Why I'm dumping Delta SkyMiles for Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan

Рет қаралды 6,156

Күн бұрын

Пікірлер: 63

@RSquared-travel-rewards 2 ай бұрын

I'm in the Northeast and this program actually works for me. I think this Alaska program is pretty impressive. MVP GOLD 75K, here I come. Fingers crossed 🤞 If forgot to include that for those who don't own the BILT card but want to use their Alaska card to pay rent, the value here is that you'll earn EQMs. So the 3% transaction fee and the 3x Alaska miles are a wash but earning EQMs is where the value lies. But remember that you must add the Alaska card to your BILT wallet and pay using the routing and account info provided within BILT app. I'll demonstrate this within the BILT Travel video.

@jimmyjames6492 2 ай бұрын

Switching to Alaska is very tempting. You bring up some great points/perks. Thanks for the info + video!

@RSquared-travel-rewards 2 ай бұрын

I'll let folks know if the new perks are as great as they appear to be. Thanks for watching!

@OfficialChadsMoneyMinutes 2 ай бұрын

As soon as i saw the thumbnail i knew this would be good and you DID NOT disappoint…..you have me rethinking some things now….🤔

@RSquared-travel-rewards 2 ай бұрын

Thanks for watching Chad. I normally ignore Alaska but their 2025 changes are next level. No joke. If you run the nums and do a few test searches to the locations you normally visit or wish to visit and they check the boxes, then this is a first rate program. I have a sneaky feeling that this is to drive interest but will be changed at the end of 2025. Video dropping tomorrow on my card setup to help me with Alaska status.

@Xavier_ID. 2 ай бұрын

Great info! I am looking forward to flying with Alaska 👍🏼

@RSquared-travel-rewards 2 ай бұрын

- I'm looking forward to flying Alaska's partner Oman and Oneworld Qatar 😀

@lewis20002000 2 ай бұрын

Very, very well done, Rich. Great minds think alike. About a month ago, I decided to change my strategy from going for Delta to going for Alaska/One World. Yes, status if it makes economic sense, but mostly for the flexibility/Stopovers. Living in Seattle, both Alaska and Delta are strong here, but Alaska refunded my money on a flight I was late for, which was really all my fault. I have generated lots of AA miles this year and I just got the Executive card for One World Lounge access, and thanks to your reminder, I just switched my Bilt payment to my Alaska card. Did I mention I bought 500k Hawaiian miles and transported them to Alaska, and got approved for the Hawaiian consumer CC two days ago....lol. My last trick is to hopefully find a decent BA first/business class flight to Scotland via my Amex points before the end of the year so that I can take advantage of the expiring high miles multiplier to Alaska.

@RSquared-travel-rewards 2 ай бұрын

An RSquared mention is reserved for members only but your feedback deserves one. When the changes were announced last month, I assumed that it would just be useful for folks in the Pacific Northwest. I figured I'd get to reading up about it later just for informational purposes. I finally read up on the changes only to find out that the changes were outstanding. I began some test searches for award flights to destinations I'm planning to travel in '25 & '26. Turns out that it had me covered. I picked up the Alaska card cause I knew I'd be approved given that I have a banking relationship with BOA. Since then, I purchased 100K Hawaiian pts, got denied for the Hawaiian card 😂 but I've been transferring Amex pts to Hawaiian Airlines and Bilt points to Alaska. I've booked a Q1 trip for 2025 but will hold off until Jan 1st before booking additional flights. Oh I picked up the Qatar Visa Infinite which grants Oneworld lounge access for 1 year. After a year, I will have Alaska status so I can drop Qatar at that time. Sorry for the long response. Got excited because as you said, great minds think alike 🤣🤣

@lewis20002000 2 ай бұрын

@@RSquared-travel-rewards Thank brother, let's hope for years of "NO DEVAULUATION". 🤣

@daveek9023 2 ай бұрын

The Alaska credit card also has 2X on cable and select streaming

@RSquared-travel-rewards 2 ай бұрын

Yes & yes!

@RicardoPerez-jm2pk 2 ай бұрын

This great info! Thanks for sharing

@RSquared-travel-rewards 2 ай бұрын

Thanks for watching 🙏🏼

@MattMcGrathOfficial 2 ай бұрын

I see a lot of people getting on board with this plan. I’m also in NY area so I may consider this. I’m trying to simplify my setup now that I’ve hit all my subs. Issue is I’m locked out of a lot of new cards I want.

@RSquared-travel-rewards 2 ай бұрын

It truly is outstanding so I wonder if it will change again at the end of 2025. I've never given Alaska much thought before now but there is no shortage of Oneworld partner flights leaving the northeast. I'm releasing my card setup next week that I'll be running for at least 6 months.

@Me-sr7kw 5 күн бұрын

can you confirm, do you need a checking or savings acct with BOA to be approved the Alaska Card?

@RSquared-travel-rewards 4 күн бұрын

@@Me-sr7kw You definitely do not need an account with BOA. Good luck to ya 🙏

@kaina732 9 күн бұрын

Any idea when they will get rid of the Hwn Miles Barclays? I still have that card and I recently got the Alaska BOH Visa. I also plan to get the Bilt later this year.

