Early in the year Emirates was added as an Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan partner, with the immediate ability to earn miles for travel on Emirates. Unfortunately the ability to redeem miles for travel on Emirates wasn’t immediately available, though they said it should be available in late 2012. Well, the wording on the Alaska website has now changed to indicate that it’ll be early 2013 before it’s possible to redeem Alaska miles for travel on Emirates:
As it stands the two best programs through which you can redeem miles for travel on Emirates are Japan Airlines Mileage Bank and Korean Air SkyPass.
Japan Airlines Mileage Bank has a distance based award chart with the following redemption costs for travel on Emirates:
They’re also a partner with Starwood Preferred Guest, so that’s a good way to fund an account for a redemption. You can find out more about that option here.
The other option is Korean Air SkyPass, which has considerably higher redemption rates for most zones. Their chart for travel on Emirates looks as follows:
Korean Air SkyPass is a Chase Ultimate Rewards transfer partner, which is the best way to fund that account.
Anyway, Alaska and Emirates can take their time. It’s not like Emirates first class is a big deal or anything…
(Tip of the hat to Joe)
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