How to Maximize Your American Airlines & Alaska Airlines Partnership Benefits: A Step-by-Step Guide
First, let's address a common misconception: you cannot literally merge your American Airlines AAdvantage account with your Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan account. They remain separate loyalty programs. However, what you can do is ensure that when you fly on one of these airlines, you credit the miles to the loyalty program where they will serve you best – whether that's earning towards elite status, redeeming for a dream trip, or simply accumulating a larger balance.
Ready to unlock the full potential of your travel? Let's get started!
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| How To Link American Airlines To Alaska |
Step 1: Understand the Partnership and Your Goals
Before you do anything, take a moment to understand the relationship between American Airlines and Alaska Airlines. Since Alaska Airlines joined the oneworld alliance in March 2021, they have a robust partnership with American Airlines. This means:
You can earn AAdvantage miles when flying on Alaska Airlines, and vice-versa.
You can redeem AAdvantage miles for flights on Alaska Airlines, and vice-versa.
Elite members of both programs enjoy reciprocal benefits when flying on the partner airline (e.g., lounge access, priority boarding, free checked bags).
Engage with this question: What are your primary travel goals? Are you aiming for elite status with one airline, or are you focused on accumulating miles for award travel? Your answer will help you decide which loyalty program to credit your flights to.
Step 2: Choose Your Primary Loyalty Program
This is a crucial decision, especially if you fly both airlines frequently. While you can earn miles on either program, it's generally recommended to concentrate your mileage earning in one program to maximize your chances of achieving or maintaining elite status.
Consider your usual travel patterns: Do you fly American Airlines more often, or Alaska Airlines?
Evaluate elite status tiers: Compare the requirements and benefits of AAdvantage status (Gold, Platinum, Platinum Pro, Executive Platinum) with Mileage Plan status (MVP, MVP Gold, MVP Gold 75K, MVP Gold 100K). Which program's elite benefits align better with your travel needs?
Mileage earning rates: Be aware that mileage earning rates can vary based on the operating airline, marketing airline, and fare class. Check the respective airline websites for detailed charts. Generally, when booking directly with the operating airline, you'll earn miles based on their program's rules. If booking a codeshare flight (e.g., an AA-marketed flight operated by Alaska), you'll typically earn miles based on the marketing airline's rules.
Example: If you book an Alaska Airlines flight (AS flight number) and want to earn AAdvantage miles, you'll earn based on American Airlines' accrual chart for Alaska flights.
Step 3: Ensure Your Loyalty Number is on Your Reservation
This is the most critical step for ensuring you earn miles and receive benefits. Regardless of whether you book directly with American Airlines or Alaska Airlines, or through a third-party site, you must ensure your preferred frequent flyer number (AAdvantage or Mileage Plan) is associated with your reservation before you fly.
Tip: Focus more on ideas, less on words.
Sub-heading: When Booking Directly on American Airlines or Alaska Airlines
During Booking: When you are making your reservation online, there will be a field to enter your frequent flyer number. Make sure to input the number for the program you wish to credit your miles to.
If you are an American Airlines AAdvantage member flying on an Alaska Airlines flight (or vice versa) and want to earn miles with the operating carrier, simply input your AAdvantage or Mileage Plan number in the designated field.
After Booking (Manage My Trip): If you forgot to add your number during booking, or if you've decided to credit your miles to a different program, you can usually add or change your frequent flyer number via the "Manage My Trip" or "My Reservations" section on either airline's website.
Log in to your account on the airline's website (the one you booked with).
Find your reservation using your confirmation code and last name.
Look for an option to add or edit your frequent flyer number.
Sub-heading: When Booking via Third-Party Websites or Travel Agents
Provide Number at Booking: If booking through an online travel agency (OTA) or a travel agent, explicitly provide your preferred frequent flyer number (AAdvantage or Mileage Plan) at the time of booking.
Verify and Add Later: Always verify that your frequent flyer number has been correctly added to your reservation by logging into the operating airline's website (e.g., if you booked an Alaska flight through an OTA, log into alaskaair.com) using your confirmation code. If it's missing or incorrect, add it there.
Step 4: Verify Miles and Benefits Post-Flight
After your flight, it's a good practice to verify that your miles have been correctly posted to your chosen frequent flyer account and that any applicable elite benefits were recognized.
Check Your Account Activity: Log into your AAdvantage or Mileage Plan account (whichever one you chose to credit the flight to) and check your recent activity. Miles typically post within a few days of your flight.
Missing Miles: If your miles don't appear after a reasonable amount of time (usually 7-14 days), you can submit a "Request Missing Miles" form on the respective airline's website. You'll typically need your flight details (date, flight number, origin, destination) and your ticket number.
