Alaska Airlines has just announced its newest airline partner, and it’s one that I’m pretty excited about (thanks to @mileagerunner72 for flagging this)!
Continue reading: Alaska & Philippine Airlines Unveil Partnership: Earn & Redeem Miles
Share your questions, experiences, and thoughts below.
Philippines also flies from JFK, which opens up a potentially exciting redemption opportunity.
And YYZ/YVR too.
Their schedules aren't suited for Asia connections in the way TPE is, but there's strong point to point demand for US and MNL anyhow.
While it's cool that Alaska is adding another partner, I wish Alaska was better about negotiating some reciprocal elite benefits with these non-oneworld partners. Even if it is only Alaska (and not partner) lounge access and checked luggage benefits...
Yes and 85K is an attractive price for that nonstop. Curious what the availability will be like though..
The PR soft product is excellent. PR needs to improve their 2-3-2 business class configuration on the 777s for me to fly PR business class. But I welcome more options to fly to Asia from the west coast.
This makes sense. I can see PR starting MNL to SAN with this news. Would be good to get feed on the SAN end with AS.
Routings like AUS-SAN-MNL or TPQ-SAN-MNL Will be great.
We need another flight to Asia from SAN. This can open up more one stop access to Southeast Asia from SAN.
I would temper my expectations on their upcoming product. I can see the exact same cabin as their A359. Maybe improved finishes and trim along with a door, but that's about it.
And for the passengers in the back, they'll be the first full-service carrier to offer 3-4-3 on the A350 assuming their plans haven't changed which I can imagine would be brutal especially on those ultra-long haul flights.
I bet the J redemption rates are going to be as bad capacity wise as what happened when they announced the tie-in with Starlux.S
Have to keep in mind they typically price their business class quite a bit lower than more competitive products like SQ / CX
Pal j is relatively cheap so not a great partner to redeem but some values for earning
If this partnership has decent availability then it will mark somewhat of a blow to UA and to ANA, JAL, Singapore, Cathay, and the Taiwanese carriers. Currently if you want to fly direct to the Philippines with points you have to fly UA and pay their exorbitant dynamic rates for business class awards. Otherwise you generally have to combine awards and fly through Singapore, Japan (good luck finding TPAC availability), Taipei, Seoul, or Honolulu, use a very difficult to plan ANA round-the-world ticket (soon to disappear anyway), or route or reposition through Canada (where Air Canada business class awards are pricey but premium economy award prices are somewhat decent if you can find the low end of the dynamic pricing and are willing to deal with the tight premium economy configuration).
"We need another flight to Asia from SAN."
Correction, you WANT another flight to Asia from SAN.
The traffic volume is definitely there, but fares-paid outside of Tokyo aren't high at all, and much of the traffic will happily drive to LAX or connect via San Francisco, to save a few bucks. That's not very conducive to luring more Asian nonstops.
It's pretty telling, when Starlux (for example) would rather be the 4th wheel in Seattle, and 2nd fiddle in Ontario (as its alternatives to LAX and SFO) than enter San Diego. The fares in SAN are just comparative garbage, unfortunately.
Well there is a significant Filipino diaspora in San Diego, but I'm not sure it justifies a non-stop flight.
There are more desirable destinations such as a return to Las Vegas and Chicago. And from what I've read, Houston is in the cards.
This is pretty smart actually . Lots of Filipinos in ANC sea sfo lax san hnl . More brand recognition for them and they will be pretty loyal . Great connection .
I'll believe this when I see it. After all, Porter redemptions still aren't possible. Alaska is terrible at integrating new partnerships.
Until the absolutely abhorrent transit experience at MNL is fixed (if it has been, great), then this partnership is worthless for long haul travel involving that hub in either direction.
If your destination is within Philippines, you are pretty much stuck transiting in MNL or CEB. And yes MNL is one of the worst transit airports in the world. Well it's one of the WORST airports in the world. But, again if your destination is Philippines this is an amazing partnership and I welcome it with open arms.