Alaska Airlines Reveals New Winter Partnership

An Alaska Airlines 737 MAX 9. (Photo: AirlineGeeks | Katie Bailey)

[ Airlines ]August 4, 2023 6:00 am ET

By Zach Cooke

Alaska Airlines recently announced a partnership benefiting wintertime outdoor enthusiasts. The Seattle-based carrier has come together with Mountain Collective to offer a point incentive for customers and members of their elite program who purchase a season pass.

A season pass with Mountain Collective allows pass holders to ski and snowboard at 24 ski resorts across five continents for two days each with the option to purchase additional days. Alaska Mileage Plan members will receive 5,000 bonus miles and an additional third day at one of the resorts. According to a press release produced by the Oneworld alliance carrier, elite members will earn an additional 5,000 points on top of the 5,000 initial points.

Alaska’s Vice President of Loyalty, Brett Catlin, believes the partnership will immensely benefit the carrier’s consumer base stating “So many of our Mileage Plan members are avid skiers and snowboarders. Our new partnership with The Mountain Collective is an excellent way to experience amazing resorts this winter and save money.”

The carrier currently flies to seven of the 24 resorts that are a part of the Mountain Collective. Additional resorts across the globe can be accessed by flying Alaska’s Oneworld partners such as JAL to Japan’s Niseko United or Qantas to Australia’s Mt. Buller.

Additional Perks

In addition to the new partnership with Mountain Collective, the Seattle-based carrier also partners with eight ski resorts at destinations it serves. This partnership allows passengers to ski or snowboard for free on the day of their arrival, departure or other day, depending on the resort, when they produce their boarding pass and ID at the resort ticket office. Offering a free day of skiing or riding provides significant savings for those who are traveling for that purpose.

Alaska currently charges for baggage, including snow sports equipment. However, the airline does not charge an oversized bag fee for the checked gear. Southwest Airlines, on the other hand, allows winter sports equipment to be checked for free following its bags fly-free policy. However, as of the time of writing, Southwest does not have a partnership with Mountain Collective or specific mountains for free skiing on the day of arrival.

The Seattle-based carrier also hinted at additional perks throughout the season at different resorts stating in the press release,“Stay tuned for on-mountain events planned throughout ski season exclusively for Mileage Plan members.” Flying to destinations across the Western United States and Canada boasting some of the best terrain and conditions around, Alaska Airlines is taking the opportunity to give customers more to enjoy while skiing and riding this winter.

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Zach Cooke

Zach’s love for aviation began when he was in elementary school with a flight sim and model planes. This passion for being in the air only intensified throughout high school when he earned his Private Pilot Certificate. He then attended Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, earning his certificates and ratings to later flight instruct and share his passion for aviation with others. He now resides in the North East living out his dream as an airline pilot.

Author

Zach Cooke

Zach’s love for aviation began when he was in elementary school with a flight sim and model planes. This passion for being in the air only intensified throughout high school when he earned his Private Pilot Certificate. He then attended Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, earning his certificates and ratings to later flight instruct and share his passion for aviation with others. He now resides in the North East living out his dream as an airline pilot.

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