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7 innovative ways to use your gazillion Alaska Airlines miles

May 12, 2021 by Matthew

This Pinterest pin shows a view from an Alaska Airlines aircraft looking out toward the engine hanging on the wing.  In the background are beautiful Cascade Mountains in Oregon.

The pandemic has been pretty good to mileage balances with airline plans, especially if you use a loyalty credit card and have still been spending money on Amazon during the pandemic. While it might still be too soon to cash in six figures of points — and many exotic locations are still not available — there are several ways to whet your travel appetite and gently dip your toes in the water of airline travel without leaving the Pacific time zone. As this article is published, I’m on a jaunt from Seattle to Central Oregon, (the Redmond/Bend area) and was delighted to spend only 5k miles each way (of course, based on availability with advanced purchase). It got me thinking that quick trips could be a fantastic way to explore the Pacific Northwest while things slowly open up.

Matthew Kessi deplanes from his Alaska Airlines flight after using frequent flyer miles to fly to Redmond/Bend Airport for a  quick getaway.  He's wearing a face mask and carrying a backpack.

My 25-year airline career trained me to be flexible with travel plans, as well as the openness to use plane travel in ways that welcomed short and sweet trips. Weekends in Japan or day-trips to the East Coast were not unheard of — when I was in my 20’s — and so it’s entirely possible to make a day-trip to an interesting place in the Pacific Northwest and still sleep in your bed the same night. Of course, it’s possible (and a little more relaxing) to take refuge in quaint local lodging for a night as well, but this list is designed to inspire the spontaneous exploration, aided by flying, to open the soul.

Alaska Airlines has offers many ways to use miles to travel on quick day-trips on aircraft like this Embraer E-175, operated by Horizon Air.

Alaska Airlines is a household name in the Pacific Northwest, because they fly to more places from hubs in both Seattle and Portland. Delta Air Lines also serves most of these cities from Seattle, but they operate less flights, making a day-trip a little less viable. Should you decide to overnight in any of these inspiring destinations your “blue and green bucks” can also be used to pay for hotels. Although it’s possible to book rental cars via the Alaska Airlines website, they still do not offer the option to pay for the car with miles — however, deals exist to get a car starting at around $35/day. 

  • Don’t have an Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan?  Information here.
  • Don’t have enough miles to use? There are also great deals between these cities, subject of course to all the fine print. My friend Dave joined me for this current trip to Redmond/Bend (RDM) with a $63/each-way fare.
  • Commitment issues? Alaska Airlines offers flexible options to redeposit or rebook with your miles.
  • Live in Portland (PDX) or somewhere else on the West Coast? The information below provides tips on Alaska Airlines nonstop service from other cities. Schedules might be better suited for an overnight trip and the mileage requirements might be higher.

Let’s get to it! Ways to use your Alaska Airlines Miles

Here are seven ideas, all starting at 5k miles each way per person, (Sitka is the exception — 7.5K), to get the creative travel juices flowing. As the pandemic world is still unpredictable, Alaska does a lot to make the experience safe and the options below all allow for socially distanced experiences — exploring the great outdoors. The flight times listed are meant to be general guidelines based on Summer travel schedules available on the Alaska Airlines website at the time of this writing (May, 2021).

Redmond/Bend (RDM)

The Painted Hills in Oregon are a great way to use Alaska Airlines Miles to fly away for a quick day trip.  This photo shows the beautiful layered effects of millions of years of geology in Central Oregon, including striking bands of yellow, red and black under a blue sky.
Sample departing flight times8:55AM – 10:03AM
Day-trip activity Painted Hills (90 minutes from the airport)
Sample returning flight times7:15PM – 8:29PM
Alaska Airlines Miles for round-trip10K
Fly nonstop from these cities tooLAX, PDX, SAN, SFO

Central Oregon is an outdoor playground, teeming with things to do no matter the season. A great way to explore something very unique is to make the easy day-trip to the Painted Hills, which are about 90 minutes due East of the Redmond Airport. If you’d like to see more photos of the colorful rolling hills, check out my Painted Hills Photo Gallery, and for all the details about how to make this day-trip read, Everything you need to explore the Painted Hills.

By the way, if you have a bit more time, the entire driving loop of all three Units of the John Day Fossil Beds makes for a scenic geological experience. Check out my article, John Day Fossil Beds — the best 3-day itinerary, for all the helpful details, including an interactive map and downloadable checklists.

Medford/Ashland (MFR)

This photo depicts the rich blue water of Crater Lake in Oregon.  There is an island in the middle of the lake with a forest of green fir trees while the rocky ridge of the imploded volcano rises up to frame in this shot.
Photo used with permission by Canva.
Sample departing flight times9:15AM – 10:40AM
Day-trip activity Crater Lake (2HRS from the airport)
Sample returning flight times6:20PM – 7:46PM – or- 8:30PM – 9:55pm
Alaska Airlines Miles for round-trip10K – 25K
Fly nonstop from these cities tooLAX, PDX

Iconic Crater Lake is Oregon’s only National Park and makes for a great day-trip from the Medford area. Witness the deep blue water surrounded by a ridge that once was part of giant Mount Mazama, a caldera that collapsed 7,000 years ago, leaving a pristine lake. Besides the National Park, Ashland provides world-class theatre options and the rushing waters of the Rogue River great rafting adventures.

