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Non-stop flights to Seoul, South Korea
Beginning September 12, Alaska Airlines is launching five weekly, nonstop flights from Seattle to Seoul. The new flights are possible thanks to Alaska’s merger with Hawaiian Airlines last year.
The good news for travelers is that, because the route is new, you can score some amazing deals. The flight path will be the following:
| City Pair | Departure | Arrival | Frequency | Aircraft |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seattle – Seoul Incheon | 3:25 p.m. | 6:50 p.m. +1 | W, Th, F, Sa, Su | A330 |
| Seoul Incheon – Seattle | 8:50 p.m. | 3:00 p.m. | M, Th, F, Sa, Su | A330 |
What credit cards can I use to book Alaska Airlines flights
Alaska Airlines does have a co-branded credit card, but you can also use Chase and American Express cards to book flights on Alaska Airways. Unfortunately, you cannot directly transfer Chase or AmEx points to Alaska, but you can transfer them to other airline partners and book through them.
For example you can transfer Chase points to Iberia or British Airways and then use Avios to book Alaska Airlines flights.
In October, you can score an economy flight to Seoul for as little as $668 or 37,500 Mileage Plan miles one-way. A business-class seat will cost you ~250,000 miles one-way, though. You can find even better deals if you’re willing to do a short layover.
- Best for: Beginner Travelers
- Annual Fee: $95
- APR: 19.99% - 28.24% Variable
- Reward Rate: 1X - 5X
- Recommended Credit: 670-850
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
100,000 Bonus Points
Offer Details:
Earn 100,000 bonus points after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
Why we like it
The Chase Sapphire Preferred Card is the ultimate all-around travel credit card—it fits perfectly into almost any points-earner’s wallet. Points novices can enjoy a significant intro bonus and easy to grasp spending categories with an approachable annual fee. The more experienced can utilize its high value earning potential as a secondary card and also gain access to Chase’s strong travel booking portal.
Reward details
5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠.
3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries.
2x on all other travel purchases.
1x on all other purchases.
Pros & Cons
PROS
Get 25% more value when you redeem for airfare, hotels, car rentals, and cruises through Chase Travel℠.
The $50 dollar hotel credit for stays purchased on the Chase Travel Portal already cuts the already approachable $95 annual fee significantly.
A 10% annual points bonus is tacked on every year, adding a little more value.
A free year-long Doordash DashPass membership is also thrown in, which gives you free delivery and some extra discounts. It’s a solid perk if you order food delivery at least semi-frequently (Activate by 12/31/2027).
Along with all of the above, cardholders also have access to a string of travel protections like rental coverage, cancellation insurance, and purchase protection.
CONS
Maximizing the value of Chase points can still be complicated for complete novices.
Competing cards like the Capital One Venture have a better earning rate for non-bonused spend.
It’s subject to Chase’s 5/24 rule. So, if you’ve opened five cards in the last two years, you’re most likely not going to be accepted.
Terms Apply
Alaska is also launching daily flights from Seattle to Tokyo beginning May 12, so keep an eye on any price drops for that route too.
I also highly recommend assessing which cards in your wallet can transfer points to Alaska’s Mileage Plan. Perhaps you have enough points from a few different cards to fly in business class for free.
- Best for: Luxury Perks
- Annual Fee: $695
- Pay Over Time APR
- Reward Rate: 5X
- Recommended Credit: 670-850
The Platinum Card® from American Express
80,000 Membership Rewards® Points
Offer Details:
80,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 on purchases in your first 6 months of card membership
Why we like it
The Amex Platinum was once the sole dominating force in the luxury credit card space. While it now faces some stiff competition, it still offers unbeatable perks like unprecedented airport lounge access, elite status at Hilton and Marriott, and some outstanding statement credits making the mammoth $695 worth it for some.
Reward details
5X Membership Rewards® Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year.
5X Membership Rewards® Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel.
Pros & Cons
Pros
-
Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 on eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.
-
Earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year and earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel.
-
Incredible lounge access
Statement credits worth over $1,000 annually.
Unlock access to exclusive reservations and special dining experiences with Global Dining Access by Resy when you add your Platinum Card® to your Resy profile.
Cons
-
The $695 annual fee is brutally high. Too high for many that can’t, or don’t want to take full advantage of its benefits.
-
Points-earning rates are low unless spending directly on flights or with the Amex Portal.
-
Some of the benefits, like travel credits, are more limited and are harder to use than competing cards’ offerings.
Read Also
- Best for: Business Travel
- Annual Fee: $95
- APR: 20.24% - 26.24% Variable
- Reward Rate: 1X - 3X
- Recommended Credit: 670-850
Chase Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card
90,000 Bonus Points
Offer Details:
90,000 Bonus points after you spend $8,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
Why we like it
The Ink Business Preferred Business Card pulls attention with its big intro bonus, currently sitting at 90,000 points. That’s worth in $900 cash back, $1,500 toward travel when redeemed through Chase Travel℠, or even more when transferring to Chase’s travel partners like Hyatt, United Airlines, British Airways and more. But the card shows its real value with its high-earning bonus-spending categories. Freelancers and business owners alike will earn 3 points per dollar on the first $150,000 spent on travel and select business categories each account anniversary year.
Reward details
3X points per $1 on the first $150,000 spent on travel and select business categories each account anniversary year
1X point per $1 on all other purchases – with no limit to the amount you can earn
Pros & Cons
Pros
Simply put, for small business owners and freelancers it’s one of the best cards for turning business spending into valuable travel. The bonus alone is worth $900 cash back, $1,500 toward travel when redeemed through Chase Travel℠, or potentially more when transferring to Chase’s travel partners like Marriott or Air Canada.
It also offers some stellar protections including a comprehensive reimbursement on damaged or stolen cell phones, and primary rental car coverage.
It has a reasonable $95 annual fee.
If you have another Chase card like the Sapphire Preferred or Reserve, or even a cash back earning Chase card, you can pool your points and make them more valuable.
Cons
It does lack some of the juicier benefits attached to other business credit cards likes the The Business Platinum Card® from American Express. But with the low fee, it’s hard to argue with its value proposition.
It’s subject to Chase’s 5/24 rule. So if you’ve opened five cards in the last two years, you’re most likely not going to be accepted.
by your friends at The Daily Navigator
