Alaska Airlines announces changes to improve first class availability for its best customers
Alaska Airlines announced that it is fine-tuning its frequent flyer program in 2004 to better recognize the patronage of its best customers by improving the availability of First Class seating.
Beginning January 1, elite-status MVP Gold members in the Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan who purchase higher fares will be given automatic upgrades to First Class based on availability. Meanwhile, members who purchase discounted fares will only be eligible to upgrade to First Class three days prior to departure.
We know that upgrades to First Class seats are very important to our best customers, said
Tom Romary, vice president of marketing.
We are now making First Class more accessible to our frequent customers who also pay higher fares.
Alaska also announced the following changes for 2004:
- The number of miles needed to redeem a one-way First Class upgrade will increase from 5,000 to 10,000 miles.
- The 50 percent discount available on any purchased fare when redeeming 15,000 miles will be capped at $250. Complimentary First Class upgrades also will no longer be available on fares purchased with this discount, although members will be able to redeem miles for an upgrade at any time or purchase an upgrade on the day of departure if space is available. Mileage redemption for a First Class travel award within the U.S. and Canada will increase from 60,000 to 80,000.
Miles flown on Alaska or Horizon to qualify for MVP Gold status will increase from 35,000 to 40,000 per year. Miles flown on Alaska or Horizon to qualify for MVP status will increase from 15,000 to 20,000.
Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan members can earn miles and redeem travel on a total of 10 airline partners to more than 600 destinations throughout the world. The program recently was named Frequent Flyer Program of the Year at the 2003 Freddie Awards sponsored by InsideFlyer magazine.
Vicky Karantzavelou
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Monday, September 22, 2003