@RSquared-travel-rewards 8 күн бұрын

They haven't made any public statements as yet regarding the specific timing of sunsetting the Hawaiian card but we expect that it will be when the loyalty programs are fully merged which is likely summer time. New cards will stop being issued and it would likely take time to transition all current Hawaiian card holders over to the new card.

@rafaelsb83 2 ай бұрын

Alaskan Airlines also has a Dinning Program as well.

@RSquared-travel-rewards 2 ай бұрын

Yes there is more! In addition to Dining, there are Car rentals, Hotels etc. I wanted to just call out a few so as not to lose folks. Also, I tend to only talk about things I have used firsthand. I will showoff some of the redemptions I've gotten so far soon.

@evertonmuirhead6953 2 ай бұрын

Great program, Status match from Delta after they change the SkyMiles program.

@northpolealaska 19 күн бұрын

I live in Alaska and only fly Alaska air and their partner airlines. All Alaskan residents automatically qualify for free baggage via Alaska Air Club 49. I highly recommend buying the Alaska Lounge Pass if you travel a lot because you get your immediate family members entrance or 2 non family members entrance on one pass. I use the MVP Gold discount and get an annual pass for $450. It pays for itself after 1 or 2 family trips. Also, Alaskans get an annual constituent discount. Overall, Alaska airlines is really fantastic for Alaskan residents ❤️

@RSquared-travel-rewards 19 күн бұрын

Nice benefit! I have a few travel cards so lounge access is already covered. However, I'm excited to test drive the Alaska program.

@DC_Consulting_DC 2 ай бұрын

Agreed. I dumped AA status for AS status in 2022. Next week I will hit MVP Gold 100K because my 75K status will be nerfed next year. I also am Air France Gold because Delta status is disappointing.

@RSquared-travel-rewards 2 ай бұрын

Congrats on the MVP Gold 100K. I too have Air France Gold but will be chasing MVP Gold 75K starting Jan 1st, 2025. I'll release a video tomorrow on my credit card setup to get me there. I will be very interested in your take on it tomorrow. I might come back here and ask you to watch the video. Cheers!

@fromthedecksoftheworld 2 ай бұрын

Thank you for sharing. The best part is earning EQMs on Award Tickets. Question, how much EQMs we will earn on each flight? Is it the same if we paid by cash vs miles in economy? How about when we book the award ticket on business class or first class, does it have multiplier? And if partner flights booked in partner sites, how much EQM we will earn if we add our AS Frequent flyer number on that flight?

@RSquared-travel-rewards 2 ай бұрын

Those are tons of questions 🤣🤣. I'm not going to list the percentages so you'll need to hit up the site. Now if you were a member, I'd consider breaking it down for you 😂 Actually, I'll post a breakdown for members in the community section. However, EQMs are based on miles flown + there are bonuses based on class flown. There is a difference booking with cash vs a reward flight. Cash purchases earn EQMs for base miles + bonuses based on class of fare. No bonus EQMs if an award flight. Lastly, it is best to book with Alaska when you fly with partners because the miles earned will have a larger % bonus. However, you may book with a partner directly and credit Alaska but you will earn fewer miles. Take a look at this link: www.alaskaair.com/content/mileage-plan/how-to-earn-miles/earn-on-alaska?lid=mileageplan:how-to-earn:earn-on-alaska#2025

@fromthedecksoftheworld 2 ай бұрын

@@RSquared-travel-rewardshaha sorry for that. Means we can earn 250% EQM if we book a business class award ticket on Alaska site even if it’s a partner airline! Cool 😎

@RSquared-travel-rewards 2 ай бұрын

@@fromthedecksoftheworldcorrection, it appears no bonus EQMs on award flights. Just base miles EQMs. I reread the language as it was pointed out. I will have Alaska confirm.

@joanpayne1529 Ай бұрын

Did you notice that Colorado's Travis Hunter won the Heisman? 🎉🎉

@gregb5876 2 ай бұрын

I understand that Alaska miles are valuable and I have all my players doing the Hawaiian/Alaska credit thing, however, once you earn those miles, wouldn't it make more sense to earn status on American Airlines instead of AS? There are no flight requirements to status, you can earn it with just spend.

@RSquared-travel-rewards 2 ай бұрын

Sure you don't need to fly AA and still earn status but there is opportunity cost with spending on AA cards. I rather spend on cards that allow me to maximize my point opportunities when appropriate vs just spending inefficiently just to get status. Additionally, I'm a traveler so I WILL travel, where a couple of my long-haul trips will have me knocking on MVP 40K without trying. However, the beauty is that those trips will be award flights and I will still earn EQMs. Earning EQMs on award trips is outstanding.

@smartwallet9367 2 ай бұрын

Anybody knows if paying rent with alaska card counts for the yearly spending of the companion pass?

@RSquared-travel-rewards 2 ай бұрын

Great question. Yes. It's considered regular card spend and thus counts towards the $6K spend requirement.

