Alaska raises their Air France award redemption rates starting June 11, 2013, and no one should care

Well, it makes more sense -- relative to other programs like DL, AA, UA, etc. -- for Alaska to change the rates in this case, because they publish different mileage rates for each airline partner, unlike most other airlines, which publish rates based on zones or distances (not airlines). DL would really have no reason to change their charts based on AF's change, because DL flies to (many) of the same cities as AF, as does KLM, Alitalia, Korean, etc.

You are no doubt correct that "no one should care," though. If people are using Alaska miles to fly AF they're making a huge mistake.

@Matt, I am new to this blog but I agree to you. Alaska is virtualy a non-alliance carrier and they have to price their partner rates based on each airline agreement and their mile cost,, etc. I just feel its not easy to earn an extra of 25,000 miles from them given they dont have many long haul options for us to earn.. That being said, I am flying them tomorrow to Seattle and they have better food for sale menu.
@Ben, any airline has OK food for sale domestic US?

@ Matt @ flyingforfun -- Agree, I guess what I wonder (and will never know) is how exactly this devaluation came to be.

Did Alaska notice that Air France raised their costs and decided to match, did Air France ask Alaska to match, or did Air France increase the cost to other airlines for mileage redemptions in their cabins, so it was simply a reaction to that? Would be most interesting if it's that last scenario.

@ flyingforfun -- Alaska does indeed have among the best buy on board with their reasonably priced hot options in coach. Food in coach is actually usually better than the food up front.

@Ben, I pay for the food, so I have some little expectation on its quality and will verify this agian tomorrow. Tks for confirming it from your expertise! fff

I'm guessing the contract was renegotiated in part of Alaska's plan to offer one way awards. I would not be surprised if the next carrier to be added will be AF/KLM.

I don't think its any loss. I don't have any plans to use my AS miles on any skyteam carriers. Living on east coast i'd rather just fly revenue Y to europe.

As much as I agree with your headline, I think it would be better to feign outrage lest Alaska take it as a cue to inflate one of those awards you do care about (especially the one I'm saving for!).

Which airlines can you get one-way awards on using Alaksa miles?

@ Randy -- So far only American and British Airways.

One ways are also now available on airlines most people dont care about outside of the state of Alaksa. PenAir and Era Aviation.

BTW The on AF/KLM award price change has been delayed. It wont be implemented until one way awards go live