Alaska and American Airlines Partnership Cuts

The Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan and American AAdvantage Partnership is Being Cut Back, effective March 1, 2020. Here's what's changing:

• AAdvantage redemption for Alaska flight awards is being eliminated effective March 1, 2020. The last day to use AAdvantage miles to ticket an Alaska award is 2/29/20
• Alaska Mileage Plan miles redemption on American Airlines flights (domestic and international) is also eliminated effective 3/1/20; award travel must be ticketed on or before 2/29/20
• Alaska Mileage Plan earning will also be eliminated for American Airlines international flights, effective 3/1/20

In terms of domestic AA travel, it will still be possible to earn Alaska miles on eligible domestic American Airlines flights with an Alaska Airlines (AS) flight number to select key destinations in the Midwest and eastern US and Canada (keep in mind there aren't that many of this type of codeshare flight).

See also Alaska Airlines' American Airlines Partner Page and American Airlines' Alaska Airlines Partner Page announcing these changes.

What's Driving These Changes?

Already, back in early 2018, AA and Alaska abandoned reciprocal frequent flyer benefits (such as priority boarding, free checked bags, etc.) and cut reciprocal mileage earning, in the wake of the Alaska acquiring Virgin America. Virgin America had a strong West Coast and transcontinental route presence, and as AA expands on the West Coast, that's made Alaska and AA bigger rivals than they were previously.

Will the Alaska and AA Partnership Cuts Affect Your Earning and Award Redemption Plans?

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