Be prepared to provide your original confirmation code and potentially the ticket number for the flight.
Step 5: Understand Reciprocal Elite Benefits
One of the greatest advantages of the American Airlines and Alaska Airlines partnership is the reciprocal elite benefits for their respective loyalty program members. As a oneworld alliance member, you can enjoy perks regardless of which airline operates your flight.
Sub-heading: Common Reciprocal Benefits Include:
QuickTip: A quick skim can reveal the main idea fast.
Lounge Access: Elite members (e.g., AAdvantage Platinum and higher, Mileage Plan MVP Gold and higher) often have access to partner airline lounges (e.g., Admirals Clubs for AAdvantage members flying Alaska, or Alaska Lounges for Mileage Plan members flying American). Always check the specific access rules for your elite tier.
Priority Boarding: Enjoy priority boarding groups, getting you on the plane sooner.
Free Checked Bags: Receive complimentary checked baggage allowance, often based on your elite status tier.
Priority Security Screening: Access to priority security lines at select airports.
Preferred Seating: The ability to select preferred seats, including extra legroom options, based on availability and your elite status.
Complimentary Upgrades: While not guaranteed, elite members may be eligible for complimentary upgrades on partner-operated flights, typically within a certain window before departure. Note: Saver Fares on Alaska Airlines are generally not eligible for upgrades.
Step 6: Redeeming Miles for Partner Flights
You can use your AAdvantage miles to book flights on Alaska Airlines, and your Mileage Plan miles to book flights on American Airlines.
Search on the Airline's Website: Typically, you'll search for award flights directly on the website of the loyalty program whose miles you want to use. For example, if you want to use AAdvantage miles to fly on an Alaska Airlines flight, go to aa.com and search for award travel.
Flexibility is Key: Award availability can be limited, especially for popular routes or dates. Being flexible with your travel dates and times can significantly increase your chances of finding award seats.
Understand Award Charts/Pricing: Each program has its own award chart or dynamic pricing for partner redemptions. Review these before searching to understand the mileage cost.
10 Related FAQ Questions (Starting with 'How to')
Here are some quick answers to common questions about the American Airlines and Alaska Airlines partnership:
How to Check if My American Airlines Flight is Operated by Alaska Airlines?
You can usually see the operating airline displayed next to the flight number during the booking process or on your flight confirmation. Look for "Operated by Alaska Airlines" (or vice versa).
How to Ensure I Earn Miles on My Alaska Airlines Flight with My AAdvantage Account?
When booking your Alaska Airlines flight (regardless of where you book it), ensure your American Airlines AAdvantage number is entered in the frequent flyer field.
Tip: Revisit this page tomorrow to reinforce memory.
How to Earn Miles on American Airlines Flights with My Alaska Mileage Plan Account?
Similarly, when booking your American Airlines flight, make sure to input your Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan number into the frequent flyer field.
How to Request Missing Miles for a Flight on a Partner Airline?
Visit the "Request Missing Miles" section on the website of the loyalty program you intended to credit the miles to (either aa.com for AAdvantage or alaskaair.com for Mileage Plan). You'll need your flight details and ticket number.
How to Use My AAdvantage Status Benefits on an Alaska Airlines Flight?
Simply ensure your AAdvantage number is on your Alaska Airlines reservation. Your status will be recognized, allowing you to access benefits like priority boarding, baggage, and lounge access (if applicable).
How to Use My Alaska Mileage Plan Status Benefits on an American Airlines Flight?
Just as with AAdvantage, make sure your Mileage Plan number is on your American Airlines reservation to enjoy your reciprocal elite perks.
QuickTip: Pay close attention to transitions.
How to Book a Flight on Alaska Airlines Using American Airlines AAdvantage Miles?
Go to aa.com, log into your AAdvantage account, and use the "Redeem Miles" or "Award Travel" search function. Select your desired origin, destination, and dates, and the search results should include Alaska Airlines flights if available.
How to Book a Flight on American Airlines Using Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan Miles?
Visit alaskaair.com, log into your Mileage Plan account, and search for award travel. Look for options to include partner airlines in your search.
How to Find Out Which Lounge I Can Access with My Elite Status on a Partner Flight?
Check the lounge access policies on the websites of both American Airlines (for Admirals Clubs) and Alaska Airlines (for Alaska Lounges) under their "Partner Airlines" or "oneworld Alliance" sections. They'll detail which elite tiers get access on partner-operated flights.
How to Transfer Miles Between American Airlines and Alaska Airlines?
Unfortunately, you cannot directly transfer miles between American Airlines AAdvantage and Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan accounts. The best way to leverage both programs is to strategically choose which program to credit your flights to at the time of booking.
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