Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan Elite Status

Alaska offers two levels of Elite status – MVP and MVP Gold, both of which have low thresholds compared to other airlines. Travelers can earn MVP status after only 20,000 miles flown on Alaska or Horizon, while they can earn MVP Gold status after only 40,000 miles (if you fly on partner airlines, the levels are 25,000 and 50,000 miles or 30/60 segments).

MVP status earns a 50% bonus on all flights, while MVP Gold offers a 100% mileage bonus. The most generous benefit kicks in when you fly 75,000 miles in a year on Alaska or a partner: they’ll give you 50,000 bonus miles for hitting that threshold – no other airline offers a similar bonus.

Alaska also offers unlimited upgrades for Elite members. Expensive coach tickets are upgraded upon purchase (Gold MVP members have their mid-priced tickets upgraded as well). Inexpensive tickets are upgraded 3 days before flying for MVP Gold members and 2 days for MVP.  Gold members can also get unlimited upgrades on Delta and Northwest.

In addition to the usual array of dedicated check-in and early boarding, Elite members get two free roundtrip upgrades each year on Northwest Airlines.

Mileage Expiration

All Mileage Plan accounts that are inactive for 2 years may be terminated. But if you do anything with the account – fly, buy something at a partner, redeem an award – you stay active.

If you do find that your miles have been eliminated because of inactivity, Alaska will re-instate the miles for $75 within 1 year of their expiration.

Learn More About Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan

Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan Overview
Alaska Airlines Hubs and Routes
Alaska Airlines Mileage Earning and Using Miles
Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan Elite Status
Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan Elite Status Matching