Alaska Airlines Frequent Flyer (MILEAGE PLAN) Program

Having flown over 60,000 butt-in-seat miles on Alaska Airlines, I felt it was high time I write a blog about them. It’s no doubt Alaska Airlines is more generous than most of the other US flagship carriers. With Alaska Airlines, you earn 1 mile for every mile flown. 

Let’s start with a little introduction:
Alaska Airlines frequent-flyer (or loyalty) program is called Mileage Plan. It’s a program that offers its members miles for flying Alaska Airlines, or with any of their elite-qualifying partners. There are so many other ways to earn Alaska Airlines miles also by having one of their co-branded credit cards, by staying at a hotel, shopping, vacation booking, rental car, etc.

Alaska Airlines is based out of SeaTac International Airport, being its largest hub. With other major hubs in Anchorage, Los Angeles, Portland, San Francisco, etc. Personally, the Mileage Plan program has given me a better value than any other US carriers. 

Becoming a Mileage Plan member is quite easy, and it only take a few minutes to register. You can sign up on the airline’s website.

Earning Mileage Plan miles:
There are so many other ways to also double-up your miles on Alaska Airlines. Like other airlines, you can purchase Alaska Mileage Plan miles from the airlines, you can also earn more miles with any of their promotions. Like the “Double Miles COAST2COAST” promotion. This is one promo I have taken advantage of ever since it was announced in April. Although the promo seems to favor travelers between the West Coast and the East Coast, if you fly from major cities in California to the east coast, or vice-versa, then this is one promotion you should also take advantage of before the end of December 2019.

Since Mileage Plan members earn by distance, not by the dollar amount spent, this double miles promo can get you closer to sweet rewards faster than you think.

How does the Double Miles COAST2COAST works?
If you’re not a Mileage Plan member, then you need to register first. Registration is free! Make sure your Alaska Mileage Plan (Frequent-Flyer / loyalty) number is included in your reservation before your flight, fly nonstop on Alaska Airlines between the below cities:

Usually, miles are credited into Mileage Plan account between 48 – 72 hours after each flight. Remember, the more flights you fly on Alaska Airlines, the more miles you’ll earn.

Mileage Plan Elite status:
Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan Elite status comes in three stages. MVP, MVP Gold, & MVP Gold 75k. 

MVP
To achieve MVP status, you need to accrue 20,000 elite-qualifying miles on Alaska Airlines, or 25,000 elite-qualifying miles on any of their partners. Flying 30 segments (whether on Alaska, or any of their qualifying partners) will also give you MVP status. With MVP status, you’ll be introduced to wide array of benefits like:

50% bonus miles

Preferred seating

2 free checked bags for you and companions in the same booking

Priority check in and boarding

50% off Alaska Lounge membership initiation fee

$25 off one-year Alaska Lounge membership

Dedicated phone lines for reservation

Unlimited complimentary first class and premium class upgrades. 

Being upgraded to premium class does not affect your placement on the waitlist for First Class upgrades. During my days of being an MVP, I was upgraded to First-Class twice.

There are some airfare classes that gets you instant complimentary upgrades to First Class at the time of booking. These airfare classes are: (Y, S, or Z) fares. For instant Premium Class upgrades, an additional class is added. Making it (Y, S, B, or Z). Although these fares classes usually cost more.

It is worth noting that Saver (X) fares are not eligible for Premium Class and First-Class complimentary upgrades. Saver fares are relatively discounted fare class (X class). Although you’ll still get your miles credited into your account if you fly on a saver fares, but with no special treatment.

One thing you’ll fall in love with about Alaska Airlines is being upgraded to a better seat which is one of the popular perks of Mileage Plan Elite status. According to Alaska Airlines, “We are committed to offering one of the most generous upgrade policies in the industry and ensuring that we continue to recognize our top members with the benefits they value most.”

As I mentioned earlier, I was upgraded to First-Class twice in the past even with just being an MVP elite member which is the lowest of the elite status. The first First-Class upgrade notification came 48-hours before departure, while the second one was at the boarding gate.

In order to be eligible for complimentary upgrades, your Mileage Plan number must be in the reservation, and flight miles must be credited to your Mileage Plan account.

Group B is for MVP elite members

MVP GOLD
The higher your status, the more benefits you’ll enjoy. To attain MVP Gold status, you’ll need to accrue 40,000 elite-qualifying miles on Alaska Airlines, or 50,000 elite-qualifying miles on any of their elite qualifying partners. Flying 60 segments (whether on Alaska, or any of their qualifying partners) will also give you MVP Gold status.

