You can transfer Alaska Airlines miles to another person, but only through their official transfer program, and the miles go to someone else's account permanently

Alaska Airlines allows you to move miles from your Mileage Plan account to another person's account using their Transfer Miles feature. The transfer is one-way and irreversible — once the miles leave your account, you cannot get them back. You can transfer to a family member, friend, or anyone else with an active Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan account, but there are limits on how many you can move and what it costs.

The process takes place entirely online through your Alaska Airlines account. You do not need to call customer service or visit an airport to complete a transfer. However, the recipient must have an existing Mileage Plan account before you can send miles to them — you cannot create an account for someone as part of the transfer.

Key Takeaways

  • Alaska Airlines charges a fee to transfer miles, currently $1 per 1,000 miles transferred, with a $25 minimum fee per transfer.
  • You can transfer miles only to someone with an active Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan account, and the transfer is permanent and cannot be reversed.
  • Most transfers process within 24 hours, though Alaska Airlines states they may take up to 7 business days.
  • You can transfer a minimum of 1,000 miles and a maximum of 250,000 miles per transfer, with no limit on how many transfers you make per year.

Step-by-step process for transferring miles

Log into your Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan account on their website or mobile app. Navigate to the "Manage Miles" section, which is usually found in the account menu or under a "Miles" tab. Look for the option labeled "Transfer Miles" or "Send Miles" — the exact wording may vary slightly depending on whether you are using the website or app.

Enter the recipient's Mileage Plan account number. This is a nine-digit number that appears on their Mileage Plan card or in their account dashboard. If you do not have this number, ask the person directly — Alaska Airlines will not transfer miles based on a name or email address alone. Specify how many miles you want to transfer. The minimum is 1,000 miles and the maximum is 250,000 miles per single transfer.

Review the fee that will be charged. Alaska Airlines deducts $1 for every 1,000 miles transferred, with a $25 minimum. So transferring 1,000 miles costs $25, transferring 25,000 miles costs $25, and transferring 50,000 miles costs $50. The fee is charged to your account immediately, separate from the miles themselves. Confirm the transfer, and the miles will leave your account within 24 hours, though Alaska Airlines allows up to 7 business days for processing.

Fees and what they cover

The $1 per 1,000 miles fee is non-refundable once the transfer completes. This means if you transfer 10,000 miles, you pay $10. If you transfer 5,000 miles, you still pay the $25 minimum. Alaska Airlines does not waive this fee for elite members, frequent transfers, or any other circumstance — the fee structure is the same for all accounts.

The fee covers the administrative cost of moving the miles between accounts. It does not include any taxes or additional charges. If you use a credit card to pay the fee, your card issuer may charge foreign transaction fees if you are outside the United States, though this is rare for domestic transactions.

Limits on how many miles you can transfer

You can transfer between 1,000 and 250,000 miles in a single transaction. If you want to move more than 250,000 miles to one person, you must complete multiple transfers. There is no annual cap on the total number of miles you can transfer across all transactions, so you could theoretically transfer your entire balance if you completed enough individual transfers.

The recipient's account must have room to receive the miles. Alaska Airlines does not publish a maximum account balance, but accounts that already hold a very large number of miles may have restrictions. If a transfer fails because the recipient's account is full, Alaska Airlines will notify you and the miles will remain in your account.

What happens after you transfer miles

Once the transfer completes, the miles appear in the recipient's Mileage Plan account and are theirs to use. They can book flights, purchase upgrades, or transfer the miles again to someone else if they choose. You have no further claim to those miles and cannot reverse the transfer under any circumstance, even if the recipient does not use them or if you change your mind.

The recipient will receive a notification from Alaska Airlines confirming the miles arrived in their account. This notification typically arrives by email within 24 hours of the transfer completing. The miles are immediately available for use and do not have an expiration date tied to the transfer itself — they follow Alaska Airlines' standard expiration policy, which requires account activity at least once every 24 months.

When a transfer might fail or be delayed

A transfer can fail if the recipient's Mileage Plan account number is incorrect or if the account is closed. If you enter a wrong account number, the miles will not transfer and will remain in your account. Alaska Airlines will send you a notification if this happens, and you can attempt the transfer again with the correct number.

Transfers may be delayed if Alaska Airlines' systems are undergoing maintenance or if there is unusual volume. The stated processing time is up to 7 business days, though most transfers complete within 24 hours. If your transfer has not appeared after 7 business days, contact Alaska Airlines customer service with your confirmation number to investigate.

Alaska Airlines may also block a transfer if they detect suspicious activity on either account, such as a recently compromised password or multiple transfers to different accounts in a short period. If this happens, you will be asked to verify your identity before the transfer can proceed.

Alternatives if you cannot transfer miles directly

If the person you want to give miles to does not have a Mileage Plan account, they must create one before you can transfer. This is free and takes a few minutes on Alaska Airlines' website. They will receive an account number immediately, which you can then use to complete your transfer.

If you want to help someone use your miles without transferring them permanently, you can add them as an authorized user on your account. This allows them to book flights using your miles from their own login, though the miles remain in your name and under your control. This option is useful if you want to retain the ability to cancel or change bookings.

If you want to move miles to a spouse or domestic partner, some credit card issuers that offer Alaska Airlines cards allow you to transfer points between cardholders' accounts at no fee. Check with your card issuer to see if this option is available — it bypasses Alaska Airlines' transfer fee entirely.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I transfer miles to someone who doesn't have a Mileage Plan account yet?

No. The recipient must have an active Mileage Plan account before you can transfer miles to them. They can create a free account on Alaska Airlines' website in a few minutes and will receive an account number right away, which you can then use for the transfer.

What if I transfer miles by mistake to the wrong person?

Alaska Airlines does not reverse transfers. Once the miles leave your account, they belong to the recipient and cannot be recovered. If you transferred to the wrong account number, contact Alaska Airlines immediately with your confirmation number — they may be able to help if the transfer has not yet processed, but once it completes, the miles are gone.

Do I have to pay taxes on miles I transfer to someone else?

Alaska Airlines does not issue a tax form for transferred miles. The IRS generally does not treat transferred loyalty points as taxable income to the recipient, but tax law varies by situation. If you are transferring a very large number of miles or if there is money involved, consult a tax professional to understand your specific circumstances.

Can I transfer miles from a credit card rewards account to my Mileage Plan account?

That depends on your card issuer. Some Alaska Airlines credit cards allow you to transfer points directly to your Mileage Plan account at no fee, while others require you to redeem points for miles through the card's website. Check your card's terms or contact the issuer to see what options are available.

How long do transferred miles stay in the recipient's account?

Transferred miles follow Alaska Airlines' standard expiration policy: an account must have activity at least once every 24 months, or all miles expire. Activity includes booking a flight, transferring miles, or even just logging into the account. The miles themselves do not expire just because they were transferred.