Just because Alaska and American don’t want to play nice, you don’t really have to do this.
Following Delta’s footsteps, American Airlines decided to kind of break up with Alaska Airlines as well. Good bye. Having said that, their dying romance will linger until the end of 2017. Some benefits will stay and some will just go away in 2018.
I’d like to think that Alaska is doing quite well from their base in Seattle along with their acquisition of Virgin America, and they no longer need to rely on the big boys such as Delta and soon, American.
What’s not changing:
- You’ll still earn miles on domestic American Airlines flights with an Alaska Airlines (AS) flight number, and on all American international flights.
- You’ll still be able to redeem miles on American flights globally.
- Alaska Lounge members can still access Admirals Club lounges when traveling on Alaska or American.
What is changing:
- American Airlines domestic flights with an “AA” flight number will no longer earn Mileage Plan miles.
- You’ll no longer receive elite benefits when traveling on American Airlines after December 31, 2017.
- Some award levels will be changing for travel booked in 2018.