SEATTLE--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 1, 2001--Alaska Airlines announced that it has expanded the reach of its already versatile Mileage Plan program by partnering with Points.com, in the world's first loyalty program currency exchange.

Through Points.com, consumers can exchange points or miles from one loyalty program for points or miles in another program.

"Alaska's Mileage Plan has a history of being the foremost frequent flyer program," said Gregg Saretsky, the carrier's senior vice president of marketing and planning. "With the addition of Points.com, Mileage Plan members will now have options even beyond our own vast array of airline, hotel, rental car and other partners."

"Points.com unlocks the true value inherent in loyalty programs," said Rob MacLean, president of Points.com. "Now every mile or point in every program counts -- both for the programs and for their members."

Besides Alaska Airlines, other Points.com partners include Air Canada, American Airlines, America West Airlines, beenz.com, ClickRewards, GiftCertificates.com LoyaltyTravel, Midwest Express Airlines, PhoneHog.com and RewardStream. The Toronto based Points.com is in talks with more than 50 potential partners in the hotel, airline, retail, financial, online and other sectors worldwide.

Alaska's Mileage Plan partners already include more major U.S. carriers than any other program, as well as most major hotels and rental cars and the Alaska Airlines credit card.

Alaska Airlines and its sister carrier, Horizon Air, became the first U.S. carriers to sell tickets online in 1995 and in 1999 were the first U.S. carriers to allow customers to check in for flights online via the Internet. Together they serve 75 cities in the Lower 48, Alaska, Canada and Mexico, with more than 1,000 daily departures. For more news and information, visit the Alaska Airlines Newsroom on the Internet at http://newsroom.alaskaair.com.

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