Alaska Airlines MVP Elite Status: How You Get it and What’s in it for You

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. And while Alaska Airlines is not a member of any airline alliance, it has an extensive list of partners:

• American Airlines
• Aeromexico
• Air France
• British Airways
• Cathay Pacific
• Delta Air Lines
• Emirates
• Fiji Airways
• Hainan
• Icelandair
• KLM
• Korean Air
• Qantas
• PenAir (not elite qualifying partner)
• Ravn Alaska  (not elite qualifying partner)

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 benefits with American and Delta Airlines, and to a lesser extent Emirates. Granted, the elite benefits for partners are not as strong as for Alaska’s own flyers, but they are still worthwhile if you use Delta or American flights in conjunction with Alaska.

Earning Status

The Alaska Airlines Elite MVP status has three elite levels: MVP, MVP Gold, and Gold 75K.

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
• Gold 75K: 75,000 miles

For flights on a combination of Alaska Airlines and its Elite Qualifying Partner:

• MVP: 25,000 miles or 30 segments
• MVP Gold: 50,000 miles or 60 segments
• Gold 75K: 90,000 miles or 90 segments

Upgrades on Alaska Airlines on Qualifying Fares

• MVP and above: Immediate.

Qualifying Fares

• MVP: Y, S, B
• MVP Gold and Gold 75K: Y, S, B, M, H

Upgrades on Alaska Airlines on Non-qualifying Fares

• MVP: 48 hours before departure
• MVP Gold: 72 hours before departure
• Gold 75K: 120 hours before departure

Companion Upgrades on Alaska Airlines

• MVP Gold and Gold 75K.

Annual Guest Upgrades

• MVP Gold and Gold 75K: Four one-ways per year

Upgrades on Delta Airlines

• MVP and above: U.S., Canada, Mexico, and some Caribbean destinations

Elite Bonus Miles

• MVP: 50% bonus miles
• MVP Gold: 100% bonus miles
• Gold 75K: 125% bonus miles

Fee Waivers

Alaska Airlines Flights:

• MVP and above: First two bags
• MVP Gold and Gold 75K:
  • Fee waivers for Mileage Plan service charges and ticket change fees
  • Free same day flight changes
  • Free premium beverage in coach
• Gold 75K: Free entertainment player when flying in coach

American Airlines Flights:

• MVP: One bag
• MVP Gold and Gold 75K: First two bags
• MVP Gold and Gold 75K: Main  cabin extra (50% off for MVP members)

Airport Services

MVP and above:

• Priority check-in at Alaska Airlines and American Airlines counters
• Priority access status on American Airlines
• Priority boarding on Alaska, American, and Delta Airlines

MVP Gold and Gold 75K:

• Standby and waitlist for full flights on Alaska Airlines
• Express security line at select airports

Complimentary Lounge Access

MVP Gold and Gold 75K:

• Waived initiation fee for Alaska Airlines Board Room (50% off for MVP members)
• Board Room annual membership $55 off ($75 off for MVP members)
• Board Room 3-Year membership $165 off ($75 off for MVP members)
• Access for member and a guest to Icelandair Saga Lounge

Gold 75K:

• 4 free Boardroom day passes annually.

Notable Additional Rewards for Gold 75K Members

• 50,000 Bonus Miles when you attain status (except matched or complimentary status)
• MVP status for a friend or family member

Million Mile Flyer Status

• Lifetime MVP Gold Status for Mileage Plan members who have flown 1,000,000 miles on Alaska Airlines.
•  Complimentary meal or picnic pack when flying in coach