Alaska Airlines is offering Elite Qualifying Miles (EQM) Status Boost

Having announced the status extension earned in 2019 to roll over through end of 2021 due to Covid-19 which brought travel to a standstill, Alaska Airlines took a step further on Monday, June 1^st, by announcing yet another great opportunity to earn more Elite Qualifying Miles (EQMs). The airline, keeping to its promises made a few weeks earlier, saying “MVP and MVP Gold – Look for additional opportunities in the coming months to earn more elite-qualifying miles in 2020 to boost your status in 2021”. The airline further promised by saying, “MVP Gold 75K – There will be additional opportunities to earn your annual 50,000 bonus miles reward”.

According to the airline, there are two ways to help you boost your status. Whether you’re new to elite status, or trying to get to the next tier, or maybe you’re MVP Gold 75K like us who always look forward to the bonus 50,000 miles every year after requalifying, as well as the unlimited complimentary upgrades. There is something for everyone, even if you won’t be flying for the rest of the year but will only be doing shopping using your Alaska Airlines Visa card.

There are two ways to boost your status to the next level:

You’ll earn 50% more ELITE QUALIFYING MILES for every flight marketed and operated by Alaska Airlines between June 1 – December 31, 2020.

Earn 2,500 ELITE QUALIFYING MILES for every $5,000 you spend on your Alaska Mileage Plan Visa card. Swipe and Earn capped at maximum 10,000 EQMs. 

While the latter opportunity is a plus, it will require a $20,000 spend for you to earn the 10,000 EQMs. While a roundtrip from New York to Los Angeles will give you close to 10,000 EQMs. 

You can even earn up to additional 3,800 EQMs if you add a connection in Seattle. 

While this promotion was a great news, it does have some caveats attached to it. The one I would like to emphasize on is the fact that you’re only earning EQMs, you WILL NOT receive bonus miles for future award travel. According to the terms and conditions of the promotion, “the bonus elite-qualifying miles awarded as part of this promotion count toward elite status qualification only, are non-redeemable, and cannot be used toward award travel. All terms and conditions of the Mileage Plan program apply.” You can read the full terms and conditions on Alaska Airlines website.

Alaska Airlines Airbus A320 First Class cabin (2 rows, 8 seats)

But regardless, it is still no doubt that Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan program is the most generous frequent flyer program out there. Last year, the airline ran Double-Miles-Coast-to-Coast promo. A promotion that lasted from April 1 – December 31^st 2019. 

Having elite status, or requalifying for elite status is made easy, thanks to this offer. You can become an Alaska Mileage Plan MVP after flying 10,000 butt-in-seat miles on any flights marketed and operated by Alaska Airlines. 20,000 miles for MVP Gold, and ~38,000 for MVP Gold 75K.

This offer will provide more opportunities and benefits to Alaska loyalists as the airlines strengthens its partnership with American Airlines, and also plans to join OneWorld in summer of 2021.