Alaska Airlines is among the top airline companies in the United States that operate flights to various destinations. The airline headquarters is located in SeaTac, Washington. Alaska is also known as the 6th largest airline in North America in terms of passengers flown, fleet capacity, and the number of destinations covered.
How to become Alaska AIrlines MVP? Explore Requirements and Benefits.
Alaska Airlines operates from five major hubs including Los Angeles, Anchorage, Portland, San Francisco, and Seattle/Tacoma. Talking about the fleet capacity, Alaska currently owns over 329 aircraft manufactured by Airbus, Boeing, Bombardier, and Embraer.
Saver Fare, Main Cabin, Premium Class, and First Class are the four fare classes available for flying with Alaska. The airline also offers Mileage Plan elite Status levels to its frequent flyers, and loyal customers including MVP, MVP Gold, MVP Gold 75K, and MVP Gold 100K.
In this blog, we will find out how to become Alaska Airlines MVP, and also explore requirements, and benefits. So, let’s get started.
What is MVP on Alaska Airlines?
The majority of big airlines offer various status-level loyalty programs to their loyal customers. Alaska Airlines features a Mileage Plan Elite Status Loyalty Program that consists of four status levels (MVP, MVP Gold, MVP Gold 75K, and MVP Gold 100K).
MVP is the base level of the Mileage Plan Elite Status that offers various benefits such as complimentary upgrades, priority travel services, complimentary checked baggage, Lounge discount, and more.
Before exploring all the benefits of MVP, let’s find out the requirements to qualify for this level.
How to become Alaska Airlines MVP? (Requirements to Qualify)
Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan Elite Status can be achieved in three ways as listed below.
- Earning Eligible Miles while flying on Alaska Airlines, Oneworld Alliance, and Global Partner Airlines
- Achieving Eligible Segments Flown on Alaska Airlines, Oneworld Alliance, and Global Partner Airlines
- Matching Status with another airline
The following table shows the requirements to qualify for Alaska Airlines MVP status.
| QUALIFYING FLIGHTS | REQUIREMENTS FOR MVP |
| Eligible Miles Earned on Alaska Airlines, Oneworld Alliance, and Global Partners | 20,000 |
| Eligible Segments flown on Alaska Airlines, Oneworld Alliance, and Global Partners | 30 |
| Qualification via Eligible Miles or segments (must include a minimum number of flights marketed and operated by Alaska Airlines) | 2 |
As per the table above, passengers need to earn at least 20,000 eligible miles or fly at least 30 segments on Alaska Airlines, Oneworld Alliance, or its Global partners. Among these flights, two of them must be marketed and operated by Alaska Airlines.
The miles, or segments earned by the passengers must be achieved in a calendar year. For instance, the minimum number of Alaska flight segments to earn or retain status for 2023 must be flown in the calendar year 2022.
Besides, passengers flying with Oneworld Partner airlines can also earn MVP status via Status Match Challenge. They can verify their earned frequent flyer status, and gain the equivalent Alaska Mileage Plan status for 90 days.
Bonus miles, complimentary upgrades, priority boarding, and complimentary checked baggage are the top benefits of the Status Match Challenge. So, what are the member airlines eligible for Status Match Challenge? The following table shows the Oneworld Priority Status equivalent to the Alaska Mileage Plan status.
| MEMBER AIRLINES | MVP EQUIVALENCE |
| Aeromexico | Gold |
| Air Canada | Altitude 25K (Prestige), and 35K |
| American Airlines | AAdvantage Gold |
| Delta Air Lines | Silver Medallion |
| Frontier Airlines | 20K |
| Hawaiian Airlines | Pualani Gold |
| JetBlue | TrueBlue Mosaic |
| Southwest Airlines | A-List |
| United Airlines | Premier Silver |
If you have achieved a status level equivalent to MVP on any airlines listed in the table above, you can upload a screenshot of your elite status with that airline, and gain amenities of Alaska Airlines MVP status.
You can visit this page on Alaska’s official website, and submit your screenshot along with other required details.
What are the benefits of Alaska Airlines MVP?
