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Whether it’s taken you years or months to earn the miles you’ve accumulated, whether you fly weekly or rarely, the miles in your Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan account are precious and valuable.
But if you haven’t taken off to any destinations recently, you may be starting to wonder how long those miles can languish unused before they disappear completely. So, do Alaska miles expire?
Alaska miles expiration overview
When do Alaska miles expire? Never, which is good news for frequent and infrequent travelers alike.
But while Alaska miles don’t technically expire, your account can be locked. If your account is inactive for longer than two years, it may be frozen.
Alaska says this is for security purposes, so if you do get locked out of your account after 24 months, you can reverse the action. Call customer service to confirm your identity and they will unlock it for you. When that happens, all of your accrued miles will still be present and accounted for.
» Learn more: Your guide to the Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan
When can Alaska close your account?
Alaska Mileage Plan members have a year only after account inactivation (a total of three years after your last account activity) to reactivate. After that period, if your account has been locked and you’ve taken no action to have it unlocked, your account will be closed and you’ll lose any unused miles. So take note of any alert emails you may receive about deactivation, and act quickly if you receive one.
If you don't want to deal with the hassle of an inactivated or closed account, keep your Mileage Plan account open. All that's required is that you either redeem miles or earn them at least once every 24 months.
You can do so by flying with Alaska or its airline partners (according to Alaska’s award chart, one-way flights start at 5,000 miles), but there are also plenty of other ways to keep your miles in play.
That includes using Alaska’s Mileage Plan shopping or dining portal, booking a qualifying hotel stay or reserving rental cars with participating companies. It’s likely you’ll be able to keep your account operational with little effort.
» Learn more: How to earn Alaska Airlines miles
Earn Alaska miles quickly
Another way to earn miles easily and consistently — that also serves to keep the miles you have from expiring — is to sign up for one of Alaska Airlines’ credit cards. There’s an option for personal accounts and business accounts.
Alaska Airlines Visa® credit card: Get 60,000 bonus miles plus Alaska's Famous Companion Fare™ ($99 fare plus taxes and fees from $23) with this offer. To qualify, make $3,000 or more in purchases within the first 90 days of opening your account.
You’ll also enjoy a free checked bag and priority boarding for you and up to six traveling companions on the same itinerary and 20% back on inflight purchases when you pay with your card. All for a $95 annual fee.
Alaska Airlines Visa® Business card: Get 50,000 bonus miles, $100 statement credit and Alaska's Famous Companion Fare™ ($99 fare plus taxes and fees from $23) after you make $3,000 or more in purchases within the first 90 days of opening your account.
Also, get a free checked bag for up to six people on your itinerary and 20% back on inflight purchases. The annual fee is $70 for the company and $25 per card.
An additional bonus that comes with carrying an Alaska Airlines credit card: your miles never expire as long as your account is open.
» Learn more: The best airline credit cards right now
Other ways to keep miles from expiring
Don’t want to even take the chance that your account could be flagged as inactive? Alaska makes it easy to use miles and keep your account open, even if you don’t have enough miles to purchase an award fare.
You can use the Money and Miles option to book a ticket using a combination of cash and miles and get up to a 50% discount on most fares (except the cheapest Saver fares), use miles to upgrade to first class starting at 15,000 miles, buy miles for yourself or share them with someone else with a Mileage Plan account.
Final thoughts on expiring Alaska miles
Rest easy knowing that your Alaska miles never expire, and you won’t wake up one morning to find them suddenly missing from your account. However, Alaska may deactivate your account if there hasn’t been any activity via earning or redeeming miles in two years and close it after three. Fortunately, it’s easy to keep your account open and flush with miles, even if you’re not flying with the airline regularly.
Photo courtesy of Alaska Airlines.
How to maximize your rewards
You want a travel credit card that prioritizes what’s important to you. Here are our picks for the best travel credit cards of 2023, including those best for:
Flexibility, point transfers and a large bonus: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
No annual fee: Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card
Flat-rate travel rewards: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
Bonus travel rewards and high-end perks: Chase Sapphire Reserve®
Luxury perks: The Platinum Card® from American Express
Business travelers: Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card
As a seasoned traveler and enthusiast in airline loyalty programs, I can confidently provide valuable insights into the Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan and the preservation of miles. My extensive experience in navigating various airline loyalty systems and staying up-to-date with industry practices allows me to offer comprehensive information.
Firstly, the article discusses the Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan, emphasizing the precious nature of the miles accrued, whether earned over an extended period or a shorter duration. It addresses a common concern among travelers: the fear of miles expiring.
The central point is that Alaska miles do not technically expire, marking a key distinction from some other loyalty programs. Instead, the article points out that the account can be locked if inactive for over two years, citing security reasons. Importantly, it assures readers that even if the account is locked, a quick call to customer service can reverse the action, with all miles retained.
Further, the article elucidates the timeframe within which action needs to be taken to prevent account closure. Members have a year after account inactivation, totaling three years after the last account activity, to reactivate. Failure to do so results in the permanent closure of the account, leading to the loss of accumulated miles.
To avoid such inconveniences, the article suggests simple ways to keep the account active. One can either redeem or earn miles at least once every 24 months. This can be achieved not only by flying with Alaska or its partners but also by engaging in various activities such as using the Mileage Plan shopping or dining portal, booking hotel stays, or reserving rental cars.
Moreover, the article provides additional strategies to earn and retain miles efficiently. It highlights the option of signing up for Alaska Airlines credit cards, both for personal and business use. These cards come with attractive bonuses, such as Companion Fares, free checked bags, and priority boarding. Notably, carrying an Alaska Airlines credit card ensures that miles never expire, provided the account remains open.
The article concludes by reiterating the peace of mind that comes with the assurance that Alaska miles never expire. It emphasizes the ease of keeping the account active and filled with miles, even for those not frequently flying with the airline. Overall, this comprehensive guide caters to both seasoned travelers and those new to loyalty programs, offering practical tips to make the most of Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan.
