Alaska Airlines announced today that it has joined OneWorld and resumed cooperation with AA.

For such a strong Alaska mileage program, this is a bolt from the blue. A phased devaluation is likely to keep happening over the next couple of years. Bad news.

Timeline: Effective now

As of today:

  • Alaska Mileage Plan miles can be redeemed on all AA routes
  • Alaska Lounge members can access all AA Admirals Clubs
  • AS partner airlines are temporarily unchanged

Timeline: Spring 2020

Starting in spring, earning Alaska miles on AA flights should resume. The two airlines had already announced a split and suspended mileage earning as of March 1, so we expect earning to resume soon—or that the earlier announced suspension of reciprocal earning may not be implemented.

Timeline: Summer 2021: officially joining OneWorld

Alaska Airlines currently plans to fully complete its entry into OneWorld in summer 2021. At that point, it will be a full member and both parties should enjoy all appropriate reciprocal benefits.

For details, see Alaska's official announcement

There is not much information yet about Alaska's Mileage Plan, but with changes this big, the frequent flyer program will inevitably be adjusted. Alaska previously did not allow mixed-airline award tickets. We do not know whether that will change after joining the alliance, and we also hope the very generous free stopover policy does not get removed. We will continue to follow the latest developments.