Airline Loyalty Rewards
Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan Loyalty Program Review
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Seattle (SEA), Anchorage (ANC), Portland (PDX), Los Angeles (LAX)
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Alaska Lounge in Seattle
Alaska Airlines Overview
Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan is an award-winning program that is valued by travelers for a couple of reasons. Frequent flyer miles are earned based on miles flown rather than dollars spent, and premium cabin awards are redeemable on Alaska’s partner airlines such as Cathay Pacific and Emirates.
In fact, many travelers use Mileage Plan as a collection point for their travel with these partners—without even flying Alaska Airlines much!
Joining Mileage Plan
To join Mileage Plan, sign up for free.
How To Sign in to Your Mileage Plan Account
Sign in on the alaskaair.com homepage. You’ll need to enter your user ID and password.
Viewing Your Account Activity
You can see your mileage balance and elite progress on the overview and tier status page.
Here, you can view your trips, mileage activity, wallet, and discount/companion certificates.
Points Expiration
Mileage Plan miles expire after 24 months of inactivity.
Any miles earning or redeeming activity counts, so you have many options beyond taking flights. This includes using an Alaska Airlines credit card or using the Alaska Airlines shopping portal and dining program.
Alaska Airlines Mileage Program
Mileage Plan Elite Status
The Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan program has 3 status tiers:
- MVP
- MVP Gold
- MVP Gold 75K
- MVP Gold 100K
MVP:
- Complimentary preferred seats
- Instant complimentary first class upgrades on certain fare classes (Y, S, or Z)
- Instant complimentary premium class upgrades on certain fare classes (Y, S, B, or Z)
- Complimentary upgrades 48 hours from departure
- 2 free checked bags
- Priority check-in and boarding
- 50% bonus miles on Alaska and Elite Qualifying Partners
- Alaska Lounge discounted membership (50% off initiation, $25 off annual membership)
- Oneworld Ruby status
MVP Gold:
All MVP benefits, plus:
- Instant complimentary upgrades on more fare classes (Y, S, B, M, or Z)
- Instant complimentary premium class upgrades on more fare classes (Y, S, B, M, H, Q, L, V, N, K, or Z)
- Complimentary upgrades 72 hours from departure
- Complimentary inflight premium beverage if not upgraded
- 4 one-way companion upgrade certificates
- Complimentary same-day flight changes
- Standby and waitlist for full flights
- Priority security
- 100% bonus miles on Alaska and Elite Qualifying Partners
- Alaska Lounge discounted membership (waived initiation, $50 off annual membership)
- Oneworld Sapphire status
MVP Gold 75K:
All MVP Gold benefits, plus:
- Instant complimentary upgrades on even more fare classes (Y, S, B, M, H, or Z)
- Instant complimentary premium class upgrades on all fare classes
- Complimentary upgrades 120 hours from departure
- Complimentary inflight entertainment
- 125% bonus miles on Alaska and Elite Qualifying Partners
- Gift of 50,000 miles
- Gift MVP status to a family member or friend
- 4 annual Alaska Lounge day passes (now limited to member and companions traveling with the member)
- Oneworld Emerald status
MVP Gold 100K:
All MVP Gold 75k benefits, plus:
- Instant complimentary upgrades on even more fare classes (Y, S, B, M, H, or Z)
- Instant complimentary premium class upgrades on all fare classes
- Complimentary upgrades 120 hours from departure and highest waitlist priority
- Complimentary inflight entertainment
- 150% bonus miles on Alaska and Elite Qualifying Partners
- Gift MVP status to a family member or friend
- 4 annual Alaska Lounge day passes (now limited to member and companions traveling with the member)
- Oneworld Emerald status
After flying 1 million miles on Alaska Airlines (excluding bonus miles and partner flights), travelers are granted lifetime MVP Gold status.
Lifetime MVP Gold members receive a complimentary meal or picnic pack whenever they fly in the main cabin.
Check Alaska’s site for the full lineup of benefits.