Elite qualifying miles does not include bonus miles earned as a result of your elite status, or from any of their co-branded credit cards. Elite qualifying miles are miles earned from flying on Alaska Airlines, or any of their qualifying partners.


As an MVP Gold elite member, you’ll enjoy all of MVP benefits as mentioned above, plus the following:

Instant complimentary First-Class upgrades at the time of booking on more fare classes (Y, S, B, M, or Z). 

Instant complimentary premium class booking on all of these fare classes (Y, S, B, M, Z, H, Q, L, V, N, or K). 

You’ll also get ahead of the MVPs with complimentary upgrades from 72 hours before departure. 

100% Bonus Miles on Alaska, and their Elite Qualifying Partners

How does 4 one-way companion upgrade certificates sounds? You can use these companion upgrades certificates to upgrade yourself, business partners, or loved ones to First-Class.

Complimentary premium beverage in Main Cabin (if you were not able to get an upgrade)

Companion upgrades to Premium or First Class

Express security line (where available)

Alaska Lounge membership initiation fee is waived, plus $55 off one-year Alaska Lounge membership

Complimentary same day flight changes 

Get treated like Gold wherever you go is one thing Alaska promises. Recently, having MVP Gold with Alaska Airlines saved me $375 when I had a change of plans and had to cancel a multi-city booking with 3 separate-tickets. Each ticket would have cost $125 to cancel. Again, thanks to my Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan MVP Gold Elite status.

Dinner in Alaska Airlines First-Class cabin. Some steaks tastes better at 35,000 ft above sea level

First-Class upgrades as an MVP Gold elite member



First-Class on one of Alaska Airlines Airbus



Another First-Class upgrades as an MVP Gold elite member

MVP GOLD 75K
To achieve MVP Gold 75K, accrue 75,000 elite-qualifying miles on Alaska, or 90,000 elite-qualifying miles on any of their elite qualifying partners. Flying 90 segments (on Alaska, or any of their qualifying partners) also gives you MVP Gold status.

When you achieve MVP Gold 75K, you’ll enjoy all the benefits of MVP and MVP Gold as mentioned before, plus the following:

50,000 Bonus miles upon qualification

125% Bonus miles

Complimentary inflight entertainment player

Four Alaska Lounge Day Passes

Opportunity to nominate one person for MVP Status

Take note that MVP members receive upgrades for one passenger only – themselves, while MVP Gold and MVP Gold 75K members receive upgrades for 2 passengers – themselves, plus one companion.

Your elite status is good till the end of next calendar year.

Redeeming Alaska Airlines miles:
There are many ways to redeem those hard-earned Alaska miles. While there are many good ways to do so, there are also some not-so-good ways as well. The longer, or more expensive your trip is, the better value you’ll get out of it.

One of the many good ways of redeeming Alaska miles:
Booking long-haul flights in First or Business Class with one of Alaska Airlines partners like Cathay Pacific, Emirates, American Airlines, Japan Airlines, etc.

And stopovers are allowed on a one-way ticket. Meaning that you can visit 2 countries with the booking of a one-way ticket.

Booking Emirates Airlines First-Class A380 flights on Alaska Airlines

Some not-so-good ways of redeeming Alaska miles:
When you redeem with money and miles option.
Low-cost or short distance flights.
Using Alaska Airlines miles for hotel booking.

Tips on Getting Upgraded to First-Class on Alaska Airlines:

Personally, I have found certain ways to check my chances of getting the complimentary upgrade on any Alaska operated flight. While it has worked for me many times, please note it is not a guarantee that it will work for you when you apply it. 

When booking a flight on Alaska Airlines, the first thing I make sure is that the fare I’m booking is one of the fares with instant premium upgrades. This type of fare allows you to select premium seat instead of preferred seat.

The next thing I do is to preview seats to check the number of First-Class seats available. Typically, if the First-Class seats are less than 3, then I know my chances of buying economy and flying First-Class are very slim. I try as much as possible to select flights with at least 5 available First-Class seats.

And since I’m MVP Gold (almost 75K), once it’s 72 hours before departure, I automatically get upgraded to First-Class. If you’re MVP elite, and you’re applying this same trick, yours will be in 48 hours. MVP Gold 75K is 120 hours.

Of course, you can still get upgraded without applying any trick. As long as there is availability.

Breakfast on Alaska Airlines flight from JFK to SFO. Its unbelievable i paid $184 for this flight