For a frequent flyer program that’s so popular with miles junkies, Alaska Mileage Plan sure has some awfully customer-unfriendly policies. The main one I’m thinking of is their unwillingness to suspend the expiration of miles, even during COVID-19.ย ย
Alaska Mileage Plan miles, as you know, expire after 24 months of inactivity. While it’s fairly easy for people in the USA to accrue a few miles here and there to keep their account active, it’s somewhat harder for us in Singapore. You either credit a partner flight to your account (but who’s flying now?) or buy some miles during a Mileage Plan sale (expensive to purchase in small quantities).ย
But not all is lost.ย What if I told you there’s a way to pick up some Mileage Plan miles at a fraction of their price, extend your whole balance,ย and take in the sights and sounds of Singapore’s most beloved neighbourhood (well, after Yishun) in the process?
Here’s what you need to do.ย
Earn 5,000 bonus miles with first Rocketmiles booking
Rocketmiles is currently offering new customers a flat bonus of 5,000 miles on their very first booking made through this linkย by 1 April 2021 2 p.m SGT (the stay date can be after this).
Alaska Mileage Plan is one of its transfer partners, so you should see where I’m going with this. Find the cheapest possible hotel, book a single night, and take home 5,000 bonus miles plus whatever base miles Rocketmiles normally awards.ย
As luck would have it, you have not one but two awesome hotels to choose from: the K Hotel and the K Hotel 14. Both are going for S$53 nett per night, and will earn you 5,500 Mileage Plan miles per stay. This works out to a cost of just 0.96 cents per mile, well below the price you’d pay to buy the same number of miles from Alaska during its current sale (2.85 cents per mile).ย
Both the K Hotel and K Hotel 14 are STB-approved for staycations, and reside in the up-and-coming (tee hee) neighbourhoods of Geylang Lorong 8 and 10 respectively. The locals here are renowned for their hospitality, and it’s not uncommon to see complete strangers welcomed into homes with open arms (among other things).ย
As for the hotel itself, guests can look forward to the following:
| “Designed for both business and leisure travel, K Hotel is ideally situated in Geylang, one of the city’s most popular locales. From here, guests can make the most of all that the lively city has to offer. With its convenient location, the property offers easy access to the city’s must-see destinations. Offering guests superior services and a broad range of amenities, K Hotel is committed to ensuring that your stay is as comfortable as possible. To name a few of the property’s facilities, there are free Wi-Fi in all rooms, 24-hour security, 24-hour front desk, luggage storage, Wi-Fi in public areas. The ambiance of K Hotel is reflected in every guestroom. towels, mirror, linens, smoke detector, internet access โ wireless are just some of the facilities that can be found throughout the property. The property’s host of recreational offerings ensures you have plenty to do during your stay. Whatever your reason for visiting Singapore, K Hotel is the perfect venue for an exhilarating and exciting break away.” |
I don’t know about you, but I’m looking forward to enjoying the smoke detectors and mirrors in every room, plus a host of recreational offerings.ย Both hotels may be sporting 5/10 scores on Booking.com, but as I told my Chinese teacher, a pass is a pass.
Besides, for those of you skirting the friendzone, this is a super bro hotel which wants to be your wingman.
The hotel’s TV may not support streaming from your mobile device, but who needs that when your neighbours provide the entertainment?ย
Orwell fans can request to stay in the hotel’s themed suite, Room 101. Did someone say Ministry of Love? ๐
I mean there was this one naysayer, but the overall reviews are good enough we can ignore the noise around the edges.ย
Do I actually need to stay?
Well, probably. You might get lucky like Mohamed, who was charged even though he didn’t show up, but if you want to guarantee the miles show up in your account, it’s best that you at least check-in.ย
Unfortunately, since Rocketmiles counts as a third party OTA, you will not be able to enjoy any of the elite benefits or perks offered by K Hotel’s loyalty program.ย
They have a loyalty program, right?
Conclusion
For the princely sum of S$53, you’ll earn 5,500 Alaska Mileage Plan miles, extend the life of your entire balance by a further 24 months, and enjoy a staycation at a certified SG Clean Hotel (all roaches take regular baths).ย
It’s impossible to lose here.ย
(Cover Photo: Bjรธrn Christian Tรธrrissen | HT: The aptly-named “FK” via Telegram)
Can also do Alaska Mileage Shopping Plan – shop through their site and get miles credited to account. Altho more expensive, no need to spray anything. ๐
but what’s the fun in that…
Haha, yeah, who wanna give up the chance of hanging out with Siu Keung and his gang? This is the boring, yawn version and a punishment for not heeding your advice on not blindly buying miles. Now I just have to do what I can to keep it alive……………………………….*sobs.
YMMV, but people on telegram reporting that by asking nicely via online chat, CSOs have credited 1 mile to their account to renew their balance for another 24 months.
Try the subscription route. Only costs 200 miles and (almost) zero effort without the hassle of contacting CSO. You just need a US address, which I think any freight forwarder one should be fine haha
Many merchants donโt seem to ship to sg.
Which are the cheapest merchants that ship to sg?
Try the WSJ subscription for US$12. It earns you 350 miles but read and understand the cancellation policy and procedure.
Thanks!
I started a chat with their customer service and they credited 1 mile to reinstate my dormant account as one-off service.
Your miles already expired?
Hi, if I want to just buy miles from Alaska directly at about US$30 for minimum of 1000 miles, that will also extend my expiry by 24 months correct? I don’t wish to go through the hassle of booking the hotel haha!
Well sure, but you’re paying 40 sgd for 1k miles when you could get 5.5k for 53 sgd…
Change the number of adults to 1 and you can find cheaper and better rated accommodations (pods) without the snickering and innuendo above.
i extended my miles by donating 1000 miles btw
Thanks for the tip – this appears to make more sense compared to accumulating more MP miles given the uncertain travel climate. Can always top up later when air travel resumes.
Lol I made a random AS flight booking then cancelled it. Free cancellation for now, just need to go through hassle to call.
N then your miles got extended?
As long as there’s mileage activity, it’s fine. Alaska miles do not have expiry date per se. Just need to ensure there’s some form of mileage activity. Personally i picked Subscription and just sent to my relatives address. Only costs 200 miles.
Had a CX F booking to the US that was cancelled and redeposited in 2020 because of COVID. What’s annoying is that the Activity Date was backdated to Jun 2019 – the date of the original booking. All my phone interactions with their CSOs have been great but their hardcoded loyalty programming appears to be nickel-and-diming passengers.
$53/5500 = 0.96c per mile, not 1.06c?
correct you are! fixed.
Mohamed got lucky and doesn’t even appreciate it ๐
Is anyone (other than Aaron) seriously considering doing this? Lol…
will i still get the miles if only book the hotel but not staying?
think you need to do check in and then check out the room later. if not, it will be “no show”.
This is a comedic piece, right? ๐
I like your sense of humor
Me too, love it. ๐
Everyone at Starbucks just looked at me when I burst into laughter at the part “Iโm looking forward to enjoying the smoke detectors and mirrors in every room“.