I stumbled upon an incredible Alaska Airlines first class fare, and I'm seriously considering booking one of these, even though I'm not sure it makes sense to do so...
Alaska Airlines first class fare from Florida to Alaska is amazing.
Even if I have no intentions of actually traveling, I still have a bad habit of constantly searching for fares to and from different markets. I keep an eye on oneworld fares for the first two months of 2022, since those flights can be double dipped with American AAdvantage, which will count both towards 2021 status, and also towards 2022 status under the new Loyalty Points system.
I stumbled upon an amazing Alaska Airlines first class fare from the area to Alaska. This is the equivalent of two transcon flights when you consider the distance, and one-way fares are $368.
It seems that the simplest route that awards the most miles is from Los Angeles to Anchorage, which is a distance of around 4,500 miles.
It doesn't add a lot of miles, but there are opportunities to add some segments. The distance between Los Angeles and Seattle is 4,560 miles. It would allow me to review a couple of new types of Alaska Airlines planes, including the A321 and the MAX 9.
You could fly through Seattle and then through Juneau, but it would be less miles.
Alaska Airlines has a great first class fare.
How many A miles would I get?
The most efficient route is the one from Los Angeles to Anchorage. In January and February of 2022, American AAdvantage will count travel towards the status years of 2021.
How much credit would I get with American AAdvantage?
In order to be eligible for the Alaska Airlines first class fares, I would have to fly at least 30% of the distance and earn 6,750 elite qualifying miles, 1,350 elite qualifying dollars.
The qualification for elite is changing in 2022, and I would earn over 12,000 Loyalty Points as an Executive Platinum member.
If I qualify the "real" way, I would have access to AAdvantage elite choice rewards, which is why this opportunity is lucrative. I could earn 85,000 bonus redeemable miles if I chose to upgrade instead. Booking this trip would get me there.
The fare would help me with my qualification.
I am on the fence about this fare.
The benefits for elite qualification are checked out by the math with this fare. Why am I not enthusiastic about this? I am trying to spend as much time as possible in Florida with my mom, so if I do take any trips, I am trying to keep them quick.
With that in mind.
I value a proper night of sleep more than anything, and all of these 12-2AM arrivals into Alaska sound brutal, especially if they can be avoided.
I love flying, but 12 hours in Alaska Airlines first class in each direction doesn't sound all that comfortable, especially when you consider there are other mileage run opportunities that involve long haul flights and flat beds.
I am trying to keep this trip quick, so is there any way to have fun in the winter? I am not sure if there is an efficient way to fly to somewhere else in Alaska that would allow me to see the Northern Lights.
I would think that this would be more fun in the summer than in the winter if I were up in Alaska.
A quick trip to Alaska could be fun.
The bottom line.
Alaska Airlines has some unbelievably low fares this winter, as you can fly first class for under $370. This is an amazing fare and from the perspective of elite miles, it could be worth it.
15 years ago, I would have booked five of these. When it comes to spending time with family and loved ones, my priorities have changed over time. I don't view these trips solely in terms of the cent per mile ratio, but rather in terms of how I could be spending my time.
What do you think? Are you interested in booking this Alaska Airlines first class fare? If I want to keep this trip short, any ideas for something interesting to do in a day or two in the dead of winter near Anchorage, whether it is an opportunity to see the Northern Lights, or something else?