If you haven't signed up for Alaska Airlines MileagePlan loyalty program, what are you waiting for? It's one of the best airline mileage programs on the planet … plus, now’s the perfect time to change that and save a little money on your next flight, too.

Frequent Miler recently flagged an exciting offer from Alaska Airlines: New MileagePlan members can get a $25 or $50 discount on their next Alaska flight after signing up, depending on where they live. It's a rare, easy way to save on your future travels – and a nice little perk just for registering.

Here’s how it works:

  • New members who sign up for the Alaska Airlines MileagePlan program for the first time by Dec. 31 will get a discount code sent to their account.
    • Sorry, longtime Alaska Mileage Plan members – you're not eligible
  • Live in California or Hawaii? You’ll get $50 off your next Alaska flight.
  • Almost everyone else will get $25 off their next flight – only Alaska residents are left out of this promo entirely.
  • The discount code will land in your Mileage Plan account within 72 hours of signing up.
  • You’ll have 28 days to use it to book a flight, and your travel must be completed within 90 days of signing up.

Just be sure to sign up through those specific Alaska Airlines pages (linked above) and you should be all set. 

After registering, the window to use this discount code is quite small, but there aren't many “gotchas” outside of that. You'll need to actually fly on Alaska Airlines (or one of their subsidiaries) for the discount to qualify. Booking a partner like American Airlines won't cut it … but that's not asking too much.  

The only other (very minor) term worth highlighting is that this discount is not valid on flights to or from the tiny town of Prudhoe Bay (SCC) on Alaska's northern coast. I can't imagine that will be a deal breaker for many.

 

Why This is Worth It

Signing up for a MileagePlan account so you can start earning ultra-valuable Alaska miles on each an every flight was already a wise move. Adding in this $25 or $50 discount makes it an absolute no brainer.

Alaska Airlines has generated a cult-like following among frequent travelers – not just for affordable flights and good service, but for its generous, distance-based MileagePlan loyalty program. Unlike other major U.S. airlines that award miles based on how much you spend, Alaska still rewards travelers based on how far you fly – which can make earning miles far easier, especially on longer routes.

Plus, Alaska’s membership in the Oneworld alliance means you can earn and redeem Mileage Plan miles on dozens of partner airlines, including American Airlines, Japan Airlines, Qatar Airways, and more. Best of all, Alaska’s award chart offers some real sweet spots, including short-haul domestic redemptions but especially for long-haul international travel in business or first class.

But even if you’re not overly concerned with earning Alaska miles, this promo is worth taking advantage of for the discount alone. So long as you meet the promotional terms, saving $25 to $50 on your next flight is well worth the (minimal) effort it takes to register. 

 

A Few Ideas to Maximize the Discount

You can use this discount on any Alaska-operated flight, as long as you book it within 28 days of signing up and fly within 90 days. This promotion will undoubtedly be most valuable for travelers on the West Coast with more robust Alaska Airlines service – especially Californians with the bigger $50 discount. 

Even if you don't have immediate travel plans, the promotion could make a weekend getaway this fall more affordable. Take this flight from San Francisco (SFO) to Seattle (SEA) for example. With a $50 discount, this roundtrip fare would cost you just $75 for a weekend in the Emerald City. 

Alaska Airlines booking from SFO-SEA for $125

 

Or if you live in Southern California, you could head to Sin City for even less. This roundtrip from San Diego (SAN) to Las Vegas (LAS) costs just $72. 

 

Alaska Airlines booking from SAN-LAS.

 

After applying your $50 discount, you'd be out of pocket just $22 for the flights. With tourism in Vegas down, you might even be able to score a good deal on a hotel room and make the weekend quite affordable.

And remember: You’ll also be earning Mileage Plan miles on these flight – and those can add up fast.

 

Bottom Line

Whether you’re a seasoned traveler or just getting started, this is an easy win. Join Alaska’s MileagePlan loyalty program and get $25 or $50 off your next flight – no strings attached.

Sign up today to save on your next trip and start earning miles with one of the best airline loyalty programs out there.

 

California and Hawaii residents: Register here

All other states (excluding Alaska): Register here