Alaska Airlines is a Seattle-based airline that has a ton of travel partners. The Mileage Plan is Alaska Airlines’s loyalty program. After the acquisition of Virgin America, Alaska Airlines now flies to over 100 domestic and foreign locations.
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If you frequently fly with Alaska Airlines then you may want to consider signing up for the Mileage Plan. Continue reading our Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan guide to learn more!
Alaska Airlines Mileage Quick Facts
| Personal Credit Cards | The Alaska Airlines Visa Signature® card |
| Business Credit Cards | Bank of America Alaska Airlines Business |
| Redemption Options | Alaska Airline flights Partner flights Money & Miles discounts First class upgrades Hotel stays Magazines Share or gift miles |
| Average Mile Value | $0.018 |
Mileage Plan Elite Status
Signing up for Alaska Airline’s Mileage Plan allows you to earn points toward award flights and elite status. As you move up in status, you will have the ability to earn more points and unlock additional benefits. Mileage plan elite status rank as follows: MVP, MVP Gold and MVP Gold 75K.
You can get Mileage Plan elite status by earning enough miles or flying enough segments:
| MVP | MVP GOLD | MVP GOLD 75K | |
| Miles (Alaska only) |
20,000 | 40,000 | 75,000 |
| Miles* (including partners) |
25,000 | 50,000 | 90,000 |
| Segments* (including partners) |
30 | 60 | 90 |
The counter lasts from January 1st until December 31st every year. Once you’ve earned elite status, you’ll receive 50,000 bonus miles and you’ll get to keep your status until the end of the following calendar year.
*These include miles earned by flying on Alaska Airlines and partner airlines booked with your Mileage Plan number and bonuses earned from class of service. They do not include bonuses earned from elite status or miles earned on co-branded credit cards.
**Segments are flights with the same flight number between an origin and final destination, regardless of any stops in between.
With your elite status, you can enjoy the benefits of upgrades & other perks.
| Benefit | MVP | MVP Gold | MVP Gold 75k |
| Mileage bonus | 50% | 100% | 125% |
| Welcome bonus miles | 50,000 | ||
| Preferred seating | x | x | x |
| Premium Class upgrades | x | x | x |
| First class upgrades | x | x | x |
| Companion upgrades | x | x | |
| First Class guest upgrades | 4 | 4 | |
| Premium beverage in Main Cabin | x | x | |
| Priority check-in & boarding | x | x | x |
| Express security line | x | x | |
| 2 checked bags | x | x | x |
| Partner lounge access | x | x | |
| Alaska Lounge day passes | 4 | ||
| Waived ticket change fees | x | x | |
| Alaska Lounge membership | $50 off | $100 off | $150 off |
| Nominate someone for MVP status | x |
Fly one million miles on Alaska Airlines and earn Lifetime Gold Status. This total does not count bonus miles and partner flights. Alongside all of the MVP Gold perks, you’ll also receive a complimentary meal or picnic pack when you travel in Main Cabin.
If you have proof of pregnancy or parental leave, you can put your elite status on hold. Elite Leave gives new parents an opportunity to keep an extra year of elite status in a time when they can’t travel as frequently. This is definitely worth applying for as it gives you an extra year of elite perks.
Earning Mileage Plan Miles
Even though you can’t transfer Chase Ultimate Rewards®, American Express Membership Rewards® and Citi ThankYou® Rewards to Alaska Airlines, there are still plenty of ways to earn Mileage Plan miles.
Flights on Alaska Airlines and other partner airlines earn one Mileage Plan mile for each actual mile flown. For example, if you flew 1,000 miles, you’ll earn 1,000 base miles. Short-haul flights earn a minimum of 500 miles.
This distance-based earning system is a rarity for airline loyalty programs. Most miles are earned according to how many dollars is spent. This mile-for-mile structure makes it easy to stack up on rewards and reach elite status.
You’ll also earn bonus miles for holding elite status (see above) and for class of service.
| Cabin | Class of Service | Bonus Miles |
| Main (Economy) | H, Q, L, V, K, G, T, R | – |
| Main (Economy) | M, B | 25% |
| Main (Economy) | Y, S | 50% |
| First Class | F, P | 75% |
Source: For updated information, click here.
