In 2015 Alaska Airlines and Hainan Airlines announced a partnership. This has been fantastic for Mileage Plan members, since Hainan often has reasonable paid business class fares, and they also have an excellent onboard product.
So you’ve been able to book a reasonably priced business class fare on Hainan and earn a lot of miles, which I’ve argued is one of the best ways to earn Alaska status. This has also opened up a great new opportunity for those looking to redeem miles for travel to/from Asia, since Hainan is pretty good about opening up award space.
Well, Mileage Plan has announced that they’ll change mileage earning rates for travel on Hainan as of October 1, 2018 (this is based on the travel date and not the ticketing date).
Here’s the mileage earning chart for flights taken through September 30, 2018:
And here’s the mileage earning chart for flights taken as of October 1, 2018:
As you can see, there are some adjustments across the board, ranging from the cheapest economy fares to the most expensive business class fares. Perhaps the most noteworthy change involves “R” class. Up until now, Mileage Plan has been awarding 200% elite qualifying and redeemable miles for tickets booked in the “R” fare class.
While they’ve categorized this as first class, in reality many of their longhaul discounted business class fares book into the “R” class, which has been an incredible opportunity to earn a lot of elite qualifying miles on cheap fares.
So I’m not surprised to see them finally fix this oversight, as these fares now go from earning 200% elite qualifying miles to earning 100% elite qualifying miles and 200% redeemable miles.
Meanwhile those booking Hainan’s most expensive business class fares are getting a huge mileage boost, as they’ll be going from earning 150% elite qualifying miles and 250% redeemable miles to earning 250% elite qualifying miles and 350% redeemable miles.
Frankly I’m a bit surprised it took them so long to make these updates.
What do you make of these Alaska Mileage Plan changes to travel on Hainan?
(Tip of the hat to @HKTBlog_Dom)
I only ever fly paid first class so doesn’t affect me.
Debit no one cares about your political views. This is a travel forum. Take your ignorant ramblings elsewhere!!
Hainan is pretty reasonable to fly if you book your seat early enough but earning on economy has been pitiful. If you are making a close connection in Beijing to a domestic Hainan flight it is really nice that you can walk to the domestic terminal for Hainan in about 15 minutes as opposed to getting the shuttle bus to the huge new terminal three. So I still like Hainan.
Glad I read this as was just about to book an R class to keep 75K. And on that note, WTF, for those that booked already hope they have a lenient policy for forgiveness...
Maybe next year is the year to go DL. They're often cheaper out of SEA anyway.
Booked my Hainan ticket in March for Oct 15. Crazy that Alaska changed the rules for travel date and not booking date. I have gold status with Alaska and was using this flight to keep my status.
Lucky, did you read this?
ttps://www.washingtonpost.com/local/trafficandcommuting/congress-allows-airlines-to-continue-passenger-fees-that-cost-46-billion-last-year/2018/09/22/04fc1c96-be8a-11e8-b7d2-0773aa1e33da_story.html?utm_term=.d193ca151a29
Looks like white Republican males in our Congress continue to be scumbags (do anything for campaign contributions) and their constituents continue to be dumb morons that will continue vote for anything as long as they get to stick it to non whites. Sub human scum really. No other words. Passing bad legislation when they are not busy raping or harassing women.
Lucky, did you read this?
ttps://www.washingtonpost.com/local/trafficandcommuting/congress-allows-airlines-to-continue-passenger-fees-that-cost-46-billion-last-year/2018/09/22/04fc1c96-be8a-11e8-b7d2-0773aa1e33da_story.html?utm_term=.d193ca151a29
Looks like white Republican males in our Congress continue to be scumbags (do anything for campaign contributions) and their constituents continue to be dumb morons that will continue vote for anything as long as they get to stick it to non whites. Sub human scum really. No other words. Passing bad legislation when they are not busy raping or harassing women.
Very bad for Economy passengers. Not good
That is awesome news! Alaska is the airline I have status with and I fly with Hainan (Business Class) a few times a year. Thanks for continuing to report on the Alaska Milage program.
@beyounged Call in Alaska for this and ask them for an exemption. They often gladly helps
paid 70% extra, booked an A class PVG-CKG-LAX last week, departing Oct 2nd.
OCTOBER.SECOND.
....
I am gonna go for a walk.
Effecting these changes by travel date rather than ticketing date is extremely annoying. I think 2019 is the year I drop my loyalty to AS.
The buzz saw taken to economy class earning, meanwhile, is overlooked?
Doesn't affect me.