Alaska Airlines elites finally receiving American upgrade certificates
Separate from their Oneworld alliance partnership, Alaska Airlines and American Airlines offer an even deeper integration of their elite status perks. These benefits include reciprocal upgrades, extra-legroom preferred seating and more.
In addition, those who qualify for Alaska MVP Gold 75K or MVP Gold 100K status are supposed to receive confirmed upgrade certificates for international American Airlines flights. This benefit was first announced last year but hasn't been available — until now.
Alaska Airlines has finally begun emailing eligible elite members their upgrade certificates. The subject line reads, "Exclusive upgrade codes: Limited-time international upgrades." Although not officially called systemwide upgrades, they work basically the same way.
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Who's eligible for these certificates
American Airlines upgrade certificates are being awarded to Alaska Airlines MVP Gold 75K and 100K members who earned status in 2021 for the 2022 program year. The terms and conditions explicitly state that those who earned their status via a promotion, status match or status gift are not eligible.
Eligible MVP Gold 75K members receive one one-way upgrade, while 100K members receive two one-way upgrades. Unfortunately, there's no way to earn additional upgrade certificates.
Related: Alaska’s new MVP Gold 100K status tier begins to reflect on accounts
How to redeem these certificates
These certificates work very similarly to American's systemwide upgrades. Each certificate is for a one-way ticket, with a maximum of three segments.
The certificates can be used to upgrade from most economy or premium economy fares to business class and from most business-class fares to first class. All routes are eligible, including premium transcontinental and long-haul international flights. The only major restriction is that upgrades can't be applied to basic economy or award tickets.
Upgrades issued this year must be requested and confirmed by Dec. 31, though you don't have to complete your travel before the expiration date.
To redeem your upgrade certificates, follow these steps:
- Book a flight marketed and operated by American Airlines or American Eagle (codeshare flights are not eligible) and include your Alaska Mileage Plan number.
- Call American Airlines at 1-888-824-1816 and provide your unique access code (sent in the email) and Mileage Plan number.
- Your upgrade will be confirmed immediately if space is available; otherwise, you will be placed on the waitlist.
In order for your upgrade to be confirmed immediately, your flight must have “A” fare (for business to first on three-cabin airplanes) or “C” fare (economy to business or economy to first on domestic flights) upgrade availability. The best way to search for A and C upgrade availability and see how many seats are left in each is with ExpertFlyer (owned by TPG’s parent company, Red Ventures). If you're waitlisted, your upgrade can clear at any time all the way until departure.
Related: How and why I went for top-tier status with Alaska Airlines
As long as a single segment of your trip is upgraded, your certificate will be deemed used. So, if you have an international connecting itinerary, you'll want to make sure your certificate is being applied to the long-haul flight and not just the short domestic segment.
Although upgrade certificates can't be sold, members may use their upgrades on other passengers. Also, note that although there's technically no fee for using upgrade certificates, you may incur additional taxes or security fees as a result of upgrading to a higher-class cabin, particularly for flights departing the United Kingdom.
Related: ExpertFlyer just became even more valuable to American Airlines’ flyers
Bottom line
Although six months late, American Airlines upgrade certificates for Alaska elite members are finally here. The certificates work much like systemwide upgrades so there are few restrictions to using them. However, it can sometimes be difficult to find confirmable upgrade space in advance. Assuming your upgrade clears, you can easily get hundreds of dollars in value from these certificates, particularly when they're used for long-haul flights.
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There's a lot to love about the Amex Gold card. It's been a fan favorite during the pandemic because of its fantastic rewards rate on restaurants (that includes takeout and delivery in the U.S.!) and U.S. supermarkets. If you're hitting the skies soon, you'll also earn bonus points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders) and up to $120 in annual dining statement credits at eligible partners, there's no reason that the foodie shouldn't add this card to their wallet. Enrollment required.Pros
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- Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $4,000 on eligible purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® Points at Restaurants, plus takeout and delivery in the U.S., and earn 4X Membership Rewards® points at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases, then 1X).
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and each month automatically get $10 in Uber Cash for Uber Eats orders or Uber rides in the U.S., totaling up to $120 per year.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings and earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, Milk Bar and select Shake Shack locations. Enrollment required.
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- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $250.
- Terms Apply.
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Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® Points at Restaurants, plus takeout and delivery in the U.S. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases, then 1X). |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com. |
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Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $4,000 on eligible purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership.60,000 bonus pointsAnnual Fee
$250Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO© Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.670-850Excellent/Good
Why We Chose It
There's a lot to love about the Amex Gold card. It's been a fan favorite during the pandemic because of its fantastic rewards rate on restaurants (that includes takeout and delivery in the U.S.!) and U.S. supermarkets. If you're hitting the skies soon, you'll also earn bonus points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders) and up to $120 in annual dining statement credits at eligible partners, there's no reason that the foodie shouldn't add this card to their wallet. Enrollment required.Pros
- 4x on dining at restaurants and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1x)
- 3x on flights booked directly with the airline or with Amex Travel
- Welcome bonus of 60,000 points after spending $4,000 in the first six months
Cons
- Weak on travel outside of flights and everyday spending bonus categories
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber/food credits
- Few travel perks and protections
- Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $4,000 on eligible purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® Points at Restaurants, plus takeout and delivery in the U.S., and earn 4X Membership Rewards® points at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases, then 1X).
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and each month automatically get $10 in Uber Cash for Uber Eats orders or Uber rides in the U.S., totaling up to $120 per year.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings and earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, Milk Bar and select Shake Shack locations. Enrollment required.
- Choose the color that suits your style. Gold or Rose Gold.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $250.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees