• Skip to main content
  • Skip to secondary menu
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
Jeffsetter Travel

Jeffsetter Travel

Travel Consultants and Travel Tips

  • Travel Services
    • Wild Card Adventures
    • Safe Bet Adventure
    • High Roller Host
  • Book an adventure
  • Travel Map
  • Blog
  • Hubs
    • Airlines
    • Cameras
    • Car Rentals
    • Credit Cards
    • Drones
    • Hotels
    • RVs
  • About
    • Our “One Way Neverending” Story
    • The Jeffsetter Manifesto
  • Contact

Alaska and American Distances Themselves

October 3, 2019 by Island Miler

My preferred domestic airline and my former preferred airline have had a strange relationship for a while now. And now, Alaska and American distances themselves even more.

Recap

When Alaska acquired Virgin America, the Department of Justice required that they reduce their codeshare agreements with American. Affected routes included those on which American and Virgin America competed on. Then, last year, American decided to distance themselves further from Alaska. And, as a result of that decision, all reciprocal benefit went away except for miles and elite qualifications on codeshare flights, redeem miles for flights, and lounge access for members of their respective club lounges. That’s it.

Alaska and American Distances Themselves

Further Changes

Beginning March 1, 2020, further cuts to the Alaska-American membership are taking effect. Basically, these changes are on the redemption side of things. So, come March 1, Alaska Air members won’t be able to redeem miles for flights on American anymore. Likewise, American members will no longer be able to redeem miles for Alaska flights.

In addition to the redemption changes, though, there is a change happening on the earnings side too. This change impacts Alaska members only, and basically eliminates mileage earning opportunities on American’s international flights.

What’s Not Changing

Alaska and American members can still earn miles on certain flights on each airline. Specifically, members can only earn miles on the few remaining codeshare flights. Further, reciprocal lounge benefits will remain too.

Alaska and American Distances Themselves, Final Thoughts

Honestly, I don’t think these changes are anything to sweat over. Redeeming miles on American, even for AAdvantage members have been difficult at best since team US Airways took over. And American is a bit of a garbage airline nowadays anyway, so is this really a loss for Alaska members?

Personally, I haven’t flown American since 2017. And, I do my best to avoid flying with them as much as possible anyway. So, for me, this change has absolutely no impact.

H/T: Travel Codex

Filed Under: Travel Blogging, American Airlines, Island Miler, Travel News Tagged With: aadvantage, Alaska Air, Alaska Air Mileage Plan, Alaska Airlines, Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan, Alaska Mileage Plan, American AAdvantage, American Airlines

Primary Sidebar

Footer

Important Links

  • Advertising Policy and Affiliate Disclaimer
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact Jeffsetter Travel Blog
  • Privacy Policy
  • Ask Jeffsetter a Question

Recent Posts

  • How To Test An RV Propane Detector
  • I Have a Beef Allergy
  • Portland Marriott Downtown Waterfront Review
  • How Far Do RV Awnings Extend? (The Ultimate Guide)
  • Inventive Cakes at Deep Sea Sugar and Salt

© 2012–2023 Jeffsetter - All Rights Reserved · Website by Digital Mantis