Alaska Airways MVP elite standing: What it’s and tips on how to earn it

Along with being rewarded with helpful miles, when vacationers select to fly Alaska Airways and its associate airways and credit score flights to the Alaska Airways Mileage Plan loyalty program, they might qualify for MVP elite standing. You possibly can entry unique and helpful advantages and perks by attaining elite standing, enhancing your total journey expertise.

Relying on which MVP elite standing is achieved, you’ll be able to get pleasure from perks like complimentary first-class upgrades and most well-liked seating, plus bonus miles that may be redeemed for future journey on Alaska or its airline companions.

In case you are contemplating striving for these perks, weighing the advantages towards the drawbacks of remaining loyal to 1 airline program is necessary. Whereas pursuing elite standing and remaining loyal to 1 service could be a no-brainer for some — significantly those that dwell close to an Alaska Airways hub — others could also be higher off remaining airline free brokers, selecting one of the best service for every flight.

On this information, we’ll consider MVP standing and clarify the completely different standing tiers, tips on how to obtain them and if striving for this standing is well worth the effort for the occasional or frequent Alaska Airways flyers. Plus, with Alaska’s latest acquisition of Hawaiian Airways and a plan to overhaul Mileage Plan in 2025, acquiring elite standing with this airline might now be in your radar.

What’s Alaska Airways standing?

Alaska affords completely different MVP standing tiers primarily based on the variety of elite qualifying miles earned by means of the airline and its world companions and spending on Alaska’s cobranded bank card.

Your Alaska elite standing is activated whenever you go the required threshold for that tier, is subsequently legitimate for the remainder of that calendar yr and sometimes expires on Dec. 31 of the next calendar yr. For instance, when you attain your 2024 MVP Gold qualification in October 2024, your standing will likely be legitimate by means of Dec. 31, 2025.

Associated: Alaska Airways overhauls Mileage Plan with milestone perks and extra

Alaska elite standing tiers

Anybody can be a part of the Mileage Plan program without cost on-line as a base member. Doing so will make you eligible to gather Alaska miles, and as you spend extra time flying Alaska or its companions, you can even accumulate standing.

Alaska Airways’ printed elite standing tiers from lowest to highest are:

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• MVP
• MVP Gold
• MVP Gold 75K
• MVP Gold 100K

To qualify for MVP standing, it’s essential to attain various thresholds of elite qualifying miles primarily based on Alaska, Oneworld and world associate airways’ flights and cobranded bank card spending.

As you fly extra on Alaska or spend on a cobranded bank card, you’ll be able to climb the standing ladder. As you stay loyal to Alaska and attain increased tiers, the perks change into extra profitable. For instance, you’ll be able to obtain complimentary lounge entry or free upgrades.

The identical is true for the 4 printed elite standing tiers of rival airways United and Delta.

Associated: 6 nice advantages I obtained as an American Airways elite flying Alaska Airways

The way to qualify for Alaska elite standing

Fly on Alaska-operated or associate flights to earn EQMs

Regardless of many airways shifting away from calculating elite standing primarily based on precise mileage flown towards a model of the quantity spent with the service, Alaska has been a holdout. For Alaska flyers, the elite standing is calculated by way of the variety of elite qualifying miles earned, to not be confused with redeemable Alaska base miles.

Nonetheless, the variety of elite qualifying miles earned relies on the service flown and fare class. For example, a first-class ticket on Alaska within the J fare class earns 200% elite qualifying miles. Alternatively, a Savor financial system ticket within the X fare class will earn solely 30% elite qualifying miles.

Observe that Alaska has unveiled its 2025 earnings charts, with notable will increase to EQMs earned on worldwide first- and business-class flights booked on associate airways by way of alaskaair.com.

You possibly can try Alaska’s 2024 and 2025 earnings charts right here.

Earn Alaska elite standing by means of bank card spending

In 2023, Alaska introduced modifications to how elite members earn standing. Starting this yr, incomes standing by means of elite qualifying segments is now not attainable; you may solely earn standing by accruing elite qualifying miles. Subsequently, it’s attainable to earn Alaska elite standing with out ever stepping foot on an Alaska Airways airplane.