@smartwallet9367 2 ай бұрын

@ superrr 👍🏻👍🏻 got the card when it started as a rumor to pay rent with it

@kimgrod Ай бұрын

There a fee to transfer Amex points from Hawaiian to Alaska

@RSquared-travel-rewards Ай бұрын

This is a fee to transfer Amex points to Hawaiian. There is no fee to transfer hawaiian points to Alaska. Amex charges a fee to transfer to US airlines in general so they are not carving out hawaiian.

@scottstiller2730 2 ай бұрын

I think I owe you for this one. Next year I have reward flights in business class; on Qatar from Hanoi to LAX, on Cathay from HKG-Shanghai, Singapore airlines from Shanghait to BKK and BKK to LAX, and lastly, roundtrip on BA from LAX-ATH. Are you saying if I credit ALL of these to Alaska I'll earn EQM'S for each of them? And in Business would it be at 250%?

@RSquared-travel-rewards 2 ай бұрын

Love the travel plans Scott. The 250% you reference only applies if you booked those partner flights using Alaska. If you booked via a partner site, business is 125% which isn't bad at all and it's based on the distance flown. If you have Alaska status, expect bonus miles as well.

@scottstiller2730 2 ай бұрын

@@RSquared-travel-rewards That's awesome. I appreciate your expert input. Going to call the involved airlines and switch the flights over to credit Alaska. Thank you gain.

@scottstiller2730 2 ай бұрын

FYI, resolved with Qatar and BA over the phone. For the SA, I'll need to make the changes at the gate when checking in.

@RSquared-travel-rewards 2 ай бұрын

Assuming paid flights. Just want to be clear because you can't double dip.

@romineckok.9724 2 ай бұрын

everyone is going crazy over Alaska lately. I tried to book round trip JFK/EWR to OGG for next year (3/22-4/5)....200K-250K points/miles not even first class

@RSquared-travel-rewards 2 ай бұрын

That's now how the game works. If you can be flexible with your dates then you'll get what. However, I just picked the same dates and it's showing 235K for first class. Value comes from flexibility or booking well in advance or super last minute for less desirable routes. Good luck to ya!

@romineckok.9724 2 ай бұрын

@@RSquared-travel-rewards problem is with my job we have to bid for vacation days/weeks a year ahead. I mean there is also chance to be able to change here and there but if the week or even one day is full the change cant be made. I cant just say my vacation is gonna be sometime June - September 2025

@RSquared-travel-rewards 2 ай бұрын

The Colorado Buffaloes won again which means that Alaska Mileage Plan will keep winning 🤣

@mylyfeonearth 26 күн бұрын

So it’s not much different from delta

@RSquared-travel-rewards 25 күн бұрын

hahaha, much better. I you feel that it's not much different then I did a crappy join in explaining or perhaps you believe that Delta does more than it does. Alaska program beginning Jan 1 is definitely more generous than Delta. Earning 100% base miles and 100% elite miles of the miles flown is just fantastic. I also love that when you reach a particular Alaska status that you get use it right away as opposed to having to wait until Jan 1st of the next year.

@mylyfeonearth 25 күн бұрын

@ haha I was half kidding it does sound better in some ways especially with a new Alaskan premium card that is to be released. I got my delta status upgraded and updated as soon as I reached it without waiting til the next year btw

@moose354 2 ай бұрын

You asked, I answered. Please stay with Delta. No offense, we already have enough elite members at Alaska. If everyone has status, then nobody has status.

@RSquared-travel-rewards 2 ай бұрын

@@moose354 hahaha, nicely done 😂. Too late, I've already booked 2 long haul trips. I promise to be quiet on flights and not eat too much AND not look OG elite members in the eyes.

@scottwingerter6628 2 ай бұрын

These changes are not an upgrade in any way shape or form! I’m having to choose something I got for free. This was a huge downgrade however you spin it. This year I’ve flown about 130K EQM and thinking of changing to American.

@RSquared-travel-rewards 2 ай бұрын

Hey Scott! There is no spin here nor do I have any relationship with Alaska other than owning the personal card and I haven't shared any referral link. Additionally, the video is titled "Why I'm dumping Delta...". This is simply my story which I'm sharing with folks who find my videos interesting. However, I'm very interested in why you think the Alaska program has gotten worse.

@michaelleetrini3635 2 ай бұрын

Delta is too expensive for most people & the Amex it has is overrated. At least with the Bank of America Alaska card you can use at Costco

@RSquared-travel-rewards 2 ай бұрын

I don't worry about price if the value is there. I was never going to have Delta Diamond status which I consider the only Delta status that matters. With Alaska, I know that MVP Gold 75K is reasonable for me and perhaps even 100K but I'll happily settle for 75K.

@ZZA-w8t 12 күн бұрын

Considering your channel is about award travel and airlines you should know the very BASIC rule that NO airline gives you miles when you USE award travel. You need to update your video not just leave a short comment…people don’t see comments when watching KZbin on TV.

@RSquared-travel-rewards 11 күн бұрын

huh? Of course they don't and I didn't state otherwise - we know this! My correction refers to EQMs only. The Alaska Mileage Plan will allow you to earn EQMs on AWARD flights but NOT bonus EQMs. I alluded to earning bonus EQMs but only regular EQMs based on miles flown apply on award flights (no bonus EQMs).