Even if you’re not a frequent flyer on the West Coast or near an Alaska Airlines hub, the Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan program offers incredible value for savvy travelers. While you can always use Alaska miles for flights with Alaska Airlines, the true gems of the Mileage Plan lie in its diverse network of partners. This is where Alaska Transfer Partners become crucial for unlocking exceptional travel experiences.
Unlike some programs, earning Alaska miles directly isn’t as straightforward. Marriott Bonvoy stands out as the primary major transferrable currency that converts to Alaska miles, making them valuable Alaska transfer partners. However, this focused approach doesn’t limit your earning potential. In fact, strategically leveraging these partnerships can lead to incredible award redemptions.
This guide dives deep into the world of Alaska Mileage Plan partners, showing you how to maximize your miles for dream vacations. We’ll explore airline partners, sweet spot redemptions, and, importantly, how Alaska transfer partners like Marriott Bonvoy can be your gateway to accumulating miles.
Alaska Mileage Plan Airline Partners
Alaska Mileage Plan boasts a robust portfolio of airline partners, spanning both the Oneworld alliance and independent carriers. This extensive network significantly expands your options for using your Alaska miles.
You can redeem Alaska miles on flights operated by Oneworld member airlines, including the Oneworld connect partner, Fiji Airways. Here’s a breakdown of Alaska’s Oneworld partners:
- American Airlines
- British Airways
- Cathay Pacific
- Fiji Airways (Oneworld connect)
- Finnair
- Iberia
- Japan Airlines
- Malaysia Airlines
- Qantas
- Qatar Airways
- Royal Air Maroc
- Royal Jordanian
- SriLankan Airlines
Beyond Oneworld, Alaska Airlines has forged partnerships with several non-alliance airlines, offering even more unique redemption possibilities. While not all of these partnerships offer redemption options, Alaska’s non-Oneworld airline partners include:
- Aer Lingus
- Air Tahiti Nui
- Condor
- El Al Israel Airlines
- Hainan Airlines
- Icelandair
- Korean Air
- LATAM Airlines
- Mokulele Airlines + Southern Airways Express
- Ravn Alaska
- Singapore Airlines
Related: Your complete guide to earning and redeeming with Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan
Understanding Alaska Mileage Plan Award Charts
Until late 2022, Alaska Mileage Plan provided specific award charts for each partner airline. However, the landscape has shifted. Now, Alaska’s website features three primary award charts: a North American award chart, a Money and Miles chart for Alaska flights, and an international award chart.
Related: Alaska Mileage Plan publishes a new partner award chart
Here’s a glimpse of the North American award chart:
Here’s the Money and Miles award chart:
And here’s the international award chart:
These charts display starting rates for award flights on Alaska partners. Notably, the international chart specifies that you’ll need to search for pricing based on your specific origin, destination, and travel dates for routes outside the U.S. and Canada.
Given that redemptions aren’t available across all partners and route restrictions exist for some, the best approach is to search directly on Alaska’s website to determine award availability and pricing for your desired itinerary.
Related: Maximizing redemptions with Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan
Redeeming Alaska Miles for Partner Award Flights
To initiate your award search, visit the Alaska Airlines website, log into your Mileage Plan account, and check the “Use miles” box before entering your search criteria.
For flexible travel dates, selecting the “Award calendar” option provides a month-view of award availability. This calendar view is especially useful for identifying lower-priced awards on partner airlines.
Consider this example: One-way business-class awards from New York to Hong Kong reveal varying mileage costs depending on the partner:
Options range from a mixed-cabin award on Korean Air for 120,000 miles + $26, to Singapore Airlines business class for 100,000 miles + $25, and a compelling 50,000 miles + $19 for business class on Cathay Pacific.
Important Considerations for Partner Redemptions
Keep these points in mind when redeeming Alaska miles with partners:
- A $12.50 nonrefundable fee applies per person, per direction, for itineraries including partner award segments.
- Stopovers are not permitted on awards within international regions (e.g., intra-Asia or intra-Europe).
- Bookings originating and ending outside the U.S. and Canada must be made at least 72 hours prior to departure.
- High carrier-imposed charges may apply to Alaska award bookings on certain partners like British Airways, Hainan Airlines, and Icelandair.
- Ravn Alaska awards between Fairbanks and Anchorage are not bookable with Alaska miles.
- One-way Korean Air awards often price at the same mileage as round-trip awards.
- Lap infants may not be accommodated on international partner award bookings. Alaska recommends purchasing a seat at the standard mileage rate for infants on these flights.
Furthermore, partner airlines cannot be combined on a single award ticket. Each award ticket must be operated by a single partner airline. However, you can incorporate Alaska Airlines flights into a partner itinerary.
Related: How to book free stopovers with Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan
Sweet Spot Redemptions with Alaska Partners
While the removal of partner-specific award charts might suggest a devaluation, many popular sweet spots remain attainable with Alaska miles.
Cathay Pacific continues to be a prime example. Previously, awards from the U.S. to Asia were known to be 50,000 miles for business class and 70,000 miles for first class. The current international award chart reflects these starting rates for partner awards from the U.S. to Asia.
While first-class availability on Cathay Pacific between the U.S. and Hong Kong can be challenging to find currently, business class awards are still bookable for 50,000 Alaska miles each way, plus minimal taxes and fees.
You can even add a stopover in Hong Kong at no extra cost before continuing to other destinations in Asia, like Bali, for the same mileage as a direct flight to Hong Kong.