Plus, following Alaska’s acquisition of Hawaiian Airways, the service expanded how members can earn EQMs from bank card spending, which is at present capped at an incomes fee of 20,000 EQMs per yr. Starting on Jan. 1, 2025, Alaska Airways Visa Signature® bank card and Alaska Airways Visa® Enterprise card cardholders will earn 1 EQM for each $3 spent (as much as 30,000 EQMs every year on certified purchases).

Subsequently, when you spend $60,000 in your private or enterprise Alaska card every year, you’ll earn 20,000 EQMs, which suggests you may have achieved MVP standing simply by means of bank card spending.

Earn Alaska MVP standing by means of a standing match

Following the merger of Alaska and Hawaiian Airways, when you’ve got standing with both service, your standing will likely be matched as follows:

And, even when you do not have standing with both airline, loyalty members can mix their elite qualifying miles from each applications to attain standing.

Extra methods to earn Alaska EQMs

In 2025, there are just a few further methods Mileage Plan members can earn elite qualifying miles. Alaska executives introduced that members will earn 1,000 EQMs for each 3,000 miles earned on nonflight actions, equivalent to by means of Lyft, Mileage Plan buying portal and the eating program.

Moreover, members will start incomes EQMs on award flights. Mileage Plan members will earn the identical quantity of EQMs as they might on a paid ticket; nevertheless, members is not going to earn Alaska base miles on award redemptions.

What are Alaska’s elite standing advantages?

Whereas the perks are nice for all members with Alaska Airways elite standing, as you progress up the tiers, the advantages change into much more worthwhile.

MVP

That is the bottom elite tier in Alaska’s program, the place you’ll obtain advantages equivalent to:

• 50% bonus miles (altering to 25% bonus miles in 2025)
• Oneworld Ruby standing
• Precedence check-in, safety and boarding
• Most well-liked seating
• Two free checked luggage (by means of 2025; one free checked bag beginning in 2026)
• Precedence name routing
• Alaska Lounge membership low cost
• First-class upgrades on the time of reserving with Y and B fares
• Premium-class upgrades on the time of reserving with Y, B and H fares
• First- and premium-class upgrades on Alaska nonqualifying fares (besides Savor) 48 hours earlier than departure
• Entry to additional legroom seating on American Airways beginning 24 hours earlier than departure
• Complimentary entry to home upgrades on American beginning 24 hours earlier than departure

MVP Gold

As you degree up with Alaska, you obtain all the identical perks as MVP, plus:

• 100% bonus miles (altering to 50% bonus miles in 2025)
• Two free checked luggage
• Oneworld Sapphire standing
• Complimentary same-day flight modifications and standby for full flights
• Complimentary premium beverage or chocolate in Fundamental Cabin
• 4 first-class upgrades on the time of reserving with Y, B, H and Okay fares (by means of Dec. 31, 2024)
• Premium-class upgrades on the time of reserving with Y, B, H, Okay, M, L, V, S and N fares
• First- and premium-class upgrades on Alaska nonqualifying fares (besides Savor) 72 hours earlier than departure
• First- and premium-class companion upgrades
• First-class visitor upgrades (most of 4 per yr)
• Entry to additional legroom seating on American Airways at reserving
• Complimentary entry to home upgrades on American beginning 48 hours earlier than departure

MVP Gold 75K

For much more frequent Alaska flyers, you obtain all the identical perks as MVP Gold, in addition to:

• 125% bonus miles (altering to 100% bonus miles in 2025)
• 50,000 bonus miles upon qualification (solely by means of Dec. 31, 2024)
• Oneworld Emerald standing
• Three free checked luggage
• 4 Alaska Lounge day passes
• First-class upgrades on the time of reserving with Y, B, H, Okay and M fares
• Premium-class upgrades on the time of reserving on all fares besides Savor fares
• First- and premium-class upgrades on Alaska nonqualifying fares (besides Savor) 120 hours earlier than departure
• One one-way worldwide improve certificates on American Airways
• Complimentary entry to home upgrades on American beginning 72 hours earlier than departure

