• Home
  • Reviews
    • Flight Reviews
    • Hotel Reviews
    • Lounge Reviews
    • Trip Reports
  • About
    • Press
  • Contact
  • Privacy
  • Award Expert
Live and Let's Fly
  • Home
  • Reviews
    • Flight Reviews
    • Hotel Reviews
    • Lounge Reviews
    • Trip Reports
  • About
    • Press
  • Contact
  • Privacy
  • Award Expert
Home » Alaska Airlines » Latest Alaska Devaluation Was Bizarre Overreaction
Alaska AirlinesAward Bookingscathay pacificJAL

Latest Alaska Devaluation Was Bizarre Overreaction

Matthew Klint Posted onFebruary 14, 2018November 14, 2023 8 Comments

a group of women standing in a row of chairs

Have you ever heard the old adage, “Don’t throw the baby out with the bathwater?” That’s what Alaska Airlines just did in its latest Mileage Plan devaluation.

Alaska Airlines now blocks partner redemptions on Cathay Pacific and JAL within 72 hours of travel. Citing rampant fraud, Alaska reasons it had no other choice…just like it claims it had no choice before its massive devaluation of Emirates awards in 2016.

Award Expert clients often ask me about buying miles on the grey market. If you think this is a small issue, think again. It’s a multi-million dollar industry around the world. And while there is potential value in purchasing miles, it is not something I encourage…especially because loyalty programs have shown a penchant for fiercely cracking down on those who engage in these practices.

But talk about a bizarre overreaction. That makes me think something else is at play here…partner redemption costs.

Cathay Pacific and JAL open up their best award seats at the last-minute. Both are dependable at releasing space in first and business class just days, sometimes hours before departure.

With the elimination of booking within 72-hours, Alaska miles are suddenly worth a lot less…even if the award chart remains unchanged.

If fraud was the issue, Alaska could have easily imposed a less draconian solution:

  1. Redemptions only for the member within 72 hours of travel
  2. Redemption only for the member or those with the same surname within 72 hours of travel
  3. Telephone-only redemption within 72 hours of travel.

There are other solutions: two-factor authentication or other security protocols that Alaska could invest in…if it wanted to.

Instead, I believe Alaska wanted a DPRK solution: oh you’ll be safe from fraud, but lose all your freedom in the process. I also believe that Alaska Airlines wanted to save money: less premium cabin partner redemptions mean less money out of their pockets.

CONCLUSION

I’m turning very cynical toward Alaska and its MileagePlan program. While there are still some gems on the award chart, the program has shown a willingness to blindside members with harsh, no-notice devaluation. That is not how any loyalty program should operate.

Get Daily Updates

Join our mailing list for a daily summary of posts! We never sell your info.

You have Successfully Subscribed!

Previous Article “Demonic” Child on Lufthansa Flight
Next Article Let’s Give Alaska Airlines Credit for Listening

About Author

Matthew Klint

Matthew is an avid traveler who calls Los Angeles home. Each year he travels more than 200,000 miles by air and has visited more than 135 countries. Working both in the aviation industry and as a travel consultant, Matthew has been featured in major media outlets around the world and uses his Live and Let's Fly blog to share the latest news in the airline industry, commentary on frequent flyer programs, and detailed reports of his worldwide travel.

Related Posts

  • Alaska-Hawaiian Merger DOT

    What Hawaiian Airlines AMEX Exit Means For Alaska MileagePlan

    May 18, 2025
  • an airplane with seats and a person standing in the back

    Missing: Premium American Airlines Aadvantage Awards To Asia

    May 4, 2025
  • a room with chairs and tables

    Review: Cathay Pacific First Class Lounge London (LHR)

    March 21, 2025

8 Comments

  1. Pete Reply
    February 14, 2018 at 4:58 pm

    With CX it was already telephone-only anyway. Very disappointing.

