• Home
  • Reviews
    • Flight Reviews
    • Hotel Reviews
    • Lounge Reviews
    • Trip Reports
  • About
    • Press
  • Contact
  • Privacy
  • Award Expert
  • Advertising Disclosure
Live and Let's Fly
  • Home
  • Reviews
    • Flight Reviews
    • Hotel Reviews
    • Lounge Reviews
    • Trip Reports
  • About
    • Press
  • Contact
  • Privacy
  • Award Expert
  • Advertising Disclosure
Home  >  Travel  >  American Airlines Elevated A Loyalty Program… Alaska’s
Travel

American Airlines Elevated A Loyalty Program… Alaska’s

Kyle Stewart Posted onNovember 7, 2021November 7, 2021 7 Comments
My dear readers, some links on this site pay us referral fees for sending business and sales. We value your time and money and will not waste it. For our complete advertising policy, click here. The content on this page is not provided by any companies mentioned, and has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by these entities. Opinions expressed here are the author's alone.

American Airlines announced its new “Loyalty Points” frequent flyer program and elevated Alaska’s in the process. Here’s why. 


If you are considering booking travel or signing up for a new credit card please click here. Both support LiveAndLetsFly.com.


If you haven’t followed us on Facebook or Instagram, add us today.

Loyalty Points Announced

American Airlines announced its new frequent flyer program. While increasing the number of points required for status in the new program, the airline has made it “easier” by allowing customers to earn by a number of additional ways such as credit card spend on co-branded products, buying through the shopping portals, booking hotels through its reseller program, or lastly, flying.

Some are championing the change because high spenders on American Airlines credit cards can now elevate their status without flying or supplement flying shortfalls by moving their transactions to American Airlines channels.

American Airlines Liquid Spill

“Most Points Count” – No They Don’t

It’s being pitched by American Airlines PR and others – with a straight face – that “most points count.” Let’s explore that further.

Now that Loyalty Points can be earned with credit card spending, perhaps you should go out and get one of those cards, they come with sign-up bonuses usually between 40-80,000 points. That’s a significant headstart, but points from sign-up bonuses don’t count. You might argue that they don’t count for other airlines either, but that would leave out the highly successful Southwest Rapid Rewards program that includes ANY points earned toward Companion Pass, easily the most valuable domestic flight benefit for frequent travelers.

That’s ok, just move shopping to the Advantage online portal. Except that only base points count and the bonuses those sites sometimes run don’t count either.

How about ancillary purchases? For many flyers, buying up from restrictive coach to a better seat, buying a meal on board, or even wifi contribute to the passenger’s total spend with the airline, something American wants to encourage. Those don’t count either. They do at Spirit.

Credit card bonus spending categories really should count but they really don’t.

The list goes on further, but generally speaking, most points do not contribute to status.

Loyalty Points Earning Example

Let’s pretend that an exuberant new Loyalty Points member wants to get started right away with the new program. They are going to start from scratch and plan a trip to see their mother for Mother’s Day.

  • They sign up for the American Airlines co-branded credit card (50,000 point bonus)
  • They buy a gift for their mother for $100 with a 3x bonus on the American Airlines shopping portal (400 total Loyalty points)
  • They buy a plane ticket for $400
  • They pay for a seat assignment, a snack, and wifi on the plane ($75)
  • They spend $1,000 on the credit card

This newly minted super fan would earn just 1,575 Loyalty Points toward status, though their account would accumulate 52,825 Loyalty Points to spend. Through all of those actions, they may feel like they are on their way to Gold status with American at 30,000 points but would be woefully wrong.

Alaska Moves To The Front Of The Line

Alaska Airlines Banned 14 Passengers

As of last year, there are two oneworld alliance members in North America. Alaska Airlines’ MileagePlan has the same alliance partners and more outside the alliance. Its rates for earning are higher, its requirements for status are lower, and its redemption rates are lower too.

For those who would argue that Alaska simply doesn’t have enough flights, and certainly not enough long haul international flights, not to worry – Alaska elites still earn status miles from flights with American Airlines. Top Tier elites with Alaska can also use the same eVIP systemwide upgrades that American awards its own Executive Platinum flyers, though just two instead of four.

Let’s say you’re a domestic traveler that spends every other week on the road. Depending on the cost of your airfare, you may or may not hit top status with American, but your chances with Alaska are far better. With American, the cost of the fare is the basis for Loyalty Points earned, but travelers, especially business travelers have little to no control over the cost of their trips and many have little flexibility in booking a more expensive flight or class of service.

That same traveler might want to take a trip to Southeast Asia each year, my family loves Hong Kong and Thailand. Traveling on American, business class tickets will eat up 140,000 miles while Alaska is 40% cheaper and earns faster.

The choice is clear.

Conclusion

American Airlines introducing its new frequent flyer program did make one great change for frequent flyers. The choice to move to Alaska Airlines MileagePlan full-time is not a no-brainer. The program is more rewarding, awards miles faster and requires fewer for redemptions. Alaska CEO, Ben Minicucci, should send his friend, Doug Parker of American Airlines, a bouquet of flowers, so long as he doesn’t buy them through the American Airlines shopping portal.