MVP Gold 100K

That is the highest tier in Alaska’s program for its most frequent vacationers, the place you’ll obtain all the identical perks as MVP Gold 75K, plus:

• 150% bonus miles
• 100K Alternative Profit upon qualification
• Complimentary snack or meal in Fundamental Cabin
• Two one-way worldwide improve certificates on American Airways

For Alaska elite standing members reaching the MVP Gold 100K tier, you may be invited to pick one of many 100K Alternative Advantages for the next yr:

• 50,000 bonus miles
• Alaska Lounge+ membership
• Means to present MVP Gold standing
• Complimentary Wi-Fi each time you fly on Alaska
• Complimentary Clear Plus membership

In 2025, Alaska is rolling out a brand new listing of 100K Alternative Profit choices, which embody:

• 50,000 bonus miles
• 75,000 miles off an Extras* redemption
• Alaska Lounge+ membership
• Complimentary Wi-Fi on each flight
• 4 improve certificates
• Nominate somebody for MVP Gold standing

For elite members who attain 150K, 200K and 250K milestones, you’ll be able to decide two of the next perks (beginning in 2025):

• 15,000 bonus miles
• 25,000 miles off an Extras redemption
• Two complimentary Alaska Lounge day passes
• Two improve certificates
• Roll over 10,000 EQMs to the next yr

Even when you do not attain the 100K milestone or better, Alaska introduced new milestone rewards for Mileage Plan members. In 2025, loyalty program members will be capable of decide from the next listing of perks when a brand new milestone is reached:

10,000 EQMs

Decide one of many following:

• 750 bonus miles
• Preorder a complimentary meal on your flight
• One complimentary Wi-Fi go
• Attempt MVP standing for a visit
• Earn double miles with nonair companions
• Improve your subsequent Avis automotive rental

30,000 EQMs

Decide one of many following:

• 2,500 bonus miles
• $25 off a future Alaska flight
• 4 Wi-Fi passes
• Attempt MVP Gold standing for a visit
• $100 off an Alaska Lounge membership

55,000 EQMs

Decide two of the next:

• 5,000 bonus miles
• 10,000 miles off a redemption from Extras
• Reward MVP standing for a visit
• One complimentary Alaska Lounge day go
• Two improve certificates

85,000 EQMs

Decide two of the next:

• 15,000 bonus miles
• 25,000 miles off an Extras redemption
• Two complimentary Alaska Lounge day passes
• Two improve certificates
• Reward MVP Gold standing for a visit
• Nominate somebody for MVP standing
• Roll over 10,000 EQMs to the subsequent yr

*Extras is a journey expertise platform (that includes sporting occasions, live shows and different actions) that Alaska will launch.

Can a bank card allow you to earn Alaska MVP standing?

Alaska has private and enterprise bank cards, each out there by means of Financial institution of America. They provide the next advantages. (Phrases apply.)

Card	Finest for	Welcome bonus	Incomes fee	Annual price
Alaska Airways Visa Signature® bank card	Alaska Airways flyers	Earn 60,000 bonus miles plus Alaska’s Well-known Companion Fare ($99 fare plus taxes and costs from $23) after making $3,000 or extra in purchases throughout the first 90 days of opening your account.	3 miles per greenback spent on Alaska purchases; 2 miles per greenback spent on fuel, native transit, electrical automobile charging stations, cable and a few streaming companies; 1 mile per greenback spent on every part else	$95
Alaska Airways Visa® Enterprise card	Alaska Airways flyers with an eligible enterprise	Earn 50,000 bonus miles plus Alaska’s Well-known Companion Fare ($99 fare plus taxes and costs from $23) after making $3,000 or extra in purchases throughout the first 90 days of account opening.	3 miles per greenback spent on Alaska purchases; 2 miles per greenback spent on fuel, native transit, EV charging stations, transport and native transit (together with ride-hailing companies); 1 mile per greenback spent on every part else	$70 on your firm and $25 per card

At present, cobranded cardholders will earn 4,000 elite qualifying miles for each $10,000 spent; nevertheless, you’ll be able to solely earn a most of 20,000 EQMs from spending on a card. As talked about above, beginning Jan. 1, 2025, cardholders will earn 1 EQM for each $3 spent (as much as 30,000 EQMs) yearly.

