Alaska Airlines Elite Status Challenge

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Calling all coast-to-coast jet setters! No need for a last-minute miles run this year. Alaska Airlines introduces its latest challenge to help those frequent flyers achieve status even faster. Starting in 2023, travelers can soar their way into the airline’s elite status programs, complete with all the perks and benefits.

Elite Status Challenge: Coast to Elite

The latest promotion from Alaska Airlines is the Elite Status Challenge: Coast to Elite Status. Members of the Alaska Mileage Plan flying coast-to-coast can earn either MVP or MVP Gold status with Alaska Airlines by completing a minimum number of round-trip flights. 

MVP Status

The Alaska Airlines MVP Status is the lowest tier of Elite Status. The standard requirements for attaining MVP status include flying 20,000 miles in a calendar year and a minimum of 15 round-trip flights (or 30 legs) with Alaska Airlines or One World Alliance partner airlines.

The Elite Status Challenge lets Alaska Mileage Plan members earn MVP status with only TWO qualifying round-trip flights.

MVP Gold Status

MVP Gold is the second-tier Elite Status on the Alaska Mileage Plan. Standard requirements to reach this tier include traveling a minimum of 40,000 miles and a minimum of 30 round-trip flights (or 60 legs) with Alaska Airlines or One World Alliance partner airlines.

The Elite Status challenge rewards this tier for Alaska Mileage Plan members traveling only FOUR round-trip flights.

Achieving Elite Status on Alaska Airlines has never been easier! Take advantage of the challenge and enjoy perks for the upcoming year of travel.

Benefits of Alaska Mileage Plus Elite Status

Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan elite status is a traveler favorite, unlocking benefits with Alaska Airlines, OneWorld Alliance partner airlines, and other Global Partners. MVP and MVP Gold are the first in the four-tier program that provides benefits during flight, at the airport, service benefits, and even earning percentage multipliers for miles every time you travel. 

Completing the Elite Status Challenge will unlock the following benefits at each elite tier level:

MVP

Flight Benefits

• 50% bonus miles earned per mile flown
• First-class upgrades during booking on Y and B fares
• Premium class upgrades during booking on Y, B, or H fares
• Receive First and Premium class upgrades on Alaska Airlines 48 hours before departure on non-qualifying fares

Airport Benefits

• Priority check-in and boarding, regardless of your seat cabin
• Two (2) free checked bags
• Preferred seating
• Express security line at select airports
• Discount on Alaska Lounge memberships

Service Benefits

• Priority when contacting call centers for customer service
• “Elite Leave” to maintain elite status during pregnancy or parental leave

MVP Gold

Flight Benefits

• 100% bonus miles earned per mile flown
• First-class upgrades during booking on Y, B, H, or K fares
• Premium class upgrades during booking on Y, B, H, K, M, L, V, S, or N fares
• Receive First and Premium class upgrades on Alaska Airlines 72 hours before departure on non-qualifying fares
• Upgrade companion tickets to First Class (max 4/year) or Premium class
• Receive FREE chocolate or premium beverage when traveling in the Main Cabin

Airport Benefits

• Priority check-in and boarding, regardless of your seat cabin
• Two (2) free checked bags
• Preferred seating
• Express security line at select airports
• Fly standby or waitlist when a flight is full
• Discount on Alaska Lounge memberships

Service Benefits

• Priority when contacting call centers for customer service
• “Elite Leave” to maintain elite status during pregnancy or parental leave
• FREE same-day flight changes

Additional Benefits on Partnering Airlines

Thanks to partnerships through OneWorld Alliance and Global Partners, Alaska Mileage Plane Elite Status members can enjoy perks on more than 20 airlines traveling to 1,000+ destinations worldwide.

These benefits include perks such as earning and redeeming Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan miles on partnering airlines, access to partnering lounges with a guest, and more.

Fly on Qualifying Coast to Coast Flights for the Elite Status Challenge

Alaska Airlines is an Alaska-based carrier that flies domestically to 100+ cities in the US and internationally to 15+ cities in five countries. Flights booked on these routes (and others offered on OneWorld Alliance airlines) earn points towards elite status. However, the current promotion is for select coast-to-coast routes only on Alaska Airlines flights.

To participate in the Elite Status Challenge, travelers must fly on nonstop round-trip flights from the west coast to the east coast and back. Although these round trip flights will give tons of miles points for your Alaska Mileage Plan, only the number of flights you take on these qualifying routes originating from its major California hubs will help you reach the challenge requirements.

The Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) is a major hub for Alaska Airlines, featuring a dedicated Terminal 6 and an Alaska Lounge. Round-trip coast-to-coast flights between LAX and the following destinations qualify for the Elite Status Challenge:

• Fort Lauderdale–Hollywood International Airport (FLL)
• Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR)
• Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD)
• Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA)

The San Diego International Airport (SAN) is not a hub for Alaska Airlines, but it’s one of the main focus cities with 32 routes. Round-trip coast-to-coast flights between SAN and the following destinations qualify for the Elite Status Challenge:

• Boston Logan International Airport (BOS)
• Fort Lauderdale–Hollywood International Airport (FLL)
• Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR)
• John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK)
• Orlando International Airport (MCO)

The San Francisco International Airport (SFO) has been a growing airport hub for Alaska Airlines, already operating from Terminal 2 and recently opening an Alaska lounge in the airport during the Summer of 2021. Round-trip coast-to-coast flights between SFO and the following destinations qualify for the Elite Status Challenge:

• Boston Logan International Airport (BOS)
• John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK)
• Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR)
• Orlando International Airport (MCO)
• Tampa International Airport (TPA)
• Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD)
• Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA)

When Does the Elite Status Challenge Begin?

The Alaska Airlines Elite Status Challenge runs from January 1 – March 31, 2023. Not only must travelers fly on qualifying coast-to-coast flights, but the trips must be completed within this period to fulfill the requirements for the challenge—including booking and traveling.

Elite Status on Alaska Airlines lasts until the end of the next full calendar year. It’s good news for Alaska Mileage Plan members able to take advantage of the elite status for the remainder of 2023 (after completing the challenge) until the end of December 2024 (next calendar period). Keep in mind that Alaska Airlines also grants ‘Elite Leave’ to extend the benefits due to major life events.

Who Can Participate in the Alaska Airlines Elite Challenge?

All travelers are welcome to participate in the Elite Status Challenge! However, the qualifying flights for the challenge make it easier for some travelers than others to complete.

Only coast-to-coast flights originating in the select California airports qualify towards the number of completed trips for the elite status challenge. Travelers based in or near these airport hubs can take advantage of the easy access to them. Although, other dedicated travelers can plan trip itineraries to fly the required routes.

All travelers must be members of the Alaska Mileage Plan, the loyalty miles program through Alaska Airlines, to begin the challenge. Signing up for the Alaska Mileage Plan is FREE. Visit https://www.alaskaair.com/content/mileage-plan to sign up for an account and start earning your way to elite travel on Alaska Airlines.

How to Register for the Challenge

Think you’ve got what it takes to complete the Elite Status Challenge from Alaska Airlines? Registration is already open for Alaska Mileage Plan members. 

Register directly on the Elite Status Challenge promotional page. You will need your Mileage Plan number and email address to complete the registration. Travelers interested in participating in the challenge but have yet to be members of the loyalty program can sign up via the promotional page and are automatically entered into the competition.

All travelers must register for the Elite Status Challenge before taking their first qualifying account. Although registration is currently open, qualifying flights start on January 1.

Cost to Participate in the challenge

It’s FREE to register for the Alaska Airlines Elite Status Challenge. Also, if you’re not yet a member of the loyalty program, it’s free to sign up. However, there are costs associated with completing the flight requirements for the challenge.

Only flights made with normal booking qualify for the challenge. Users must make flight bookings using their Alaska Mileage Plan member number but cannot use reward points to book the trips.

Round trips on the coast-to-coast routes can earn over 4,000 miles for each trip. These miles are added to your Alaska Mileage Plan but do not affect your status in the challenge.

Is the Elite Status Challenge Worth it?

Alaska Mileage Plan loyalty members can now fly their way into elite status and begin enjoying the benefits much faster. But is it worth the effort to complete the required trips?

The loyalty program on Alaska Airlines is award-winning and comes with many valuable perks for frequent travelers on the airline. It has one of the best elite status programs since its perks can be used across the entire OneWorld Alliance network and other partnering airlines.

Travelers based in California near the SFO, LAX, or SAN airports have the easiest access to the challenge. Travelers outside these hubs must consider other associated costs, such as getting to these airports to start the round trip coast-to-coast trips.

If you’re a frequent traveler on Alaska Airlines or any of its partnering airlines, it’s an excellent opportunity to earn elite status quickly. Although the challenge period for qualifying flights is between January to March, booking the trips earlier is recommended to get the best flight deals to significantly reduce the cost required to meet the requirements.

Register for FREE now and get ready to fly your way into elite status on Alaska Airlines!