Update: New Alaska Airlines Virgin America Merger Details
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The Alaska Airlines – Virgin America merger is moving forward!Via One Mile at a Time, the merger deal between the 2 airlines will close today. But the companies still have a long way to go before they are fully integrated. Fortunately, Alaska Airlines will begin offering benefits long before it is completed!
I’ll tell you what we know so far!
Enjoy Benefits From Both Airlines
Link: Alaska Airlines Virgin America Merger Website
Link: Alaska Airlines Newsroom
According to the Alaska Airlines Newsroom, here’s what we can look forward to in the near future:
- On December 19, 2016, both Virgin America members and Alaska Airlines members will earn miles on each other’s flights. And folks with elite status will receive priority check-in and priority boarding with both airlines
- On December 19, 2016, you’ll be able to purchase Virgin America flights through the Alaska Airlines website
- On December 22, 2016, we’ll find out the schedules and availability for new flights from Alaska Airlines’ new hub, San Francisco.
- On January 9, 2017, folks with Virgin America Silver and Gold status can match to Alaska Airlines MVP and MVP Gold status. And Virgin America Elevate members will be invited to activate new Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan accounts.
We’re still waiting to hear about:
- How or when we can redeem miles for both airlines
- Transferring miles between accounts (and the transfer ratio!)
- Branding for the combined airlines
Remember, because Virgin America is being absorbed, the Virgin America Visa Signature and Virgin America Premium Signature credit cards issued by Comenity Bank will be discontinued! So if you’ve been thinking about signing-up, now is the time.
Bottom Line
The Alaska Airlines – Virgin America merger is closing today! You’ll soon be able to earn Alaska Airlines miles on both airlines, and even book Virgin America flights through Alaska Airlines. And you can match your Virgin America elite status to Alaska Airlines!
We have no updates about how or when we can book award flights with the other airline’s rewards currency. Still, I like how Alaska Airlines is giving folks mutual benefits soon after the merger closes, instead of waiting until the integration is complete!
If you’re interested in the Virgin America Visa Signature and Virgin America Premium Signature cards, sign-up soon! They’ll likely be discontinued in the near future!
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Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That’s $750 toward travel when you redeem through Chase Ultimate Rewards®
2X points on travel and dining at restaurants worldwide, eligible delivery services, takeout and dining out & 1 point per dollar spent on all other purchases.
Get 25% more value when you redeem for travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards®. For example, 60,000 points are worth $750 toward travel.
Get unlimited deliveries with a $0 delivery fee and reduced service fees on orders over $12 for a minimum of one year on qualifying food purchases with DashPass, DoorDash’s subscription service. Activate by 12/31/21.
Earn 2x total points on up to $1,000 in grocery store purchases per month from November 1, 2020 to April 30, 2021. Includes eligible pick-up and delivery services.
Intro APR on purchases
N/A
Regular APR
15.99%-22.99% Variable
Annual Fee
$95
Balance Transfer Fee
Either $5 or 5% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater.
Rates & Fees
Other
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