We used X-ray absorption in the partial fluorescence yield mode (PFY-XAS), and resonant X-ray emission (RXES) to study the pressure dependence of Yb valence in the intermediate valence compound YbAl2. We find that the Yb valence changes from 2.25 at ambient pressure to 2.95 at 385 kbar, and that the valence transition is completed around 200 kbar. The combined use of complementary spectroscopic techniques considerably reduces the uncertainties in the extracted valence values. (C) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.