How To Status Match With Alaska Airlines [In-Depth Guide]

The benefits of airline elite status can be highly desirable. It’s always a pleasure to board early, fly in the front of the plane, change your flights when you want (or need to) without fees, and have a dedicated phone line for assistance when things go wrong.

But achieving elite status requires dedicated loyalty to an airline — and once it’s earned, it can be difficult to give it up. So what happens if you have to move to a different part of the country that’s not serviced well by your current airline, or you just want to try a new airline because your current airline isn’t treating you as special as they once did?

No need to worry. Once you’ve achieved elite airline status, there are other airlines that would like your business, too… and they’ll often offer you the opportunity to try them on for size. This is called a status match or status challenge. It’s basically a shortcut to elite status granted by a new airline, and it can soften the blow if you need (or want) to change airlines.

Alaska Airlines is one airline that offers such a status match, along with other airlines like Delta, United, and American. In today’s article, we’ll review how Alaska’s status match plus challenge works, when to best request the status match, and how to extend your status beyond the status match period.

Alaska Airlines’ Mileage Plan loyalty program has some unique features, so let’s get started learning more and find out how a status match with Alaska Airlines can benefit you.

What Is a Status Match and How Does It Work?

If you’ve flown enough with an airline to achieve elite status in their frequent flyer program, other airlines might be interested in luring you over to try out their product in hopes you’ll become a loyal customer.

A status match or challenge is a program that airlines establish to offer other airlines’ elite members a direct match of their status and/or an abbreviated path to achieve elite status.

For example, if you have achieved and currently hold Delta Gold Medallion elite status, you might ask Alaska Airlines if it will match that to its MVP Gold status so you can try out its airline.

Rules differ between airline status matches/challenges, and some airlines do not even offer such a program.

The Difference Between a Status Match and a Challenge

If you have airline status and request that another airline matches that status, you will receive one of the following answers:

Approved for a Status Match

• You will receive immediate matching status with the new airline once your request is approved, and it continues for a specified period of time

Approved for a Status Challenge

• You normally do not receive elite status until a specified challenge is completed
• You will be required to fly a specific number of miles or segments within a period of time (usually 90 days) in order to receive elite status
• You may also have to meet minimum spending requirements with the airline; these flying/spending requirements are usually far less than you would normally need to reach elite status

Approved for a Status Match That Includes a Status Challenge

• You receive immediate elite status as soon as your request is approved
• You’ll keep that status level during the time you spend completing the stated challenge requirements
• Once the challenge is completed, your status is extended, usually until the end of the current or next qualification year period

Request Denied

• Your request could be denied because the status you have is with an airline that is not eligible for the new airline’s status match program
• You may also be denied because your current status was achieved by completing a challenge or through another status match; the new airline is looking for status that was earned by completing the normal annual flying requirements with your current airline

Alaska Airlines grants a status match along with a status challenge that, once completed, can extend the granted status. If you are approved, you will receive an immediate corresponding matching status that will continue for 90 days while you complete the challenge.

Hot Tip: If you need more clarification on the topic of airline status matches and challenges, check out our ultimate guide to airline status matches and challenges.

How the Alaska Airlines Status Match Challenge Program Works

Note that airline status matches and challenges change on a regular basis, so be sure to check with the airline prior to submitting a request or booking flights.

Here is an overview of current information regarding the Alaska status match challenge program.

The Status Match

The Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan frequent flyer program has 3 levels of elite status:

• MVP
• MVP Gold
• MVP Gold 75K

When you submit a request, Alaska will consider a status match from your current elite status to its corresponding elite status level.

Unlike other airlines that have status match/challenge programs, Alaska Airlines includes matches to its highest elite status tier.

For example, if you have AAdvantage Executive Platinum status with American Airlines, SkyMiles Platinum or Diamond Medallion status with Delta, or MileagePlus Premier 1K status with United, you can expect to be matched to Alaska Airlines’ MVP Gold 75K — Alaska Airlines’ highest elite status level in its Mileage Plan program.

Once approved, Alaska Airlines will match your corresponding airline elite status to one of its equivalent tiers. This granted status is valid for 90 days.

