Alaska Airlines has recently unveiled its new top tier of elite status in the Mileage Plan frequent flier loyalty program called MVP Gold 100K, which is to be in effect at the end of January of 2022 and is better aligned with the American Airlines AAdvantage frequent flier loyalty program and its partners in the oneworld airline alliance.
Alaska Airlines Unveils New Top Elite Tier Mileage Plan: MVP Gold 100K
As part of a recently strengthening partnership called the West Coast International Alliance, elite members of the frequent flier loyalty programs of American Airlines and Alaska Airlines now have reciprocal access to upgrades — which were first announced in November of 2020 — to seats in both the first class cabin and in the economy class cabin which are equipped with extra leg room…
…and Alaska Airlines officially became a full member airline of the oneworld alliance as of Wednesday, March 31, 2021, which is the first time in its history of approximately 89 years that the carrier is a member of a global airline alliance. This was after the original date of sometime during the summer of 2021 before the date was moved up to by the end of 2020. and then moved back to Wednesday, March 31, 2021 — and the third time proved to be the charm.
Qualifying Flights For Earning Elite Status
The chart shows the minimum qualification requirements for earning each elite status level in 2022 — keeping in mind that the annual qualification period every year is January 1 – December 31 — and that qualifying Alaska Airlines flights include flight numbers AS001-1999; AS2000-2999, which are operated by Horizon Air; and AS3300-3499, which are operated by SkyWest Airlines. Also, the MVP Gold 100K elite level will launch by end of January of 2022.
| Qualifying Flights For Earning Elite Status | MVP | MVP Gold | MVP Gold 75K | MVP Gold 100K |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eligible miles earned on Alaska Airlines, oneworld Alliance, and Global Partners | 20,000 | 40,000 | 75,000 | 100,000 |
| Eligible segments flown on Alaska Airlines, oneworld Alliance, and Global Partners | 30 | 60 | 90 | 140 |
| Qualification via eligible miles or segments must include a minimum number of flights marketed and operated by Alaska Airlines | 2 | 4 — to increase to 6 in 2022 | 6 — to increase to 12 in 2022 | 24 |
Any elite-qualifying miles earned between January 1, 2020 and April 30, 2020 were rolled over to 2021.
Miles earned and segments flown on Ravn Alaska do not count towards elite status.
Elite member benefits include flying more in order to earn more miles faster; earning more upgrades on more fares the more you fly; free checked bags, faster lines and priority boarding; and dedicated elite guest services while experiencing more flexible travel.
Million Miler Elite Benefits Compared
Members of the Mileage Plan program who fly 1,000,000 miles on Alaska Airlines are granted MVP Gold status for life.
| Earning Benefits | MVP | MVP Gold | MVP Gold 75K | MVP Gold 100K End of Jan 2022 |
| Elite bonus miles1 | 50% bonus | 100% bonus | 125% bonus | 150% bonus |
| 50,000 bonus miles upon qualification2 | ✓ |
| Flight Benefits | MVP | MVP Gold | MVP Gold 75K | MVP Gold 100K End of Jan 2022 |
| First Class upgrades³ at the time of booking | Y, B fares | Y, B, H or K fares | Y, B, H, K or M fares | Y, B, H, K or M fares |
| Premium Class upgrades at the time of booking | Y, B or H fares | Y, B, H, K, M, L, V, S or N fares | All fares except Saver fares | All fares except Saver fares |
| First and Premium Class upgrades on Alaska non-qualifying fares4 | 48 hours before departure | 72 hours before departure | 120 hours before departure | 120 hours Highest waitlist priority |
| Companion upgrades to First Class4 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Companion upgrades to Premium Class4 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| First Class guest upgrades (max. 4 per year)5 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| International upgrade certificates on American Airlines10 | 1 one-way | 2 one-way | ||
| Complimentary premium beverage in Main Cabin6 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ + snack |
| Airport Benefits | MVP | MVP Gold | MVP Gold 75K | MVP Gold 100K End of Jan 2022 |
| Priority check-in and boarding | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Free checked bags7 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 3 |
| Preferred seating | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Express security line at select airports | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Standby and wait list for full flights | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Alaska Lounge membership discount | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Four Alaska Lounge day passes (max. 4 per year)8 | ✓ | ✓ |
| Service Benefits | MVP | MVP Gold | MVP Gold 75K | MVP Gold 100K End of Jan 2022 |
| Priority call routing in call centers | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Elite Leave for new parents | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Complimentary same-day flight changes9 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| oneworld Priority | MVP | MVP Gold | MVP Gold 75K | MVP Gold 100K End of Jan 2022 |
| Corresponding oneworld tier levels | oneworld Ruby |
oneworld Sapphire |
oneworld Emerald |
oneworld Emerald |
1Elite bonuses are applied to base mileage earned only. Elite bonus flight miles do not count toward future elite status qualification.
2Members granted complimentary status, including status matched from another program, are not eligible for these bonus miles.
3Complimentary First Class upgrades are booked in U service class and are subject to availability (may not be available on all flights). Not available on certain deeply discounted fares including bulk or industry tickets.
4Premium Class and First Class upgrades are not available on Saver fares (booked in X class of service).
5A total of four First Class guest upgrades are awarded per year to members who attain MVP Gold or MVP Gold 75K status.
6Available on most flights.
7Applies to member and companions in the same reservation. Companion bag fee waiver does not apply to group bookings.
8To redeem 75K Lounge day passes, visit the Alaska Lounge and provide your Mileage Plan number or voucher code to the Concierge. You are welcome to share your 75K Lounge day passes with friends or family. If you do share, please share the voucher code (available in “my account” under “Alaska Lounge passes.”) Please do not share your Mileage Plan number. To ensure account security, we cannot access a member’s account without the member present.
9No changes are allowed on Saver fares (booked in X class of service).
10Members who qualify for MVP Gold 75K or MVP Gold 100K are eligible for either a total of 1 or 2 one-way upgrade certificates on American, depending on tier qualified for at year-end. Certificates for 2021 qualifiers will be distributed in early 2022. Only members who meet the published qualification criteria for the tier are eligible. Status acquired via nomination, status match promotion, or special offers are not eligible.
Mileage Plan elites enjoy additional benefits with Alaska Airlines, oneworld Alliance, and the Global Partners of Alaska Airlines.
Earning elite status for 2022 is easier, as you can earn 50 percent more Mileage Plan elite-qualifying miles for Alaska Airlines flights through Friday, December 31, 2021 — and no registration is required. For members who held elite status as of January 1, 2021 that are unable to re-qualify by year end 2021, we will extend your status through April 30, 2022, which is available to members with elite status as of January 1, 2021 — excluding members in status match promotions. You will have another opportunity to retain your status by flying January – April 2022. Look for more details later this year.
If you already have status with another airline, you can apply for a status match.
Final Boarding Call
That a new highest level of elite status would be introduced into the Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan frequent flier loyalty program was really no surprise, as the elite levels are now more aligned with the frequent flier loyalty programs of American Airlines and partner airlines in the oneworld alliance…
…and more benefits will be forthcoming, as additional MVP Gold 100K benefits are to be introduced later in 2022 for the 2023 program year.
Also, when you purchase a flight for travel between Tuesday, October 5, 2021 and Wednesday, December 15, 2021, you will get the second ticket for your travel companion for the cost of its taxes and fees — or you can get 10 percent off of first class fares or traveling by yourself if you do not want to travel with a companion…
…but you must purchase your tickets by tonight, Monday, September 20, 2021 at 11:59 in the evening Pacific Daylight Time in order to take advantage of this offer.
Photograph ©2013 by Brian Cohen.
