mileage plan

A photo of an Alaska Airlines Visa Signature card sticking out of a billfold on a restaurant table.

Earn miles every day to get closer to your next award

It’s possible to earn miles from lots of everyday activities — not just when flying with Alaska Airlines or Alaska Global Partners. In fact, these alternative methods are how my wife and I earn the majority of our miles each year. Our strategy for booking upgrades and award tickets depends on earning lots of miles…

How I got started as a frequent flyer

Scott and sister on an award trip to Hong Kong on Cathay Pacific in 2015 Although I’ve been writing my travel blog for several years, it surprises many people to learn that I first became interested in frequent flyer programs when I was a graduate student in neurobiology. It was the first time I had this much freedom to set my…

Why you should travel without your spouse

Journalist and bestselling author Jo Piazza has long considered herself an independent feminist woman who didn’t need a man to complete her. She was pretty ambivalent about marriage until she met the greatest guy in the world on a boat in the Galapagos islands. They got engaged three months later. Piazza had no idea how…

How to maximize your Alaska Mileage Plan elite status

Some travelers earn elite status by accident, a byproduct of traveling for work. Other people are tempted by the possibility of upgrades and bonus miles and do everything they can to qualify. Whichever camp you fall into, Alaska Mileage Plan has some unique benefits that go over and above the competition. By familiarizing yourself with…

2016 year in review: Mileage Plan by the numbers

Last year was a big year for Alaska Mileage Plan members. While the airline was busy adding new benefits, members were literally flying around the world. Over the course of 12 months, Alaska’s frequent fliers said goodbye to foreign transaction fees on their Alaska Airlines Visa Signature cards and enjoyed new perks including lower prices…

Welcome to Mileage Plan: Let’s take a tour

With the merger of Alaska Airlines and Virgin America complete, two award-winning airlines are joining forces to provide a great customer experience. This week, Virgin America Elevate members are being invited to activate new Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan accounts and convert points to earn and redeem rewards across both networks. You can take your Elevate…