There are two types of people in this world. The first group books a beach vacation and spends the week horizontal next to a pool or ocean. The second group looks at visiting Alaska with diamonds in their eyes because there is nothing better than visiting glacier country wearing three jackets, a beanie, and gloves.

This post is for the second group. Alaska feels like somebody took every National Geographic documentary, added whales, mountains, bald eagles, and bears to make the most unimaginable natural getaway. And somehow, despite looking wildly unattainable, Alaska can actually be one of the best-value destinations to book with points and miles.

 

The Nitty Gritty

Flights can regularly cost up to $1,500 per person during the peak summer season. Hotels become painfully expensive the closer you get to glacier season. Cruises can be pricey and complex to book. Which is exactly why points and miles can absolutely shine in Alaska.

So come on—we are diving into the best ways to fly to Alaska on points, where to stay using hotel points, and whether you should explore Alaska by land or cruise ship.

 

 

Why Alaska is One of the Best Uses of Points 

Alaska is one of those destinations where cash prices can get unhinged during summer. Peak Alaska season runs May through September, and award bookings during those months can save thousands of dollars. Our favorite place to save is when booking flights.

This year is particularly interesting as we continue to see what’s happening in the new Atmos™ Rewards ecosystem after the Hawaiian Airlines merger. I think it means that there are more ways than ever to earn and redeem points for trips to Alaska.

 

Best Airlines to Book Alaska Flights on Points

Alaska Airlines: Atmos Rewards

Alaska Airlines fittingly dominates air routes into Alaska. If you are flying from the West Coast, you can often find saver availability from 7,500 to 12,500 miles one way in economy. From the East Coast, expect to pay closer to 15,000 to 25,000 miles each way, depending on the season.  The sweet spot is booking for June and July in advance. The Atmos award seats tend to be released pretty early. That being said, there are still plenty of good deals if you want to take a last-minute summer trip to Alaska this year.

 

 

What makes Alaska Airlines especially interesting now is the new Atmos Rewards points-earning structure. Travelers can now choose different earning models for the miles earned from their flights based on spending, distance, or segments flown.

Best Transfer Options for Alaska Flights

Unfortunately, Alaska miles are still a little harder to earn than other airline currencies. You can currently transfer points from Bilt Rewards and Marriott Bonvoy (we don’t recommend this because the ratio is 3 Marriott Bonvoy Points to 1 Atmos point), but those are the only transfer options. The best way to earn Alaska miles is to get an Atmos™ Rewards credit card.

 

American Airlines

American Airlines AAdvantage miles can be a sneaky-good way to reach Alaska using points, especially if you live near a major hub like Charlotte, Dallas, or Phoenix. American Airlines partners with Alaska Airlines through Oneworld, and you can often book Alaska-operated flights directly through the AAdvantage awards site. 

The typical flight pricing is 15,000 to 25,000 AAdvantage miles each way. During off-peak or shoulder season, you can get flights for less. And not only can you book using AAdvantage miles you earn directly from co-branded cards, you can also book by transferring your Citi ThankYou® Points. 

 

Delta

Delta flights to Alaska can offer excellent value, especially from Atlanta, Minneapolis, and Seattle. SkyMiles pricing fluctuates wildly because Delta’s award chart basically disappeared into the wilderness years ago. But flash sales do happen.

We have seen flights from the East Coast to Anchorage for 17,900 to 35,000 points one way and Seattle to Anchorage for under 16,000 points one way. The trick to this booking is using Virgin Atlantic’s program to book the Delta flight. 

United Airlines

United is your best friend if you are trying to reach Fairbanks using Star Alliance partners. Because United serves Alaska heavily from Denver, Chicago, and San Francisco, there are often decent saver award options.

You can use Chase Ultimate Rewards®, Air Canada Aeroplan points, or United MileagePlus miles to book these flights.

We have seen flight deals from the Midwest and the West Coast at rates between 11,000 and 15,000 points one-way.

 

Best Hotels in Alaska to Book With Points

Here is the thing about Alaska hotels: they are not particularly abundant, especially compared to how many hotels you might find in Hawaii or Florida. You aren’t going to find seventeen luxury hotels you can book using points. But there are still fantastic options.

Best Marriott Hotels in Alaska

Marriott Anchorage Downtown

Points Per Night: 37,000 to 70,000

This hotel is the perfect, reliable downtown option if you want to be right in the middle of the action. While it might not have the flashy, rustic lodge vibe of some other properties, it completely makes up for it with spacious, modern rooms and stunning views of the surrounding mountains and city skyline. Plus, the location is within walking distance of Anchorage’s best local restaurants, cozy coffee shops, and urban trails. 

 

Sheraton Anchorage Hotel & Spa

Points Per Night: 111,000 to 174,000

This hotel is not the flashiest option in the world, but it is often one of the best-value redemptions during the summer. And honestly, when you are spending most of your day glacier cruising or hiking, having a clean, comfortable basecamp located in the heart of Anchorage is all you need.

