Summary
- Alaska Access offers exclusive ticket discounts through the mobile app the night before sales are announced.
- Subscribers gain access to a personalized fare page displaying the lowest prices for cash flights or Mileage Plan redemptions.
- Immediate perk includes a single-use WiFi pass worth $8, catering to frequent in-flight WiFi internet users.
Oneworld Alliance carrier Alaska Airlines is launching a new subscription program offering frequent travelers the chance to access deals before the general public. The service is $5 monthly and includes a way for travelers to explore all the possible destinations with cash or miles from their home airport.
What does it include?
The headline benefit of the program is the opportunity to access exclusive savings on tickets. According to the airline, Alaska Access subscribers will be notified via the Alaska Airlines mobile app the night before a sale is announced. This allows them to book flights on the reduced fares and select seats before the general public.
Also unique to subscribers is a personalized fare page that offers a calendar view of the lowest fares that are tailored to each member. The page displays prices for both cash flights and Mileage Plan redemptions to Alaska Airlines’ destinations and over 500 global destinations through its partner network.
The most immediate perk that comes with the subscription is a voucher for Alaska’s inflight satellite WiFi. The promo code is a single-use pass that can only be used by the member and does not roll over to the following month. Alaska’s WiFi passes generally begin at $8, which could make the subscription worth it for travelers who frequently use in-flight WiFi. However, it can only be used on one leg of the journey, requiring passengers to pay for WiFi on the return flight unless it occurs the following month.
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A boost for frequent flyers
Alaska’s move to incorporate a paid program for frequent fliers is not without precedent. The carrier launched its Flight Pass program in 2022, which allows passengers to book flights at a fixed rate for a monthly fee. The program was the first of its kind in the US when it rolled out for flights across California and has since been expanded to include Phoenix (PHX), Salt Lake City (SLC), and Las Vegas (LAS).
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The latest subscription offer is the airline’s response to a “Continued shift in consumer demand for personalized and tailored experiences.” The timing for the program’s launch was also calculated to take advantage of increasing demand from passengers planning spring and summer trips with significantly more lead time. Shane Jones, Vice President of Business Development at Alaska Airlines, noted how the program is designed to cater to a range of travelers:
“We know time is valuable for our guests who are busy balancing a lot in their lives and we kept that in mind when we developed Alaska Access.
“Alaska Access is part of our commitment to make travel more affordable and convenient for everyone – whether planning for your dream vacation or returning home from college. Our new subscription service allows you to discover some of our best deals of the year right at your fingertips, in just minutes.”
The program requires a 12-month commitment, but subscriptions can be purchased as a gift for friends or family members. The airline confirmed today that it plans to add the ability to include minor children on individual accounts in the future, along with corporate accounts for group travel.
