Alaska Airlines to End Partnership with Emirates
Alaska Airlines and Emirates will end their partnership at the end of July. The two airlines first teamed up about nine years ago. But, Alaska recently joined oneworld alliance, so this move makes sense. Emirates is not part of an alliance, and is in direct competition with oneworld member, Qatar Airways.
“Our partnership with Emirates will end on July 31, 2021,” Alaska Airlines said. The carrier is now favoring Qatar Airways as its Middle Eastern partner. “For travel to India, the Middle East or Africa, guests can fly Qatar Airways in unparalleled comfort with their revolutionary Qsuite, the most private Business Class in the sky,” the announcement says. Qatar Airways recently launched flights out of Seattle, which is Alaska’s largest hub. In Seattle, passengers can connect to popular destinations such as Hawaii, California, Oregon, Nevada, Idaho, Montana, and more.
As the partnership winds down, there are some thing you need to know if you book flight, or already have travel planned. If you book an Emirates flight starting today, you will not earn Alaska Airlines miles for flights on August 1st or beyond. Passengers will continue to earn miles on flights booked for travel through July 31st. Passengers who have booked Emirates itineraries before June 2nd for travel after August 1st will continue to earn miles. However, you’ll need to submit a Mileage Credit request to show tickets were booked prior to June 2, 2021 to receive the miles for your trip.
Award redemptions on Emirates are available through July 31, 2021. For future travel, changes made to a booked award on Emirates on or after August 1, 2021, will require cancellation of the award and re-booking on a different Alaska Airlines partner. Through July 31, 2021, MVP Gold and MVP Gold 75K members flying on Emirates on a paid ticket, no matter the class, will receive lounge access at the Emirates Business Class flagship lounge in Dubai International Airport (DXB).
Guru’s Wrap-up
Alaska Airlines and Emirates are ending their partnership on July 31, 2021. This partnership provided great value at first, but it has been less useful in recent years. Alaska Airlines will will now turn to Qatar Airways for connections around the world.
