Yesterday I was rather blunt in saying that I had lost my trust in the Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan program. But after partially rolling back its latest no-notice devaluation, I’m happy to shower Alaska Airlines with praise. First, Alaska...
Latest Alaska Devaluation Was Bizarre Overreaction
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...
Prosecutors Allege Alaska Airlines Pilot Flew Drunk for 20 Years
A former Alaska Airlines pilot will plead guilty and serve one year in prison for flying a plane while under the influence of alcohol. But prosecutors paint a grim picture of what could have happened. David Hans Arntson, 62, flew...
Disgusting: FAs Indifferent to Sexual Harassment on Alaska Airlines
The recent wave of sexual harassment allegations is transforming the U.S. landscape and emboldening more every day to come forward with their stories. But such treatment, generally against women, persists…and some practices die hard. Like on Alaska Airlines… I...
Alaska Airlines, Sun Country Cancel Cuba Service
When commercial airline service resumed between the United States and Cuba last year, many carriers saw gold in this untapped market. But a year later, many carriers have discovered that Cuba is more fool’s gold than a lucrative new...
Blame Alaska Airlines for Latest Singapore Devaluation?
Alaska Airlines and Singapore Airlines (SIA) are now partners. Is it just a coincidence that Singapore devalued earnings on United Airlines flights…without notice? I give the Singapore Airlines’ KrisFlyer loyalty program a mixed review. If you want to fly...
Why I’m Not Excited About Alaska Airlines’ Partnership with Singapore Airlines
Alaska Airlines already partners with members of both SkyTeam and oneworld. Starting next month, the airline will partner with its first Star Alliance carrier: Singapore Airlines. But don’t get your hopes up about an incredible redemption in Singapore’s new...
Condor Partnership = Lufthansa Miles on Alaska?
Alaska Airlines and Condor, a German budget/leisure airline, have partnered: you can now earn Alaska miles when flying on Condor. But what about the other way around? Condor used to be partially owned by Lufthansa. Being a German airline...
Alaska Airlines Will Bury More Than Virgin America Brand
Alaska Airlines will retire the Virgin America brand by 2019. The news is hardly surprising considering the royalties involved in using Sir Richard Branson’s trademark brand, but Alaska will do much more than repaint aircraft. Changes Coming to Alaska Airlines In...
Another Stealth Alaska Devaluation
Last year, Alaska Airlines massively devalued Emirates award redemptions without notice. While the latest cut is not as draconian, it still represents a fundamental problem with Alaska: the airline cannot be trusted to give advance notice of program changes....
Woman Thrown Off Alaska Flight After Anti-Trump Rant
First a pro-Trump voter before the election, now an anti-Trump voter after. A woman was thrown off an Alaska Airlines flight from Baltimore to Seattle on Saturday after berating a Trump supporter in a conversation she initiated. As I witnessed,...
Alaska Airlines Blames "Travel Hacking" for Emirates Devaluation
Alaska Airlines has taken a ton of heat today for its decision to raise prices for business and first class tickets on Emirates by as much as 100%. Now it is defending itself on its blog, claiming that its...
Emirates First Class Awards on Alaska DOUBLE in Price
Overnight and without notice, Alaska has massively devalued first class award cost on Emirates. This is unbelievable for an airline that has a such a good reputation. The award charts are not even fully updated yet (Emirates to Europe...
Alaska Airlines Brand Refresh
For the first time in a quarter century, Alaska Airlines is refreshing its brand image in a major way, with changes coming to everything from credit cards to aircraft livery. Why the change now? Isn’t one of Alaska’s best...
Last Day to Purchase Discounted Alaska Miles
We’ve seen a renaissance of attractive mileage sales this season and one of the leaders in hawking points has been Alaska Airlines, which has a great loyalty program with attractive redemption partners like Emirates and Cathay Pacific. The current...
Ordering Emirates Chauffeur Service Less Than 48 Hours Prior to Travel
One of the great benefits of flying business or first class on Emirates is the ability to order complimentary chauffeur service to take you to and from the airport. This service is available at both your origin and destination...
Scorpions on a Plane!
I am not an animal person–to put it mildly. I was bitten by a dog when I was five while riding my bike outside my grandma’s house and have always had a fear of dogs. I was stung by...
Air FranceAlaska AirlinesAward BookingsBritish Airwayscathay pacificJetBlueKLMMileage PlusTipsUnited AirlinesUS AirwaysVirgin Australia
Top 10 Airline Award Redemptions for January 2014
With the new year here and many changes negatively affecting airline loyalty programs now in effect or shortly taking effect, there are still a number of superb deals available. Here are my top ten award travel bright spots for...
Star Alliance Should Pursue Alaska Airlines
For all the complaints about US Airways being a “low-cost carrier” or offering an inferior in-flight product, the carrier has been a valuable member of Star Alliance that will be missed tremendously. With a healthy European route network and...
Breaking: Rediske Air Crash in Alaska Kills 10
When I saw the headline just a moment ago, I thought it was a joke–surely there could not be another crash just one day later. But sadly the Wall Street Journal is reporting: LOS ANGELES (MarketWatch) — The crash...