Bank of America issues one Alaska Airlines personal credit card and one business credit card that earn bonus Mileage Plan miles.
| Credit Card | The Alaska Airlines Visa Signature® card | Bank of America Alaska Airlines Business |
| Welcome bonus | Companion Fare + 40,000 miles – spend: $2,000 – time: 90 days – $200 statement credit |
Companion Fare + 40,000 miles – spend: $2,000 – time: 90 days |
| Bonus value | $720 (miles only) | $720 (miles only) |
| Ongoing Rewards/Benefits | 3x on Alaska Airlines 1x on everything else |
3x on Alaska Airlines 1x on everything else |
| Companion fare | 1x a year | 1x a year |
| Free checked bag | 1 | 1 |
| Other perks | 50% off Alaska Lounge day passes 20% back on inflight purchases |
50% off Alaska Lounge day passes 20% back on inflight purchases |
| Annual fee | $75 | $50 per company $25 per card |
Earn Mileage Plan miles for qualifying stays at participating hotels. Simply provide your member number when you make the reservation and check-in to the hotel. Participating brands include:
- Alaska Airlines Hotels
- Best Western
- Choice Privileges
- Rocketmiles
- Westmark Hotels
Because of a special partnership with the hotel loyalty program, it’s worth earning Marriott Bonvoy points and then transferring to your Mileage Plan account. For every 60,000 points you convert, you’ll get a bonus of 5,000 Mileage Plan miles.
Other hotel programs transfer to Alaska Airlines, but it’s usually a poor use of your hotel points.
*Source: For updated information, click here.
Earn Mileage Plan miles and enjoy savings with the following car rental partners:
| Partner | Miles Earned | Other Perks |
| Alamo | 50 miles/day | Save on base rates |
| Avis | 50 miles/day (up to 4 days) 500 miles (5+ days) |
Save 35% off base rates |
| Budget | 50 miles/day (up to 4 days) 500 miles (5+ days) |
Save 30% off base rates |
| Dollar | 50 miles/day (up to 2 days) 150 miles/day (3+ days) |
– |
| Hertz | 50 miles/day (up to 4 days) 500 miles (5+ days) |
– |
| National | 50 miles/day | Save on base rates |
| Thrifty | 50 miles/day (up to 2 days) 150 miles/day (3+ days) |
– |
Source: For updated information, click here.
Below are more ways to earn Mileage Plan miles:
| Option | Details |
| Mileage Plan Shopping | Earn miles for every $1 you spend at 850+ stores. |
| Mileage Plan Dining | Welcome bonus: 1,000 miles with your first meal. Earn up to 5x miles at 10,000+ restaurants, bars and clubs. |
| Referral Program | 5,000 bonus miles for each person your refer and gets approved for the Alaska Airlines Visa Card. |
| 1800Flowers | Earn 20x miles when you use promo code AKA3. |
| Carrs-Safeway | Earn 100 miles for every $300 spent in the state of Alaska. |
| Diners-Club | Convert your Club Rewards points into Mileage Plan miles at a 1:1 ratio. |
| GCI | Earn 1x miles on cable TV, internet, cellular, and local and long-distance plans. |
| The Opinion Terminal | Welcome bonus: at least 400 miles with your first survey. Earn miles for every survey you complete thereafter. |
| Rover | Welcome bonus: $30 credit. Earn 1x miles on all bookings. |
| SoFi | Earn 1 mile for every $2 you refinance (up to 50,000 miles). |
| Teleflora | Earn 20x miles when you use the code BAAAL10. |
| Vinesse Wine Clubs | Welcome bonus: 2,250 miles. Earn 5x miles on wine purchases. |
Earning Miles by Transferring Marriott Bonvoy Points
As we mentioned before, Alaska Airlines has a special partnership with Marriott Bonvoy. This partnership means that members of the Mileage Plan program are able to transfer Bonvoy points to your Mileage Plan account. Every 60,000 points converted, result in a bonus of 5,000 Mileage Plan miles.
The best way to earn these transferrable points is with a Marriott co-branded credit card and qualifying for its welcome bonus.
Chase offers two personal credit cards that earn Marriott points, while American Express (Amex) offers one personal and one business card. If you’re looking to apply for a Marriott credit card, it’s important to note:
- The Chase 5/24 rule: If you opened five or more new credit cards in the past 24 months (from any bank), you won’t be approved for a new credit card from Chase.
- The Amex once-in-a-lifetime welcome bonus rule: You can only qualify for the introductory offer on each Amex personal and business card once in your lifetime.
