If you’re traveling for the holidays, you know it can be stressful.
But there’s one thing to cheer about: you can get priority boarding for flying the busiest time of the year. All you have to do is wear an ugly Christmas sweater.
On National Ugly Sweater Day (yes, it’s a real thing), which is December 20 this year, Alaska Airlines is getting in the holiday spirit by offering passengers priority boarding—just for showing up in an ugly Christmas sweater.
“We know holiday travel can be stressful for some, which is why we’ve made sure flying with the ‘merrier carrier’ this time of year is an experience that brings nonstop joy to all our guests,” Natalie Bowman, Alaska Airlines’ managing director of marketing and advertising, said in a press release.
Priority boarding may not sound like a lot, but it’s a huge perk, especially if you’re not flying first class. Over the holidays, with packed flights, and people carrying tons of luggage and gifts, those overhead bins fill up fast, and there’s a chance you would have to check your luggage or have it stored somewhere far away from you.
If you’re traveling on a discount fare, and you are in Boarding Group B, C, D or E, wearing an ugly Christmas sweater can work to your advantage. It’s also the only way you can get priority boarding if you’re not flying first class or are an elite member, since you can’t pay for priority boarding with the airline.
We recommend you go through your box of ugly Christmas sweaters and put on your ugliest one!
If you do not have one, you’re in luck. Not only does Alaska Airlines celebrate the ugly Christmas sweater, the airline makes them!
Alaska got in the holiday spirit this year. Not only did the airline offer 20 percent off any future flight last week, they also offered priority boarding to passengers who had a Starbucks cup (for a Starbucks promotion).
Alaska Airlines isn’t the only company that loves ugly Christmas sweaters. Popeyes, known for its fried chicken, came out with a limited edition Christmas sweater, which sold out in 14 hours.
Ugly Christmas sweaters are truly trending this year!
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Jimmy Im has traveled to 113 countries, stayed in over 600 hotels and has flown a million airmiles. He lives in New York City.