Alaska Airlines’ frequent flyer program, Mileage Plan, is good for several reasons. However, in October 2024, Alaska announced changes from 1st January 2025. these changes also impact even if you live outside of the USA & use the Alaska Mileage Plan. Let’s see what is changing.
Termed as “Enhanced Benefits”
Alaska is terming the changes as “enhanced benefits“. Here is what Brett Catlin, Vice President of Loyalty at Alaska Airlines, said.
“We’re on a multi-year journey to make the industry’s most generous loyalty program even more rewarding. In 2025, Mileage Plan members will have access to all-new, more frequent perks along with expanded ways to earn elite status, including on award travel. As we invest in a single loyalty platform with Hawaiian Airlines, there is even more to come later in the year.”
What is changing?
In summary, the following is changing:
- Several milestones
- Earn more Elite Qualifying miles (EQM):
- Award flights will be eligible to earn EQM
- 1 EQM for every $3 spent on an Alaska Airlines Visa card (up to 30K EQM)
- 1K EQM for every 3K miles earned with non-airline partners
- Miles Earning on Revenue flight will change
- Multi-carrier award redemptions are coming
- Redeem Miles on Experiences
- More Global Getaways (Available for flights from the US)
- Enhanced priority for Million Milers
- Upgrades are available for guests, too, if they are travelling with MVP.
Positive Changes
These are the positive changes that are useful for travellers:
Milestone Benefits
Overall, this is a positive change as you get to choose benefits as you reach a milestone; the number of milestones has also increased:
- 10K Milestone (Choose 1):
- 750 bonus miles
- Pre-order a complimentary meal for your flight
- One (1) complimentary Wi-Fi pass
- Try MVP status for a trip
- Earn double miles with non-air partners
- Upgrade your next Avis rental
- 30K Milestone (Choose 1):
- 2,500 bonus miles
- $25 off a future Alaska flight
- Four (4) Wi-Fi passes
- Try MVP Gold status for a trip
- $100 off an Alaska Lounge or Lounge+ membership
- 55K Milestone (Choose 2):
- 5,000 bonus miles
- 10,000 miles off an Extras redemption
- Gift MVP for a trip
- One (1) complimentary Lounge day pass
- Two (2) upgrade certificates
- 85K Milestone (Choose 2):
- 15,000 bonus miles
- 25,000 miles off an Extras redemption
- Two (2) complimentary Lounge day passes
- Two (2) upgrade certificates
- Gift MVP Gold status for a trip
- Nominate someone for MVP status
- 10,000 elite-qualifying miles rolled over
- 150K Milestone (Choose 2):
- 15,000 bonus miles
- 25,000 off an Extras redemption
- Two (2) complimentary Lounge passes
- Two (2) upgrade certificates
- 10,000 elite-qualifying miles rolled over
- 200K milestone (Choose 2):
- 15,000 bonus miles
- 25,000 off an Extras redemption
- Two (2) complimentary Lounge passes
- Two (2) upgrade certificates
- 10,000 elite-qualifying miles rolled over
- 250K Milestone (Choose 2)
- 15,000 bonus miles
- 25,000 off an Extras redemption
- Two (2) complimentary Lounge passes
- Two (2) upgrade certificates
- 10,000 elite-qualifying miles rolled over
The above milestone is undoubtedly good. However, some existing benefits for elites have been reduced. For example, MVP Gold 75K members starting next year will not get a 50K milestone benefit when reaching this elite status.
Elite Qualifying Miles [EQM]
It will be easier to earn Elite Qualifying Miles and in turn become Alaska Elite.
Award Flights
Earning EQM on award flights is the biggest positive for anyone outside of the US. This will be based on the distance flown. For example, if you fly between Seattle and Tokyo-Narita, which covers 9,538 miles, you will earn 9,538 EQM. This benefit is available for Alaska Airlines & its Airline partners. So, if you have tons of Alaska miles and use them for award travel, you can now become Alaska Elite with just award flights.
Earn EQM with non-airline partners
If you earn Alaska miles with non-airline partners, you will earn 1000 EQM for every 3000 miles earned. However, transferred miles, such as those from Marriott to Alaska, are not eligible. Also, the purchasing Alaska Miles will not be considered for EQM.
Earn EQM with Alaska Visa Card
This is specifically for travellers in the US. If you have an Alaska Visa card, you will earn 1 EQM for every $3 spent on the card.
Multi-carrier award redemptions
Currently, you cannot book multi-carrier award using Alaska Miles, however this will change starting 1 January 2025. This is a positive change as you get more award redemption options.
Complimentary Companion Upgrades
The guests will also be eligible for upgrades if they travel with the MVP.
Negative Changes
There are negative changes too, one of them is brutal.
Fewer Elite Bonus Miles
All the elite members except, MVP Gold 100K will earn fewer elite bonus miles.
Free checked bags [From 2026]
MVP Elite members starting 2026 will only have one checked bag compared to two checked bags.
No 50K Miles Bonus
MVP Gold 75K members used to get 50K bonus miles as a milestone benefit; however, this will not be available starting next year.
Alaska Lounge day passes
Currently, MVP Gold 75K and 100K members get Four Alaska Lounge day passes, which will be awarded next year. This is not much of a negative; however, for those who use this benefit for family, it could be a negative.
Alaska Lounge membership discount [From 1st Feb 2025]
Earlier, this benefit was available as a standard benefit for all elite status; however, if members want it, they will have to choose it upon reaching the milestone. However, you may also have other better options available at the milestone. Also, now Elites have to go 30K EQM compared to 20K EQM earlier.
Significant: Earn Fewer Miles on Partner Flights
This is one of the most significant changes. Now, if you book a partner revenue flight on the Alaska Airline website, you will earn higher miles, whereas if you book a revenue flight elsewhere, you will earn fewer miles. These miles can be significantly less than earlier, and you will also earn less EQM. I find the revenue flight pricing on Alaska Airlines expensive.
For example, if you travel via Singapore Airlines and credit those flights to Alaska Airlines this is how it will change if you travel in first class.
Below is the earning chart that is applicable till 31st December 2024 for Singapore Airlines:
And Alaska Mileage earnings will be reduced significantly if you book elsewhere:
And this is will be reduced significantly if you book elsewhere:
If you want to check how your miles change, I recommend checking this website and entering your search.
Other Changes
There are other changes too:
- Redeem for Experiences: This will possibly be for experiences in the US, and very rarely are such redemptions worth it.
- More Global Getaways: These Global Gateaways are available from the US. However, more Global Gateaways will be useful.
Bottomline
Alaska Mileage Plan Changes will take effect on 1 January 2025. Some of these changes are positive, and some are negative. One big plus is earning EQM on award flights, and one big negative is earning fewer miles on partner revenue flights if not booked on the Alaska website.
