You can transfer miles to Alaska Airlines from most major airline loyalty programs, but the process and value differ by which program you're transferring from

Alaska Airlines accepts mile transfers from American Airlines AAdvantage, Delta SkyMiles, United MileagePlus, and several hotel and credit card loyalty programs. The transfer happens through each program's website or app — you initiate it from the program you currently hold miles in, not from Alaska Airlines. Most transfers complete within 24 hours, though some take up to 72 hours.

The catch: transferring miles usually costs you value. Most airline programs charge a conversion fee or offer an unfavorable exchange rate. For example, transferring from American Airlines typically costs $0.01 per mile transferred, on top of the miles themselves. You should only transfer if you have a specific Alaska Airlines flight or award in mind that makes the trade worth it.

Key Takeaways

  • Miles transfer from your current program's website or app, not from Alaska Airlines, and most complete within 24 hours.
  • Transfer fees and exchange rates vary by program — American charges $0.01 per mile, while other programs may charge flat fees or offer bonus miles for larger transfers.
  • Alaska Airlines award prices range from 5,000 miles for short domestic flights to 70,000 or more for premium cabin international travel, depending on route and season.
  • Transferred miles count toward elite status in Alaska Airlines' Mileage Plan, but they may expire if your account goes inactive for 24 months.

Which programs let you transfer miles to Alaska Airlines

American Airlines AAdvantage, Delta SkyMiles, United MileagePlus, and Marriott Bonvoy all allow transfers to Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan. Chase Ultimate Rewards (the credit card program) also transfers to Alaska. Some programs offer transfer bonuses — for example, transferring 10,000 Marriott Bonvoy points may give you 3,500 Alaska miles plus a bonus 500 miles.

Not all programs transfer to Alaska. Discover card miles, for instance, do not. If you hold miles in a program not listed above, check that program's transfer partners directly. The easiest way is to log into your account and look for a "transfer" or "redeem" section that lists partner airlines.

How to transfer miles step by step

Log into the loyalty program account where you currently hold miles. Navigate to the transfer or redemption section — the exact name varies by program, but it is usually under "Redeem" or "Use Your Miles." Select Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan as your transfer partner.

Enter the number of miles you want to transfer and your Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan account number. You can find your Mileage Plan number on your Alaska Airlines account, your Alaska card, or any award confirmation email. Review the transfer fee and exchange rate, then confirm. The system will show you the exact number of Alaska miles you will receive after fees.

Once confirmed, the transfer usually posts to your Alaska Airlines account within 24 hours. Some programs, like Marriott, may take up to 72 hours. You will receive a confirmation email from both your original program and Alaska Airlines. Check your Alaska Airlines account to verify the miles arrived before you book an award.

Transfer fees and what they cost you

American Airlines charges $0.01 per mile transferred, with a minimum fee of $25. If you transfer 5,000 miles, you pay $50 (5,000 × $0.01). Delta charges a flat $25 fee for transfers under 10,000 miles, then $0.01 per mile above that. United charges $0.01 per mile with no minimum.

Marriott Bonvoy and Chase Ultimate Rewards do not charge a direct fee, but their exchange rates are fixed and often less favorable than transferring from airline programs. Marriott typically converts at a 3.5-to-1 ratio (3.5 Bonvoy points = 1 Alaska mile), though they occasionally run transfer bonuses that improve this.

Before you transfer, calculate whether the miles are worth the fee. If an Alaska award costs 25,000 miles and you would pay $250 in transfer fees, you are spending $250 to book a flight. Compare that to the cash price of the same flight to decide if the miles are worth it.

Alaska Airlines award prices and what your transferred miles can book

Alaska Airlines award prices vary by route, season, and cabin class. Domestic short-haul flights (under 500 miles) start at 5,000 miles in economy. Medium-haul domestic flights (500–1,500 miles) typically cost 12,500 to 20,000 miles. Long-haul domestic flights and short international routes run 25,000 to 40,000 miles. Premium cabin awards cost significantly more — business class to Hawaii or the West Coast starts around 40,000 miles.

Alaska Airlines uses dynamic pricing, meaning the same route costs different amounts depending on demand and how far in advance you book. Off-peak travel is cheaper in miles. You can search award availability on Alaska's website without logging in — use the "Mileage Plan" option under "Book" to see prices for your specific dates.

What happens to transferred miles if you do not use them

Transferred miles become part of your Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan account and follow the same expiration rules as miles you earned directly. Alaska miles expire if your account is inactive for 24 consecutive months. Inactivity means no miles earned, no miles redeemed, and no account activity of any kind.

To keep miles from expiring, you need at least one may have access to activity every 24 months. Flying on Alaska, earning miles through the Alaska credit card, or even a small transfer from another program counts. Many people set a calendar reminder for month 23 to make a small purchase or transfer to reset the clock.

Transferred miles count toward elite status in the Mileage Plan. If you transfer 10,000 miles and already have 40,000 miles in your account, you now have 50,000 toward elite status. This can push you into a higher tier if you are close to the threshold.

Alternatives if transferring is not worth it

If transfer fees are too high or the exchange rate is poor, consider booking directly with the miles you already have. Most airline programs have their own award charts and may offer better value on different routes. American Airlines, for example, might have a cheaper award price on a specific route than Alaska does.

Another option is to use your miles for a cash-and-points redemption with your current airline. This lets you pay a lower cash price and use fewer miles, which may be more efficient than transferring and paying fees. Check your current program's redemption options before you decide to transfer.

If you have a credit card that earns Alaska miles directly, you could earn enough miles through spending to book your award without transferring. Alaska Airlines credit cards earn 3 to 4 miles per dollar on most purchases, so a $500 purchase earns 1,500 to 2,000 miles — potentially enough to offset a transfer fee on a smaller award.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I transfer miles from multiple programs to Alaska Airlines in one booking?

No. You must have enough miles in your Alaska Airlines account to book the award outright. If you want to combine miles from different programs, you need to transfer them all to Alaska first, wait for them to post, then book. This takes at least 24 to 72 hours.

Do transferred miles earn elite status miles?

Yes. Transferred miles count toward elite status qualification in Alaska's Mileage Plan. They also count toward the annual elite bonus miles you receive once you reach a status tier.

What if I transfer miles and then the award price changes?

Alaska Airlines can change award prices at any time. If you transfer miles and then the flight you wanted costs more, you will need additional miles to book it. There is no refund or adjustment. This is why it is best to search award prices before you transfer.

Can I transfer Alaska miles to another airline?

Alaska Airlines does not allow outbound transfers of Mileage Plan miles to other programs. Once miles are in your Alaska account, they stay there. You can only use them for Alaska awards or partner airline awards booked through Alaska.

Are there any programs that transfer to Alaska without a fee?

Marriott Bonvoy and Chase Ultimate Rewards do not charge a direct transfer fee, but their exchange rates are fixed and typically less favorable than airline-to-airline transfers. You should compare the total miles you receive after conversion before deciding whether to transfer.