Dan Whitmer, Rewards Programs Analyst
@dan_whitmer
Buying Alaska Airlines points is usually not a good deal since the points cost more than they are worth. Unless you just need a few points to top off your balance for an award ticket, purchasing points isn’t a way to save on travel.
The minimum purchase amount for Alaska Airlines points is 1,000, and each point costs about 3.76 cents. However, the value of one Alaska Airlines point when redeemed for flights is only around 1.47 cents on average.
Alaska Airlines Points Cost vs. Redemption Value
| Number of Points | Cost | Value When Redeemed for Airfare |
| 1,000 | $37.63 | $14.7 |
| 5,000 | $188.13 | $56.5 |
| 10,000 | $376.25 | $147 |
| 20,000 | $752.50 | $294 |
| 50,000 | $1,881.25 | $735 |
The best way to use your Alaska Airlines points is to save them up until you can cover the full cost of a flight. You can earn points by using an Alaska Airlines credit card or shopping online through the Alaska Airlines Atmos Rewards Shopping portal.
Ways to Earn Alaska Airlines Points Without Buying Them
- Use the Alaska Airlines credit card. You can earn points on eligible purchases with an Alaska Airlines credit card. These cards offer more points for buying airline tickets with Alaska Airlines than if you don’t use a card, plus they reward you for everyday spending.
- Buy airline tickets with an Alaska Atmos Rewards number. One of the best ways to earn points without purchasing them is by flying with Alaska Airlines. Be sure to sign up for the Alaska Atmos Rewards loyalty program, which is free to join, before you book your flight to earn points on each trip.
- Use Alaska's dining and shopping portals. Alaska Airlines offers two separate platforms for earning points through dining and online shopping: Atmos Rewards Dining and Atmos Rewards Shopping. To use these platforms, you will need to sign in with your loyalty rewards program ID, which is the same number you would use when purchasing tickets.
- Partner offers. Alaska Airlines has partnerships with a range of businesses, allowing you to earn extra points when you use their services or make purchases. These partners include airline partners, hotel brands, car rental companies and Alaska Cruises.
You can use Alaska Airlines points to pay for flights, hotel stays, car rentals, and more. You'll get the most value when you redeem them for free flights.
Sometimes, buying points can be worth it. Alaska Airlines occasionally runs promotions with bonus miles—up to 50%—making purchases more valuable. It can also help if you just need a few extra points to book an award flight.
When to Buy Alaska Airlines Points
- To top off your account – If you're just short on points for an award flight, buying a few can help secure a deal.
- During promotions – Alaska Airlines often offers bonus points, making purchases more worthwhile.
- For flexibility – Booking with points allows free cancellations and refunds.
You can check out WalletHub’s guide to the Alaska Atmos Rewards program for a full breakdown.
People also ask
How much does it cost to buy 50,000 airline miles?
The cost of buying 50,000 airline miles varies depending on the airline and the specific promotion they might be running at the time, but it will cost you between $1,222.81 to $1,880.00. Typically, the cost to buy airline miles ranges from 2.25 to 3.7 cents per mile.
Cost to Buy 50,000 Airline Miles
| Airline | Cost per 50,000 Miles | Cost per Mile |
| American Airlines AAdvantage | $1,505.00 | ... |
How many points do you need for a free flight with Alaska Airlines?
You need 4,500 to 20,000 Atmos Rewards points for a free one-way economy flight on Alaska Airlines. The exact number of points you need will depend on the distance, which airport you fly into, and the dates of your trip. First class flights will cost more points, anywhere from 15,000 to 60,000 more per one-way flight.
How Many Points You Need for a Free Flight on Alaska Airlines
| Distance... | Economy starting at | First class starting at |
When do Alaska Airlines points expire?
Alaska Airlines points do not expire while your Alaska Atmos Rewards account is active and in good standing. Points will be forfeited if Alaska Airlines closes your account for violating program rules, including fraudulent activity, or if you close it yourself.
When Alaska Airlines Points May Be Forfeited
- When you close your account without redeeming any unused points.
- When Alaska Airlines closes your account due to program rule violations or fraudulent activity. ...
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