Alaska Airlines offers four tiers of elite status within its Mileage Plan loyalty program: MVP, MVP Gold, MVP Gold 75K, and MVP Gold 100K.
Earning elite status provides perks like complimentary upgrades, priority check-in and boarding, extra miles, free checked bags, and perks when flying on OneWorld airlines.
Travelers can qualify for these tiers by flying a certain number of flights or earning a minimum number of miles with Alaska Airlines and its partners each year.
This article will explore how to earn each level of MVP elite status and outline the key benefits provided to members at each tier.
How to Earn Alaska Airlines Elite Status
Alaska Airlines has four elite status tiers. To earn each tier you need either a certain number of miles flown or segments on Alaska Airlines, oneWorld Alliance Airlines, or Alaska’s Global Partners.
Alaska Airlines also requires a certain number of segments to be flown on Alaska Airlines to prevent people from earning elite status by primarily flying other airlines.
Alaska MVP status requires (1) 20,000 elite qualifying miles OR 30 elite qualifying segments, AND (2) at least two segments on Alaska Airlines.
Alaska MVP Gold status requires (1) 40,000 elite qualifying miles OR 60 elite qualifying segments, AND (2) at least six segments on Alaska Airlines.
Alaska MVP Gold 75K status requires (1) 75,000 elite qualifying miles OR 90 elite qualifying segments, AND (2) at least 12 segments on Alaska Airlines.
Alaska MVP Gold 100K status requires (1) 100,000 elite qualifying miles OR 140 elite qualifying segments, AND (2) at least segments on 24 Alaska Airlines.
Alaska Airlines Partners
Alaska Airlines partner airlines include:
Key Differences Between Each Tier
The benefits of each status level is below, but here are the key differences between each Alaska Airlines elite status level:
Mileage Bonus: Each MVP tier earns a different amount of bonus miles towards a free flight: MVP (50% bonus), MVP Gold (100% bonus), MVP Gold 75K (125% bonus), and MVP Gold 100K (150% bonus).
Oneworld Status: Each Alaska elite member gets Oneworld elite status: MVP (Ruby), MVP Gold (Sapphire), MVP 75K and 100K (Emerald). Sapphire and Emerald are important because you get free checked bags and lounge access when traveling outside the US, Mexico, and Canada.
Upgrade Priority: The higher your Alaska Airlines’ elite tier, the more likely you will receive a complimentary upgrade to First Class.
Companion Upgrades: MVP Gold, 75K, and 100K members are eligible for upgrades for one companion on Alaska and American Airlines, but no companion upgrades for only MVP status.
Guest Upgrades: MVP Gold, 75K, and 100K members receive four first-class upgrades yearly for friends and family not traveling with the elite member. MVP members don’t have access to this benefit.
Premium Class Upgrade: MVP Gold 75K and 100K members get complimentary upgrades to Premium Class (extra legroom seats) at booking. For MVP and MVP Gold, it requires booking a certain fare class.
Upgrade Certificate on American: MVP Gold 75K members get one free international upgrade certificate yearly for American Airlines, and MVP Gold 100K members get two yearly certificates.
Main Cabin Extra on American: MVP Gold, 75K, and 100K members can choose American’s Main Cabin Extra (extra legroom seats and free alcoholic drinks) at booking for free. MVP members can choose Main Cabin Extra for free 24 hours before departure.
Same-Day Flight Change: MVP Gold, 75K, and 100K members get complimentary same-day flight changes. MVP members don’t get this benefit.
Qualification Benefits: Alaska elite members who qualify by flying for MVP Gold 75K get 50,000 miles, and MVP Gold 100K members get a 100K Choice Benefit.
Alaska Lounge Passes: MVP Gold 75K and 100K members get four Alaska Lounge passes each year.
Premium Beverage or Chocolate: MVP Gold, 75K, and 100K members get a complimentary premium beverage or chocolate when sitting in the Main Cabin. MVP members don’t have access to this benefit.
Benefits for All Elite Tiers
All Alaska Airlines elite members get these benefits:
Preferred Seating: All Alaska elite members get access to Preferred Seats at booking, which include exit row seats, and seats located close to the front.
Express Security Line: At select airports, Alaska MVP members can access express security lines, which could come in handy if you don’t already have TSA PreCheck.
Elite Leave: Elite members who have proof of pregnancy or parental leave (note from doctor or employer) can extend their status by an additional year so they can keep their elite status while caring for a baby.
Alaska Lounge Discount: Elite members get a $100 discount on an Alaska Lounge ($400) or Alaska Lounge+ ($550) membership. Alternatively, anyone could get an Alaska and Admirals Club lounge membership with the Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard®.
Priority Phone Line: Elite members get access to priority phone service, which can be useful for delayed and cancelled flights.
MVP Status Benefits
Alaska MVP status comes with limited benefits because it is the lowest tier, but here are all the benefits of MVP status:
50% Mileage Bonus: MVP members are eligible for a 50% mileage bonus allowing members to earn miles faster towards a free flight.