The benefits offered by Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan Status are divided into four segments namely Earning Benefits, Flight Benefits, Airport Benefits, and Service Benefits.
| BENEFITS | MVP Gold |
| Earning Benefits | 50% Elite Bonus Miles |
| Flight Benefits | First Class Upgrades at the time of booking (Y, or B fares) Premium Class Upgrades at the time of booking (Y, B, or H fares) First and Premium Class Upgrades on Alaska non-qualifying fares (48 hours before departure) |
| Airport Benefits | Priority Travel Services 2 Free Checked Bags Preferred Seating Alaska Lounge Membership discount |
| Service Benefits | Priority Call routing in call centers Elite Leave for new parents |
| Oneworld Priority | Oneworld Ruby |
Now, let’s explore the benefits of Alaska Airlines MVP status.
Earning Benefits (Elite Bonus Miles)
MVP status members are offered 50% bonus miles that are applied to base mileage. The base miles are always equal to actual miles flown on Alaska-marketed, and operated flights with a minimum of 500 base miles earned.
For example, as an MVP status holder, you get a 50% bonus on base miles earned means you will earn 500 base miles if your Alaska flight covered 500 miles. However, the elite bonus miles are not counted toward future status qualification.
Flight Benefits (Upgrades)
Flight Benefits for MVP status members include First Class, and Premium Class upgrades.
| FLIGHT BENEFITS | MVP |
| First Class Upgrades at the time of booking | Y, B fares |
| Premium Class Upgrades at the time of booking | Y, B, or H fares |
| First, and Premium Class upgrades on Alaska non-qualifying fares | 48 hours before departure |
Important Note: Complimentary First Class upgrades are booked in U service class, and may not be available on all flights. It is also not available on heavily discounted fares including bulk or industry tickets. Likewise, Premium Class, and First Class upgrades are booked in X class of service, and are not available on Saver Fares.
Airport Benefits (Priority Services, and Free Checked Bags)
Alaska Airlines MVP members receive various airport benefits including priority check-in, priority boarding, complimentary checked baggage, preferred seating, expedited security screening, and an Alaska Lounge membership discount.
Alaska Airlines MVP Baggage Allowance
MVP members can bring 2 free checked baggage with a weight limit of 50 lbs (23 kg) on each bag. The maximum allowed dimension on the checked bag is 62 inches or 157 cms (Length + Width + Height).
Service Benefits
The service benefits offered by Alaska MVP status are priority call routing in call centers, and Elite Leave for new parents.
Oneworld Priority
Mileage Plus MVP members are also entitled to ‘Oneworld Ruby’ status.
Alaska Airlines MVP Benefits on American Airlines
MVP status members receive access to extra legroom seating on Main Cabin Extra while flying on American Airlines. Besides, they can carry one free checked baggage.
Conclusion
As we come to the end of this blog, we explored ‘How to become Alaska Airlines MVP?’ with all requirements. We also discovered all the benefits of MVP Status level.
MVP is the lowest level of the Mileage Plus Status Level, and requires at least 20,000 qualifying miles, or 30 flight segments with Alaska Airlines, Oneworld partner airlines, and Global partners.
Let’s conclude with the major benefits of MVP Gold.
- 50% Elite Bonus Miles
- First Class, and Premium Class Upgrades
- Priority Travel Services
- Alaska Lounge Membership Discount
- Complimentary same-day Flight Changes
- Oneworld Ruby Status
FAQs on How to become Alaska Airlines MVP
What does MVP get you on Alaska Airlines?
Alaska Airlines MVP offers various benefits including Elite Bonus miles, First Class/Premium Class upgrades, priority travel services, Alaska Lounge membership discount, and Oneworld Ruby.
How long does MVP status last on Alaska Airlines?
The MVP status on Alaska Airlines lasts for the next calendar year. For instance, if you receive MVP status in November 2022, your status will be valid till December 2023.
Does Alaska MVP get free drinks?
Alaska Airlines Mileage Plus MVP status doesn’t offer complimentary drinks however, you will get a discount on the annual Alaska Lounge membership.
