Buying miles feels a little funky, right? Points are supposed to be rewards you rack up from everyday spending or various travel strategies. But sometimes, buying points outright—especially with a reaalllyyy nice bonus—can save you serious cash.
Right now, Alaska Airlines is offering a 60% bonus on purchased miles. And yes, that means you could come out ahead if you know how to use them strategically. Let’s break it down real quick.
The Deets of the Alaska Miles Sale
Here’s what you need to know about this promo:
Tiered Bonuses: The more miles you buy, the bigger the bonus—ranging from 40% to 60%.
Deadline: The sale ends February 21st, so you’ve got a little time to crunch the numbers.
Annual Limit: You can purchase up to 150,000 miles per year (unless you’re an elite Alaska member, then you’ve got more wiggle room).
Sounds tempting, right? But don’t go crazy buying miles just yet. Here’s our take on when it makes sense to jump in… and when it doesn’t.
Should You Buy Alaska Miles Right Now?
First things first: Don’t buy miles “just because.” Speculative mile-buying is a gamble that rarely pays off. But if you’ve got a specific flight in mind, this sale could be a golden ticket—especially for premium cabin travel.
Take this example:
New York to London in Business Class: This flight costs 45,000 Alaska miles, thanks to one of Alaska’s sweet spots.
Cash Price: The same flight would run you $2,200.
Buying Miles: With the 60% bonus, you can purchase 45,000 miles for $825.
If you’re doing the math, that’s nearly $1,400 in savings for the exact same seat. Not bad, right?
Plus, Alaska Airlines has a no-change-fee policy, which means you can adjust your plans without losing out. So even if something unexpected comes up, those miles can still be put to good use later.
A Smarter Way to Earn Alaska Miles
While buying miles can make sense in specific situations, there’s a more cost-effective (and rewarding) way to stock up on Alaska miles: transfer them.
Here’s the play:
Transfer American Express Membership Rewards Points Points to Hawaiian Airlines.
From Hawaiian, move the miles over to Alaska Airlines.
Yup, it’s that simple. By using a card that earns Membership Rewards, you can essentially turn your everyday spending into Alaska miles without spending a dime on buying miles outright. And let’s be real—earning miles feels a lot better when they come as a reward for your usual habits.
Pro tip: Mike did this himself. Late last year, he transferred a big chunk of Membership Rewards to Alaska to take advantage of their killer award rates. It’s one of the smartest moves you can make if you love premium cabin travel.
Why Alaska Miles Are So Valuable
Alaska’s award chart is one of the most generous out there, especially for international business and first-class travel. They’ve got incredible partner airlines like Cathay Pacific, Japan Airlines, and Qantas, offering top-tier experiences at fantastic redemption rates.
Even better? Alaska miles open doors to routes and availability that other programs just don’t match. When their partners drop award space, it’s game on.
The Bottom Line
Buying Alaska miles with a 60% bonus can be a solid deal if you’re booking a specific trip, especially in business class. But if you’re playing the long game, consider using Membership Rewards transfers to build up your balance without spending extra cash.
No matter how you earn them, Alaska miles are some of the most valuable in the game. Whether you’re chasing a bucket list trip or just looking to stretch your budget, they’re worth having in your travel toolkit.