Upgrades at Booking: MVP members who book a Y or B fare are eligible for first-class upgrades at booking. MVP members are also eligible for complimentary upgrades to Premium Class (extra space seats) when booking a Y, B, or H fare.
Complimentary Upgrades: MVP members are eligible for complimentary upgrades to First Class and Premium Class (extra legroom) 48 hours before departure, but only within 2 hours of departure if you book a Saver fare. Companions are not eligible for complimentary upgrades (only for MVP Gold and higher).
Priority check-in and boarding: MVP members enjoy priority check-in and boarding in Group B.
Free Checked Bags: MVP members and companions on the same reservation get two free checked bags on each flight.
American Airlines Benefits: MVP members get several benefits when flying American Airlines, including:
- Main Cabin Extra seats within 24 hours of travel (extra legroom and free alcoholic drinks)
- Complimentary upgrades behind AAdvantage Gold members in priority for travel within the US, to Canada, Mexico, Bahamas, the Caribbean, Bermuda, and Central America.
- Oneworld benefits such as priority check-in and preferred seating.
Oneworld Ruby: MVP members get entry-level Oneworld Ruby status, which offers Business Class priority check-in, access to preferred or pre-reserved seating, and priority waitlists.
MVP Gold Status Benefits
Alaska MVP Gold status is the third tier in Alaska’s elite program, but it offers a lot more benefits than MVP status, including:
100% Mileage Bonus: MVP Gold members are eligible for a 100% miles bonus, allowing members to earn miles for a free flight.
Upgrades at Booking: MVP Gold members who book a Y, B, H, or K fare are eligible for first-class upgrades at booking., and are also eligible for complimentary upgrades to Premium Class (extra space seats) when booking a Y, B, H, K, M, L, V, S, or N fare.
Complimentary Upgrades: MVP Gold members are eligible for complimentary upgrades to First Class and Premium Class (extra legroom) 72 hours before departure, but only within 2 hours of departure if you book a Saver fare. One Companion of an MVP Gold member is also eligible for an upgrade to First Class or Premium Class.
Four Guest Upgrades: MVP Gold members are granted four guest upgrades per year to upgrade friends and family members when not traveling with them.
Premium Beverage or Chocolate: MVP Gold members receive a complimentary premium beverage or chocolate on most flights over 350 miles when sitting in the Main Cabin.
Priority check-in and boarding: MVP Gold members enjoy priority check-in and boarding in Group A.
Free Checked Bags: MVP Gold members and companions on the same reservation get two free checked bags on each flight.
Same-Day Changes: MVP Gold members can change their flight for free on the same-day as travel, which can be useful if you are trying to move your flight earlier or later.
American Airlines Benefits: MVP Gold members get several benefits when flying American Airlines, including:
- Main Cabin Extra seats at booking (extra legroom and free alcoholic drinks)
- Complimentary upgrades up to 48 hours before departure for travel within the US, to Canada, Mexico, Bahamas, the Caribbean, Bermuda, and Central America. MVP Gold members are prioritized behind AAdvantage Platinum members in the upgrade priority, but one companion is also eligible for an upgrade.
- Oneworld benefits such as priority check-in, additional baggage allowance, and preferred seating.
Lounge Access: MVP Gold members can access Alaska Lounges, Admirals Clubs, and other OneWorld business class lounges when traveling on an Oneworld airline to a destination outside the US, Canada, or Mexico.
Priority Standby: MVP Gold members have priority on any Alaska Airlines standby list.
Oneworld Sapphire: MVP Gold members get entry-level Oneworld Sapphire status, which offers Business Class priority check-in, lounge access, priority boarding, extra baggage, priority baggage handling, access to preferred or pre-reserved seating, and priority waitlists.
MVP Gold 75K Status Benefits
Alaska MVP Gold 75K status is the second tier in Alaska’s elite program, offering more benefits than MVP and MVP Gold status, including:
125% Mileage Bonus: MVP Gold 75K members are eligible for a 125% miles bonus, allowing members to earn miles for a free flight.
Upgrades at Booking: MVP Gold 75K members who book a Y, B, H, K, or M fare are eligible for first-class upgrades at booking, and are also eligible for complimentary upgrades to Premium Class (extra space seats) at booking for all fares except Saver fares.
Complimentary Upgrades: MVP Gold 75K members are eligible for complimentary upgrades to First Class and Premium Class (extra legroom) 120 hours before departure, but only within 2 hours of departure if you book a Saver fare. One Companion of an MVP Gold 75K member is also eligible for an upgrade to First Class or Premium Class.
Four Guest Upgrades: MVP Gold 75K members are granted four guest upgrades per year to upgrade friends and family members when not traveling with them.
Premium Beverage or Chocolate: MVP Gold 75K members receive a complimentary premium beverage or chocolate on most flights over 350 miles when sitting in the Main Cabin.
