On May 1, Alaska Airlines and Delta will stop codesharing. The
end of their agreement also means they will discontinue reciprocal earning and
redemption in their respective rewards programs, though Delta and Alaska will maintain
an interline agreement in which travelers using both airlines can combine
ticketing and checked baggage functions. Travelers still will earn reciprocal
miles for travel on or before April 30.
Delta, which has been building up capacity in Alaska's
headquarters city, Seattle, said the carriers "codeshare on only a small
number of flights, as Delta's growth in Seattle has reduced the need for
codeshare flying." Since 2013, Delta has more than tripled its number of
flights and destinations from Seattle, according to the carrier.
The Department of Justice, in its antitrust clearance for Alaska's
acquisition of Virgin America, which closed
recently, required Alaska to reduce its codesharing with American Airlines but
made no stipulations regarding its partnership with Delta.
Alaska
also has lowered the number of reward points required for redemption. The
carrier previously required travelers to spend a minimum of 12,500 points for
any interstate flights. Now the minimum is 5,000 points, which travelers can
redeem for flights of less than 700 miles. Additionally, elite members of
Alaska's Mileage Plan program are now eligible for complimentary upgrades when
booking reward travel in the main cabin.