Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan members will be able to redeem miles for Emirates flights beginning January 16. Alaska’s award chart for Emirates has not yet been published.

And to date — I’ve long expected this to change, but no luck so far — Alaska requires roundtrip awards on partners (no one ways), and the roundtrip must be on a single partner (plus Alaska flights optionally), no mixing and matching partners in an itinerary. Still, depending on award pricing, this could be outstanding.

For now Japan Airlines miles (which can be obtained via Starwood Preferred Guest) remain the best way to score awards — including A380 suites awards — on Emirates.