Alaska Airlines Lightens the Load for Mileage Plan Members

Carrier offers frequent fliers one free checked bag throughout January*

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Dec 29, 2014, 08:00 ET

SEATTLE, Dec. 29, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Throughout the month of January Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan members can check one bag free.* The airline is waiving its standard $25 bag fee to encourage new and existing members to experience the benefits of Alaska's award-winning frequent flier program.

"We are excited to offer all Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan members a great perk when they fly with us during January – one free checked bag," said Caroline Boren, Alaska Airlines' managing director of loyalty marketing and customer care. "Starting the year by sampling Alaska's award-winning loyalty program and beginning to earn miles toward a weekend getaway or the vacation of a lifetime is a great way to kick off 2015."

Customers traveling next month who are not Mileage Plan members can sign up for free online prior to their trip or at the airport before they check their bags. Sign up for Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan in about one minute online at www.alaskaair.com/mileageplan.

All checked bags come with Alaska's baggage service guarantee. If a customer's checked bag does not reach baggage claim within 20 minutes of the plane's arrival at the gate, the customer is entitled to a $25 discount for use on a future Alaska Airlines flight or 2,500 Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan miles.

Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan, which ranked highest in J.D. Power's 2014 Airline Loyalty/Rewards Program Satisfaction Report, stands apart from other airline frequent flier programs.

Members of Alaska Airlines' Mileage Plan can:

earn miles based on distance flown, regardless of fare paid;
earn up to 75 percent bonus miles starting Jan. 1 when they purchase first class, refundable coach and business fares;
earn elite-qualifying miles on Alaska and 12 international airline partners;
use their miles for one-way award travel on most airline partners to more than 700 destinations worldwide; and
earn elite status for as little as 20,000 miles a year, with no minimum spend requirement.

Alaska Airlines MVP, MVP Gold and Gold 75K elite-level members enjoy priority boarding, two free checked bags, complimentary upgrades on Alaska, as well as bonus miles on every flight with Alaska and other elite-qualifying partner airlines, among other benefits. Ticket change fees are also waived for MVP Gold- and Gold 75K-level members.

Alaska Airlines, a subsidiary of Alaska Air Group (NYSE: ALK), together with its partner regional airlines, serves more than 100 cities through an expansive network in Alaska, the Lower 48, Hawaii, Canada and Mexico. Alaska Airlines ranked "Highest in Customer Satisfaction Among Traditional Carriers" in the J.D. Power North American Airline Satisfaction Study for seven consecutive years from 2008 to 2014. Alaska Airlines' Mileage Plan also ranked highest in the J.D. Power 2014 Airline Loyalty/Rewards Program Satisfaction Report. For reservations, visit www.alaskaair.com . For more news and information, visit the Alaska Airlines/Horizon Air Newsroom at www.alaskaair.com/newsroom.

*Terms and conditions for the free checked bag: Mileage Plan members and companions traveling on the same reservation will receive their first checked bag free on qualifying reservations when they check-in for their flight or at the airport. The promotion is valid for flights flown between 12:01 a.m., Jan. 1 through 11:59 p.m., Jan. 31. At least one valid and active Mileage Plan number must be in the reservation at the time of check-in, and flight miles must be credited to Mileage Plan to qualify. Offer may not be applied retroactively, and no refunds will be issued. Not applicable for travelers who already receive one or more free checked bags. Travel is valid on flights marketed by Alaska Airlines and operated by Alaska Airlines, Horizon Air, SkyWest or PenAir between January 1, 2015, and January 31, 2015. Free first checked bag must weigh 50 pounds or less and have a maximum dimension of 62 linear inches (length + height + width) to avoid additional charges. See alaskaair.com/bagrules for complete baggage rules. All terms and conditions of the Mileage Plan program apply. Offer subject to change without notice.

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SOURCE Alaska Airlines