programs: UA Gold 1MM, AS Plat, AA EP, Bonvoy Plat, Hilton Dia, Hyatt Glob, IHG Plat, ...
Posts: 21,460
I have no doubt that the golden days of loyalty programs are behind us, though. That doesnt mean that I wont enjoy whatever is let as long as it is beneficial to me. I wouldnt be surprised if, in ten years, my primary credit card was a cashback card, though.
Jan 3, 2025 | 2:38 pm
#17
Moderator: Alaska Airlines Atmos Rewards
Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 13,613
Jan 3, 2025 | 3:56 pm
#19
Join Date: Sep 2019
Location: SAN
Programs: AS Mileage Plan 100k, Bonvoy Titanium
Posts: 1,554
Jan 3, 2025 | 4:16 pm
#20
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Pacific Northwest
Programs: UA Gold 1MM, AS Plat, AA EP, Bonvoy Plat, Hilton Dia, Hyatt Glob, IHG Plat, ...
Posts: 21,460
Do I believe that they have concrete plans to change that in the next three years? Nope.
But would it shock me if they made changes at some point to get closer to a spend-based program? Well, they already started, no? Spend on non-airline partners now earns EQMs (I consider that an (a)advantage). Basic Economy travel earns less than 100%. Earnings on partner airlines are no longer nearly as generous as they were before (and fare classes to some degree align with spend in that cheap fare classes earn less). Seems to me spend is already king.
Jan 3, 2025 | 7:09 pm
#21
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: KARB
Programs: DL 2MM
Posts: 26,887
No, Skymiles are not as valuable as AS miles. But you can still find values if you understand award system and watch for sales. Heading to TQO in a couple weeks on 19.4K RT awards where revenue fares are going for $700 RT.
Last edited by xliioper; Jan 3, 2025 at 7:28 pm
Jan 3, 2025 | 7:38 pm
#22
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: San Diego, Ca
Programs: AA 2MM LT PLT; AS Atmos Gold; Honors Diamond; IHG PLT
Posts: 4,253
Spend on non-airline partners now earns EQMs (I consider that an (a)advantage). Basic Economy travel earns less than 100%. Earnings on partner airlines are no longer nearly as generous as they were before (and fare classes to some degree align with spend in that cheap fare classes earn less). Seems to me spend is already king.
Jan 3, 2025 | 8:40 pm
#23
Join Date: Dec 2018
Location: Seattle
Programs: Alaska airlines 100k
Posts: 1,251
Death , probably over stated. Diluted- definitely, but it is what it is considering the current market and competition. The era where airlines are free to just lose money are gone. The board and and equity holders will not tolerate.
Jan 3, 2025 | 9:05 pm
#24
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Jul 1999
Location: Over the Bay Bridge, CA
Programs: Jumbo mas
Posts: 42,547
The last thing we need is a hostul taykovur attempt. That is the de facto end of the airline we once loved and still like.
Jan 4, 2025 | 5:17 am
#25
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: los angeles, calif.
Programs: Atmos Titanium
Posts: 7,373
Yeah, perhaps. Or maybe, just like we saw a ton of media coverage describing the golden goose that are airline loyalty programs, one day we will the tide turn when someone took a step too far, killed their golden goose, and was punished for it by Wallstreet. I think Delta made such a misstep in 2023 and backtracked for a while.
I have no doubt that the golden days of loyalty programs are behind us, though. That doesnt mean that I wont enjoy whatever is let as long as it is beneficial to me. I wouldnt be surprised if, in ten years, my primary credit card was a cashback card, though.
I have no doubt that the golden days of loyalty programs are behind us, though. That doesnt mean that I wont enjoy whatever is let as long as it is beneficial to me. I wouldnt be surprised if, in ten years, my primary credit card was a cashback card, though.
Jan 4, 2025 | 7:51 am
#26
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Seattle, WA
Programs: AS 100K, BAEC GGL
Posts: 578
I can think of only one enhancement that AS has made to earning miles on AS. That is a mile is a mile unless you are on a saver fare, then it is .3 miles. I have lost count how many enhancements DL has made over the years. Stopped flying them in 2002 with 500000 bis miles as a DM, when system wide upgrades were enhanced. RIP Delta, Hello AS.
Jan 4, 2025 | 8:47 am
#27
Join Date: May 2005
Location: SEA
Programs: AS; Hyatt Globalist; Hilton Gold; NEXUS
Posts: 1,175
Delta typically has the better in-flight product, though I agree that SkyMiles as a program is generally a waste of time.
That said, there's nothing stopping someone from crediting DL flights to, say, Flying Blue and using that program instead. I was able to snag FB Gold with Bilt last year. The lounge access is nice as is the ability to use those Bilt points on Alaska, Hyatt, or Flying Blue. Nowadays the miles from CC spend are easier/more valuable than the miles from actually flying.
That said, there's nothing stopping someone from crediting DL flights to, say, Flying Blue and using that program instead. I was able to snag FB Gold with Bilt last year. The lounge access is nice as is the ability to use those Bilt points on Alaska, Hyatt, or Flying Blue. Nowadays the miles from CC spend are easier/more valuable than the miles from actually flying.
Jan 4, 2025 | 8:54 am
#28
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: SEA, but up and down the coast a lot
Programs: Oceanic Airlines Gold Elite
Posts: 21,268
You know what’s more worthless than SkyPesos? Redeeming AS MP on AS metal a lot of the time. Hello one cent per mile! MileagePesos!
I know, I know, you’re supposed to redeem them for premium cabins on SQ, oh wait that’s been broken for ages, I mean JL, whoops, all that inventory gets snapped up way before T-330, I mean QR, wait, most of that’s gone too? JX I guess if you book no later than midnight the day availability posts, wait two minutes and it’s gone?
I still get value out of MP but I get value out of SkyPesos and Rapid Rewards too. And given the takeaways on Saver + lower elites losing some RDM earning I feel very much in a “loyalty, lol, time to be loyal to my wallet” mood.
I know, I know, you’re supposed to redeem them for premium cabins on SQ, oh wait that’s been broken for ages, I mean JL, whoops, all that inventory gets snapped up way before T-330, I mean QR, wait, most of that’s gone too? JX I guess if you book no later than midnight the day availability posts, wait two minutes and it’s gone?
I still get value out of MP but I get value out of SkyPesos and Rapid Rewards too. And given the takeaways on Saver + lower elites losing some RDM earning I feel very much in a “loyalty, lol, time to be loyal to my wallet” mood.
Jan 4, 2025 | 12:16 pm
#29
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: PHX, SEA
Programs: Alaska MVP, Avis Presidents Club
Posts: 4,509
Jan 4, 2025 | 12:58 pm
#30
Join Date: Sep 2019
Location: SAN
Programs: AS Mileage Plan 100k, Bonvoy Titanium
Posts: 1,554
I personally think that's apples and oranges. SWA was losing business because of the open seat model, and losing profit due to no premium cabin. So sure, it was a market differentiator, but in a bad way. AS thinks it is retaining members because of the distance based model, and if you go over to the BA forum more than a few people are saying they are going to start crediting to Mileage Plan due to their recent changes. So they have a market differentiator, but in a good way.