Reservations are now available on the Alaska website. I had hoped for some relief from BA's high fees associated with points redemptions but it appears I had hopes in vain. Perhaps they are just testing the waters to see demand, but the introductory prices are not attractive.
Posted by
Virginia, USA
6393 posts
If you check one-way flights from SEA to LHR using points, you will see the taxes and fees are significantly less on Alaska (only $6 for economy). The fees for flying out of LHR are high due to UK departure taxes.
Posted by
OP
Lynnwood, Washington
9898 posts
Great observation, Laura. Thanks for pointing this out.
Posted by
Lake District, England
10994 posts
As cash fares, the Alaska flights also seem pretty uncompetitive.
Especially interesting is that if you book BA from SEA on 21 May, back on 28 May Alaska are charging $1,648 return, BA are charging $1,218 for the exact same flights.
Posted by
Bend, OR
1785 posts
When I go into their site, I’m still seeing “pending government approval”. And 70,000 miles round trip for economy…Whoa!
Posted by
Virginia, USA
6393 posts
Especially interesting is that if you book BA from SEA on 21 May, back on 28 May Alaska are charging $1,648 return, BA are charging $1,218 for the exact same flights.
Yes, but for some other dates, Alaska is a lot less. For example RT departing on June 9 for two weeks shows $1019 for Alaska and $2198 for BA.
Posted by
Bend, OR
1785 posts
Using those dates 5/21-5/28 on google flights Seattle to Heathrow, RT, nonstop, I’m finding Alaska as one of the higher priced airlines, more than Iceland, BA, Virgin and even Delta. Having points with Alaska because we use them a lot domestically, I too, was hoping for more competitive pricing….oh well…
And using June 9-23, nonstop, Virgin, Delta and Alaska are within $50 of each other around $1060. BA is expensive at $1350