How To Upgrade to First Class on Alaska Airlines [In-Depth Guide]

Key Takeaways

• Alaska Airlines offers first class upgrades through Mileage Plan miles, elite status benefits, or by purchasing discounted upgrade offers 24 hours prior to departure.
• Mileage Plan members receive complimentary upgrades on eligible flights, with priority based on status level.
• The Alaska Airlines-branded credit card does not qualify you for upgrades, but it does come with perks such as a free checked bag and a quick way to earn Mileage Plan miles.

It’s easy to envy our traveling friends who live in the western U.S. since they have direct access to flying Alaska Airlines on a regular basis.

Alaska Airlines is firmly planted in the West Coast hub cities of Seattle (SEA), Portland (PDX), Anchorage (ANC), San Francisco (SFO), and Los Angeles (LAX), but it flies to 115 destinations throughout the U.S., Mexico, Canada, and even Costa Rica.

We’ve heard loyalists rave about its Mileage Plan frequent flyer program to the point of a cult following but the airline’s recent leap to membership in the Oneworld alliance has created even more excitement.

If you’re one of the many Alaska Airlines loyalists, knowing how its upgrade process works is probably high on your list.

Types of Alaska Airlines Upgrades

Alaska Airlines has several types of upgrades available. Most are limited to just those travelers who have elite status, but there are also upgrades that non-elite travelers can access.

First, some clarifications:

• Alaska Airlines defines its Premium Class as those seats toward the front of the main cabin; they have 4 inches of additional legroom, include early boarding, and provide complimentary alcoholic beverages
• Elite members are those who have attained elite status in the Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan frequent flyer program

Complimentary Upgrades

• First Class Upgrades —Elite members receive unlimited complimentary upgrades to first class in order of elite status
• Fare Class Upgrades — Elite members are eligible for immediate upgrades into Premium Class when purchasing qualifying fares, provided space is available
• Premium Class Upgrades — Elite members receive unlimited complimentary upgrades to Premium Class in order of elite status
• Companion Upgrades — Certain elite members can upgrade 1 companion traveling with them
• Guest Upgrades — Certain elite members receive guest upgrade certificates each year, which can be used when guests are not traveling with the elite member

Paid Upgrades

• First Class Upgrades — All travelers may purchase first class upgrades based on availability at 24 hours prior to departure

Upgrade With Miles

• First Class Upgrades — All travelers may purchase first class upgrades with miles when purchasing their ticket or on an existing reservation (based on availability)

Bottom Line: You don’t have to have elite status to purchase a first class ticket to travel in the front of the plane, but availability is the key to purchasing an upgrade or securing one with miles. 

Alaska Upgrade Priority: Who Gets the Upgrade First?

The Importance of Elite Status

Upgrades are the most treasured benefit an airline can bestow, so it’s no wonder airlines reserve upgrades for their best customers.

Alaska Airlines is no different, and it distributes its complimentary upgrades in order of elite status hierarchy from highest to lowest.

There are 4 levels of elite status in its Mileage Plan frequent flyer program:

• MVP Gold 100K
• MVP Gold 75K
• MVP Gold
• MVP

Here’s how upgrades are distributed among the elites:

If a complimentary upgrade is not cleared immediately, elites will be put on a waitlist and cleared in order of elite status level, fare class, and time of waitlisting.

Companion Upgrade Options for Elite Members

In addition to complimentary upgrades for the elite flyer, MVP Gold, MVP Gold 75K, and MVP Gold 100K elite members receive the benefit of complimentary upgrades for their travel companion.

If the traveling companion is not on the same reservation, the Gold elite member needs to call Mileage Plan customer service to upgrade the companion.

Only 1 companion upgrade is allowed. If there is more than 1 companion included on the same reservation, no upgrade will be granted for the entire reservation.

In addition to complimentary travel companion upgrades, MVP Gold, MVP Gold 75K, and MVP Gold 100K members receive 4 one-way first class guest upgrade certificates each year. These certificates can be used for travelers who are not flying with the elite member.

Guest upgrade certificates can be redeemed online when purchasing a ticket by selecting MVP Gold Guest under the Upgrade fare type when booking your reservation, or within your existing reservation by selecting MVP Gold guest upgrade next to your flight confirmation code.

How To Purchase an Alaska Airlines First Class Upgrade

Paid Upgrades

It is possible to purchase an upgrade on your existing Alaska or SkyWest ticket (operating on behalf of Alaska) within 24 hours of the flight departure through online check-in.

Prices for one-way upgrades to first class are based on distance and start at $23.

You may also be able to purchase an upgrade on the day of departure at a kiosk, airport ticket counter, or at the departure gate. Upgrades are subject to availability, of course, and more likely to be offered on less-traveled routes.

Hot Tip: It is possible to secure a paid first class upgrade even if you don’t have elite status with Alaska Airlines. Available upgrade inventory (look for “U” class) is released for sale once all complimentary elite member upgrades have cleared. So if you’re interested in an upgrade, be proactive, ask at the gate, and don’t wait for an announcement that there are upgrades for sale. 

Upgrading With Mileage Plan Miles

How To Upgrade With Miles When Purchasing a Ticket

It’s easy to use your Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan miles to upgrade your flight when purchasing a ticket. Flights operated by Alaska Airlines or SkyWest on behalf of Alaska Airlines are eligible.

