Alaska Airlines launches an elite status fast track for members with expiring status

If you’re an Alaska MVP, MVP Gold or MVP 75K elite member and won’t requalify for your status by the end of the year, Alaska Airlines has your back.

The Seattle-based carrier is giving its elite members a second chance to extend their current statuses through Dec. 31, 2023.

Specifically, if you earn the following miles between Jan. 13 and April 13, Alaska will extend your 2022 status through the end of 2023. Here’s what you’ll need to earn during these three months to extend your 2022 status:

MVP members: 5,000 base miles.
MVP Gold members: 10,000 base miles.
MVP Gold 75K members: 20,000 base miles.

Who’s eligible?

Alaska Airlines departing from Maui — KYLE OLSEN/THE POINTS GUY

This offer is available to Mileage Plan members that held MVP, MVP Gold or MVP Gold 75K status on Jan. 1, 2022, but did not requalify for that same status in the 2022 calendar year. Unfortunately, you can’t use this offer to achieve a higher status than the one you held on Jan. 1, 2022.

Further, those who held Alaska status on Jan. 1, 2022, from a status match or challenge are ineligible for this promotion and MVP Gold 100K status is not included.

Which base miles count?

An Alaska Airlines plane — CLINT HENDERSON/THE POINTS GUY

Mileage Plan members who participate in this offer can earn base miles from Alaska and partner flights; however, there must be a minimum of two segments flown on Alaska-marketed and -operated flights to qualify for a status extension.

A note about MVP Gold 75K

American Airlines Airbus A321T business class — Alaska Airlines 75K members can enjoy upgrades on American Airlines. CLINT HENDERSON/THE POINTS GUY

If you were an MVP Gold 75K member on Jan. 1, 2022, but won’t requalify this year, Alaska will allow you to make Gold Guest Upgrades, Lounge Day Passes and MVP Gold 75K MVP nominations after you earn the 20,000 base miles between Jan. 13 and April 13, 2023.

Unfortunately, members who receive MVP Gold 75K status as part of this offer are not eligible for the 50,000 bonus miles or American Airlines upgrade certificates associated with qualifying for MVP Gold 75K status.

Bottom line

This promotion is great news for Mileage Plan members who were on track to downgrade or lose their statuses at the end of the year. But for those who have already requalified, it may be frustrating given airlines are already seeing mass quantities of elite members after years of status extensions and reduced qualification requirements.

To learn more about Alaska’s 2023 fast-track promotion, head to this page.