Alaska Airlines is tempting flyers to join a new, $5-per-month subscription service in exchange for free Wi-Fi once a month and early access to the airline's big sales.
Launched on Wednesday, the new program is called Alaska Access. While it costs $5 a month, there's a year-long commitment – you're in for $60 for a 12-month subscription.
From offering extra perks to “all-you-can-fly” passes, it's just the airline industry's latest foray into subscriptions in the name of getting their hooks in customers – and drumming up some additional revenue. Alaska itself already has another airfare subscription dubbed Flight Pass.
There are three main benefits of Alaska Access:
- A once-per-month voucher for free onboard Wi-Fi
- Early access to Alaska's biggest sales
- A personalized fare page
The benefits begin immediately after signing up starting first free Wi-Fi voucher. And that's arguably the biggest reason frequent Alaska flyers might consider paying up for this service.
Consider this: On most Alaska flights, onboard Wi-Fi typically costs. So long as you fly Alaska monthly, you're saving at least $3 a month from that perk alone. But those monthly Wi-Fi vouchers do not roll over: You have to use them each and every month or you'll lose them.
Early sale access could also be valuable for flyers paying up to join Alaska Access.
Alaska regularly offers special promos like 30% off select fares and the occasional buy-one, get-one fare sale. Alaska Access members will get push alerts the night before each sale is unveiled to the public, giving them a head start to book flights at sale prices before they get gobbled up by everyday travelers. You must be an Alaska Mileage Plan member to receive these push alerts on the airline's smartphone app.
Early sale access could be a boon for frequent flyers based in Seattle (SEA), San Francisco (SFO), San Diego (SAN), and other major Alaska airports where sale fares get gobbled up quickly by other frequent flyers. As for the final perk – a “personalized fare page” – there are few details on Alaska's site as to what it might entail.
Alaska is no stranger to subscription offerings, debuting its “Flight Pass” membership a few years ago. While Alaska Access focuses on perks, Flight Pass is a subscription starting at $49 a month, unlocking nearly free access to more than 100 flights with service to and from 13 California cities, Reno (RNO), Phoenix (PHX), and Las Vegas (LAS).
Flight Pass members just pay the taxes and fees on those flights, which range from $0.01 to $14.60. There are several different Flight Pass tiers at higher price points.
But no matter what, Alaska Access is a significantly cheaper membership that can get you decent perks. Alaska isn't the first to try out such an option.
Way back in 2019, Delta Air Lines launched Delta SkyMiles Select, a $59-a-year membership that came with perks like early boarding, a special bag tag, and eight free premium drink coupons a year. But the airline quickly sunset that program after the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Bottom Line
Alaska Access is a new $5-per-month subscription that gives members a free onboard Wi-Fi voucher every month and early access to the airline's flash sales through its mobile app.
While it's not the most rewarding membership the airline offers, Alaska Access might be a good choice for travelers who fly Alaska monthly.