After years of holding out and refusing to join a global airline alliance, Alaska Airlines joined oneworld in March 2021 . The airline became the 14th member of the alliance after receiving its invitation in 2020. The joining of the alliance opened up the world to Alaska Airlines passengers who are now able to access nearly 1,000 destinations worldwide in more than 170 countries and territories.
Photo: Alaska Airlines
When Alaska joined the alliance, it was already partnered with six airlines in oneworld , meaning it added another seven partnerships. American Airlines, one of the founding members of oneworld and the largest airline in the alliance, is one of Alaska's most important partners. At the time, Alaska CEO Ben Minicucci, said
"Being a part of the alliance allows us to provide fantastic global connectivity, a seamless travel experience and more valuable loyalty offerings for our guests. This alliance transforms Alaska into a truly global airline, connecting our strong West Coast network and destinations across North America with the worldwide reach of our oneworld partners."
Passengers flying Alaska Airlines can credit their miles and Loyalty Points to the AAdvantage Program at varying rates depending on the fare purchased.
Earning miles
Earning AAdvantage miles is simple:
Buy a published fare ticket in an eligible booking code Fly an eligible route
According to Alaska, miles can be earned on flights booked in the following cabins/fares:
Cabin
Purchase fares booked in
Base miles
Cabin bonus
Loyalty Points
First
J
100%
75%
✅
First
C, D, I
100%
50%
✅
Economy
Y, B, H
100%
-
✅
Economy
K, M, L
75%
-
✅
Economy
V, S, N, Q
50%
-
✅
Economy
O, G
25%
-
✅
Basic Economy
X
10%
-
✅
In order to earn AAdvantage miles, the AAdvantage number needs to be manually added to the reservation. This can be done online on the Alaska Airlines website under the manage trip option. Those with TSA PreCheck and/or Global Entry should also add their Known Traveler Number (KTN) to the reservation here.
Earning AAdvantage miles in the US is not limited to Alaska Airlines and AA. American Airlines also partners with Cape Air, Hawaiian Airlines, JetBlue, and Silver Airways. In addition to these airlines, AAdvantage miles can be earned on oneworld Alliance airlines and other non-alliance partners.
Photo: Lukas Souza | Simple Flying
The oneworld members are:
Alaska Airlines (AS) British Airways (BA) Cathay Pacific (CX) Finnair (AY) Iberia (IB) Japan Airlines (JL) Malaysia Airlines (MH) Qantas (QF) Qatar Airways (QR) Royal Air Maroc (AT) Royal Jordanian Airlines (RJ) SriLankan Airlines (UL) Status benefits
When flying on Alaska Airlines or any other oneworld carrier, not only can AAdvantage miles be earned, but status from AA can be used to take advantage of things like priority check-in and boarding, free checked bags, lounge access, and more.
Priority check-in and bonus miles are standard perks of the oneworld Alliance, while lounge access is not standard and only available to those with higher levels of status.
Benefits
AAdvantage Gold®
AAdvantage Platinum®
AAdvantage Platinum Pro®
AAdvantage Executive Platinum®
Priority check-in and boarding
✅
✅
✅
✅
Priority security
✅
✅
✅
✅
Preferred seating**
✅
✅
✅
✅
Priority bags
✅
✅
✅
Free checked bags
2
2
3
3
Complimentary same-day flight change
✅
✅
Lounge access
Business
First
First
Upgrades to First Class**^
✅
✅
✅
✅
Complimentary Premium Class seats (after ticket purchase)**^
Y, B or H fares after ticket purchase; all other fares at 24 hours before departure
Y, B, H, K, M, L, V, S or N fares after ticket purchase; all other fares at 72 hours before departure
All fares except Saver Fares after ticket purchase
All fares except Saver Fares after ticket purchase
AAdvantage® status bonus
✅
✅
✅
✅
Photo: Alaska Airlines
Upgrades to First Class are available with any AAdvantage status but are given based on the following priority:
Alaska MVP Gold 100K Alaska MVP Gold 75K American AAdvantage Concierge Key, Executive Platinum and Platinum Pro members Alaska MVP Gold American AAdvantage Platinum Alaska MVP American AAdvantage Gold members Redeeming miles
In addition to earning AAdvantage miles on Alaska Airlines flights, miles can be redeemed for Alaska flights, and all oneworld partners. According to AA, flights starting in the mainland US and Canada, and flying within those parameters start off at 12,500 miles in Main Cabin, 22,500 miles in Premium Economy, 25,000 miles in Business / First, and 50,000 miles in First.
It is important to note that these values are estimated starting rates for a one-way trip. If flying from the US mainland or Canada to Europe, then the starting rates are as follows:
22,500 miles - Main Cabin off-peak 30,000 miles - main cabin 40,000 miles - Premium Economy 57,500 miles - Business / First 85,000 miles - First Photo: Ryken Papy | Shutterstock
The whole chart for flights starting in the US mainland and Canada is available below:
Destination
Main Cabin Off Peak
Main Cabin
Premium Economy
Business / First
First
Contiguous 48 US states and Canada.
12,500
22,500
25,000
50,000
Alaska
15,000
25,000
30,000
55,000
Hawaii
22,500
50,000
55,000
80,000
Caribbean
17,500
27,500
52,500
Mexico
17,500
27,500
52,500
Central America
17,500
27,500
52,500
South America Region 1
20,000
30,000
55,000
South America Region 2
30,000
40,000
57,500
85,000
Europe
22,500
30,000
40,000
57,500
85,000
Middle East
40,000
62,500
70,000
115,000
Indian Subcontinent~
40,000
62,500
70,000
115,000
Africa
40,000
65,000
75,000
120,000
Asia Region 1
35,000
50,000
60,000
80,000
Asia Region 2
37,500
50,000
70,000
110,000
South Pacific
40,000
65,000
80,000
110,000