Priority check-in and boarding: MVP Gold 75K members enjoy priority check-in and boarding in Group A.
Free Checked Bags: MVP Gold 75K members and companions on the same reservation get three free checked bags on each flight.
Same-Day Changes: MVP Gold 75K members can change their flight for free on the same-day as travel, which can be useful if you are trying to move your flight earlier or later.
American Airlines Benefits: MVP Gold 75K members get several benefits when flying American Airlines, including:
- One international upgrade certificate on American Airlines.
- Main Cabin Extra seats at booking (extra legroom and free alcoholic drinks)
- Complimentary upgrades up to 72 hours before departure for travel within the US, to Canada, Mexico, Bahamas, the Caribbean, Bermuda, and Central America. MVP Gold 75K members are prioritized behind AAdvantage Platinum Pro members in the upgrade priority, but one companion is also eligible for an upgrade.
- Oneworld benefits such as priority check-in, additional baggage allowance, and preferred seating.
Lounge Access: MVP Gold 75K members can access Alaska Lounges, Admirals Clubs, and other OneWorld first and business class lounges when traveling on an Oneworld airline to a destination outside the US, Canada, or Mexico.
Four Alaska Lounge Passes: MVP Gold 75K and 100K members get four free Alaska Lounge day passes each year.
Priority Standby: MVP Gold 75K members have priority on any Alaska Airlines standby list.
Oneworld Emerald: MVP Gold 75K members get entry-level Oneworld Emerald status, which offers First Class priority check-in, first and business lounge access, priority boarding, extra baggage, priority baggage handling, access to preferred or pre-reserved seating, and priority waitlists.
MVP Gold 100K Status Benefits
Alaska MVP Gold 100K status is the top tier in Alaska’s elite program, offering more benefits than MVP, MVP Gold, and MVP Gold 75K status, including:
150% Mileage Bonus: MVP Gold 100K members are eligible for a 150% miles bonus, allowing members to earn miles for a free flight.
Upgrades at Booking: MVP Gold 100K members who book a Y, B, H, K, or M fare are eligible for first-class upgrades at booking, and are also eligible for complimentary upgrades to Premium Class (extra space seats) at booking for all fares except Saver fares.
Complimentary Upgrades: MVP Gold 100K members are eligible for complimentary upgrades to First Class and Premium Class (extra legroom) 120 hours before departure, but only within 2 hours of departure if you book a Saver fare. One Companion of an MVP Gold 100K member is also eligible for an upgrade to First Class or Premium Class.
Choice Benefit: 100K members get the choice of five benefits once they reach 100,000 elite miles: (1) 50,000 bonus miles, (2) Alaska Lounge+ Membership, (3) Gifting MVP Gold status, (4) complimentary Wi-Fi every time you fly with Alaska, OR complimentary CLEAR Plus membership.
Four Guest Upgrades: MVP Gold 100K members are granted four guest upgrades per year to upgrade friends and family members when not traveling with them.
Premium Beverage or Chocolate: MVP Gold 100K members receive a complimentary premium beverage or chocolate on most flights over 350 miles when sitting in the Main Cabin.
Complimentary Snack or Meal: MVP Gold 100K members sitting in the Main Cabin receive a complimentary snack or meal, which is worth about $8 on shorter flights and up to $10 on longer flights.
Priority check-in and boarding: MVP Gold 100K members enjoy priority check-in and boarding in the Priority Boarding group, which is after the preboarding group.
Free Checked Bags: MVP Gold 100K members and companions on the same reservation get three free checked bags on each flight.
Same-Day Changes: MVP Gold 100K members can change their flight for free on the same-day as travel, which can be useful if you are trying to move your flight earlier or later.
American Airlines Benefits: MVP Gold 100K members get several benefits when flying American Airlines, including:
- Two international upgrade certificates on American Airlines.
- Main Cabin Extra seats at booking (extra legroom and free alcoholic drinks)
- Complimentary upgrades up to 72 hours before departure for travel within the US, to Canada, Mexico, Bahamas, the Caribbean, Bermuda, and Central America. MVP Gold 100K members are prioritized behind AAdvantage Platinum Pro members in the upgrade priority, but one companion is also eligible for an upgrade.
- Oneworld benefits such as priority check-in, additional baggage allowance, and preferred seating.
Lounge Access: MVP Gold 100K members can access Alaska Lounges, Admirals Clubs, and other OneWorld first and business class lounges when traveling on an Oneworld airline to a destination outside the US, Canada, or Mexico.
Four Alaska Lounge Passes: MVP Gold 100K and 100K members get four free Alaska Lounge day passes each year.
Priority Standby: MVP Gold 100K members have priority on any Alaska Airlines standby list.
Oneworld Emerald: MVP Gold 100K members get entry-level Oneworld Emerald status, which offers First Class priority check-in, first and business lounge access, priority boarding, extra baggage, priority baggage handling, access to preferred or pre-reserved seating, and priority waitlists.
