Alaska Airlines and Air France Partnership Coming to an End
Today, Alaska Airlines announced that it’s partnership with Air France would come to an end on April 30, 2018. As Alaska continues to expand, it seems to be losing partners, Air France being the latest. This is unfortunate for Alaska loyalists because it definitely leaves a bit to be desired with flight options to Europe. Though, there have been many past reports that availability for booking on Air France was lacking. I think the the worst part of this is losing the ability to book Air France flights with free stopovers and no fuel surcharges. Partner flights to Europe can still be booked on British Airways, Icelandair, Condor, and Finnair.
Award bookings on Air France will continue to be available until April 30, 2018, so if you have a specific redemption in mind, you should book it ASAP. As I mentioned earlier, free stopovers are awesome and since you get a free one even on one-way flights, you could get two if you book each way separately.
How Will Earnings on Booked Flights Be Affected
If you booked your flights on Air France prior to December 6, 2018, regardless of the travel date, you will earn miles normally. The only caveat is that if your travel date is after April 30th, you’ll have to submit a mileage request here. Similarly, if you book your flights from today on, as long as you travel before April 30th, you’ll earn full miles. For anyone booking today or later, you will not earn any miles for flights after April 30, 2018.
Conclusion
It’s never good news when partnerships end, it decreases our options and that means less opportunities to maximize value. Make sure you book any flights you have in mind before April 30 and try to do it sooner. Like today because I’m guessing we’ll see available space dwindle.)
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Air France was worthless for Alaska MileagePlus nothing was available daily to try to book award any class of services 3 years in row between Los Angeles and Europe. FYI Air France partner with Aeroflot Bonus, Delta Skymiles, Alitalia MileMiglia, China Southern Sky Pearl Club and Saudia Alfrusan all five program also impossible to book Air France award ticket. No wonder Delta Air Lines decided to expand transatlantic flights to Paris from US points so Skymiles member will be able to book on all Delta flights. I will keep eyes wide open on Virgin Atlantic to becoming partner with Air France soon. We will not miss Air France bye bye bye .
Come on Alaska! Suprise us with Lufthansa from May 1st! 🙂
Really ?
looks like everybody’s darling alaska airlines is becoming less and less valuable — delta, american, emirates devaluation, now this …