You simply visit alaskaair.com and enter your departure/destination information as normal into the Book section. Once flights are displayed, just select Mileage from the Upgrade fare type — fares shown with an “F” in a solid blue box are the ones with upgrade availability.

A one-way first class upgrade will cost 15,000 Mileage Plan miles.

How To Upgrade an Existing Reservation With Miles

To upgrade to first class on an existing Alaska Airlines reservation with miles, you would need to call Alaska Airlines reservations at 800-252-7522. The price is the same at 15,000 Mileage Plan miles for a one-way upgrade and includes connecting flights.

Upgrading on Partner Airlines

You cannot use Mileage Plan miles to upgrade on partner airlines at this time.

The Value of an Alaska Airlines Credit Card

Having an Alaska Airlines-branded credit card won’t get you upgraded on an Alaska Airlines flight, but it can jump-start your earnings for plenty of Mileage Plan miles that can be redeemed for upgrades and more.

The Alaska Airlines Visa Signature^® Credit Card offers 2 opportunities to receive the popular companion ticket within the first year of having the card.

• Earn a generous welcome bonus after completing the required minimum spending on the card within the first 3 months after card approval.
• Earn a Companion Fare ticket each year at your account anniversary for $99 plus taxes and fees. 
• Get a free checked bag on Alaska Airlines flights for you and up to 6 other guests on the same reservation.
• Earn 3 miles per $1 spent on Alaska Airlines and 1 mile per $1 on all other purchases.

If you fly Alaska Airlines or have plans to in the near future, having the Alaska Signature card makes perfect sense. The miles you’ll earn from the generous welcome offer, 2 companion fare tickets, and the ongoing earning potential all result in bottom-line good value.

Bottom Line: With just 1 annual family trip on Alaska Airlines after securing the Alaska Signature card, you’ll have saved enough on baggage fees alone to offset the $95 annual fee. 

First Class Upgrades for American Airlines AAdvantage Elites

If you have Executive Platinum or Platinum Pro elite status with American Airlines AAdvantage, you qualify for reciprocal complimentary upgrades to Premium Class and first class upgrades on Alaska Airlines.

Upgrades will be confirmed as early as 120 hours from departure but only after all MVP Gold 100K and MVP Gold 75K member upgrades have cleared.

Alaska Airlines Saver fares do not qualify for upgrades.

Increase Your Chances of an Upgrade With Alaska Airlines

Alaska Airlines’ upgrade policies are straightforward, so there’s not a lot of wiggle room when it comes to securing an upgrade. Knowing the rules, however, can give you an edge up.

With Elite Status

• Achieving top Mileage Plan elite status is the primary way to secure complimentary upgrades on Alaska Airlines.
• Select flights with available upgrade space. When booking flights, increase your chances of a complimentary upgrade by searching for flights with first class upgrade availability under Upgrade fare type.
• Use Alaska Mileage Plan miles for premium fare award tickets. Mileage Plan miles can be used to purchase premium cabin flights on Alaska and its partner airlines.
• Utilize your American AAdvantage Executive Platinum or Platinum Pro elite status to receive first class upgrades on Alaska Airlines.

Without Elite Status

• Consider 24-hour purchase upgrades. You may be able to purchase first class upgrades for as little as $29 at check-in, at airport kiosks, or at the departure gate.
• Upgrade with miles when purchasing your ticket. A first class upgrade can be yours at the point of purchase for 15,000 Mileage Plan miles.
• Upgrade an existing reservation with miles. Use 15,000 Mileage Plan miles to upgrade an existing reservation by calling Alaska Airlines.
• Securing a guest upgrade code. Non-elites can be upgraded by MVP Gold members using upgrade certificates.
• Utilize Money & Miles to discount your fare. You don’t need to have elite status to use the Money & Miles option to secure discounted first class fares — just a few miles in your Mileage Plan account. The Money and Miles option gives you up to a 50% discount on the fare: 10,000 miles is good for $100 off the base fare, and 20,000 miles equals $200 off.
• Use Alaska Mileage Plan miles for premium fare tickets. You do not need elite status to purchase premium cabin tickets on Alaska and partner airlines.

First Class Seats on Oneworld Alliance Partner Airlines

Alaska Airlines is a recent member of the Oneworld alliance, joining 13 other airline members, but it has codeshare agreements with several airlines listed below. A codeshare agreement is basically an arrangement between airlines to use the same flight number though the flight may be marketed or operated by either airline.

It’s worth noting that Mileage Plan miles can be used to purchase first class seats on some partner airlines.

While Alaska Mileage Plan elite members receive priority seating on Oneworld airlines (indicated by *) paid flights, you cannot use Alaska Airlines miles for first class upgrades on paid flights at this time.

Final Thoughts

Alaska Airlines’ upgrade policy is thorough, but knowing the rules can give you a slight advantage over others who haven’t taken the time to review their options.

For example, upgrades are available for purchase 24 hours before departure if available. If you’re really interested in an upgrade and none are available at 24 hours, you can keep checking and maybe find one that comes available before your flight.

Another example is being able to purchase an upgrade with 15,000 Alaska Mileage Plan miles. If you weren’t aware of this option, you might sit in the back of the plane on your significant other’s 40th birthday trip, when just 30,000 miles could have made it a special event.

If you’re a member of a frequent flyer program, it always pays to know how the program works for the purpose of leveraging your options when the situation arises.