During that time, you will be asked to complete a challenge and fly a specific number of miles on Alaska Airlines to have your granted status extended.

The Status Challenge — Extending Your Granted Status

If you submit your status match request after July 1 and complete the following requirements within the 90 day period, your granted status will be extended through December of the following calendar year.

• 5,000 miles to keep MVP
• 10,000 miles to keep MVP Gold
• 20,000 miles to keep MVP Gold 75K

Flights must be flown on Alaska Airlines, not partner airlines.

Bottom Line: Once your status match is approved, you will receive the corresponding level elite status for 90 days. During that period you will need to complete the specific flying requirements to extend your granted status. July is the best month to submit your status match request as once you have completed the challenge requirements, your status is valid through December of the following calendar year.

Who Is Eligible for an Alaska Airlines Status Match?

Alaska Airlines considers status matches for legal residents of the U.S. and Canada. If you hold one of the following elite status levels and are a qualified resident, you are eligible to request a status match with Alaska Airlines.

If approved, your status will be matched with the corresponding Mileage Plan elite status according to the following chart:

Bottom Line: It is possible to status match with Alaska Airlines at any of its 3 elite status levels — even the top MVP Gold 75K — based on the corresponding elite level you have with your current airline. 

How and When To Submit a Status Match Request

How To Complete a Status Match Request

The first step is to sign up for the Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan program and make note of your membership number.

You can then access the online form here or prepare an email asking to be granted status at the Alaska Airlines level that matches your current status. An email can also be sent to elite.flyer@alaskaair.com.

Make sure to include/attach the following:

• Your Alaska Airline Mileage Plan account number
• Your full name, mailing address, and email address
• A copy of your current membership statement showing activity, elite status, and expiration date
• A copy of your physical membership card (front and back) or a screenshot of your digital membership card

You are not required to fly a certain amount of miles or segments with Alaska Airlines to be approved for a status match, but if you have an upcoming flight booked you should include that information in your email request.

It can take as long as 4 weeks to receive a response to your request, so plan accordingly.

Hot Tip: Like many airline status matches/challenges, Alaska’s status match is limited to once in the lifetime of your account, so it’s best to wait until you’re certain you’ll be flying Alaska Airlines frequently before you request the match.

The Importance of Timing

If you submit a request for a status match on or after July 1, and are approved, Alaska Airlines will grant you equivalent status for the next 90 days. During that time, if you complete the assigned challenge, your status will be extended through December of the following calendar year.

Hot Tip: If you know you’ll be losing status with an airline at the end of the qualification year, this might be a good time to leverage your current status and enjoy continued benefits at a different airline via a status match/challenge!

Benefits of Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan Elite Status

As soon as you’ve been status-matched to Alaska Airlines’ elite status, you’ll immediately experience the associated benefits.

Below is an overview of the benefits that are offered with each elite level:

As with all airlines, the higher your elite status, the better your chances of getting an upgrade. Elite status also allows you to also receive those upgrades further in advance, or even immediately on purchased tickets (depending on fare class).

For details on all the benefits of Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan elite status, see its website for a complete overview.

Hot Tip: Check out our in-depth guide for all the information you need on how to upgrade to first class on Alaska Airlines.

Keeping Your New Elite Status

Annual Qualifications for Elite Status With Alaska Airlines

In order to maintain elite status, you must complete the following requirements on an annual basis:

These requirements must be completed within any given calendar year for valid elite status the following year.

Enhancing Your New Elite Status

An Alaska Airlines-branded credit card won’t help you reach elite status, but it will help you earn plenty of miles that can be redeemed for award flights on Alaska Airlines and its airline partners.

LIMITED TIME OFFER

Alaska Airlines Visa Signature^® credit card

U.P. Rating 

The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

Provides the potential to earn plenty of miles to fly with Alaska Airlines or over a dozen partners. Plus, get an annual companion fare from just $122 ($99 fare plus taxes and fees from $23) when you spend at least $6,000 a year on the card!

Alaska Airlines Visa Signature^® credit card

Provides the potential to earn plenty of miles to fly with Alaska Airlines or over a dozen partners. Plus, get an annual companion fare from just $122 ($99 fare plus taxes and fees from $23) when you spend at least $6,000 a year on the card!

