Connection pricing quirk on transatlantic partner awards closed

45,000 points (ORD–LHR AA business with connection, one-way) → 55,000 points

In early August 2026 (date approximate), Alaska closed a long-standing pricing quirk in which adding a connecting flight to a transatlantic partner business class award lowered the total price. American Airlines business class from Chicago to London priced at 55,000 points nonstop but 45,000 points with a domestic connection added; from the West Coast the trick cut 70,000-point awards to 55,000. Connecting itineraries now price the same as or above the nonstop. The quirk had worked for roughly two years on partners including American Airlines and Aer Lingus and was widely used by award travelers.

What to do: Price partner awards both nonstop and with connections; the connection discount is gone.