Alaska Airlines is adding perks for its loyalest flyers, and I’m impressed. I first wrote about this several weeks ago, when this was first revealed. These changes have now been rolled out, including the ability to nominate someone for elite status. Let’s cover all the details.
Alaska’s new perks for lifetime elite members
In May 2023, Alaska Airlines revealed that it would make some positive changes to its million miler lifetime elite status program.
For context, those who earn one million miler status receive MVP Gold for life, while those who earn two million miler status receive MVP Gold 75K for life. That continues to be the case as before, but now eligible members get even more value:
- Alaska one million milers receive an annual status boost of 20,000 elite qualifying miles, while Alaska two million milers receive an annual status boost of 40,000 elite qualifying miles
- Alaska million milers are able to share status with someone in their household, and they can share the higher of their lifetime status or their annual earned status; this can be requested here, and will automatically renew each January
- Alaska million milers get prioritized ahead of other elite members in the same elite tier and fare class for upgrades (note that companions of million milers don’t get that same priority, but rather they’ll be “standard” elites within their tier)
- Alaska is increasing recognition of million milers, both via the call center (where an agent tool flags the status) and onboard flights (where the flight attendant app reflects this)
These are fantastic changes
Earning million miler status with Alaska takes commitment, given that the airline doesn’t have as big of a network as the “big three.” Alaska’s million miler program was already competitive, and now it’s industry leading.
These latest changes are great:
- The annual status boost is a good way to incentivize incremental business, especially for those looking to go for a higher elite tier, like MVP Gold 100K
- I love when a loyalty program creates rewards not just for the members, but also for family members, who are often making quite a sacrifice by having their loved one travel so much
- I think it makes perfect sense to prioritize upgrades for million milers vs. non-million milers, all else being equal
Well done, Alaska! As an American frequent flyer, I’m jealous. To say that American’s million miler program is uncompetitive would be a severe understatement. Meanwhile at Alaska, you can earn oneworld Emerald for life, not just for yourself, but also for a companion. *drool*
Bottom line
Alaska Mileage Plan is making significant improvements to its million miler program, with the introduction of an annual elite boost, household status sharing, and higher upgrade priority. It’s nice to see an airline listening to member feedback in this way.
What do you make of these Alaska million miler changes?
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