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.
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 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)
| Sample departing flight times | 8:55AM – 10:03AM |
| Day-trip activity | Painted Hills (90 minutes from the airport) |
| Sample returning flight times | 7:15PM – 8:29PM |
| Alaska Airlines Miles for round-trip | 10K |
| Fly nonstop from these cities too | LAX, 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)
| Sample departing flight times | 9:15AM – 10:40AM |
| Day-trip activity | Crater Lake (2HRS from the airport) |
| Sample returning flight times | 6:20PM – 7:46PM – or- 8:30PM – 9:55pm |
| Alaska Airlines Miles for round-trip | 10K – 25K |
| Fly nonstop from these cities too | LAX, 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)
| Sample departing flight times | 8:45AM – 9:55AM |
| Day-trip activity | Oregon Dunes (90 minutes from the airport) |
| Sample returning flight times | 5:35PM – 6:47PM -or- 7:20PM – 8:30PM |
| Alaska Airlines Miles for round-trip | 10K – 25K |
| Fly nonstop from these cities too | LAX |
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)
| Sample departing flight times | Almost hourly flights (~45 minute flight) |
| Day-trip activity | Lake Coeur d’Alene (An hour from the airport) |
| Sample returning flight times | Almost hourly flights (~45 minute flight) |
| Alaska Airlines Miles for round-trip | 10K – 25K |
| Fly nonstop from these cities too | BOI, 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)
| Sample departing flight times | 8:00AM – 10:00AM |
| Day-trip activity | Lake Tahoe (About an hour from the airport) |
| Sample returning flight times | 6:10PM – 7:55PM |
| Alaska Airlines Miles for round-trip | 10K – 25K |
| Fly nonstop from these cities too | LAX, 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)
| Sample departing flight times | 11:30AM – 12:34PM |
| Day-trip activity | Wine touring and tasting |
| Sample returning flight times | 5:20PM – 6:23PM |
| Alaska Airlines Miles for round-trip | 10K – 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)
| Sample departing flight times | 11:25AM – 12:50PM (an hour time difference) |
| Day-trip activity | Whale watching and marine animal boating excursion |
| Sample returning flight times | 7:06PM – 11:40PM (quick connection in Juneau) |
| Alaska Airlines Miles for round-trip | 15K – 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!
