Alaska Airlines MVP Gold 100K Elite Status Coming In 2022

The past year has been one of tremendous upheaval and change within the airline industry. For a while, entire fleets were grounded, flight schedules were decimated, and passenger numbers remain depressed amid ongoing travel restrictions and border closures. One of the more interesting developments here in the U.S. was the re-partnering of American Airlines and Alaska Airlines, and the announcement that the latter would be joining the Oneworld alliance of carriers in March 2021. Now Alaska Airlines has just revealed that it will be offering a new top tier of elite status beginning in 2022. Here’s what we know so far about Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan MVP Gold 100K.

Qualifying for Alaska MVP Gold 100K

As of now, Alaska Airlines has just three tiers of elite status that are earned with the following flight activity in 2021 for qualification in 2022.

MVP: Fly 20,000 miles or 30 segments on Alaska Airlines and partners (if with partners, you must fly at least two segments on Alaska itself)

MVP Gold: Fly 40,000 miles or 60 segments on Alaska Airlines and partners (if with partners, you must fly at least four segments on Alaska itself)

MVP Gold 75K: Fly 75,000 miles or 90 segments on Alaska Airlines and partners (if with partners, you must fly at least six segments on Alaska itself)

Now, according to an email to Alaska MileagePlan members, the airline will launch MVP Gold 100K status for those who fly 100,000 elite-qualifying miles or more in a calendar year. There was not mention of a flight requirement on Alaska’s own flights, but presumably it will require at least eight segments.

Alaska Airlines’ member outreach also included the announcement that fliers can earn 50% more elite-qualifying miles on the airline’s flights between now and June 30, 2021. So theoretically, you could hit MVP Gold 100K status by flying just 67,000 miles between now and then.

Alaska Airlines MVP Gold 100K Benefits

According to the email, those who qualify for MVP Gold 100K status will receive the top priority for upgrades on Alaska flights and lounge benefits. That will probably be in addition to the perks they can already expect at the MVP Gold 75K level, which include:

·     Earning 50,000 bonus miles upon status qualification

·     Earning a 125% bonus on base miles earned on Alaska and partner airlines

·     Priority check-in and boarding

·     Two free checked bags for yourself and a companion on the same reservation

·     Complimentary same-day standby and flight changes

·     Discounted Alaska Lounge membership

·     Four complimentary Alaska Lounge day passes

·     Space-available upgrades to Premium Class (basically premium economy) and first class

·     Access to preferred seating

·     Complimentary premium beverage in Main Cabin

·     Four first class guest upgrades

·     Dedicated customer service lines

·     Service and ticket change fee waivers

·     Nominating another member for MVP status

It’s not necessarily a reach to assume that MVP Gold 100K members might enjoy slightly enhanced perks, including a 150-200% bonus on earned miles and a longer upgrade window of perhaps a whole week rather than just the five days MVP Gold 75Ks enjoy. Alaska announced that its MVP Gold 75K members would also receive Oneworld Emerald elite status, which includes advantages like lounge access when flying member airlines, and priority airport services, so MVP 100Ks can expect the same. What will be interesting to see is how exactly this new tier – not to mention the other elite levels – fit into Alaska’s new partnership with American Airlines, and the priority with which either airline’s elites will be considered for upgrades on the other, in addition to more mundane benefits like free checked bags on each other’s flights.

Speaking of upgrades, we might even see Alaska offer MVP Gold 100Ks something similar to American Airlines’ systemwide upgrades – certificates that can be applied to most flights with upgrade award availability within the airline’s route network – and whether they might be usable on American’s flights as well as Alaska’s own services.

The key to making these benefits attractive, and qualifying for the new MVP Gold 100K level worthwhile for fliers, will be how richly Alaska will be able to reward the fliers that put in the time and money to earn it, and how many benefits they will be able to expect not just on Alaska Airlines, but with its much larger partner, American Airlines, and its extensive route network as well.