 

 

Best Hilton Hotels in Alaska

Hilton Anchorage

Points Per Night: 45,000 to 60,000

A dependable points option downtown, and it is often easier to find award availability than at Marriott properties. Hilton’s fifth-night-free benefit for elite members can make Alaska stays significantly cheaper on points. 

Redeem four nights, get the fifth night free when you redeem points for a consecutive five-night Hilton hotel. You can receive a fifth Reward Night free, redeemable at that same hotel during that same stay.

 

 

Homewood Suites by Hilton Anchorage 

Points Per Night: 50,000 to 70,000

This is the perfect hotel for families or for longer Alaska trips where you need extra space, free breakfast, and somewhere to store all the layers of clothing needed for incredible outdoor activities. And trust me, after day four in Alaska, that free breakfast is one of the best parts of the hotel.

 

 

Best Hyatt Hotels Options in Alaska 

Hyatt Place Anchorage Midtown

Points Per Night: 12,000 to 20,000

Hyatt has limited options in Alaska, but this one is actually solid. We love Hyatt Place because the rooms can accommodate up to six people and always include free breakfast (at least in their U.S. locations). If you have Chase Ultimate Rewards®, Bilt points, or Hyatt points, this is one of the easiest redemptions in Alaska.

 

Hyatt House Anchorage 

Points Per Night: 12,000 to 20,000

Perfect for extended stays or families traveling together, the Hyatt House Anchorage provides a comfortable, apartment-style basecamp for your Alaskan adventures. The spacious suites feature fully equipped kitchens and separate living areas, making it easy to unwind after a long day of sightseeing or hiking. With complimentary breakfast included and a reliable, consistent brand experience, it stands out as an exceptionally practical and high-value redemption option for anyone looking to maximize their points.

 

 

Wildbirch Hotel JdV by Hyatt

Points Per Night: 12,000 to 20,000

Bringing a vibrant, boutique energy to the Hyatt portfolio in Alaska, the Wildbirch Hotel operates under the JdV by Hyatt brand. This property offers a unique, culturally integrated stay that sets it apart from more traditional business hotels. It is an excellent redemption option for travelers seeking a stay that feels distinctly local, full of character, and deeply connected to the surrounding Alaskan scenery.

 

 

Coming Soon! Hyatt Regency Anchorage

We look forward to this hotel opening. It will be a higher-end points-booking option and will add more options for booking rooms on points in Anchorage. It is supposed to open in late 2027 or early 2028.

 

 

Best Way to See Alaska: Land or Sea

Why Cruises Are Amazing & How to Apply Points to Your Cruise

Alaska cruises are incredibly efficient because you unpack once, the scenery comes to you, and you glide past glaciers while eating soft serve ice cream, wearing a fleece jacket, and questioning why you ever paid rent in the lower forty-eight.

Cruises are especially great for:

• First-time Alaska visitors
• Families
• Travelers who want to see multiple ports quickly
• People who prefer comfort and convenience

You also get access to glacier viewing that is genuinely hard to replicate on land. Places like:

• Glacier Bay National Park
• Endicott Arm
• Hubbard Glacier

Seeing them from the ship feels absolutely cinematic.

 

 

Points Talk: How to Use Points on a Cruise

We love using Capital One Venture Miles to erase the cost of a cruise. You simply charge the cruise to your credit card, then go into your Capital One Portal to “erase” some or all of the cost with your points. 

 

 

Pam went on a cruise to Alaska and still saved a ton of cash by booking her pre- and post-cruise hotel stays with points and miles, while offsetting other costs.

 

But Here’s Why Land Trips Win for Adventure

If you truly want to experience Alaska, land trips are unbeatable.

You can:

• Ride the Alaska Railroad through Denali
• See wildlife away from crowds
• Drive through mountain passes
• Take bush planes into remote areas
• Actually spend meaningful time in places instead of being limited to six-hour port stops

Land trips feel immersive, while cruises feel observational. One is a documentary you watch. The other is living the documentary.

 

Our Favorite Combo Strategy

Do both. One of the best Alaska redemptions is combining a five- to seven-night cruise followed by a land excursion. This option gives you:

• Glacier viewing
• Inside Passage scenery
• Wildlife excursions
• AND the full Alaska wilderness experience

It is the points-and-miles equivalent of ordering dessert and appetizers because vacation calories are imaginary.

 

Final Thoughts

Alaska is one of those trips that changes people a little. While Alaska absolutely can be expensive, points and miles make this bucket-list destination shockingly accessible. With strategic airline transfers, hotel redemptions, and a little flexibility, you can build an Alaska adventure that feels wildly luxurious without detonating your savings account. And that really is what using points and miles is all about. 

 

Related Posts

All About Alaska Airlines Atmos™ Rewards Credit Cards

Using Points and Miles to Offset Cruise Trip Costs

Reader Success Story: Family Trip to Alaska