Following is our regular summary of the latest travel news and best frequent traveler promotions reviewed during the past week.
27.07.2023 - 18:50 / smartertravel.com / Tim Winship
Ever since Delta began ramping up operations in Seattle, Alaska Airlines’ hometown and main flight hub, the relationship between the two airlines has been disintegrating. And there was plenty to disintegrate. The carriers were long-time partners in each other’s frequent-flyer programs, and they code-shared on a host of flights. They were, in the industry vernacular, preferred marketing partners.
Related:A New ‘Best Hotel Program’ List Might Surprise YouAgainst that backdrop of increasingly tense competition, this week’s announcement of a parting of the ways comes as no surprise:
So, as of May 2017, no more code-sharing, and no more reciprocal frequent-flyer earning and redemption.
The unraveling of the Delta-Alaska relationship is a timely reminder that such relationships are always provisional, subject to termination at any time. In this case, consumers at least have just over four months notice of the change, allowing them ample time to make any necessary changes to their flying or mileage-earning plans.
As for the effects of the relationship’s undoing, Delta loyalists are more likely to be negatively impacted than Alaska customers.
There’s no easy way for Delta to replace the earning and redemption opportunities afforded by Alaska’s west coast flight network.
On the other hand, Alaska’s acquisition of Virgin America will expand the universe of mileage-earning and -redemption opportunities, at least somewhat mitigating the loss of Delta. And with its mileage-based scheme, Mileage Plan remains one of the most valuable for average travelers.
Now, with the proverbial gloves off, the battle for Seattle, and beyond, will intensify. Which should be good for customers of both airlines.
Reader Reality Check
Who’s the biggest loser, Alaska or Delta?
More from SmarterTravel: 10 Best and Worst Airports in America (2016 Edition) Wallet Watch: More Parking Fees Coming to Vegas Hotels Shopping Alert: Earn JetBlue Points for AmazonAfter 20 years working in the travel industry, and 15 years writing about it, Tim Winship knows a thing or two about travel. Follow him on Twitter @twinship.
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Following is our regular summary of the latest travel news and best frequent traveler promotions reviewed during the past week.
In a first for a U.S. airline loyalty program, Alaska Airlines is offering members of its Mileage Plan program the option to redeem miles to pay for TSA PreCheck service.
Alaska Airlines is justly lauded for its Mileage Plan loyalty program, which among other features boasts 17 airline partners, allowing program members to earn and redeem miles for flights throughout the world.
Until yesterday, American Airlines customers dismayed at the airline’s August 1 pivot to a spend-based mileage program had a fallback option: Earn miles for their American flights in Alaska Airlines’ Mileage Plan program, which still awards miles the old-fashioned way, according to the distance flown.
Wi-Fi access isn’t free on Alaska Airlines flights. But at least for the next year, the airline’s passengers can use inflight Wi-Fi to send and receive unlimited texts for free.
By traditional measures, Alaska Airlines is a carrier of decidedly modest size, even after its acquisition of Virgin America. Its own flight network is small, compared to those of American, Delta, and United. And it’s not a member of one of the three global airline alliances.
Following is our regular summary of the latest travel news and best frequent traveler promotions reviewed during the past week.
Following is our regular summary of the latest travel news and best frequent traveler promotions reviewed during the past week.
Following is our regular summary of the latest travel news and best frequent traveler promotions reviewed during the past week.
In the news release touting its new promotion, Wyndham calls it “the richest offer of the year.” That doesn’t bode well for members of Wyndham’s Rewards program.
Following is our regular summary of the latest travel news and best frequent traveler promotions reviewed during the past week.
Following is our regular summary of the latest travel news and best frequent traveler promotions reviewed during the past week.