Along with the dear redeemable miles earned, Alaska’s cobranded playing cards include perks like free checked luggage, reductions on inflight purchases and the flexibility to work towards MVP elite standing. As such, it might probably simply make sense to maintain one of many airline’s bank cards in your pockets yr after yr.

Associated: Your full information to incomes and redeeming with Alaska Airways Mileage Plan

Is Alaska Airways elite standing value it?

If you happen to already fly Alaska often or plan to in 2025 and are maybe contemplating including an Alaska Airways bank card to your pockets, you may discover it straightforward to earn elite standing within the Mileage Plan program and discover the advantages effectively well worth the effort. Plus, with the extra perks and new status-earning alternatives in 2025, it’s possible you’ll be much more satisfied to qualify for elite standing.

Nonetheless, it’s value noting that Alaska and Hawaiian Airways will finally merge into one loyalty program. Right now, it’s anticipated that the particular particulars and advantages of that joint program is not going to be revealed till 2025.

If you happen to earned Alaska elite standing in 2023, it is legitimate by means of Dec. 31, 2024. To determine whether or not to pursue extending your standing into 2025 or 2026, it’s essential to think about how a lot you may be touring on Alaska and Oneworld companions sooner or later. If you happen to push onerous to earn MVP Gold 100K standing, for instance, the dear perks outlined, together with upgrades and free checked luggage, are solely useful when you fly steadily sufficient the next yr to make use of these perks.

Moreover, there isn’t any level in pursuing elite standing with an airline if you cannot feasibly fly it (or its companions) often. You’ll want to think about Alaska’s service from your house airport(s) and the way straightforward it’s to get to your required vacation spot with the service.

With that in thoughts, you will need to think about the trade-offs in pursuing standing. Probably the most widespread is deciding whether or not to make use of your most well-liked airline when it’s not probably the most handy or least expensive choice. Would you e-book a one-stop Alaska flight if Delta had a cheaper nonstop choice? If the reply is not any, it is probably not value going out of your option to earn standing with Alaska.

Moreover, when you’ve got already obtained elite standing with one other airline and surprise if Alaska’s elite standing is value it, you could possibly apply for a standing match problem. You possibly can submit your frequent flyer standing with one of many airways listed on Alaska’s web site to obtain the equal Mileage Plan standing for 90 days.

Associated: Alaska Airways baggage charges and tips on how to keep away from paying them

Alaska Airways is extensively thought-about a high airline within the frequent flyer group due to its MVP elite standing and helpful mileage foreign money. Plus, with the acquisition of Hawaiian Airways and the rollout of recent milestone advantages and program perks coming in 2025, Alaska Airways’ elite standing is tempting even loyal AAdvantage TPG employees members.

Nonetheless, the service has made some unwelcome modifications not too long ago, equivalent to introducing a distance-based construction and charging sky-high redemption charges for brand spanking new companions.

Whereas reciprocal improve advantages with American Airways are helpful for Alaska elite members flying American, it may additionally imply upgrades will likely be more difficult to attain, significantly for lower-tier elite members. When contemplating whether or not it’s value attaining MVP standing, you will need to have a look at the place your travels will take you this yr and subsequent yr to see if the perks outweigh the prices. In case you are working onerous to earn elite standing advantages, you’ll want to guarantee you’ll journey sufficient with Alaska and its associate airways when you attain your required standing tier to make that arduous work worthwhile.

Total, having MVP standing could be a good increase to make an satisfying Alaska Airways flying expertise much more seamless.

Up to date as of 10/22/2024.