Alaska Airlines is a major U.S.-based carrier headquartered in Seattle, Washington. While the airline is known for its extensive West Coast network and global partnerships, it also brings multiple benefits to the passengers. Alaska Airlines benefits its frequent flyers through its highly rated loyalty program, Mileage Plan.
The Mileage Plan is the best way to earn miles, not just when you fly, but also when you travel with its global partners. The Mileage Plan is available for all members of the Oneworld Alliance.
While today, multiple airlines offer frequent flyer program benefits to passengers, Alaska's Mileage Plan is known to be one of the most rewarding and flexible loyalty programs. It is particularly valuable for travelers who fly longer distances or at lower fares.
Want to know more about Alaska Mileage Plan? This blog includes everything you need to know.
The Mileage Plan Joining Fee: Free or Paid?
Good news, travelers! There is no joining fee for Mileage Plan. Anyone can be a member by just signing up via the Alaska Airlines website and providing basic information such as their name, date of birth, address, and email address. Create a username and password for your Mileage Plan account. Do not forget to read and agree to the program's terms and conditions.
Alaska Airlines sends a confirmation email, and soon you will be among the ones earning miles with every trip.
The Mileage Plan account enables users to:
- Earn miles by flying with Alaska Airlines and its partners
- Use co-branded credit cards
- Track your earned miles
- Redeem them for award flights, hotel stays, car rentals, and other options.
- Achieve elite status
- Purchase a paid lounge membership (Alaska Lounge)
The Alaska Mileage Plan miles do not expire as long as your account is active.
Mileage Plan Points: Based on Miles or Money?
There is a vast difference between how to earn points with Alaska and other airlines, which adds to the benefits of the Alaska Mileage Plan. Most U.S. airlines award points based on dollars spent, but with Alaska Airlines, you get rewards based on miles flown.
Explaining in simple terms, Alaska focuses on the distance you have traveled to earn points.
Eg:
- You traveled 1,000 miles in a standard Economy class, so you earn 1,000 miles. But if you fly in First Class, you will earn at least 1,500 redeemable miles.
- The theory applies to partner airlines, too, which means the distance you travel will earn you miles, depending on the cabin class of your ticket. The miles can also be earned by:
- Using Alaska Airlines credit cards
- for booking vacation packages and hotel stays, and other partner services like
- Dining, shopping, and financial services with partners
- Car rental partners
- Buying or Transferring miles
Also, if you are an Elite Member, you are entitled to receive additional mileage bonuses on flights. The bonus varies for all membership statuses: How? Let's understand.
If you booked a flight that is 1,000 miles long:
- A standard member would earn 1,000 miles.
- An MVP member would earn 1,500 miles, which means 1,000 base miles + 50% bonus.
- An MVP Gold member would earn 2,000 miles, which means 1,000 base miles + 100% bonus.
- An MVP Gold 75K member would earn 2,250 miles, which means 1,000 base miles + 125% bonus.
- An MVP Gold 100K member would earn 2,500 miles, which means 1,000 base miles + 150% bonus.
Mileage Plan Elite Status Tiers and How to Qualify
Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan has four elite tiers that come with their own benefits and perks. The airline calculates miles as EQMs, which stands for Elite Qualifying Miles. However, there are some restrictions when it comes to qualifying.
1. MVP Member
Members need to have 20,000 EQMs flown on Alaska Airlines or 25,000 EQMs on Alaska and partner airlines. Or the member should also have 30 segments on Alaska Airlines. MVP members get:
- 50% bonus miles
- Preferred seating
- Priority boarding
- First and premium class upgrades (on availability)
- Two free checked bags
2. MVP Gold
To qualify as MVP Gold, members need to have 40,000 EQMs flown on Alaska or 50,000 EQMs total on Alaska and partner airlines. The alternative is to have 60 segments on Alaska Airlines. Benefits include:
- 100% bonus miles
- Premium class upgrades
- Four free checked bags
- Priority security, check-in, and boarding
- Oneworld Sapphire status
3. MVP Gold 75K
With 75,000 EQMs on Alaska or 90,000 EQMs total on Alaska and partner airlines, one can get MVP Gold 75K membership. Or 90 segments on Alaska Airlines are needed. The added perks are:
- 125% bonus miles
- Top priority for complimentary upgrades
- Lounge day passes
- 50,000 bonus miles upon qualification
- Oneworld Emerald status
4. MVP Gold 100K
This is one new Elite status for those who have 100,000 EQMs on Alaska or 125,000 EQMs on Alaska and partner airlines. The members get
- All Gold 75K perks
- 150% bonus miles
- Top-tier upgrade priority
- 100,000 bonus miles upon requalification
For those who do not understand segments, it refers to the number of individual flight legs in a calendar year. In simpler teams, the segments mean the number of separate flights you have boarded between two different airports in one year, say from 1st January to 21st December.
How to Redeem Alaska Airlines Mileage Points?
You booked your flights with Alaska Airlines, earned a good number of EQMs, and now it's time to redeem the points and get exclusive benefits. But how? Here is a guide on how to use Mileage points-
- Flights: You can easily redeem miles earned for award tickets on Alaska Airlines or other Oneworld Airlines.
- Upgrades: The miles earned can be used for upgrading the travel experience. You can redeem the points to upgrade your ticket to First Class or Premium Class on Alaska flights.
- Hotels and Car Rentals: Now book a hotel or car rental by redeeming your miles. This can be done through Alaska's Mileage Plan Hotels or car rental platforms.
- Stopover perk: You can redeem points to include a free stopover on a one-way flight.
- Vacation packages: Redeem the points to book vacation packages through the Alaska Airlines website.
- Mileage upgrades: If you have enough miles, redeem them to get elite status.
Why Join the Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan?
There are multiple benefits of being an Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan member. While some we have already discussed, if you are still in doubt whether to get the free membership or not, here are a few reasons that can help you decide.
- The more you fly, the more you earn.
- The points can be redeemed for global usage, as the airline allows using the miles with all oneworld partners like Japan Airlines, Qantas, and Qatar Airways.
- Once you are an elite member, you will never stop receiving complimentary upgrades, bonus miles, lounge access, and more.
- The mileage does not expire as long as you keep the account active every 24 months.
- You get a fixed award pricing that can help you plan high-value redemptions.
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