Eugene (EUG)

The Dunes in Oregon are impressive with mounds of sands rising over and over along the ocean.  Here, several small pine trees work their way into growth in the sand, amongst beach grasses that all flow together under the blue sky.
Photo used with permission by Canva.
Sample departing flight times8:45AM – 9:55AM
Day-trip activity Oregon Dunes (90 minutes from the airport)
Sample returning flight times5:35PM – 6:47PM -or- 7:20PM – 8:30PM
Alaska Airlines Miles for round-trip10K – 25K
Fly nonstop from these cities tooLAX

The Oregon Coast is statuesque in the sweeping sandy beaches framed in by rock stacks famous for adding interesting features to the coastline, like Haystack Rock in Cannon Beach. A very unique aspect of this stunning coastline is only 90 minutes from Eugene Airport — the Oregon Dunes. Rent an off-road vehicle or just jump off the massive flows of sand that seem to stretch for miles. Florence, Oregon is a nearby town with services, before heading back inland to “Track Town USA.”

Spokane (GEG)

Lake Coeur d'Alene is beautiful at sunset and this shot shows the viewpoint from atop a forested mountain with the lake below winding around more distant forests.
Photo used with permission by Canva.
Sample departing flight timesAlmost hourly flights (~45 minute flight)
Day-trip activity Lake Coeur d’Alene (An hour from the airport)
Sample returning flight timesAlmost hourly flights (~45 minute flight)
Alaska Airlines Miles for round-trip10K – 25K
Fly nonstop from these cities tooBOI, LAX, PDX, SAN, SFO, SJC

Spokane, Washington is the hub of the “inland empire” as some call it, and has enough interesting features in the downtown area for a day-trip. However, take the extra hour drive out to beautiful Lake Coeur d’Alene for lunch and a hike or paddle around the lake. There are so many flight options to cater to any length of trip. Then hop back on a flight home over the scenic Cascade Mountains.

Reno/Lake Tahoe (RNO)

Photo of two kayakers paddling in a yellow kayak around Lake Tahoe.  The water is very clear and reveals large rounded boulders under the flowing water.  The other side of the lake is faintly visible under the blue sky.
Photo used with permission by Canva.
Sample departing flight times8:00AM – 10:00AM
Day-trip activity Lake Tahoe (About an hour from the airport)
Sample returning flight times6:10PM – 7:55PM
Alaska Airlines Miles for round-trip10K – 25K
Fly nonstop from these cities tooLAX, PDX

Reno is known for gambling, and that certainly is abundantly clear upon arrival at the airport. This area also is smack dab in the middle of abundant natural beauty, including the placid Lake Tahoe. Only an hour away, the lake provides Winter activities from skiing to snowmobiles and a Summer playground with hiking and water activities. Either way, take a junket to the high Sierra Nevadas for the day.

Walla Walla, Washington (ALW)

A ripe bunch of grapes clings to a vine amongst some fading summer leaves getting ready to turn colors for the fall.
Sample departing flight times11:30AM – 12:34PM
Day-trip activity Wine touring and tasting
Sample returning flight times5:20PM – 6:23PM
Alaska Airlines Miles for round-trip10K – 25K

The flight schedules are a little less regular in and out of this tiny airport, situated amongst rolling waves of grapevines and wheat fields.  However, a day-trip is possible and an overnight even more delightful in this area that boasts 120 wineries and 2,800 acres of grapes.  Wander around the tasting rooms downtown, only a cab ride away from the airport, or contact Imbibe Wine Tours for great guided options from an experienced crew of wine enthusiasts.  

Sitka, Alaska (SIT)

A bright red buoy rocks back and forth with four sealions lazily laying on the red metal surface.  They are near a shipping channel in Sitka, Alaska and the sea beyond them is peaceful.
Sample departing flight times11:25AM – 12:50PM (an hour time difference)
Day-trip activity Whale watching and marine animal boating excursion
Sample returning flight times7:06PM – 11:40PM (quick connection in Juneau)
Alaska Airlines Miles for round-trip15K – 25K

Sitka, Alaska makes for a wonderful weekend trip but at around 2 hours each way can also be a day-trip. The lowest mileage rate is 7.5k each way, and it might involve more hunting and pecking in the Summer season, but still a great deal. I write about three days in Sika, Alaska in another article that provides all the details for things to do. Note that travel to/from the State of Alaska has specific covid-19 testing requirements — so be sure to check this information before travel.

While I worked for Alaska Airlines for 25 years and remain a loyal customer, I do not receive any compensation for promoting their products.  This article represents my personal experiences, aviation knowledge, and opinions.  Happy travels!

This Pinterest Pin shows an empty seat with burgundy leather covering next to an open window with a mountain right outside the Horizon Air Q400, which is flying over Mt. Hood.

Filed Under: Airline Geek, Central Oregon, Day Trip, Destinations, Getting around, Oregon, Pacific Northwest, Planes, Trains & Automobiles, Seattle, Southern Oregon, Travel Ideas, Washington State, Willamette Valley Tagged With: Alaska Airlines, Crater Lake Oregon, Frequent Flier Miles, Lake Tahoe, Oregon Dunes, Painted Hills Oregon, Sitka Alaska, Walla Walla

I hope you’re enjoying Kessi World

Hi, I’m Matthew Kessi. Travel with me around the Pacific Northwest to inspire love and respect for nature and foster meaningful connections. My lifetime traveling the planet — over 60 countries — gives me a global awareness that offers a fresh look at Oregon and Washington.

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I would like to acknowledge that much of my inspiration comes from living on the traditional land of the first people of Seattle, the Duwamish People past and present and honor with gratitude the land itself and the Duwamish Tribe.

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