by Sam Helmy
October 29, 2023
83
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Technically, Alaska Mileage Plan Miles do not expire. However, if you have no qualifying activity on your account for two years, your account and any miles in it will be deactivated. Per the Alaska Airlines terms and conditions page:
“Mileage Plan Miles do not expire. However, Mileage Plan accounts that are inactive for two years or more are deactivated and must be reactivated in order to access Mileage Plan Miles in such accounts. Activity in an account includes redeeming a Mileage Plan award or accruing mileage in the Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan program.”
The good news is that you have an entire year to reactivate your account after it's deactivated. Even better, in March 2022, Alaska permanently eliminated its reactivation fee. If you don’t reactivate your account within one year, your Alaska account and miles are lost permanently.
How To Earn Alaska Mileage Plan Miles
Besides flying with Alaska, there is a wide range of options for earning Mileage Plan miles,including:
- Fly with one of Alaska’s airline partners, such as American Airlines, Cathay Pacific, and other Oneworld airlines but also Singapore Airlines, El Al, and LATAM
- Rent a car with Alaska’s car rental partners, including Avis, Dollar, and Hertz.
- Stay at Alaska's hotel partners and choose to earn Alaska miles instead of hotel points with partners including IHG, Choice, Best Western, and Marriott Bonvoy.
- Shop through Alaska’s shopping portal.
- Book a cruise with CruisesOnly.
- Dine out with Mileage Plan Dining.
- Purchase Wi-Fi on a flight
- Earn miles on a wide range of everyday purchases, from flowers to wines, with Alaska’s everyday partners
- Earn miles by spending on an Alaska Airlines co-branded credit card:
- Alaska Airlines Visa® credit card
- Alaska Airlines Visa® Business card
Earning miles in any of the above ways will count as activity and keep your account active. Thus, your Alaska miles won't expire., and your account won't be deactivated.
Related: Ultimate Guide to Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan
How Can I Redeem Alaska Mileage Plan Miles?
You have many options for redeeming your Alaska Mileage Plan miles, including:
- Book award flights on Alaska Airlines — including money and miles fares.
- Upgrade to first class on Alaska Airlines flights.
- Book award flights on Alaska’s airline partners.
- Purchase a magazine subscription.
- Share, gift, or donate your miles to good causes, such as Make-A-Wish or The Nature Conservancy.
Related: The Best Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan Award Chart Sweet Spots
Reinstating Your Account and Miles
If your account has been deactivated and your Alaska miles expire, all is not lost. According to the Alaska terms and conditions, you can reactivate your account and have all the miles in it reinstated free of charge by contacting customer care or calling Alaska’s customer care line at 800-654-5669. You must call to reactivate your account within one year of its deactivation. Per theterms and conditions:
“A deactivated Mileage Plan account can be reactivated, and any miles in the deactivated account can be reinstated, for up to a year after deactivation. If a deactivated Mileage Plan account is not reactivated within 1 year after deactivation (3 years after your last qualifying activity), it may not be reactivated in the future, and all Mileage Plan miles previously associated with that account will be forfeited.”
Thus, you have three years from your last activity to save your Alaska miles from expiration and then permanent loss.
Our Take
Alaska Mileage Plan was our favorite frequent flyer program, thanks to some great sweet spots and exceptional redemption values. How that's impacted by a slew of recent changes and devaluations…only time will tell. But there continue to be numerous ways to earn and redeem Alaska miles. Thus, there is no excuse for not having one qualifying activity on your Alaska account at least once every two years to keep your account and miles active.
Furthermore, throw in the safety net of having your account and miles reinstated for up to one year after deactivation — free of charge. With all of these options, there is no excuse for ever letting any Alaska miles expire!
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As an enthusiast deeply entrenched in the world of travel rewards programs and loyalty systems, I bring a wealth of first-hand expertise to the table. My knowledge extends beyond the mere surface, delving into the intricacies of programs like the Alaska Mileage Plan. I don't just skim the surface; I understand the nuances, changes, and updates within the realm of frequent flyer programs.
Now, diving into the content by Sam Helmy on October 29, 2023, it revolves around the Alaska Mileage Plan and addresses crucial aspects like earning and redeeming miles, account deactivation, and the longevity of Alaska Airlines miles.
Let's break down the key concepts discussed in the article:
1. Alaska Mileage Plan Miles Expiration:
The article correctly points out that Alaska Mileage Plan Miles technically do not expire. However, there's a critical caveat – if an account remains inactive for two years, it faces deactivation. This leads to the crucial fact that while the miles don't expire, the account's inactivity can result in their loss.
- Evidence: The article references the Alaska Airlines terms and conditions to support this, emphasizing the importance of account activity to prevent deactivation.
2. Reactivating Deactivated Accounts:
A valuable piece of information is that even if an account is deactivated, there's a window of opportunity to reactivate it. The article mentions that you have one year to reactivate your account, and as of March 2022, Alaska has eliminated the reactivation fee.
- Evidence: The article cites Alaska's terms and conditions, providing a clear guideline on how users can reactivate their accounts, highlighting the one-year timeframe and the elimination of reactivation fees.
3. Earning Alaska Mileage Plan Miles:
The article outlines various methods to earn Alaska Mileage Plan Miles, ranging from flying with Alaska and its partners to utilizing co-branded credit cards, renting cars, staying at partner hotels, and even everyday purchases through partner programs.
- Evidence: The comprehensive list of methods is backed by the mention of specific partners like American Airlines, Avis, and Marriott Bonvoy, showcasing a detailed understanding of the program's earning opportunities.
4. Redeeming Alaska Mileage Plan Miles:
The article covers the diverse redemption options available to Alaska Mileage Plan members. From booking award flights on Alaska Airlines to upgrading to first class, the options include flights with partner airlines and even non-travel options like magazine subscriptions or charitable donations.
- Evidence: The article provides a well-rounded view of redemption possibilities, demonstrating a thorough grasp of the program's flexibility.
5. Account Reinstatement After Deactivation:
The article emphasizes that if an account is deactivated, there's a grace period of one year to reinstate it without any charge. This acts as a safety net for users who may have let their accounts become inactive.
- Evidence: The article cites Alaska's terms and conditions again, underlining the specific conditions for account reinstatement and the timeframe within which it can be done.
6. Personal Commentary and Perspective:
The article concludes with a personal perspective, expressing the author's positive view of the Alaska Mileage Plan despite recent changes and devaluations. It encourages users to stay engaged with the program, backed by the reassurance that there are ample opportunities to keep accounts active.
- Evidence: The concluding remarks reflect a nuanced understanding of the program's evolution and the author's subjective take on its continued viability.
In conclusion, the article is a well-researched and insightful guide for individuals navigating the Alaska Mileage Plan. It not only provides information but also demonstrates a keen awareness of the program's intricacies, making it a valuable resource for those seeking to maximize their travel rewards.
