Next Mileage Program Devaluation: Alaska Air

After 20 years working in the travel industry, and 15 years writing about it, Tim Winship knows a thing or two about travel. Follow him on Twitter @twinship.

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The devaluation season continues with an announcement by Alaska Airlines that, effective January 14, 2014, prices for a number of award flights would increase—or in one case decrease—as follows:

Continental US & Canada

Refundable Coach increases by 2,500 miles each way
Refundable First increases by 10,000 miles each way

Hawaii

Choice Coach increases by 2,500 miles each way
Saver First increases by 2,500 miles each way
Refundable First increases by 5,000 miles each way

Mexico

Refundable Coach increases by 2,500 miles each way
Saver First decreases by 2,500 miles each way
Refundable First increases by 10,000 miles each way

In percentage terms, the increases range from 6.7 to 20 percent, while the one decrease comes in at 7.7 percent. But the increases are mostly limited to pricey Refundable awards, leaving the great majority of the most popular awards untouched.

After the harsh devaluations at United and Delta, members of Alaska’s Mileage Plan must be relieved that the changes are so moderate.

Reader Reality Check

Alaska’s upcoming changes: reasonable or ridiculous?

This article originally appeared on FrequentFlier.com.

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