Chase Sapphire points cannot be transferred directly to Alaska Airlines, but you can use partner airlines or booking tools to redeem them for Alaska flights.
Understanding Chase Sapphire Points and Alaska Airlines
Chase Sapphire points are a valuable currency within the Chase Ultimate Rewards program. These points can be transferred to a variety of airline and hotel partners, offering flexibility and value for travelers. However, Alaska Airlines is not a direct transfer partner of Chase Ultimate Rewards. This means you cannot simply move your points directly from your Chase account into your Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan.
Alaska Airlines has built a strong loyalty program with its own set of partners, but it remains somewhat isolated from certain major credit card transfer programs like Chase Ultimate Rewards. This distinction often causes confusion among travelers looking to maximize their points for flights on Alaska Airlines.
Despite this limitation, there are still ways to leverage Chase Sapphire points for travel on Alaska Airlines flights, thanks to the airline’s partnerships with other carriers and the versatility of the Ultimate Rewards program.
Why Can’t You Transfer Chase Sapphire Points Directly To Alaska Airlines?
The core reason lies in the partnerships Chase Ultimate Rewards has established. Currently, Chase allows point transfers to airlines such as United, Southwest, British Airways (Avios), Air France/KLM (Flying Blue), Singapore Airlines (KrisFlyer), and others—but Alaska Airlines is not one of them.
Alaska Airlines operates its Mileage Plan independently and partners with a different set of airlines. While it boasts alliances with carriers like American Airlines, Emirates, and British Airways, it has not entered into a direct partnership with Chase Ultimate Rewards for point transfers.
This lack of direct partnership means that if you want to use your Chase Sapphire points for an Alaska flight, you must explore indirect routes or alternative redemption strategies.
How To Use Chase Sapphire Points For Alaska Flights
Although direct transfers aren’t possible, here are several practical ways to use your Chase Sapphire points to book flights on Alaska Airlines:
1. Transfer Points to British Airways Avios
British Airways is a transfer partner of Chase Ultimate Rewards and also an airline partner of Alaska Airlines. You can transfer your Chase points to British Airways Avios at a 1:1 ratio. Once in Avios form, you can book award flights operated by Alaska Airlines through British Airways’ Executive Club program.
This method works best for short-haul or regional flights within the U.S., especially on routes where British Airways allows award redemptions on Alaska-operated segments.
2. Book Through Chase Travel Portal
Another straightforward way is using the Chase travel portal powered by Expedia. Here’s how it works:
- Log in to your Chase account.
- Use your Ultimate Rewards points to book flights directly through the portal.
- Search for Alaska Airlines flights within the portal.
- Redeem your points at a fixed rate—typically 1.25 cents per point (for Chase Sapphire Preferred) or 1.5 cents per point (for Chase Sapphire Reserve).
While this method doesn’t require transferring points, it allows you to use them as cash toward any flight available on Expedia—including those operated by Alaska Airlines.
3. Transfer Points to Other Partner Airlines
Some travelers get creative by transferring their points to other airline partners that have reciprocal agreements with Alaska or codeshare arrangements. For example:
- Emirates Skywards: Emirates partners with both Alaska and British Airways.
- Iberia Plus: Iberia shares the same Avios currency as British Airways but sometimes offers different award availability or pricing.
These options require more research but can unlock additional award space or better value in some cases.
Comparing Redemption Options: Direct vs Indirect
To help clarify these options, here’s a comparison table showing key features of each redemption route using Chase Sapphire points towards Alaska flights:
| Redemption Method | Points Transfer Required? | Best Use Case |
|---|---|---|
| Direct Transfer to Alaska Mileage Plan | No (Not Available) | N/A |
| Transfer to British Airways Avios & Book Alaska Flights | Yes (1:1 ratio) | Short-haul domestic & regional award flights |
| Book via Chase Travel Portal (Expedia) | No (Use Points Like Cash) | Any available flight including last-minute bookings |
| Transfer to Other Partners (e.g., Emirates Skywards) | Yes (Varies) | Niche routes & creative redemptions |
This table highlights that while direct transfer is off the table, multiple indirect strategies exist—each suited for different traveler needs.
The Value Proposition: Which Option Offers The Best Value?
When considering how best to use your Chase Sapphire points for flying on Alaska Airlines, value per point is critical.
Booking through the Chase travel portal offers simplicity but often delivers lower value per point compared to transferring miles because you’re essentially paying cash-equivalent prices with points at a fixed rate.