Partner Elite Status Benefits
Alaska Airlines is part of the Oneworld alliance, and its benefits with the Oneworld member airlines are as follows:
MVP:
- Priority check-in
- Access to preferred or pre-reserved seating
- Priority on waitlists and when on standby
- Access to Main Cabin Extra seats when flying American Airlines 24 hours before check-in
- 1 complimentary checked bag when flying American Airlines
MVP Gold:
All MVP benefits plus:
- Priority boarding
- Access to Oneworld business class lounges
- Extra baggage allowance
- Priority baggage handling
- Access to Main Cabin Extra seats when flying American Airlines at booking
- 2 complimentary checked bags when flying American Airlines
MVP Gold 75K:
All MVP Gold benefits plus:
- Access to Oneworld first class lounges
- Fast track at security lanes
- Access to Main Cabin Extra seats when flying American Airlines at booking
- 3 complimentary checked bags when flying American Airlines
- Complimentary access to domestic upgrades when flying American Airlines
- Complimentary same-day flight changes with American Airlines
- International upgrade certificates with American Airlines
MVP Gold 100K:
All MVP Gold 75k benefits plus:
- Access to Oneworld first class lounges
- Fast track at security lanes
- Access to Main Cabin Extra seats when flying American Airlines at booking
- 3 complimentary checked bags when flying American Airlines
- Complimentary access to domestic upgrades when flying American Airlines
- Complimentary same-day flight changes with American Airlines
- International upgrade certificates with American Airlines
Additionally, Alaska Airlines elite members receive the following benefits with these non-Oneworld partners:
- Complimentary access to Emirates business class lounge in Dubai (DXB)
- Complimentary access to select Hainan lounges in Beijing (PEK), Xi’an (XIY), Haikou (HAK), Guangzhou (CAN), and Ürümqi (URC)
- Complimentary access to Icelandair Saga lounges at Reykjavík (KEF)
Value of MVP Elite Status
Mileage Plan elite status is one of the highest-regarded programs among travelers for its mileage earning rates and benefits.
Compared to competitors, Mileage Plan is lucrative for earning miles by distance rather than spending.
Mileage Plan elite status is especially strong on companion benefits and customer service.
Earning Mileage Plan Elite Status
Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan elite status is more straightforward than some of its competitors, and there is no dollar spend threshold.
You can earn status by any 1 of 3 ways:
- Eligible miles on Alaska
- Eligible miles on a combination of Alaska and qualifying partner airlines (all airline partners except Ravn)
- Segments flown on a combination of Alaska and qualifying partner airlines (all airline partners except Ravn)
Eligible miles include class of service bonuses, but they exclude elite status bonuses.
Class of service bonuses range from 0% to 50% in economy and are 75% for first class. This means cheap first class fares can be a shortcut to earning elite status.
Annual Qualification PeriodJanuary 1 to December 31 | MVP | MVP Gold | MVP Gold 75K | MVP Gold 100K |
Miles on Alaska and Qualifying Partner Airlines | 20,000 | 40,000 | 75,000 | 100,000 |
Segments on Alaska and Qualifying Partner Airlines | 30 | 60 | 90 | 140 |
Minimum Number of Segments Flown on Alaska to Earn/Retain Status | 2 | 4 | 6 | 24 |
How To Earn Alaska Miles
Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan boasts many partnerships that attract members who don’t even fly Alaska Airlines itself. For those who do fly Alaska Airlines, Mileage Plan is a rare U.S. airline program that continues to treat a mile flown as a mile earned.
Earning Miles by Flying Alaska Airlines
When flying Alaska Airlines, you’ll earn miles by flight distance and fare class. On short flights, travelers earn a minimum of 500 miles.
Cabin | Classes of Service | Base Mileage Earned | Bonus Miles |
First Class | F or P | 100% | 75% |
Main (Economy) | Y or S | 100% | 50% |
Main (Economy) | M or B | 100% | 25% |
Main (Economy) | H, Q, L, V, K, G, T, or R | 100% | – |
Earning Miles by Flying Oneworld & Other Partners
Alaska Airlines has numerous airline partnerships for earning miles; check its partners page for earning rates by partner and flight:
- Aer Lingus
- Air Tahiti Nui
- American Airlines
- Bahamasair
- British Airways
- Cape Air
- Cathay Pacific
- Condor
- EL AL
- Emirates
- Fiji Airways
- Finnair
- Hainan Airlines
- Iberia
- Icelandair
- Japan Airlines
- Kenmore Air
- Korean Air
- LATAM Airlines
- Malaysia Airlines
- Mokulele Airlines
- Qantas
- Qatar Airways
- Ravn Alaska
- Royal Air Maroc
- Royal Jordanian
- Singapore Airlines
- Southern Airways Express
- SriLankan Airlines
- STARLUX Airlines
Earn Miles With Credit Cards
The Alaska Signature card (and its business version) both earn 3 miles per dollar on Alaska Airlines purchases and 1 mile per dollar everywhere else. The card includes an annual $99 + taxes companion certificate and a free checked bag.
For everyday spending, your best option is earning Marriott Bonvoy points with one of the Marriott Bonvoy credit cards. Every transfer of 60,000 Marriott Bonvoy points to your Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan account earns you a bonus of 5,000 miles.