 The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card offers 185,000 Marriott Bonvoy bonus points after you use your new Card to make $6,000 in purchases within the first 6 months of Card Membership. Each Card renewal year, get up to $300 in statement credits per calendar year (up to $25 per month) for eligible purchases at restaurants worldwide. With this card, you'll earn: • 6X Marriott Bonvoy points for each dollar of eligible purchases at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy. • 3X points at restaurants worldwide and on flights booked directly with airlines. • 2X points on all other eligible purchases. • $300 Brilliant Dining Credit: Each calendar year, get up to $300 (up to $25 per month) for eligible purchases made on the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card at restaurants worldwide. A Marriott Bonvoy Platinum Elite member will earn 50% more points on eligible purchases at participating hotels for each U.S. dollar or the currency equivalent that is incurred and paid for by the member. Fee Credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck: Receive either a statement credit every 4 years after you apply for Global Entry ($120) or a statement credit every 4.5 years after you apply for a five-year membership for TSA PreCheck (up to $85 through a TSA PreCheck official enrollment provider) and pay the application fee with your Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant American Express Card. If approved for Global Entry, at no additional charge, you will receive access to TSA PreCheck. $100 Marriott Bonvoy Property Credit: Enjoy your stay. Receive up to a $100 property credit for qualifying charges at Marriott, The Ritz-Carlton or St. Regis when you book direct using a special rate for a two-night minimum stay using your Card. Free Night Award: Receive 1 Free Night Award every year after your Card renewal month. Award can be used for one night (redemption level at or under 85,000 Marriott Bonvoy points) at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy. Certain hotels have resort fees. This card comes with a $650 annual fee and no foreign transaction fees. (See Rates & Fees) Furthermore, enjoy unlimited airport lounge visits when you enroll in Priority Pass Select membership. Terms Apply. (See Rates & Fees) |
 The Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card offers 100,000 bonus points plus $150 Statement Credit after you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. You'll earn: • Up to 17X total points per $1 spent at over 7,000 hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy • 3X points per $1 on the first $6,000 spent in combined purchases each year on grocery stores, gas stations, and dining. • 2X points for every $1 spent on all other purchase • 1 Elite Night Credit towards Elite Status for every $5,000 you spend. You gain an automatic Silver Elite Status each account anniversary year. Path to Gold Status when you spend $35,000 on purchases each account year. You'll receive 15 Elite Night Credits each calendar year & an additional Free Night Award (valued up to 35,000 points) every year after account anniversary. This card does carry a $95 fee; there are no foreign transaction fees. |
 The Marriott Bonvoy Bold® credit card offers 60,000 bonus points plus 1 Free Night after spending $2,000 on eligible purchases within the first 3 months from account opening. You'll earn: • Up to 14X total points per $1 spent at over 7,000 hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy • 2X points for all other travel purchases • 1X points per $1 spent on all other purchases This card comes with no annual fees or foreign transaction fees and you'll get 15 elite night credits each calendar year! |
 The Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card offers 3 Free Night Awards after you use your new Card to make $6,000 in eligible purchases within the first 6 months of Card Membership. Receive a 7% discount on eligible bookings as a benefit of being both a Marriott Bonvoy member & a Marriott Bonvoy Business American Express Card Member when you book directly with Marriott through an eligible channel for a participating property under the Amex Business Card Rate. You can enjoy a complimentary Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite Status with your Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card. You'll earn: • 6x Marriott Bonvoy Points on each dollar of eligible purchases at hotels participating in the Marriott Bonvoy program. • 4x points for purchases made at restaurants worldwide, at U.S. gas stations, on wireless telephone services purchased directly from U.S. service providers and on U.S. purchases for shipping. • 2x points on all other eligible purchases. You'll receive 1 Free Night Award every year after your Card renewal month. Plus, earn an additional Free Night Award after you spend $60K in purchases on your Card in a calendar year. Awards can be used for one night (redemption level at or under 35,000 Marriott Bonvoy points) at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy. Certain hotels have resort fees. This card does carry a $125 annual fee. (See Rates & Fees) Terms Apply. |
Redeeming Mileage Plan Miles
Alaska Airlines sets its award pricing according to trip length and class of service. For domestic flights within the United States (excluding Hawaii), award tickets start at just 5,000 miles one way.
To see how many miles you’ll need for a particular itinerary, use the Mileage Plan award pricing tool.
Use your Mileage Plan miles for discounts of up to 50% on most Alaska Airlines couch and First Class fares.
| Award Types | One Way | Round Trip |
| 50% discount Up to $100 |
10,000 | 10,000 |
| 50% discount Up to $200 |
20,000 | 20,000 |
You can request an upgrade within 24 hours of departure, or at check-in, and pay by cash or miles. In rewards, upgrades cost a flat rate of 15,000 miles. But the cost of cash upgrades depends on distance.
| Distance One Way | Cost |
| 0 – 450 | $29 |
| 451 – 700 | $49 |
| 701 – 1,400 | $99 |
| 1,401 – 2,100 | $149 |
| 2,101+ | $199 |
As you can see, upgrades using miles have better value for longer flights.