On the other hand, transferring points to British Airways Avios can unlock outsized value if you find award space on popular routes operated by Alaska Airlines. For example, short domestic hops often cost fewer Avios than what you’d pay in cash equivalents via the portal.
However, booking through British Airways requires flexibility and patience since award availability can vary significantly and taxes/fees may apply.
Transferring points to other partners like Emirates might occasionally offer unique sweet spots but generally involves more complicated routing and less frequent availability.
A Step-by-Step Guide To Booking An Alaska Flight With British Airways Avios
Here’s how you can leverage the British Airways Executive Club program after transferring your Ultimate Rewards points:
- Transfer Points: Log into your Chase account and move your desired amount of Ultimate Rewards points into your British Airways Executive Club account at a 1:1 ratio.
- Create/Log In: Ensure you have an active Executive Club membership linked with your BA account.
- Search Award Availability: Use British Airways’ website or partner search tools like Award Nexus or ExpertFlyer to find available award seats on Alaska-operated flights.
- Book Your Flight: Once availability is confirmed, proceed with booking directly through BA’s site using Avios miles.
- Pay Taxes & Fees: Be prepared for additional taxes and carrier-imposed fees which vary depending on route.
- Confirm Ticket: After booking confirmation, check your itinerary carefully before finalizing travel plans.
This method requires patience but can save thousands of dollars compared with paying cash fares outright.
The Role Of Credit Card Benefits And Protections
Using a premium card like the Chase Sapphire Reserve adds value beyond just point redemptions when booking travel—including flights on Alaska Airlines through any method:
- Travel Insurance Coverage: Trip cancellation/interruption insurance protects against unforeseen events.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees: Useful when booking international segments involving partner airlines.
- Lounge Access: Some cards provide airport lounge access which enhances travel comfort.
- Baggage Fee Credits: Certain cards reimburse checked bag fees on qualifying airlines including some partners.
- Crisis Assistance: Emergency services are often included when traveling abroad.
These perks make using your chase card alongside redemption strategies even more rewarding when flying with or connecting through Alaska Airlines routes.
Pitfalls And Things To Watch Out For When Using Points For Alaska Flights
While redeeming chase sapphire points towards alaska flights sounds great in theory—there are some pitfalls worth noting:
- Award Availability Can Be Limited: Especially when booking through British Airways Avios; popular routes fill quickly.
- Surcharges And Fees May Apply: Taxes or carrier-imposed surcharges could reduce overall savings depending on route and partner airline rules.
- No Direct Transfers Means Extra Steps:You must juggle multiple accounts and programs which adds complexity.
- Lack Of Flexibility In Some Cases:The best deals require flexible dates and willingness to fly off-peak times.
- Cancellations And Changes Can Be Costly Or Difficult:Award tickets sometimes come with strict policies compared to paid fares.
Being aware of these challenges upfront helps avoid frustration during booking or travel disruptions later on.
Key Takeaways: Can I Transfer Chase Sapphire Points To Alaska Airlines?
➤ Direct transfers to Alaska Airlines are not available.
➤ Points can transfer to partner airlines instead.
➤ Use partners like British Airways for Alaska flights.
➤ Transfer times vary by partner airline program.
➤ Check partner award availability before transferring.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I transfer Chase Sapphire points directly to Alaska Airlines?
No, Chase Sapphire points cannot be transferred directly to Alaska Airlines. Alaska Airlines is not a transfer partner of the Chase Ultimate Rewards program, so you cannot move points straight from your Chase account to Alaska’s Mileage Plan.
How can I use Chase Sapphire points for Alaska Airlines flights?
You can use your Chase Sapphire points for Alaska Airlines flights by transferring them to a partner airline like British Airways Avios. British Airways partners with Alaska Airlines, allowing you to book award flights indirectly using your points.
Why are Chase Sapphire points not transferable to Alaska Airlines?
The main reason is that Alaska Airlines is not part of the Chase Ultimate Rewards transfer network. Alaska operates its Mileage Plan independently and partners with different airlines, so there is no direct relationship with Chase for point transfers.
What are the best partner airlines to transfer Chase Sapphire points for flying Alaska Airlines?
British Airways is one of the best partners for transferring Chase Sapphire points if you want to fly on Alaska Airlines. Transferring points to British Airways Avios lets you book award flights operated by Alaska through their partnership.
Are there alternative ways to redeem Chase Sapphire points for Alaska Airlines tickets?
Yes, besides transferring points to partners like British Airways, you can redeem Chase Ultimate Rewards points through travel booking portals or use them for cash back and then purchase Alaska Airlines tickets. These methods provide flexibility despite no direct transfer option.