What do you think? Does the new American Airlines Loyalty Points make the case for travelers to switch to Alaska Airlines MileagePlan? 

Previous Article Why Marriott, American Airlines Changes Seem Egregious
Next Article Review: SWISS Lounge New York (JFK)

About Author

Kyle Stewart

Kyle is a freelance travel writer with contributions to Time, the Washington Post, MSNBC, Yahoo!, Reuters, Huffington Post, MapHappy, Live And Lets Fly and many other media outlets. He is also co-founder of Scottandthomas.com, a travel agency that delivers "Travel Personalized." He focuses on using miles and points to provide a premium experience for his wife and daughter. Email: sherpa@thetripsherpa.com

Follow us on FacebookFollow us on Twitter

Related Posts

  • Waldorf's take on eggs Benedict with truffle sauce and caviar

    Extending Hilton Diamond Status For Three Stays (Or Less)

    January 29, 2023
  • hilton diamond status

    What You Need To Know About Hilton Honors Diamond Status

    January 16, 2023
  • Marriott Elites Soft Landing, Hyatt Globalists Back To 2019 Levels

    January 8, 2023

7 Comments

  1. Miles Reply
    November 7, 2021 at 2:48 pm

    Your math is off because a non-elite member earns 5x loyalty points on flights, not including taxes.

    So say 100 from the portal, say 360*5=1800 plus 1000 from the card. So maybe 2900 loyalty points.

    And I think the redeemable points are still just called AAdvantage miles.

  2. Christian Reply
    November 7, 2021 at 2:57 pm

    I already spend enough on my business AA card to reach Platinum Pro. I don’t fly many paid flights. For me, the big benefits are extra legroom (I’m 6’4), first class check in, and awesome quality first class lounge access in Asia. Upgrades would be welcome but I don’t expect much. Anyway, I’ll benefit from the new system but I can absolutely see him other people might hate it.

  3. Scott Reply
    November 7, 2021 at 4:28 pm

    So for southwest having ANY capitalized is not only unnecessary but incorrect as UR transfers and Marriott transfers don’t count.

    • Kyle Stewart Reply
      November 7, 2021 at 4:46 pm

      @Scott – I forgot about transfers. I will amend.

  4. FMLAX Reply
    November 7, 2021 at 4:53 pm

    You really should mention that the higher tiers at Alaska are going to require 12 Alaska segments for 75K and 24 segments for 100K. Unfortunately, that won’t be very useful to anyone on the East Coast or anywhere in the Midwest that doesn’t fly to Seattle (or, increasingly rarely, LAX).

    • Mike Reply
      November 7, 2021 at 5:38 pm

      AS’s network does include New York and Florida, as well as a large part of Texas/Oklahoma. Add in codeshares and there’s a lot of opportunity IF you also travel along the west coast. It’s not as easy as American, but it’s not impossible.

  5. BL Reply
    November 9, 2021 at 3:48 am

    Just a trifle with your representation of eVIPs.

    Top tier Alaska elites do _not_ “also use the same eVIP systemwide upgrades that American awards its own Executive Platinum flyers, though just two instead of four.” The upgrades top tier Alaska elites receive are significantly constrained as compared to the instruments provided top tier American elites.

    For example:
    Quantity (as you noted): (Alaska, 2) (American, 4)
    Number of segments each upgrade is valid for: (Alaska, 1) (American, up to 3)
    Valid on which routes: (Alaska, five select routes emanating from Alaska’s west coast hubs) (American, any route in the system)

    Some elites probably justify the value of their status primarily through these powerful upgrade instruments. In turn, this vast difference is worth noting.

Leave a Reply

Cancel reply

Search

Recent Posts

  • United Airlines Steakhouse Cheeseburger
    Steakhouse Cheeseburger On United Airlines February 4, 2023
  • Woman Pants Miami Airport
    “Why Would I Need Pants On?” (Woman Strides Through Miami Airport) February 4, 2023
  • Catfight Over Window Seat Leads To Massive Brawl, With 15 People Thrown Off Flight February 4, 2023
  • United Airlines Newark Collision
    United Airlines 787-9 Collides With 757-200 At Newark Airport February 3, 2023

Categories

Popular Posts

  • Spirit Airlines Captain Runs Out Of Cockpit After Woman Yells “I Hope Y’All Crash And Die!” January 17, 2023
  • Hotel Worker entered room
    Woman Demands $3,000 In Compensation After Hotel Worker Walked Into Her Room At Midnight January 24, 2023
  • United Airlines 2023 Status Extension
    United Airlines Quietly Extends MileagePlus Premier Status…Again January 14, 2023
  • British Airways 787-10 Business Class Review
    Review: British Airways 787-10 Business Class (Club Suite) January 10, 2023

Archives

February 2023
M T W T F S S
 12345
6789101112
13141516171819
20212223242526
2728  
« Jan    