  2. akanaminpa Reply
    February 14, 2018 at 5:20 pm

    Here’s another Alaska / Bank of America issue that I experienced. During my travels in November I applied for an Alaska Air credit card and was approved. In the month of December my father became gravely ill so I had to cancel much of my travel plans and remain on the West Coast until the beginning of the New Year (I live on the East Coast). During my stay in December Bank of America generated a statement for the annual fee of $75 and mailed it to my home address. When I arrived home (my father passed away on Dec 21), I noticed the statement and paid the amount in full on January 5th, but the payment was due on January 4th and didn’t clear until January 6th. This led to a $1.50 late payment fee which generated another statement which I didn’t see until returning back home in February. At the beginning of February I make what I thought was my required spend for the account but when I just received my “February” statement I see that the account is “late” once again because of the $1.50 “fee” and not I have to speak with a collection person at B of A to be able to pay the balance in full. Now, however, because I used the card in February I have close to $20 in interest charged! Needless to say I closed the account after paying the balance due in full. So much for Bank of America’s relationship management!

  3. emercycrite Reply
    February 14, 2018 at 5:28 pm

    “a DPRK solution”

    LOL!

  4. Eric Reply
    February 14, 2018 at 8:37 pm

    Alaska’s twitter account announced they were removing this restriction for flights other than those are inter-asia. Good on ’em for turning it around so quickly.

  5. pointsfan Reply
    February 14, 2018 at 9:24 pm

    They listened!

    https://mobile.twitter.com/AlaskaAir/status/963936771598946305

  6. Danny Reply
    February 15, 2018 at 12:24 am

    Korean Airlines has a good policy to prevent fraud. You can only use miles for family members.

    @ akanaminpa

    Most banks will waive the late payment fee on a credit card account one time as a courtesy.

  7. LAXJeff Reply
    February 15, 2018 at 9:43 am

    It would appear to me that they were trying to close a loophole that was being fraudulently exploited. Blocking short notice bookings is a nasty devaluation. Hope they learned from this and give notice next time they want to devalue.

  8. docntx Reply
    February 15, 2018 at 9:50 am

    I am troubled by the frequent disappointment about the Alaska FF program. Almost Delta-ish with sudden, poorly explained changes (Emirates) and erratic availability issues on partners, erosion of its partner airlines. Used to think of it as our last hope. Not so sure anymore.

Leave a Reply

Cancel reply

Search

Hot Deals for May

Note: Please see my Advertiser Disclosure

Capital One Venture X Business Card
Earn 150,000 Miles Sign Up Bonus
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
Earn 100,000 Points
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
Earn 75,000 Miles!
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
Earn 75,000 Miles
Chase Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card
Earn $750 Cash Back
The Business Platinum Card® from American Express
The Business Platinum Card® from American Express
Earn 120,000 Membership Reward® Points

Recent Posts

  • a woman walking in an airplane with a luggage
    United Airlines Eliminates Instant Upgrades, Excursionist Perk, MileagePlus Upgrade Award Chart May 22, 2025
  • Flight Coffee Allergy
    Passenger Claims She’s Allergic To Coffee Smell, Demands Airline Ban It May 22, 2025
  • Trump Qatar 747-8
    Gift Or Grift? Trump Bets On Qatari 747-8 For Air Force One May 22, 2025
  • United Airlines Domestic Check-In Cutoff
    United Airlines Adjusts Check-In Window For Domestic Flights May 22, 2025

Categories

Popular Posts

  • a room with a table and benches
    Where To Smoke At Paris Charles De Gaulle Airport (CDG) April 26, 2025
  • United Airlines Polaris Lounge Chicago Review
    Review: United Polaris Lounge Chicago (ORD) May 1, 2025
  • United Airlines Refresh Polaris Lounge Chicago
    First Look: United Airlines Reopens Renovated Polaris Lounge In Chicago (ORD) April 29, 2025
  • a hand holding a blue card
    Chase Sapphire Preferred 100K Bonus Offer Ending Soon May 2, 2025

Archives

May 2025
M T W T F S S
 1234
567891011
12131415161718
19202122232425
262728293031  
« Apr    

As seen on:

facebook twitter instagram rss
Privacy Policy © Live and Let's Fly All Rights Reserved. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this site’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Live and Let's Fly with appropriate and specific directions to the original content.