Alaska Airlines is adding perks for its loyalest flyers, and I’m impressed…
In this post:
Alaska’s new perks for lifetime elite members
On May 17, Alaska held an event for some of its frequent flyers, and FlyerTalk user Endventure shared a great summary of what was discussed. Perhaps the most significant thing revealed during this event is some changes coming to Alaska’s million miler lifetime elite program.
For context, up until now, 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 will continue to be the case, but now they’ll get even more value:
- Alaska one million milers will receive an annual status boost of 20,000 elite qualifying miles, while Alaska two million milers will receive an annual status boost of 40,000 elite qualifying miles
- Alaska million milers will be able to share status with someone in their household; they can share the higher of their lifetime status or their annual shared status
- Alaska million milers will get prioritized ahead of other elite members in the same elite tier and fare class for upgrades
- Alaska will increase recognition of million milers, both via the call center (where an agent tool will flag the status) and onboard flights (where the flight attendant app will reflect 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’ll be 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?
This is Great as long as they don't take it away. My husband has had to fly for work for years and years and be gone so much.
Any idea if the shared status for a household member will automatically apply to the MVP nominee for 75Ks, or is this benefit in addition to the MVP nominee?
IMHO United treated me better in the earned top tier status at both airlines UNTIL last year. My default airline is now AK Air. Their mileage program was always the best. Now they also treat me better. Mm and 100k AK. 1k united. Alaska now do a 360 equivalent please!
Awesome Alaska! As a retired person with 1.8M Delta MQM provided with "lifetime" Silver status I am the ultimate free agent. Silver is worth 25% bonus Skypesos. Woo Hoo. I'll be at 1.8M for the foreseeable future as I credit to AF when flying Delta for the superior award structure and availability. When that changes I'll reassess.
As a Member of the elite Alaska Million miler - I say thank you! Very thoughtful insensitive to keep family members in the circle. Win - win.
Much appreciated, thank you Alaska Air. You know how to reward loyalty.
Now that Alaska is in OneWorld, it really makes AA look bad, and often. Where is our annual boost???
Alaska Airlines has always been the "go to" for reward travel on so many airlines and to so many destinations.
I have travelled on purchased points many times around the world. So many CX, SQ, JAL, Hainan, Condor, Air Tahiti Nui. Iceland Air, Qantas, Sri Lankan, and Qatar flights.
Sadly points travel (even though paid for with cash) do not qualify for elite status. Earned points from travel are a reward but paid points are...
Alaska Airlines has always been the "go to" for reward travel on so many airlines and to so many destinations.
I have travelled on purchased points many times around the world. So many CX, SQ, JAL, Hainan, Condor, Air Tahiti Nui. Iceland Air, Qantas, Sri Lankan, and Qatar flights.
Sadly points travel (even though paid for with cash) do not qualify for elite status. Earned points from travel are a reward but paid points are a Revenue Stream and it does seem unfair that they don't qualify for Million Miler etc status.
But honestly I would never have been able to pay full fare so its a trade-off.
These are good changes for a million miler program. Other airlines take note.
American's million miler program is the absolute worst. I stopped flying them because of it ... I have 8 million miler miles accumulated as I commuted between São Paulo and Miami for 10 years. Now based in Madrid, I avoid AA at all costs. I was Concierge Key for 8 years, EP more this I can count ... The AA million miler program is a slap in the face. Kudos to Alaska!
I'm a life long Alaska resident (as in the state, not the airline). I've been MVP Gold or higher for the last 15 years, I'm at 60k with AK Air so far in 2023. I've lost trust in the airline I'm all but forced to use 90% of the time I travel. This is a nice perk for million milers but I have no faith it will last. In addition to that to those that...
I'm a life long Alaska resident (as in the state, not the airline). I've been MVP Gold or higher for the last 15 years, I'm at 60k with AK Air so far in 2023. I've lost trust in the airline I'm all but forced to use 90% of the time I travel. This is a nice perk for million milers but I have no faith it will last. In addition to that to those that think the loyalty program is "great" I challenge you to get an upgrade on any day of the week ANC-SEA in either direction... I've literally seen 70+ names on the upgrade request list on a flight of 120 people. I'm MVP 75k currently and have had one upgrade (even then, this was after boarding) in 14 RT trips to Seattle this year. None of my flights are "saver" tickets, most are full fare business travel. Simply put, given the choice, I fly American and actually get upgrades and better service. I've been upgraded over 50% of my AA flights this year, much higher than AS, including flights to/from ANC, DFW, CLT, SEA, PDX, PNS, PHX and more.
Same status. I get them out of SEA quite a bit. Never in/out of ANC. Too many 100k military, oil & gas flying hub to hub.
I've flown SEA-ANC-SEA on a Saturday and was upgraded at Gold, but this was in 2021.
A couple weeks ago I got an upgrade on Monday out and Thursday return, but as a 100k. Definitely a ton of elites on the route but that's how it goes when there are a lot of flyers and only one airline. At DFW there's about a billion AA elites.
The only negative (unless they've changed it) is that partner miles do not count towards the million miles, unlike the other programs) so it's a much harder target to hit since they don't have much of an international footprint (mainly Canada and Mexico).
I have no problem with this. I think it should be harder to attain than status. Yes, I am a MM and will continue to fly AS as the schedule and prices are reasonable to most (not all) of my regular destinations. This boost was a nice surprise and will take me from 75K (organic flying) to 100K before mid November based on what I have already booked.
Good for Alaska but beware, things can change over time. Just ask original United Million Milers like myself. After Continental took over they stripped us of the status level and other benefits United had promised. Then in 2013 a court ruling allowed it. (now precedent) And that was before Kirby LOL
At the young age of 28 and extremely loyal domestically to Alaska since the pandemic, I’m even more excited to eventually reach 1-2 million miler!
Just 850,000 miles to go LOL
With my wife and I both at 950,000 lifetime miles, this is very timely and something we can really look forward to. AS is the best program hands down (upgrades 75%+) and this just proved it.
Congratulations. It would be helpful to know your home airport so maybe we could re-position a layover there ;-).
About time we saw some positive changes to a loyalty program anywhere lol