Fiji Airways is another excellent redemption option. Awards between the U.S. (Los Angeles and San Francisco) and Nadi, Fiji, remain at 40,000 miles in economy and 55,000 miles in business class, consistent with previous award charts.
A stopover in Fiji is also possible, allowing you to extend your trip to Australia for the same mileage.
Related: How to plan a trip to Fiji without breaking the bank
Beyond Flights: Other Alaska Mileage Plan Redemptions
Besides flights, Alaska miles can be redeemed for other options, although the value proposition should be carefully considered. These include non-airline partners through Alaska Airlines Extras.
Before redeeming your Alaska Mileage Plan miles with these partners, evaluate the value you’ll receive. For instance, transferring miles to others is generally not a good value, but redeeming for sporting event tickets via Alaska Airlines Extras might offer reasonable value in specific cases.
Related: 5 ways the TPG staff would redeem 70,000 Alaska miles
Earning Alaska Miles with Partners: Including Alaska Transfer Partners
To capitalize on Alaska’s valuable partner redemptions, you need Alaska miles. While flying with Alaska Airlines earns miles, leveraging Alaska transfer partners and other earning avenues can significantly boost your balance.
Flying with Partner Airlines
Earning miles isn’t limited to Alaska Airlines flights. Crediting flights operated or marketed by Alaska’s partners to your Mileage Plan account also earns miles.
Earning rates differ by airline and fare class, and not all fares are eligible for mileage accrual. Consult Alaska’s partner airline page, select the airline, and review the earning table to determine mileage accrual for your specific flight.
For example, here’s the earning table for flights marketed by American Airlines and operated by American or other Oneworld carriers:
Fare classes not listed in the table will not earn miles when credited to Alaska Mileage Plan.
Alaska Airlines Credit Cards: A Fast Track to Miles
Co-branded credit cards offer a straightforward way to accumulate Alaska miles.
Consider the Alaska Airlines Visa Signature® credit card, which often features welcome bonuses like 70,000 bonus miles plus Alaska’s Famous Companion Fare™ ($99 fare plus taxes and fees from $23) after spending $3,000 or more in purchases within the first 90 days of account opening.
For business owners, the Alaska Airlines Visa® Business card presents another avenue, typically offering a similar bonus structure of 70,000 bonus miles and Alaska’s Famous Companion Fare after $4,000 or more in purchases within the first 90 days.
Both cards reward you with 3 miles per dollar on eligible Alaska Airlines purchases and 1 mile per dollar on all other purchases.
Marriott Bonvoy: The Key Alaska Transfer Partner
The Alaska Mileage Plan program’s partnership with Marriott Bonvoy is a cornerstone for mileage accumulation. Marriott Bonvoy stands out as the primary Alaska transfer partner among major transferable currencies.
For every 3 Marriott points transferred, you receive 1 Alaska mile. Furthermore, a 5,000-mile bonus is awarded for every 60,000 Marriott points transferred, effectively boosting the transfer ratio. Keep in mind that Marriott transfers can take up to four days to reflect in your Alaska account.
Hotel Partners for Alaska Miles
Booking hotel stays through Alaska Airlines Hotels can earn you up to 10,000 miles per night. Alternatively, you can earn miles by booking directly with these brands and selecting Alaska Mileage Plan as your earning preference:
- Best Western Hotels and Resorts: 250 miles per stay on qualifying rates.
- Marriott Bonvoy: 2 miles per dollar on qualifying charges or 1 mile per dollar on room rate (hotel dependent).
- Choice Hotels: 250 miles per eligible stay at participating hotels.
- Rocketmiles: 500 to 10,000 miles per night.
- Coast Hotels: 250 miles per stay on qualifying rates.
- Westmark Hotels: 2 miles per dollar on room accommodations at qualified rates.
- InterContinental Hotels Group: Up to 2 miles per dollar on eligible charges or 500 miles per qualifying stay (hotel dependent).
Before choosing to earn Alaska miles on hotel stays, consider whether earning points in the hotel’s loyalty program would be more valuable, particularly for programs like Marriott Bonvoy or IHG One Rewards.
Car Rental and Rides Partners
Booking car rentals through Alaska Airlines Car Rental earns 50 miles per rental day on most rentals. You can also earn Alaska miles with these Mileage Plan car rental and rides partners:
Refer to the linked partner pages for specific booking codes, location exclusions, and geographic limitations.
Exploring Other Alaska Mileage Plan Partners
Numerous other Alaska Mileage Plan partners allow you to earn miles on everyday purchases. Here’s a glimpse at some of these partners:
Alaska Mileage Plan’s Everyday partners page provides a comprehensive list of niche partners for earning miles on various purchases.
Related: How to earn miles with Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan
Bottom Line: Unlock Travel Value with Alaska Transfer Partners and Mileage Plan
Alaska Mileage Plan stands out for its incredibly valuable partnerships, particularly its airline collaborations, which offer exceptional redemption opportunities.
Earning Alaska miles is achievable through diverse partners, including car rentals, dining, and shopping. However, the most efficient methods are often through co-branded credit cards like the Alaska Airlines Visa credit card and by leveraging Alaska transfer partners like Marriott Bonvoy. By strategically utilizing these Alaska transfer partners and diverse earning avenues, you can unlock remarkable travel experiences through the Alaska Mileage Plan.
Additional reporting by Benji Stawski and Victoria M. Walker.
Updated as of 1/8/2025.
