According to an article published in the Anchorage Daily News, Alaska Airlines sold $1 billion worth of tickets through its Web site in 2006 — about 40 percent of the airlines’ total bookings. This number does not count bookings through other online travel sites such as Travelocity or Expedia. Alaska Airlines claims that it was the first airline to sell tickets online, starting in 1995. Airlines are happy to drive bookings toward their own Web sites because it saves them money that would go toward reservation fees and commissions.

Currently, Alaska offers 1,000 bonus miles for every ticket purchased online at http://www.alaskaair.com with an Alaska Airlines credit card. Formerly, members earned 1,000 bonus miles for all alaskaair.com bookings, regardless of credit card used; now, 1,000 bonus miles are offered only to those who are purchasing a ticket at alaskaair.com for the first time. Alaska also offers a corporate booking product called EasyBiz. If a company spends $5,000 or more on Alaska or Horizon Air in a 15-month period, they qualify for the EasyBiz program where the company earns two Mileage Plan miles for every dollar spent on the base fare portion. Individual travelers for the company will receive all regular Mileage Plan member benefits.

Alaska Airlines has also enhanced travelers’ ability to check-in online. You can now standby for alternate flights or purchase an upgrade through alaskaair.com. Click Web Check-In and follow the prompts. You can also check your bags online with the Web Bag Drop at select airports and earn 1,000 bonus miles the first time you use Web check-in. Web check-in is available 1-24 hours before scheduled departure.