How to Use Alaska Airlines Miles to Book LATAM Business Class — Tips That Actually Work

Alaska Airlines Miles is a hidden gem for long-haul flyers because it offers exceptional value for premium international travel. It has a number of global partners and offers favorable award pricing. This loyalty program allows flyers to get Business and First Class seats with its top partner airlines at lower mileage rates. These airlines include Japan Airlines, Cathay Pacific, Qantas, and LATAM airlines.

The loyalty program of Alaska Airlines, ‘Alaska Mileage Plan’ , is considered as one of the most rewarding loyalty programs among US airlines. Flyers can easily use this reward program to book the best premium LATAM Business Class, one of the most demanding cabins. Alaska offers the award on routes that were originally operated as LAN Business Class by LATAM airlines. With the help of the program, flyers can search partner award availability directly on Alaska Airlines’ website. This way, passengers can get premium business class seats at comparatively lower, fixed award rates. These awards were introduced after the merger of LAN and TAM Airlines, which took place in 2012. Currently, Alaska Airlines only allows select awards on this carrier. These awards are only offered on flights that were LAN flights before the rebranding in 2016. 

Let’s learn how flyers can use Alaska to fly on this South American airline.

Why Choose Alaska Airlines Miles? 

Alaska Airlines Miles is a distance-based loyalty earning program, offering flexibility and strong value to passengers. It is different from most of the other loyalty programs in terms of the total revenue spend by the flyers. The airline rewards its flyers for the distance flown rather than for spending on the services offered by the airline. According to alaskaair, short-haul flight rewards start at only 4,500 miles. It also offers a good opportunity to experience premium flying for long-haul and premium cabin travelers. The airline allows flyers to earn miles while flying on an Alaska flight as well as a partner flight, including those that run on international routes.

How to Earn Alaska Miles?  

Flyers can earn Alaska Airlines Miles in various ways. The following are some of them: 

• Book Your Tickets: Flyers can earn miles by booking flight tickets with Alaska and its partner airlines. The miles can differ on the basis of  the distance flown and fare classes.
   
• Buy Miles: Flyers can also buy miles. But, these can be useful when you are just some points away from your redemption limit.
  
  
• Credit Flights from Eligible partners: Flyers can book their flight tickets with partner airlines like LATAM. By booking these partner flights, travelers can earn miles when those are credited to their Alaska Account. At present Alaska has more than 30 partner airlines. Many of these airlines are OneWorld members. 

How Much Will It Cost to Book LAN Business Class with Alaska’ Miles? 

Using your LATAM flight ticket in business class between North and South America in Alaska Airlines Miles award chart has its specific value. Flyers can expect to pay the following number of miles one-way: 

• Flyers have to pay 45K miles for a business class flying between the US and South America. On the other hand, it costs you 25 K when you book an economy class.
   
• AwardWallet reports that on flights covering destinations within South America, the value in business class is 25K. For Economy class, the value is  12.5K.
  
  
• Flying with Alaska offers another major benefit of adding a free stopover on one-way awards. It allows you to visit two destinations for the cost of one redemption. 

Tips to Use Alaska Miles to Book Latam Business Class? 

Flyers will have to search for LATAM award availability on the website of the airline. Select your eligible routes. It will be good if your flight is one of those that were LAN-operated previously. After that, flyers can redeem their miles through Alaska Airlines Miles Plan. Frequent Miler reports that Alaska’ miles are especially valuable for long-haul business class.

The following are some practical tips when you book these premium flights on Alaska’s website:
 

• Flexible and Early Booking: Typically, award seats are limited. Thus, the booking process will be easy for flyers who are flexible with their travel dates and routes. Additionally, ensure that you book your seats as early as possible.
  
  
• Understand Alaska’s Distance‑Based Award Chart: The first step of booking your LATAM flight ticket with Alaska is having a comprehensive understanding of the Distance‑Based Award Chart of the airline. Flyers can get the business‑class redemptions within the Americas at competitive prices.
   
• Set Award Alerts: It is important that you know about the award availability in a timely manner. Flyers can set award alerts so that they are aware of their chances of booking their LATAM flights. Passengers can get a wide availability when they start their research upto 11 months before departure.
  
  
• Booking Long-Haul Flights: It is more beneficial to use your miles for long-haul journeys. Flyers can get the best offers on international flights.
   
• Book Directly on the Alaska Website: According to 4menews, flyers can book their LATAM business class directly through the award search tool on the website. Additionally, it has more benefits apart from authenticity. Flyers can get immediate pricing and seat availability. Apart from this, it is easy to make changes and cancellations online. 

Note: The business-class layout and facilities are different on various LATAM aircraft. Flyers should review aircraft details before confirming their bookings. 

Are Alaska Miles Transferable? 

If you have been wondering whether you can transfer your Alaska  miles or share them with another person, here is the answer: 

• Alaska Airlines does not accept transfers in your Mileage Plan account. Thus, flyers can not use their points from other airline programs.
   
• The airlines do not allow you to transfer miles between accounts. However, you can do that for a fee, but it will be quite costly. Redeeming points for another person directly from your account is a cost-efficient option. 

Conclusion: 

Using Alaska Airlines Miles can be a practical solution for you to fly in a LATAM business class cabin for your international flights on selective routes without actually paying premium prices. Miles are earned based on the distance or miles traveled by the flyer and can be redeemed for award flights. While Alaska rewards miles are flexible, following some practical tips will surely help travelers to get more benefits from the rewards program along with the best value redemptions aligning with business class of Latam. To get the best flight deals flyers should remain flexible with departure dates, book in advance and search for award space on Alaska’s website.

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