Alaska Airways Simply Made Its Loyalty Program Even Extra Profitable With New Rewards, Higher Upgrades, and Extra

Whereas loyalty program modifications are sometimes synonymous with devaluations, Alaska Airways Mileage Plan plans to reward its most loyal members within the new 12 months by including extra methods to earn perks than ever earlier than. 

“We’re on a multi-year journey to make the business’s most beneficiant loyalty program much more rewarding,” Alaska’s vice chairman of loyalty, Brett Catlin, shared in an announcement. “In 2025, Mileage Plan members can have entry to all-new, extra frequent perks together with expanded methods to earn elite standing, together with on award journey. As we spend money on a single loyalty platform with Hawaiian Airways, there’s much more to return later within the 12 months.”

For starters, Alaska is introducing extra avenues for fliers to earn elite standing inside its program, normally achieved by reaching particular thresholds of elite-qualifying miles (EQMs). Starting January 1, 2025, loyalty members is not going to solely have the ability to earn EQMs on paid tickets but additionally award flights decided by the gap flown. (As an illustration, a 9,538-mile flight between Seattle and Tokyo would earn 9,538 EQMs — almost midway to the bottom stage of Alaska’s MVP standing).

Moreover, members also can earn 1 EQM for each $3 spent on purchases on an Alaska Airways bank card (as much as a most of 30,000 EQMs) or through “non-airline” companions, together with Lyft and the airline’s procuring and eating packages.

Luckily, the elite qualification necessities stay the identical—what’s new are the extra methods to succeed in the subsequent tier. To recap, the elite ranges embrace MVP standing at 20,000 EQMs, MVP Gold at 40,000 EQMs, MVP Gold 75K at 75,000 EQMs, and MVP Gold 100K at 100,000 EQMs. As soon as achieved, members retain their standing for the remainder of the present 12 months and all the subsequent calendar 12 months.

Together with the key announcement, Alaska has launched “milestone decisions” for all members who meet sure ranges of EQMs — and never only for elite standing holders. Vacationers can select from quite a lot of rewards, together with bonus miles, lounge entry, upgraded elite standing for a single journey, flight reductions, unique experiences, and extra. These rewards grow to be obtainable beginning at simply 10,000 EQMs, with extra choices unlocked as members hit greater thresholds.

Among the best perks of elite standing — free upgrades — will even be improved vastly. A companion flying with an MVP member will even be eligible for complimentary upgrades, and Alaska says it is going to notify fliers when improve house might be confirmed utilizing certificates. That is significantly noteworthy as many airways have been decreasing complimentary upgrades for loyal prospects, opting to promote upgrades at discounted charges to all passengers as a substitute.

Past loyalty program updates, Alaska introduced that beginning subsequent 12 months, members will have the ability to earn and redeem miles throughout a number of associate airways inside a single itinerary. Flights booked immediately by means of Alaska’s web site can earn as much as 350% redeemable miles for the very best fare class.

The airline hints that loads extra will come within the coming years as Alaska continues to “spend money on a single loyalty platform with Hawaiian Airways,” following the merger of the 2 main carriers.