As seen on:

live_and_lets_fly

The new United Polaris Lounge at Washington Dulles The new United Polaris Lounge at Washington Dulles is the most beautiful of all Polaris Lounges. Stay tuned for a detailed look and many more photos on the blog tomorrow. Well done @united.
@malaysiaairlines just announced it would retire i @malaysiaairlines just announced it would retire its A380 fleet. While not surprising, it is sad to see the growing list of carriers retiring this superjumbo jet. On Malaysia Airlines, I flew the #A380 once from Kuala Lumpur (KUL) to London (LHR) and had the entire first class cabin to myself (full review on the blog). It was a beautiful flight that I will always remember.
Welcome to @fly_bur @aveloair! I am so excited tha Welcome to @fly_bur @aveloair! I am so excited that a new carrier, Avelo, has launched, especially from an airport just 12 minutes from my home!
I greatly miss the @lufthansa #747-8 at @flylaxair I greatly miss the @lufthansa #747-8 at @flylaxairport. Hopefully this summer it will return.

.
.
.
.
#Lufthansa #FirstClass #747 #747-8 #StarAlliance #Miles #Points
I recently spent a weekend at the @ventanabigsur. I recently spent a weekend at the @ventanabigsur. This is not only a lovely, all-inclusive resort, but one of the best properties to use your @hyatt World of Hyatt points.
.
.
.
.
#Hyatt #BigSur #California #WorldofHyatt #CA-1 #Points #Hotels
In terms of a spacious first class product, the @E In terms of a spacious first class product, the @Emirates suite on a 777-300ER is hard to beat. My preference is Suite 2K.

.
.
.
.
#Emirates #777 #firstclass
Nearly five years ago, I took a “break” from I Nearly five years ago, I took a “break” from Instagram ahead of the birth of my first child. Goodness, how time flies. While I’ve enjoyed catching up on others over the years, now it is time for me to return to Instagram. In this first post, I highlight two joys in my life, my two children, whom I trust will grow up to be prolific travelers that circumnavigate the globe as ambassadors of love and respect.

.
.
.
.
.

#travel #airplanes #airlines #miles #points #familytravel #human #integrity #honor
United Airlines' new Polaris seat is a huge improv United Airlines' new Polaris seat is a huge improvement over UA's current business class seat. Check out my blog at liveandletsfly.com for 70+ photos of how @united is transforming its entire business class experience starting this December!
The perfect @flysas name tag for #Longyearben! The perfect @flysas name tag for #Longyearben!
Spotted four #polarbear outside of #longyearbyen - Spotted four #polarbear outside of #longyearbyen -- oh, and I love 40°F summer weather!
One of the best crews I have ever had the pleasure One of the best crews I have ever had the pleasure of flying with in all my years of flying. Thank you @flysas SK940 on 11 Aug 2016
Next stop ARN! But dear @flysas , next time if I a Next stop ARN! But dear @flysas , next time if I assign a window seat months in advance, don't move me to a center seat "for my convenience" with no way to get my original seat back... 😞
Ready for #PIA from #MAN to #JFK -- we will be rac Ready for #PIA from #MAN to #JFK -- we will be racing the #Delta flight to JFK at the gate next to us, which also departs at 12:45p. With @onemileatatime
Another room with a beautiful view... #hyattregenc Another room with a beautiful view... #hyattregencycasablanca #cassablanca #hyatt
Enjoying #shanghai with @onemileatatime from the i Enjoying #shanghai with @onemileatatime from the inside of the @grandhyatt_shanghai ... It is 40°C outside! 😓
From my front gate to my boarding gate in 15 minut From my front gate to my boarding gate in 15 minutes flat. I ❤️ #bur #burbankairport
@malaysiaairlines #747 out of retirement and in se @malaysiaairlines #747 out of retirement and in service at #kul -- beautiful livery!
View from my 61st floor room at the beautiful bran View from my 61st floor room at the beautiful brand new @parkhyattguangzhou -- look for a full review coming soon on the blog #hyatt #parkhyatt #guangzhou #parkhyattguangzhou
Will miss the @united #globalfirstlounge at #ord, Will miss the @united #globalfirstlounge at #ord, which closes tomorrow and the Queen of the Skies #747 which will be retired in 2018.
The colonial #architecture of #mumbai is stunning. The colonial #architecture of #mumbai is stunning. If you're ever here, get up at 5am and have a walk around the city before it gets busy. You can hear the birds instead of honking horns.
Load More... Follow on Instagram
facebook twitter instagram rss

This site is for entertainment purposes only. The owner of this site is not an investment advisor, financial planner, nor legal or tax professional and articles here are of an opinion and general nature and should not be relied upon for individual circumstances.

 

Advertiser Disclosure: Some links to credit cards and other products on this website will earn an affiliate commission. Outside of banner ads published through the Boarding Area network, this compensation does not impact how and where products appear on this site. While we do try to list all the best miles and points deals, the site does not include all card companies or credit card offers available in the marketplace. Please view our advertising policy page for additional details about our partners.

 

Editorial Disclosure: The editorial content on this page is not provided by any entity mentioned herein. Opinions expressed here are the author's alone, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.