Earning Bonus Miles in Other Ways
We have step-by-step guides for the Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan shopping portal and dining program, which can both earn you quick bonus points.
Plus, there are other retail and travel partners that earn miles. See our article on the best ways to earn lots of Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan Miles for more.
Branded and Partnered Credit Cards
There are several credit cards that can help you quickly collect Alaska miles to redeem for some amazing flights.
Alaska Airlines Credit Cards
Bank of America’s co-branded cards with Alaska Airlines allow you to earn Mileage Plan miles directly:
Marriott Bonvoy Credit Cards
While earning Alaska miles directly might seem like the best way to go, we’d actually suggest considering Marriott Bonvoy points. Every chunk of 60,000 points you transfer to Alaska Airlines earns you a bonus of 5,000 Alaska miles.
A great option for Marriott hotel fans who want a no annual fee card and automatic Marriott Bonvoy elite status.
Why We Like This Card
Casual travelers who like to frequent properties that are part of the Marriott Bonvoy collection of brands may want to consider the Marriott Bonvoy Bold® Credit Card.
The Marriott Bold card rewards cardholders for Marriott stays and gives them a boost towards Marriott Bonvoy elite status.
Pros & Cons
- Up to 14x points per $1 on Marriott purchases
- 2x points at grocery stores, rideshare, select food delivery, select streaming, and internet, cable, and phone services
- 5 Elite Night Credits each year
- Lower point earn rate than other Marriott Bonvoy cards
- Marriott Bonvoy Silver Elite status is the lowest status tier
Card Highlights
- APR: 20.99% - 27.99% Variable
- Foreign Transaction Fees:
Marriott loyalists will love this card's annual Free Night Award, automatic elite status, and up to 17x points per $1 on Marriott hotel stays.
Why We Like This Card
If you’re a frequent traveler and a Marriott loyalist, there’s a lot to love about the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card. The card comes packed with several great benefits like a free hotel night once a year, automatic Silver Elite status (with a fast-track to Gold Elite status), and multiple options for redeeming points.
Pros & Cons
- Earn big when you use your card at thousands of participating Marriott Bonvoy hotels
- Earn big at grocery stores, gas stations, and dining
- Automatic Silver Elite Status
- $95 annual fee
- Marriott Silver Elite Status is the lowest status tier
Card Highlights
- Earn 125,000 bonus points after qualifying purchases - our best points offer!
- Earn 3X points per $1 on the first $6,000 spent in combined purchases each year on grocery stores, gas stations, and dining.
- Earn 1 Elite Night Credit towards Elite Status for every $5,000 you spend.
- 1 Free Night Award (valued up to 35,000 points) every year after account anniversary.
- Earn up to 17X total points per $1 spent at thousands of hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy® with the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Card.
- Receive 15 Elite Night Credits annually, automatic Silver Elite status, and path to Gold Status when you spend $35,000 on purchases each calendar year.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees. Your points don't expire as long as you make purchases on your card every 24 months.
- Member FDIC
- APR: 20.99% - 27.99% Variable
- Foreign Transaction Fees: None
Terms Apply / Rates & FeesThe Marriott Bonvoy Bevy card gives you automatic Marriott elite status and helps you earn more Marriott Bonvoy points on your everyday purchases.
Apply With Confidence
Know if you're approved with no credit score impact
If you're approved and accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
Why We Like This Card
The Marriott Bonvoy Bevy™ American Express® Card, the latest mid-tier offering in the Marriott Bonvoy lineup of cards, offers cardholders automatic elite status and ways to earn more Marriott Bonvoy points on each of their stays and daily purchases.
Pros & Cons
- 6x points per $1 at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy
- 4x points per $1 at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on up to $15,000 in combined purchases per calendar year, then 2x points)
- 2x points per $1 on all other purchases
- $250 annual fee (rates & fees)
- Free Night Award certificate is not an automatic benefit
Card Highlights
- Earn 85,000 Marriott Bonvoy bonus points after you use your new Card to make $5,000 in purchases within the first 6 months of Card Membership.
- Earn 6X Marriott Bonvoy® points for each dollar of eligible purchases at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy.
- Earn 4X points at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on up to $15,000 in combined purchases at restaurants and U.S. supermarkets per calendar year, then 2X points).
- Earn 2X points on all other eligible purchases with the Marriott Bonvoy Bevy™ Card.
- Marriott Bonvoy 1K Bonus Points Per Stay: Earn 1,000 Marriott Bonvoy® bonus points per paid eligible stay booked directly with Marriott for properties participating in Marriott Bonvoy.
