Alaska Airlines has one of the best frequent flyer programs among all U.S. legacy carriers. For one, it still doesn’t have a revenue component in earning or redeeming miles. It doesn’t add a fuel surcharge to award flights redeemed on most of its international partners (other than British Airways and Iceland Air).
It has one of the most generous stopover policies in the world. Alaska Airlines is a member of Oneworld airline alliance, plus it has an extensive list of non-alliance partners:
| Oneworld Alliance Partners | Earn and Redeem Partners | Earn Partners |
|---|---|---|
| American Airlines British Airways Cathay Pacific Fiji Airways Finnair Iberia Japan Airlines Malaysia Airlines Qantas Qatar Airways Royal Air Maroc Royal Jordanian SriLankan Airlines | Aer Lingus Air Tahiti Nui Condor EL AL Israel Airlines Hainan Airlines Icelandair Korean Air LATAM Airlines Ravn Alaska Singapore Airlines STARLUX Airlines | Bahamasair Cape Air Kenmore Air Mokulele Airlines Porter Airlines Southern Airways Express |
Alaska Airlines Elite Status Is Valuable
The value of the Alaska Airlines Elite MVP (Most Valuable Passenger) status is not only that it offers very strong benefits to its own members, but that it also has reciprocal elite benefits with American, British Airways, and other Oneworld alliance partners. Granted, the elite benefits for partners are not as strong as for Alaska’s own flyers, but they are still worthwhile if you use American flights in conjunction with Alaska.
Earning Status
The Alaska Airlines Elite MVP status has four elite levels: MVP, MVP Gold, Gold 75K, and MVP Gold 100K.
Alaska Airlines MVP Qualification Requirements
Qualification requirements are as follows.
For flights solely on Alaska Airlines:
- MVP: 20,000 miles
- MVP Gold: 40,000 miles
- MVP Gold 75K: 75,000 miles
- MVP Gold 100K: 100,000 miles
For flights on a combination of Alaska Airlines and its Elite Qualifying Partner:
- MVP: 30 segments
- MVP Gold: 60 segments
- MVP Gold 75K: 90 segments
- MVP Gold 100K: 140 segments
Upgrades on Alaska Airlines on Qualifying Fares
- MVP and above: Immediate.
Qualifying Fares
- MVP: First Class: Y, B fares; Premium Class: Y, B or H fares
- MVP Gold: First Class: Y, B, H or K fares; Premium Class: Y, B, H, K, M, L, V, S or N fares
- MVP Gold 75K: First Class: Y, B, H, K or M fares; Premium Class: all fares except Saver fares
- MVP Gold 100K: First Class: Y, B, H, K or M fares; Premium Class: all fares except Saver fares
Upgrades on Alaska Airlines on Non-qualifying Fares
- MVP: 48 hours before departure
- MVP Gold: 72 hours before departure
- MVP Gold 75K: 120 hours before departure
- MVP Gold 100K: 120 hours before departure, highest waitlist priority
Companion Upgrades on Alaska Airlines
Companion upgrades to First Class and Premium Class:
- MVP Gold
- MVP Gold 75K
- MVP Gold 100K
Annual Guest Upgrades
- MVP Gold, MVP Gold 75K, and MVP Gold 100K: maximum 4 one-ways per year
Upgrades on American Airlines
- MVP Gold 75K: 1 one-way international upgrade certificate
- MVP Gold 100K: 2 one-way international upgrade certificates
Elite Bonus Miles
- MVP: 50% bonus miles (through 2024); 25% bonus beginning January 1, 2025
- MVP Gold: 100% bonus miles (through 2024); 50% bonus beginning January 1, 2025
- MVP Gold 75K: 125% bonus miles (through 2024); 100% bonus beginning January 1, 2025
- MVP Gold 100K: 150% bonus miles (through 2024); 150% beginning January 1, 2025
Baggage Fee Waivers
Alaska Airlines Flights:
- MVP and MVP Gold: first two bags
- MVP Gold 75K and MVP Gold 100K: three checked bags
American Airlines Flights:
- MVP: One bag
- MVP Gold: Two bags
- MVP Gold 75K: Three bags
- MVP Gold 100K: Three bags
Airport Services
MVP and above:
- Priority check-in
- Priority boarding
- Preferred seating
- $10 off a CLEAR Plus membership
- Express security line at select airports
MVP Gold 75K and Gold 100K:
- Standby and waitlist for full flights on Alaska Airlines
- Four Alaska Lounge day passes (maximum 4 per year)
Complimentary Lounge Access
MVP, MVP Gold, MVP Gold 75K, and Gold 100K:
- Discounted Alaska Lounge membership ($400; $450 effective Feb. 1, 2024)
- Discounted Alaska Lounge+ membership ($550; $650 effective Feb. 1, 2024)
Alaska MVP Gold, MVP Gold 75K, and MVP Gold 100K members get access to oneworld Business Class lounges and Alaska lounges when they travel on a oneworld member airline to a destination outside of the U.S., Canada, or Mexico; and MVP Gold 75K and MVP Gold 100K members get access to oneworld First Class lounges.
Notable Additional Rewards for Gold 100K Members
Members, who reach MVP Gold 100K status, can chose one 100K Choice Benefit:
- 50,000 Bonus Miles
- Alaska Lounge+ membership
- Gifting MVP Gold status
- Complimentary Wi-Fi every time you fly Alaska
- Complimentary CLEAR Plus membership