Alaska Airlines and El Al announced a partnership three years ago. It’s taken until this week to introduce award redemption. You can now earn and redeem Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan miles for travel on El Al.
Alaska is the best place to credit paid El Al travel, in my opinion, because you’re earning more valuable miles than with their other partners.
And while redemptions on El Al don’t represent ‘a great value’ that’s true of all of the ways you might book El Al travel, and Alaska’s redemption options are competitive, as first noted at Award Wallet.
Somewhat concerningly, Alaska does not (yet?) publish an award chart for travel on El Al. However it appears that,
- Current award pricing looks like:
- 40,000 – 42,500 for one-way economy, depending on route
- 65,000 for one-way premium economy
- 85,000 for one-way business
- 40,000 – 42,500 for one-way economy, depending on route
- Over the summer prices increase to:
- 45,000 – 50,000 for one-way economy, depending on route
- 80,000 for one-way premium economy
- 100,000 for one-way business
Variance by route and date may be greater than this, as well. Think of this pricing as ~ 5% – 10% higher than what Qantas charges for economy, and 5% – 10% lower than what they charge for business once summer increases go into effect.
El Al uses the ‘X’ fare bucket for business class award space, ‘P’ for premium economy awards, and ‘E’ for economy awards.
If you do fly El Al remember to book an inflight marriage kit in advance or birthday celebration!
@ Gary — Please take a trip on El Al longhaul business class and give us a review. I haven’t heard great things about their aircraft, but maybe things have improved.