Earlier today, Alaska Airlines and American Airlines respectively announced that effective March 1st 2020, there will be some important updates (cuts) to their partnership.
This is another move on their partnership since the huge cut happened in January 2018.
Main Changes:
- You will no longer earn Mileage Plan miles on American Airlines international flights.
- You will no longer be able to redeem miles for award travel on American Airlines domestic or international flights using Mileage Plan miles.
- Mileage redemption on Alaska Airlines using AAdvantage® miles is ending effective February 29th 2020.
- All award travel must be booked and ticketed by February 29th 2020.
- Travel is valid for 1 year after the ticketing date and must be flown no later than February 28th 2021.
- Ticket changes will not be allowed after February 29th 2020.
Remaining Cooperations:
- You will continue to earn a mile for every mile flown on eligible domestic American Airlines flights with an Alaska Airlines (AS) flight number to select key destinations in the Midwest and eastern US and Canada.
- Alaska Lounge members can still access over 50 Admirals Club lounges worldwide when flying on an Alaska Airlines or American Airlines flight.
- Earn AAdvantage® miles when flying on an eligible American Airlines marketed flight operated by Alaska Airlines.
- Take advantage of the interline agreement between American Airlines and Alaska Airlines.
Bottom Line
After Alaska Airlines bought Virgin America, it already becomes the fifth largest airline in the United States. The airline is acting more positively in the competition with American Airlines.
This change will be a minor devaluation for Alaska Airlines’ frequent flyers, as they cannot get their status using American Airlines’ international flights anymore. For American Airlines’ frequent flyers there is no change here, as they were not using Alaska Airlines to get status anyway. However, they cannot continue to enjoy the generous amount of award tickets Alaska Airlines puts out there anymore.
What do you think about the cut in partnership between Alaska Airlines and American Airlines?