Redeem QF points on Alaska Airlines

[Jim]

You can now use QF FF points to fly Alaska Airlines. LAX or SFO to Seattle is 30,500 points return.

 

[ero]

When I first started looking at doing some travel, a travel agent started looking and noticed a flight on Alaska Airlines and said "but that's a no, no" and kept looking.

I asked another travel agent and she said it's not a recommended airline.

Don't know the reasons, nor how true this is, but they don't look like a preferred airline - by travel agents at least.

 

[N860CR]

I've never flown with them, but I always thought Alaska was one of the *better* US carriers. I know none of them are great anymore, but I was under the impression a select few like Continental and Alaska hadn't quite made the full switch to "LCC" service.

Maybe the travel agents don't get as big a kickback... (I personally wouldn't trust any travel agent to give an opinion of an overseas carrier)

 

[NM]

AS lost an MD83 aircraft due to the failure of a jackscrew controlling the horizontal stabliser that was caused by lack of lubrication. This tragic accident resulting in a severe wakeup call for AS maintenance procedures and inspections. See the linked report for full details. The result is that AS is now as safe as any USA airline, and recognised as a good operator with good coverage in the USA north-west region.

Several forum regulars have first hand knowledge of recent AS service. I have not flown AS myself, but would have no hesitation doing so and would expect an experience similar that from AA, UA, CO, DL etc.

 

[Jim]

The point is there is now a way to fly up and down the west coast using FF points. Prior to that is was either pay Alaska Airlines or budget Southwest unless you wanted to travel via Chicago or Dallas on AA.

 

[NM]

The point is there is now a way to fly up and down the west coast using FF points. Prior to that is was either pay Alaska Airlines or budget Southwest unless you wanted to travel via Chicago or Dallas on AA.

Indeed. Its just a shame it can't be done using the OneWorld award.

 

[kpc]

AS lost an MD83 aircraft due to the failure of a jackscrew controlling the horizontal stabliser that was caused by lack of lubrication. This tragic accident resulting in a severe wakeup call for AS maintenance procedures and inspections. See the linked report for full details. The result is that AS is now as safe as any USA airline, and recognised as a good operator with good coverage in the USA north-west region.

Several forum regulars have first hand knowledge of recent AS service. I have not flown AS myself, but would have no hesitation doing so and would expect an experience similar that from AA, UA, CO, DL etc.

Coincidentally, this crash of the AS MD83 was on National Geographic tonite on Foxtel....it highlighted what can go wrong when airlines try and maximise profits at the expense of regular servicing / maintainence of their planes.I'm sure AS have learnt their lesson the hard way...

It was so sad watching the interviews of relatives who lost their loved ones on that flight

 

[Gazza]

I have flown Alaskan several times. If you do a “Qantas” flight to Seattle or Calgary they supply the service.

They are OK (for a US carrier) but have developed a reputation for maintenance/safety issues.

Gazza

 

[Commuter]

When I saw that QF points could be redeemed on Alaska Airlines, my first thought was "I hope they got the maintenance/culture issue sorted out!".

Any insider know anything?

 

[ozstamps]

Nothing whatever wrong with AS. I flew them to Barrow Alaska the most northern city on earth.

They have a FAR larger network than many think.

VERY strong to Mexico, and fly as far west as Washington DC etc.

 

[ozstamps]

Given their wide network, is their a table of QF points needed for various AS redemptions does anyone know?

 

[ozstamps]

Here are their routes:

http://www.alaskaair.com/as/alaska/images/asqxroutemap.pdf

Also includes Florida which I did not realise.

 

[Kiwi Flyer]

Given their wide network, is their a table of QF points needed for various AS redemptions does anyone know?

I'm guessing it will be the QFF partner award table, even though Alaska isnt yet listed. Note there is an additional 2500 points per award assisted award booking fee (as Alaska awards can't be done online).

 

[bigjobs]

i know they have a coughpy terminal in LAX - then again, which airline doesn't ... and a coughpy club in YVR.

i have found them to be an ok airline ... probably pretty safe now after the recent incident ... i would start to worry a couple of years from now, when people start to get slack again, staff have changed and decisions start to slip.

 

[Jim]

I'm guessing it will be the QFF partner award table, even though Alaska isnt yet listed. Note there is an additional 2500 points per award assisted award booking fee (as Alaska awards can't be done online).

30,500 LAX-SEA return includes booking fee. Phone 13 13 13 option #2 for FF rates overseas.

 

[QF WP]

I have flown them numerous times since about 1990 - mostly flights LAX/SFO/VYR to/from PDX/SEA/GEG/SFO. I have also seen the Air Crash Investigation show a couple of times and know that after that disaster, their CEO and Board put a major overhaul in place.

Their subsidiary, Horizon, I have also flown a number of times.

Most recent flights (on both) were January 06. Some excellent Captains and FA's on those flights.

I have no concerns flying in their craft, or asking Mrs LW to accompany me (although I would prefer that the MD80's were scrapped). I'd rather AS over other USA carriers.

 

[bravoecho1]

I last flew Alaska 2 years ago with no problems

 

[AnonymousCoward]

The point is there is now a way to fly up and down the west coast using FF points. Prior to that is was either pay Alaska Airlines or budget Southwest

United flies LAX -> Seattle (at the very least) - obviously not OneWorld, but you could do it for free via StarAlliance.

Alaskan is "OK" - the MD80s were pretty ordinary, but they have some newer 737s as well. I've flown them about 10 times LAX -> Seattle. Their terminal in LAX is pretty woeful - United's and AA's are much nicer.

 

[Jim]

United flies LAX -> Seattle (at the very least) - obviously not OneWorld, but you could do it for free via StarAlliance.

Yes United is a fair airlines but I cashed in all my StarAlliance points awhile back when Air New Zealand changed the FF rules and got the boot from AMEX. I'm now a loyal Qantas/OneWorld flyer.

 

[OzFlipper]

The point is there is now a way to fly up and down the west coast using FF points. Prior to that is was either pay Alaska Airlines or budget Southwest unless you wanted to travel via Chicago or Dallas on AA.

That's exactly the point! Good to hear. The last few years I've had to do Las Vegas - Portland, OR, quite often, and Alaska is pretty much it.

I think Alaska is OK. There are lots of worse flying experiences available to you in the USA.

I'm not a huge fan of the the MD's either. Can't say I was too sad when I heard that the last one had come out of Long Beach.