Points in Real Life (Episode 4): What Alaska Miles Can Actually Do (Using American Airlines)

Here’s a real-world redemption we found while searching on March 23rd:

• Route: Phoenix (PHX) → Charlotte (CLT)
• Airline: American Airlines (booked via Alaska)
• Cost: 12,500 miles one way + taxes & fees
• Availability: 9 nonstop flights available at this price

Comparison (Why This Matters)

• Alaska miles: 12,500 miles
• American Airlines miles: 16,000–23,500 miles
• Cash price: $559

The cash price here is elevated due to short-term booking—but that’s exactly what makes this example powerful.

You’re getting:

• Strong value when cash prices spike
• A fixed, predictable points price
• Access to multiple flight options

This is one of the biggest reasons we like Alaska miles for this type of booking.

👉 The pricing often stays the same—even close to departure.

As long as flights are available:

• You can still book at the same 12,500 miles
• You’re not chasing constantly changing award prices
• You have more flexibility for last-minute travel

This is especially useful for:

• Booking when cash prices are high
• Short-notice trips
• Changes in plans

For shorter routes, Alaska’s pricing can drop even lower:

• Short flights: Starting around 7,500 miles one way
• Mid-range flights: Often 10,000–12,500 miles
• Longer domestic routes: Still commonly 12,500+ miles

This makes Alaska miles especially useful for:

• Quick trips
• Positioning flights
• One-way bookings
• Filling in gaps in a bigger itinerary

When booking partner flights (like American through Alaska), you’ll pay:

• $5.60 in government taxes (standard for US one-way flights)
• $12.50 partner booking fee each way

Total typical cost:

• $18.10 one way
• $36.20 round trip

How to Avoid the Partner Fee

If you have and use the Alaska Airlines Visa Signature® Summit credit card (Bank of America):

• The $12.50 partner booking fee is waived

This can make an already strong redemption even better.

Here’s the key:

Alaska Airlines partners with American Airlines.

That means:

• You can search for American flights
• But book them using Alaska miles
• Often at very competitive or consistent pricing

And here’s the part most people miss:

We don’t even fly Alaska regularly—but we still use their miles.

We’re using the program for its value, not because we’re loyal to the airline.

That’s a big mindset shift—and one of the easiest ways to get more out of points.

This approach works especially well if:

• You live near an American Airlines hub
  (Phoenix, Dallas, Charlotte, Chicago, etc.)
• You’re flexible with dates
• You’re booking economy domestic flights
• You want simple, predictable pricing

It’s not about chasing the absolute “best” redemption—it’s about finding something that works reliably.

You don’t need to fly Alaska constantly to build a balance.

Here are the most practical ways to earn them:

Credit Cards (Fastest Way to Get Started)

Alaska offers co-branded credit cards issued by Bank of America.

These typically include:

• A strong welcome bonus (often enough for multiple flights)
• Ongoing earning on everyday purchases
• Companion fare benefits (on some versions)

For most people, this is the easiest way to quickly build a usable balance.

Bilt Rewards (One of the Best Transfer Options)

This is a big one—and often overlooked.

You can transfer Bilt Rewards points directly to Alaska Airlines.

That means:

• Paying rent (with Bilt) can earn Alaska miles
• Everyday spend can convert into Alaska miles
• No need to rely only on Alaska-specific cards

👉 This makes Alaska miles much more accessible than people think.

Shopping Portal (Underrated and Easy)

This is one of the simplest ways to earn extra miles.

Alaska has an online shopping portal where you can earn miles for purchases you’re already making.

Examples:

• Clothing
• Electronics
• Gifts
• Everyday online orders

This is an easy way to stack miles without changing your habits.

Flying (Alaska or Partners)

You can earn Alaska miles by:

• Flying Alaska Airlines
• Flying partner airlines (including American)

Even if you rarely fly Alaska, you can still credit flights to their program.

Buying Miles (Situational)

Alaska occasionally runs promotions on purchased miles.

This isn’t always the best move—but it can make sense if:

• You’re close to a redemption
• The math works in your favor

Like everything with points, this isn’t perfect for every situation.

You may want to look elsewhere if:

• You already have American miles at saver pricing
• Availability is limited on your dates
• You’re looking for premium cabin international redemptions

This is a simple, practical tool—not a one-size-fits-all solution.

You don’t have to earn points with the airline you plan to fly.

Sometimes the best move is:

• Earning points in one program
• And using them through a partner

That’s exactly what’s happening here.

And it’s one of the easiest ways to unlock real value without overcomplicating things.