Alaska Airlines has one of the best mileage programs for international business and first class. They have excellent partners, including Cathay Pacific, Emirates, and Japan Airlines. Until October 5, 2017, you can buy Alaska miles with up to a 50% bonus.
Buy Alaska Miles – 50% Bonus
Buy Alaska Miles – 50% Bonus
Check here to see if you are targeted for this offer. To earn a 50% bonus, you have to purchase 40,000 or more miles.
Otherwise, you will get a smaller bonus:
- 20% bonus on 10,000-19,000 miles
- 35% bonus on 20,000-39,000 miles
- 50% bonus on 40,000-60,000 miles
Should You Buy Miles at a 50% Bonus?
I only recommend buying miles at the highest bonus. With the bonus, the maximum amount of miles per transaction is 90,000. However, there is no limit on how many miles you buy in total – simply purchase multiple sets of miles.
The cost to buy Alaska Miles with a 50% bonus is 1.97 cents. If you’re located in Canada, make sure to use a non-Canadian credit card or one with a US billing address to avoid the 5%+ GST/HST.
Buy Alaska Miles – 50% Bonus
If I didn’t already have lots of Alaska Miles, I definitely would take advantage of the bonus. The 50% bonus is the cheapest and fastest way to instantly top up your account. Even if you start with no miles in your acc, buying miles will get you a huge discount on business and first class.
Buy Alaska Miles to Redeem on JAL
For example, JAL First Class from New York to Tokyo is 70,000 miles. If you buy 70,500 miles (47,000 + 23,500 Bonus), this will cost you $1389.44. Compared to retail prices, this is a very significant savings.
Earn Alaska Miles with Credit Cards
You can also earn miles from the MBNA Alaska Airlines MasterCard, the SPG Personal American Express, and the SPG Business American Express. The Starwood American Express has an increased offer of 25,000 SPG points, which converts to 30,000 Alaska Miles apiece.
Additional Reading: Increased SPG American Express Bonus!
The MBNA Alaska Airlines MasterCard offers a 25,000 mile bonus, but earning the bonus miles are more difficult than before. You now can only have one card at a time, and a new application must be 6 months from when you close the account.
Purchase Alaska Miles today! Promotion valid until Oct 5, 2017.
—
Let’s connect: Twitter | Facebook | Instagram
I thought new MBNA accounts could be opened 3 months after closing one?
Could be. I’ve heard both from CSRs.
Do purchases of miles (e.g. from points.com) equate to bonus categories from any credit cards?
No, so use a card that maximizes everyday spend.
Ah bummer, it only shows 35% for me for the highest bonus tier 🙁
20% bonus on 10,000-19,000 miles
30% bonus on 20,000-39,000 miles
35% bonus on 40,000-60,000 miles
I know this was just an example, but, you can purchase a paid ticket in business class for $400 less each way ($2100 return in business) then your Alaska mileage redemption first ticket. Although I agree flying first is much better, but considering that if using miles, you are limited to the 15 or so possible First awards, where as paying for the ticket an not using miles, the availability is just about any day and you earn miles too.
Also be warned, Alaska is getting worse at displaying phantom awards that don’t actually exist! Frustrating to say the least.
A few points that might be useful to consider are:
-These are in usd dollars
-Typically you have to fly via the states (my home airport is YVR)
Using Alaska miles from YVR is possible a number of ways without having to travel via the US. Examples: BA (shudder), Cathay, JAL, Condor (am trying them in Sept so this is a maybe at the moment). Not to forget – Hong Kong Airlines and others.