Does Alaska Airlines Hold Award Flights?

Planning your travel using points or miles can sometimes feel like piecing together a tricky puzzle. With limited award availability and so many moving parts, knowing whether you can hold an award ticket with Alaska Airlines can save you time and stress. Let’s dive into how airline award ticket holds work, why they matter, and what to do if Alaska Airlines doesn’t offer this option.

What Is an Airline Award Ticket Hold?

An airline award ticket hold is a temporary reservation on a flight that lets you secure a seat without immediately ticketing it. This is especially helpful when you’re waiting for points to transfer from programs like Amex Membership Rewards or Chase Ultimate Rewards or finalizing travel plans.

With an award hold, the seat stays reserved for you, giving you a bit of breathing room to complete the booking process. Once the hold expires, the seat goes back into the general pool, but in the meantime, you don’t have to worry about someone else snagging your spot.

American Airlines has a very generous 5 day award ticket hold policy.

Why Do Airline Award Ticket Holds Matter?

Award space—especially for first and business class tickets during peak travel times—disappears fast. A hold gives you the chance to:

• Secure the award space you need before transferring points.
• Finalize other parts of your travel plans, like accommodation or connecting flights.
• Avoid losing out on a seat while waiting for points to transfer (which can sometimes take hours or even days).

Another crucial reason award holds matter: once you transfer points to an airline, the process is irreversible. Without a hold, you could end up stuck with points in a program without securing your desired flight.

Does Alaska Airlines Hold Award Flights?

Unfortunately, Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan does not allow award ticket holds. This means you’ll need to have the required miles ready in your account when you book your ticket.

However, Alaska’s policies around ticket changes and cancellations are quite generous, which helps offset the lack of a hold option. They’ve eliminated award ticket redeposit fees, so if you need to cancel or change your booking, it’s a lot less painful than it used to be.

Alaska doesn't hold award flights but at least there's no award cancellation fees.

What If an Airline Doesn’t Allow Award Holds?

If an airline like Alaska doesn’t offer award ticket holds, don’t worry—there are still ways to make your travel plans work:

1. Have Points Ready in Advance: Since point transfers can take time, consider transferring points into your Alaska Mileage Plan account ahead of time.
2. Use 24-Hour Cancellation Policies: If you’re booking a flight to or from the United States, most airlines allow you to cancel within 24 hours of booking without a fee. While this isn’t technically a hold, it gives you some flexibility to secure your seat and finalize details.

FAQs About Alaska Airlines Award Tickets Holds

How does Alaska’s policy compare to other airlines?

Unlike Alaska Airlines, some airlines like American AAdvantage offer award ticket holds (up to five days). However, Alaska’s no-fee cancellation policy for awards is a great alternative.

Can I hold an award ticket if I call Alaska Airlines directly?

No, Alaska Airlines agents are not able to place a hold on an award ticket.

Final Thoughts

While Alaska Airlines doesn’t allow award ticket holds, their flexible cancellation and change policies help make up for it. By planning ahead and knowing your options, you can still successfully book the flights you want with minimal stress.

If you’re booking with other airlines, consider using programs like American AAdvantage, which allows you to hold award tickets online for up to five days. And no matter what airline you’re flying, always double-check their policies to avoid surprises!