- With complimentary Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elites status, earn up to 2.5X points from Marriott Bonvoy® on eligible hotel purchases with the 25% Bonus Points on stays benefit, available for Qualifying Rates.
- Marriott Bonvoy Bevy Free Night Award: Earn 1 Free Night Award after spending $15,000 on eligible purchases on your Marriott Bonvoy Bevy™ Card in a calendar year. Award can be used for one night (redemption level at or under 50,000 Marriott Bonvoy® points) at a hotel participating in Marriott Bonvoy®. Certain hotels have resort fees.
- 15 Elite Night Credits: Each calendar year with your Marriott Bonvoy Bevy™ American Express Card® you can receive 15 Elite Night Credits toward the next level of Marriott Bonvoy® Elite status. Limitations apply per Marriott Bonvoy member account. Benefit is not exclusive to Cards offered by American Express. Terms apply.
- Plan It® is a payment option that lets you split up purchases of $100 or more into equal monthly installments with a fixed fee. Plus, you'll still earn rewards the way you usually do.
- $250 Annual Fee.
- Terms Apply.
- APR: 20.24%-29.24% Variable
- Foreign Transaction Fees: None
Terms Apply / Rates & FeesA premium card for Marriott fans who want perks like an annual statement credit and Free Night Award, plus a fast track to Marriott elite status.
Apply With Confidence
Know if you're approved with no credit score impact
If you're approved and accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
Why We Like This Card
The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card is a premium card designed with road warriors and Marriott Bonvoy loyalists in mind.
So is the card a worthwhile addition to your wallet?
Pros & Cons
- 6x points per $1 at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy program
- 3x points per $1 on flights booked directly with airlines and restaurants worldwide
- 2x points per $1 on all other purchases
- Steep annual fee of $650 (rates & fees)
- 6x points per $1 is the same earn rate offered with lower annual fee alternatives like the Marriott Bonvoy Bevy™ American Express® Card
Card Highlights
- Earn 95,000 Marriott Bonvoy® bonus points after you use your new Card to make $6,000 in purchases within the first 6 months of Card Membership.
- $300 Brilliant Dining Credit: Each calendar year, get up to $300 (up to $25 per month) in statement credits for eligible purchases made on the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card at restaurants worldwide.
- With Marriott Bonvoy Platinum Elite status, you can receive room upgrades, including enhanced views or suites, when available at select properties and booked with a Qualifying Rate.
- Earn 6X Marriott Bonvoy® points for each dollar of eligible purchases at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy®. Earn 3X Marriott Bonvoy® points at restaurants worldwide and on flights booked directly with airlines and 2X Marriott Bonvoy® points on all other eligible purchases made on the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card.
- Free Night Award: Receive 1 Free Night Award every year after your Card renewal month. Award can be used for one night (redemption level at or under 85,000 Marriott Bonvoy points) at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy®. Certain hotels have resort fees.
- Each calendar year after spending $60,000 on eligible purchases on your Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card, you will be eligible to select a Brilliant Earned Choice Award benefit. You can only earn one Earned Choice Award per calendar year. See https://www.choice-benefit.marriott.com/brilliant for Award options.
- $100 Marriott Bonvoy Property Credit: Enjoy your stay. Receive up to a $100 property credit for qualifying charges at The Ritz-Carlton® or St. Regis® when you book direct using a special rate for a two-night minimum stay using your Card.
- Fee Credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®: Receive either a statement credit every 4 years after you apply for Global Entry ($120) or a statement credit every 4.5 years after you apply for a five-year membership for TSA PreCheck® (up to $85 through a TSA PreCheck official enrollment provider) and pay the application fee with your Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card. If approved for Global Entry, at no additional charge, you will receive access to TSA PreCheck.
- Each calendar year with your Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card you can receive 25 Elite Night Credits toward the next level of Marriott Bonvoy® Elite status. Limitations apply per Marriott Bonvoy member account. Benefit is not exclusive to Cards offered by American Express.
- Enroll in Priority Pass™ Select, which offers unlimited airport lounge visits to over 1,200 lounges in over 130 countries, regardless of which carrier or class you are flying. This allows you to relax before or between flights. You can enjoy snacks, drinks, and internet access in a quiet, comfortable location.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees on international purchases.
- With Cell Phone Protection, you can be reimbursed, the lesser of, your repair or replacement costs following damage, such as a cracked screen, or theft for a maximum of $800 per claim when your cell phone line is listed on a wireless bill and the prior month's wireless bill was paid by an Eligible Card Account. A $50 deductible will apply to each approved claim with a limit of 2 approved claims per 12-month period. Additional terms and conditions apply. Coverage is provided by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.
