Traveling by air can quickly become expensive, especially if you don’t have a strategy to minimize costs. As an airline, Alaska Airlines offers numerous ways to help you save money, whether you’re booking a flight, earning rewards, or looking for ways to make the most out of their services. In this article, I will share with you some practical tips, strategies, and insights on how to save money with Alaska Airlines. From loyalty programs to booking hacks, I’ll walk you through every method I know to help you cut down on travel expenses while still enjoying the high-quality service that Alaska Airlines is known for.
Table of Contents
1. Book Flights Early: The Key to Lower Fares
One of the most effective ways to save money when flying with Alaska Airlines is to book your flight as early as possible. This is a general rule for most airlines, but it’s especially true for Alaska Airlines. Airlines tend to raise prices as the departure date approaches, and Alaska Airlines is no different.
To maximize savings, I recommend booking your flights at least 2-3 months in advance. However, booking far in advance doesn’t always guarantee the best prices. I also recommend checking prices periodically and setting fare alerts to catch any price drops.
2. Use Alaska Airlines’ Fare Calendar
If you have some flexibility in your travel dates, Alaska Airlines’ fare calendar is an excellent tool to help you find the lowest fares. The fare calendar displays prices for flights on different dates, so you can easily compare and select the most affordable option.
This tool helps you spot cheaper flight dates that you might not have otherwise considered. For example, flying on a Tuesday or Wednesday might cost significantly less than flying on the weekend. The fare calendar can make your search much easier and save you money by helping you choose less expensive travel days.
3. Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan: Earning and Using Miles
The Mileage Plan is Alaska Airlines’ loyalty program, and it’s one of the best ways to save money over time. The program rewards frequent travelers with miles for every flight they take, which can then be redeemed for free flights, seat upgrades, or even hotel stays. I’ve personally saved hundreds of dollars using my Mileage Plan miles, and I’m going to explain how you can do the same.
How Mileage Plan Miles Work
Every time you fly with Alaska Airlines or one of its partners, you earn miles based on the distance traveled. For example, if you fly from Seattle to Los Angeles (about 1,000 miles), you might earn around 1,000 miles. The number of miles you earn may vary depending on factors like the fare class and whether you’re flying on a discounted ticket.
The best part about the Mileage Plan is that the miles don’t expire as long as you have some qualifying activity within 24 months, so you have plenty of time to accumulate miles for a reward flight. It’s also worth noting that Alaska Airlines has some unique partnerships with airlines like American Airlines, so you can earn miles not only on Alaska flights but also on flights with partner airlines.
How to Redeem Mileage Plan Miles for Savings
Once you’ve accumulated enough miles, you can redeem them for various travel rewards, including free flights, seat upgrades, and discounts on hotels and car rentals. Here’s an example:
- Round-trip flight from Seattle to Los Angeles: 12,000 miles
- Round-trip flight from Seattle to New York: 25,000 miles
The number of miles required for a flight depends on factors like availability, route, and season. Free flights are especially valuable if you can find award availability during peak travel times or for long-haul flights.
4. Look for Special Promotions and Deals
Alaska Airlines frequently runs special promotions and sales, where you can find discounted flights and other perks. These promotions usually pop up during off-peak seasons or around holiday sales periods. I’ve seen flights as low as $39 one way during these flash sales. To catch these deals, I recommend subscribing to Alaska Airlines’ email newsletter or following them on social media.
It’s also a good idea to visit their “Deals” section on the website regularly. Sometimes they even offer discounted tickets for last-minute travel, so it’s worth checking the website before booking.
5. Take Advantage of Alaska Airlines Credit Cards
Alaska Airlines offers several credit cards, which can provide significant savings if you use them for everyday purchases. These credit cards allow you to earn bonus miles with every purchase. The more miles you accumulate, the more rewards you can redeem for flights and other travel perks.
For example, the Alaska Airlines Visa Signature® Card offers 40,000 miles as a sign-up bonus after meeting a spending requirement. This can be enough for a round-trip flight to many destinations in the U.S. Additionally, the card provides benefits like free checked bags and priority boarding, which can save you time and money at the airport.
6. Use the Companion Fare Benefit
One of the best perks of having an Alaska Airlines credit card is the Companion Fare. This benefit allows you to bring a companion on a flight for just $121 (plus taxes and fees) when you purchase a ticket with your Alaska Airlines credit card. This can be a huge money-saver, especially if you’re traveling with a friend or family member.
Here’s how it works:
- You buy a ticket for yourself on any flight operated by Alaska Airlines.
- You can then add a companion ticket for just $121 (plus taxes and fees).
- The companion fare applies to both domestic and international flights.
This benefit can significantly reduce the overall cost of your trip, particularly if you’re traveling with a companion.
7. Consider Upgrading Your Seat with Miles
If you’re looking to improve your travel experience, you can use your Mileage Plan miles to purchase upgrades to premium cabins. For instance, if you’re traveling in economy class but want to experience a first-class cabin, you can use miles to upgrade, depending on availability.
Upgrades typically cost between 10,000 and 25,000 miles one-way, but the value can vary based on your route and seat availability. This can be a good way to enhance your experience without paying full price for a premium seat.
8. Check for Alaska Airlines Partner Discounts
As part of the Oneworld Alliance, Alaska Airlines has several airline partners, which means you can book flights with these airlines using your Mileage Plan miles. If you need to fly somewhere Alaska Airlines doesn’t serve, you can still use your miles to book a flight with a partner airline.
Some of Alaska Airlines’ partners include:
- American Airlines
- British Airways
- Finnair
- Cathay Pacific
Booking with these airlines can help you save money on flights to international destinations that might be more expensive with other carriers. Plus, you can still earn miles for the flight, which can be used for future travel.
9. Bring Your Own Snacks and Drinks
While Alaska Airlines offers complimentary snacks and beverages on many flights, bringing your own food and drinks can save you money, especially if you’re flying during longer trips. I’ve found that buying snacks at the airport or in-flight can add up quickly, so I prefer packing my own food to save a few bucks.
Alaska Airlines allows you to bring your own food, and they even provide water for free. If you want to avoid paying for overpriced meals or snacks, preparing in advance is a simple yet effective way to reduce your costs.
10. Avoid Extra Fees by Packing Smart
Finally, packing smart is a key part of saving money when flying with Alaska Airlines. Avoiding extra baggage fees can save you a significant amount of money, as they can easily add up on each trip. Here are some tips:
- Make sure your carry-on bag meets the airline’s size requirements to avoid extra charges.
- Take advantage of the free checked bag benefit if you have an Alaska Airlines credit card.
- Consider packing light and using only carry-on luggage if you can.
11. Compare Prices with Other Airlines
While Alaska Airlines often offers competitive prices, it’s always a good idea to compare ticket prices with other airlines to ensure you’re getting the best deal. Websites like Google Flights, Skyscanner, and Kayak allow you to compare fares across multiple airlines in real-time, helping you spot any better deals.
Conclusion
In conclusion, saving money with Alaska Airlines involves being strategic about when and how you book your flights, taking advantage of their rewards program, and making use of credit card benefits. By following these tips and planning ahead, I’m confident you can save a significant amount of money on your next trip. Whether you’re a frequent traveler or just someone looking for an affordable vacation, Alaska Airlines offers plenty of opportunities to maximize savings and still enjoy a top-notch travel experience.
