Alaska Mileage Plan has always been one of the more intriguing frequent flyer programs, especially since the airline joined the Oneworld alliance in 2021. Now, some changes have been announced that will take effect from next year.
While other airlines (e.g., Delta) are in the process of significantly devaluing their frequent flyer programs, Alaska stands out positively. There are some downgrades, but there is also good news. For us Europeans, one development should be particularly interesting: from 2024, a frequent flyer status can be achieved without having flown once with Alaska Airlines.
This is a clear departure from the existing system, which requires between 2 and 24 flights with Alaska Airlines depending on the status. In the future, it will be possible to achieve a frequent flyer status solely with Finnair, JAL, Condor, LATAM, or Singapore Airlines, as Alaska has exciting partnerships outside the Oneworld alliance as well.
Status Qualification with Alaska Mileage Plan from 2024
Unlike other airlines, a frequent flyer status with Alaska Airlines is not dependent on US dollars spent; it depends on booking class and flight distance. Currently, there are several ways to earn a status. For MVP Gold 75K (Oneworld Emerald), e.g.:
- 75,000 status miles + 12 flights with Alaska Airlines
- 90 flights with any partner airlines, including 12 flights with Alaska Airlines
From 2024, the requirements will be as follows:
- MVP from 20,000 status miles (Oneworld Ruby)
- MVP Gold from 40,000 status miles (Oneworld Sapphire)
- MVP Gold 75K from 75,000 status miles (Oneworld Sapphire)
- MVP Gold 100K from 100,000 status miles (Oneworld Emerald)
The option to qualify based on segments alone will be eliminated. However, this was not overly attractive, as reaching 60 segments (Gold) or 90 (75K) is no small feat.
Regarding the individual status benefits, it is advisable to check the frequent flyer program’s website. Those flying with Alaska Airlines benefit from upgrades to Premium & First Class, and there are even up to 2 upgrades to American Airlines‘ long-haul business class.
Example: Achieving Oneworld Sapphire with Condor & British Airways (2 trips)
Alaska Mileage Plan is particularly interesting for those who like to explore beyond their alliance. Even when flying with Singapore Airlines, Condor, Aer Lingus, Icelandair, and others, status miles can be accumulated.
Here’s a quick example of how you can achieve MVP Gold (Oneworld Sapphire) status with two business trips to the USA:
- 1x business class
FRA - LAX - FRAwith Condor: 23,000 status miles + 34,000 award miles - 1x business class (I)
HAM - LHR - SFO - LHR - HAMwith BA: 17,500 status miles + 29,200 award miles
In total, that’s 40,500 status miles, which is sufficient for MVP Gold status (from 2024). Additionally, you would already have 63,000 award miles, or a bit more, as there is a 25% bonus upon reaching Silver status. This is enough for a business class one-way from Europe to North America (costs 55,000 miles + approximately €100 if you find availability).
Feel free to enter other routings in our mileage calculator to see how many miles you’d be earning at the Mileage Plan:
Other Changes
There are several other changes to the Alaska Mileage Plan in 2024 and 2025. Here’s a brief summary:
- The mileage bonus for frequent flyers will be significantly reduced. As MVP, there will now be only a 25% bonus instead of 50%, and as MVP Gold, a 50% bonus instead of 100%. This bonus also applies to flights with partner airlines like Condor.
- Additional Choice Rewards are set to be introduced, which are specific bonuses upon achieving a frequent flyer status. These are intended to offset the loss in the mileage bonus.
- In 2023, it will be possible to carry over excess status miles to the next year, but only if a total of more than 100,000 EQM (Elite Qualifying Miles) has been collected.
- As announced in early December, Alaska plans to acquire Hawaiian Airlines. If approved, there may be additional status benefits on Hawaiian flights in the future.
Conclusion
While other programs are gradually alienating their members, the frequent flyer program of Alaska Airlines is becoming more and more attractive.
I am increasingly considering switching from the BA Executive Club (and Finnair Plus) to the Alaska Mileage Plan. Now that British Airways has introduced spending-based mileage issuance, Alaska would offer multiple times more award miles. Only the status is not quite as easy to achieve.
Sources: One Mile at a Time, Flyertalk, and Alaska Air
Cover Picture: Ditmar Lange