- $650 Annual Fee.
- Terms Apply.
- APR: 20.24%-29.24% Variable
- Foreign Transaction Fees: None
Other Hotel Partner Credit Cards
A few other hotel programs will let you transfer points to Alaska Airlines. However, this is almost always a poor use of hotel points.
Unless you are really in a bind, save your hotel points for award stays at your destination, where they’ll likely be worth more.
How To Redeem Alaska Miles
Alaska Airlines has multiple ways to redeem your miles once you have earned them.
Awards on Alaska Airlines Flights
Alaska Airlines recently lowered the price of short-distance domestic flights. These are now as cheap as 5,000 miles one-way!
Award Levels for Travel on Alaska Airlines
Within Contiguous U.S. & Alaska | Miles Required |
Trips less than 700 miles | |
Main Cabin | 5,000 to 30,000 |
First Class | 15,000 to 40,000 |
Trips between 701 and 1,400 miles | |
Main Cabin | 7,500 to 30,000 |
First Class | 25,000 to 60,000 |
Trips between 1,401 and 2,100 miles | |
Main Cabin | 10,000 to 40,000 |
First Class | 25,000 to 60,000 |
Trips longer than 2,101 miles | |
Main Cabin | 12,500 to 50,000 |
First Class | 30,000 to 70,000 |
*Price ranges are all for one-way flights. The highest price in each range is a refundable award.
Contiguous U.S./Alaska to Mexico | Miles Required |
Trips between 701 and 1,400 miles | |
Main Cabin | 10,000 to 35,000 |
First Class | 30,000 to 50,000 |
Trips between 1,401 and 2,100 miles | |
Main Cabin | 15,000 to 40,000 |
First Class | 30,000 to 60,000 |
Trips longer than 2,101 miles | |
Main Cabin | 17,500 to 50,000 |
First Class | 30,000 to 70,000 |
*Price ranges are all for one-way flights. The highest price in each range is a refundable award.
Contiguous U.S./Alaska to Hawaii | Miles Required |
Main Cabin | 15,000 to 50,000 |
First Class | 40,000 to 80,000 |
*Price ranges are all for one-way flights. The highest price in each range is a refundable award.
Free Stopovers — Even on One-Ways!
Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan allows free stopovers on awards, which is a benefit eliminated by almost all other airline programs. Even better, you get a free stopover on a one-way, or 2 on a round-trip booking!
First Class Upgrades
Within 24 hours of departure or at check-in, you can request an upgrade with miles or cash. Miles upgrades cost 15,000 miles regardless of trip distance. Cash upgrades can be better value for short flights:
One-Way Trip Distance | Upgrade Price |
0 to 1,250 | $50 |
1,251 to 2,500 | $100 |
2,501 to 3,750 | $150 |
3,751+ | $200 |
Money & Miles
Use miles for up to a 50% discount off Alaska Airlines coach airfare.
Award Type | One-Way | Round-Trip |
Money & Miles — 50% discount up to $100 | 10,000 | 10,000 |
Money & Miles — 50% discount up to $200 | 20,000 | 20,000 |
Hot Tip: You earn 100% of miles from Money & Miles awards!
Awards on Partner Airlines
Each Alaska Airlines partner has its own award chart. Only award routes listed on the chart can be booked.
To locate the pricing for each partner, head to the award charts page on the Alaska Airlines website, punch in your destinations, and you’ll see all the pricing for each available partner.
American Airlines:
One-Way Trip Distance | Coach | Business/First |
Continental U.S. only | 12,500 | 25,000 |
Other Airline Partner Awards:
Alaska Airlines has fantastic partner awards that are among the most sought-after by travelers. Each partner has its own award chart and available routes.
See our article on the best ways to redeem Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan for ideas.
Non-Flight Awards
Finally, miles can be used outside of the airline, including for magazine subscriptions and other household and travel goods.
The information regarding the Alaska Airlines Visa Signature® Credit Card, and Alaska Airlines Visa® Business Credit Card was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer.
The information regarding the Alaska Airlines Visa Signature® credit card was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer.
The information regarding Alaska Airlines Visa® Business Credit Card was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer.
The information regarding the Marriott Bonvoy Bold® Credit Card was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer.
The information regarding the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer.
The information regarding the Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite™ Mastercard® was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer.
For rates and fees of the Marriott Bonvoy Bevy™ American Express® Card, click here.
For rates and fees of the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® card, click here.
