SEATTLE, Apr 30, 2002 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan received top ranking among frequent flyer programs in three categories at the 14th Annual Freddie Awards last week.

The Freddie Awards, which were presented at a New York City ceremony on Thursday, allow frequent travelers to rank airline and hotel programs in nine categories. Alaska was awarded the Freddie for Best Mileage Award selection, Best Web Site and Best Newsletter.

"We've worked hard to improve the quality of Mileage Plan for our customers, and it is gratifying to see them recognize those advances by voting for us," said Ann Ardizzone, managing director of marketing programs.

Alaska also captured second place in Program of the Year, Best Affinity Credit Card and Best Award Redemption categories; and received third place in the categories of Best Customer Service and Best Elite-Level Program.

"The Freddie Awards gauge the most important measure of frequent traveler programs today-- the public's voice," said Randy Peterson, publisher of InsideFlyer magazine, who created the awards in 1988.

The receipt of the Freddie Awards comes on the heels of Alaska's No. 1 ranking in the annual Airline Quality Ratings compiled by Wichita State University and the University of Nebraska at Omaha.

Seattle-based Alaska Airlines celebrates its 70th anniversary this year. Alaska, with its award-winning Web site, became the first North American carrier to sell tickets online in 1995, and in 1999 was the first carrier in the world to allow customers to check in for flights online via the Internet. For reservations go to www.alaskaair.com, call Alaska's toll-free reservations line at 1-800-ALASKAAIR (1-800-252-7522) or call your travel agent.

For more news and information, visit the Alaska Airlines Newsroom on the Internet at http://newsroom.alaskaair.com.

CONTACT: Alaska Airlines Jack Walsh, 206/901-8753 or Jack Evans, 206/433-3134