Bargain bed!

Travellers can buy a one-way transpacific business class bed between Australia and the US on Qantas for just over A$1500 - a fraction of the normal cost by taking advantage of an Alaska Airlines frequent flyer points sale.

While Australian airlines don’t allow the purchase of bulk frequent flyer points the situation is very different in the US according to Australian Business Traveller which discovered the bargain. But that frequent flyer sale ends on September 30.

The full ABT story is here: 
http://www.ausbt.com.au/buying-alaska-airlines-miles-for-low-cost-qantas-cathay-pacific-flights

According to Australian Business Traveller Alaska Airlines is offering up to 40 per cent extra miles (points) in its Mileage Plan loyalty program on top of your purchase. 

Alaska pegs a one-way Qantas business award flight between Australia and the USA at 55,000 miles in business class. Under Alaska’s current promotion, US$1,182.50 will buy you 40,000 miles which qualifies you for a 30 per cent bonus of 16,000 miles.

That adds to 56,000 miles, so for just under US$1,300 (including taxes and surcharges of around US$116) you’re getting a business class ride to the US or vice versa.

Other Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan partners include American Airlines, Aeromexico, Air France, British Airways, Delta, Emirates, Fiji Airways, KLM, Korean Air and LAN.

In order to participate you need to join Alaska Airlines frequent flyer scheme and it is free. And it appears there is no limit to the number of times you can purchase points. However having joined you may have to wait till the next sale - about every few months - to be able to buy miles.

Also, Australian Business Traveller warns that “because airlines can and do devalue frequent flyer points or miles over time, it might not be wise to plough too much money into buying Mileage Plan miles just to have them in the bank, so to speak.”

“When purchasing miles it’s usually best to do so only if you have a specific trip in mind, and buy just enough miles for that redemption ticket,” said ABT.

Here is the award sale:

http://www.alaskaair.com/content/deals/mileage-plan.aspx?lid=nav:deals-mileagePlan

Here is the redemption schedule:

http://www.alaskaair.com/content/mileage-plan/earn-use-miles/award-chart-australia.aspx

US Airways also offers the same type of deal and is linked to the Star Alliance - thus Singapore Airlines and Air New Zealand.