Alaska Airlines is not a member of any major airline alliance (Oneworld, Star Alliance or SkyTeam). However, thanks to their broad network of partners, you can book award flights all over the world. Each partner has its own award chart, so it will require a bit of work on your end to find the best deals.
Partners include:
- Aer Lingus
- American Airlines
- British Airways
- Cathay Pacific
- Condor
- EL AL Israel
- Emirates
- Fiji Airways
- Finnair
- Hainan Airlines
- Icelandair
- Japan Airlines
- Korean Air
- LATAM
- PenAir
- Qantas
- Ravn Alaska
- Singapore Airlines
*For an updated complete list of airline partners, click here.
Hotel stays: Use your Mileage Plan miles to book hotel stays with Alaska Airlines Hotels (powered by Rocketmiles). Choose to pay with miles, or a combination of miles and cash, at over 400,000 properties worldwide. Alaska Airlines credit card members can redeem using fewer miles.
Magazine subscriptions: You can redeem your miles for subscriptions to your favorite magazines and newspapers.
Transfer miles: Transfer your miles to another member’s account for $10 per 1,000 miles.
Charitable donations: Give your miles to a number of partner charities, including Dream Foundation, Make-A-Wish Foundation, National Forest Foundation, Seattle Children’s Hospital and more.
*Source: For updated information, click here.
Mileage Plan miles expire after 24 months of inactivity. You can keep your rewards active by either earning or burning miles.
Mileage Plan Tips & Tricks
There are a ton of great promotions from Mileage Plan running all year long. Currently and through the end of 2020, members earn twice the miles for nonstop travel between select California and East Coast destinations. Because the Alaska Airlines rewards program is on a mile-for-mile system, this double-mile offer gets you much closer to an award flight, much faster.
For a list of all current promotions, check out the Mileage Plan Deals page.
There are very few airline loyalty programs that let you make a stopover on one-way awards, and Mileage Plan is one of them. This gives you a chance to visit two destinations for the price of one.
Here’s and example:
| Itinerary | Miles | Airline & Class |
| Dallas Sydney (stopover) Perth |
55,000 | Qantas Business class |
| New York Hong Kong (stopover) Manila |
50,000 | Cathay Pacific Business class |
| Los Angeles Dubai (stopover) Delhi |
82,500 | Emirates Business class |
Keep in mind:
- You can’t combine multiple partners on a one-way Alaska award ticket. But you can combine an Alaska-operated flight with a partner airline.
- You can only complete the free stopover in a partner airline’s hub city.
- Don’t book one-way awards on Korean Air. They cost the same amount of miles as round trip tickets.
American Airlines: This domestic airline flies all over the world and offers great value for your miles, especially if you fly business or first class. We’ve seen redemptions where each point is worth more than $0.05 apiece.
Cathay Pacific: Flying first class on this Hong Kong-based airline is an extremely luxurious experience, with spacious seats and menus created by Michelin-star chefs. A round trip from Boston to Beijing in first class would cost you a whopping $19,800. But it’s only 140,000 in miles. In this scenario, your points would be worth $0.14 each!
Hawaiian Airlines: Get to Hawaii for just 35,000 miles round trip, even during peak travel times. The trick is to search lesser-known routes to Hawaii, and avoid Los Angeles and San Francisco routes.
Qantas: This is a great option if you’re heading to Australia or New Zealand, especially in business class. Not only will you enjoy lounge access, tasty dining options and seats that recline into beds, you’ll also get your miles’ worth. We’ve seen award tickets that will get you over $0.09 per mile.
We recommend not booking your award travel with British Airways if you can. Even though it’s decently priced, British Airways has a tendency to tack on huge fuel surcharges for certain routes. This will end up depleting the value of your miles. If you must redeem with British Airways, keep an eye out for additional fees.
Remember to always check the cabin that you select when booking award tickets. Often times people fail to check this detail and end up booking mixed-cabin tickets. These award tickets are priced at the higher cabin’s mileage rate and will appear in the premium cabin column of your search results.
* The information mentioned above was independently collected and is subject to change
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Bottom Line
If you’re a frequent flyer, consider joining Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan. This program has great earning potential with the Alaska Airlines Visa Card, decent flexibility, and incredible value with a little bit of research.
For more posts like this, check out our list of credit card bonuses and the latest Alaska Airlines Promotions.
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