Welcome Offer

Earn 60,000 bonus miles plus Alaska's Famous Companion Fare™ ($99 fare plus taxes and fees from $23) with this offer. To qualify, make $3,000 or more in purchases within the first 90 days of opening your account.

60,000 miles + $99 Companion Fare™

UP's Bonus Valuation*:

$960

Annual Fee

$95

APR

20.74% - 28.74% Variable

Credit Recommended

Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO^®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.

Good to Excellent (670-850)

Why We Like This Card

With the Alaska Signature card in your wallet, you can get great perks and earn miles at the same time. This is a win-win if Alaska is the airline you prefer to fly with! Plus, its annual companion fare is a great benefit for traveling couples.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• 3x miles per $1 spent on Alaska purchases
• 2x miles per $1 spent on eligible gas, EV charging, local transit (including rideshare), cable, and select streaming services
• 1x mile per $1 spent on all other purchases

Cons

• Charges a $95 annual fee
• Does not earn transferable rewards

Read Full Review

Card Highlights

• Get 60,000 bonus miles plus Alaska’s Companion Fare ($99 fare plus taxes and fees from $23) after you make $3,000 or more in purchases within the first 90 days of your account opening.
• Alaska’s Famous Companion Fare™. Get a $99 Companion Fare (plus taxes and fees from $23) each account anniversary after you spend $6,000 or more on purchases within the prior anniversary year. Valid on all Alaska Airlines flights booked on alaskaair.com.
• Free checked bag. Any cardholder who purchases airfare with their card, and up to 6 additional guests traveling on the same reservation, may check their first bag free.
• Enjoy priority boarding so you can get to your seat quicker, when you pay for your flight with your card.
• Earn unlimited 3 miles for every $1 spent on eligible Alaska Airlines purchases. Earn unlimited 2 miles for every $1 spent on eligible gas, EV charging station, cable, streaming services and local transit (including ride share) purchases. And earn unlimited 1 mile per $1 spent on all other purchases. And, your miles don’t expire on active accounts.
• Earn a 10% rewards bonus on all miles earned from card purchases if you have an eligible Bank of America^® account.
• A faster way to earn status with your Alaska Airlines credit card. Throughout 2024, for every $10,000 you spend on purchases, you’ll automatically earn 4,000 elite-qualifying miles (EQMs), up to 20,000 EQMs total.
• Enjoy 20% back on all Alaska Airlines inflight purchases and get $100 off an annual Alaska Lounge+ Membership when you pay with your new card.
• With oneworld^® Alliance member airlines and Alaska’s Global Partners, Alaska has expanded their global reach to over 1,000 destinations worldwide bringing more airline partners and more ways to earn and redeem miles.
• Flexibility with no blackout dates on Alaska Airlines flights when booking with miles or a companion fare.
• Plus, no foreign transaction fees.^†

Financial Snapshot

• APR: 20.74% - 28.74% Variable
• Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Rewards Center

Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan Frequent Flyer Program

Hot Tip: Alaska Airlines credit card welcome offers and spending on your Alaska Airlines-branded credit card are the fastest ways to earn Mileage Plan miles. For additional ways to earn lots of Alaska Airlines miles, check out our complete guide.

Everything Else You Need To Know

Status matches/challenges do not move your current elite status to the new airline.

For example, if you are approved for a status match with Alaska Airlines, you would continue to keep your elite status with your current airline plus be granted the new status with Alaska Airlines.

Alaska Airlines is one of the few airlines that grants immediate status. There is also no charge to participate in its status match program.

Final Thoughts

A status match or status challenge is the perfect way to transition to a new airline.

The timing of your request should be well-thought-out, though, since many airlines only allow 1 status match for the life of your account. The best time to request a status match is when you know you’ll be flying frequently on the new airline and therefore be able to qualify to extend your status and fully utilize the associated benefits.

Several airlines participate in status match programs. Check out our in-depth guides to status matching and completing status challenges with these domestic airlines:

• How to Status Match With Delta Air Lines
• How to Status Match With United Airlines
• How to Status Challenge With American Airlines