Recent content by Alexis

Saver is basically their budget fare. I booked it once for a quick San Diego trip, and the main difference was boarding last and having fewer seat choices. You still get a carry-on, which surprised me, but it’s more restrictive overall compared to their regular economy.

MVP status lasts through the end of the following year after you earn it. I earned mine in the fall once, and it carried me all the way through the next December. It’s nice because even if you hit it late, you still get a full extra year of perks.

Not full meals, but they do give free snacks and drinks. I’ve only had “real food” when buying something on a longer flight like Hawaii. So yeah — snacks are free, meals aren’t.

Yep, they give free snacks on most flights. It’s usually something simple like Biscoff cookies or crackers. I always pack something extra, but the free snack is a nice touch, especially on the longer routes.

Same deal — a mix of Boeing 737 aircraft for the main routes and Embraer jets for the shorter ones. The 737s feel familiar because most of their fleet is the same layout. I’ve never had a weird or uncomfortable aircraft with them — pretty standard across the board.

Mostly Boeing 737s. Every Alaska flight I’ve taken — from short West Coast hops to Hawaii — has been on a 737. For regional routes, they use smaller Embraer jets. Those are actually pretty comfortable for short flights.

Mostly nearby countries like Mexico, Canada, and Costa Rica. I flew to Costa Rica through Seattle once, and the trip was smoother than I expected. They don’t do long-haul routes like Europe or Asia — their international footprint is more regional.

They fly to tons of U.S. cities, especially along the West Coast. I’ve used them for Seattle, San Diego, Denver, and even Anchorage. Their network spreads across the country, but the strongest routes are definitely out of Seattle, Portland, and California hubs.

Alaska miles don’t technically expire as long as your account stays active. I logged in after almost two years without flying them, and my miles were still sitting there. A tiny bit of activity — like earning miles from a hotel stay — is enough to keep everything alive.

Their sales pop up pretty randomly, but I usually see the good ones around late summer or holiday weekends. I snagged a cheap Seattle flight during a random Tuesday sale once, so timing can be hit-or-miss. If you watch their email alerts, you’ll catch most of them — they tend to drop...

Alaska flies to a handful of Mexico vacation spots. I’ve personally used them for Cabo and Puerto Vallarta, and both trips were super straightforward with West Coast connections. They also fly to places like Mazatlán and Loreto depending on the season, so you get a few solid beach options.

They fly all across the U.S., plus popular vacation spots in Hawaii, Mexico, and Central America. I’ve personally used them for Seattle, Anchorage, and Cabo trips. Their strongest routes are definitely on the West Coast, but they’re expanding little by little.

Mostly nearby international spots like Mexico, Canada, and Costa Rica. I’ve flown their Mexico routes a couple of times, and those are usually the easiest connections. You won’t find Europe or Asia routes — it’s more regional international rather than long-haul.

Pretty wide U.S. network, especially if you’re starting from Seattle, Portland, or California. I’ve taken them to places like Denver and San Diego, and the nonstop options were nice. They also cover Mexico, Canada, and a bit of Central America, mostly through West Coast connections.

They fly all over the West Coast and up to Alaska, plus some solid routes to Hawaii and Mexico. My first Alaska Airlines flight was actually a simple Seattle run, and it made me stick with them. Nothing super long-haul, but plenty of practical routes for U.S. travelers.