I’ve been on a yoga kick. I’m participating in a “20 in 30” hot yoga challenge at my local Powerflow Yoga studio this month. Not only does hot yoga make me feel great from the inside and out, committing to a challenge is helping me create discipline in other areas of my life.
On another note, this weekend is my birthday weekend, so I’ve decided to go on a yoga/wellness trip to Villa del Palmar at The Islands of Loreto, a luxury destination resort on the Sea of Cortez. I’ve never been down to Baja Mexico, so I am especially excited for this trip.
Just a short 2-hour flight from LAX, Loreto is Mexico’s hidden gem, and feels worlds away, with gorgeous views of the majestic Sierra de la Giganta mountain range surrounded by indigo waters.
Alaska Airlines flies nonstop from LAX to LTO, and while it is a short flight, it can be expensive at times, especially at peak times, last-minute, or during holidays.
For instance, a flight this weekend is pricing out at $666!
British Airways is a member of the oneworld alliance, but they do have a partnership with Alaska Airlines. Since BA uses a distance-based award chart with no close-in fees, there are some amazing redemption opportunities.
In the past, I have successfully used 4,500 Avios for a rather pricey flight between Vancouver and Seattle.
Finding The Award Space
You can search for Alaska Airlines’ award space that is bookable with Avios points right at AlaskaAir.com or on the American Airlines website.
If using Alaska’s site, once your results display, you’ll have to be sure you’re seeing award availability that corresponds with their lowest tier of award prices. For US – Mexico options, that would be 17.5 miles.
On American’s site, be sure to look for the lowest-level saver award.
LAX to LTO is a 692-mile flight, which costs 7,500 Avios each way + taxes and fees. The good thing about booking Alaska awards with Avios is that they do not impose an additional fuel surcharge, so you only pay the taxes and fees that Alaska Airlines would charge if booking with their miles.
As an example, I found Avios-eligible award space for this weekend, April 15-17 that would cost 15,000 Avios plus $68.81 in taxes and fees, which is an amazing value considering that the flight is selling for $666.91!
British Airways is a transfer partner with Membership Rewards and Ultimate Rewards.
Booking the Award:
Once you find saver-level award space, you’ll have to call the British Airways Executive Club call center since you can not book Alaska Airlines Avios awards online.
Alaska Airlines generally imposes a $25 phone-booking fee, but I’ve been successful in having that waived by simply explaining to the agent that these awards cannot be booked online on my own.
It’s also worth mentioning that Alaska Airlines has a pretty generous change policy.
Have you used Avios to book flights on Alaska Airlines before? If so, where did you go? Have you visited Loreto before?
Loreto is soooo beautiful and my favourite hidden gem in Mexico! Enjoy!
I’ve used Avios to fly on Alaska from DC to Seattle and back.
Membership rewards-avios is now 5-4
Whoops! Yes you’re absolutely correct. I’ve updated the post.
I’m looking at going to Loreto since I live in LA and can do this redemption – any follow up reports/info on how everything was? Thanks!