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

Dec. 20, 2022
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3 min read
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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.

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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.

Related: What is Alaska Airlines elite status worth?

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.

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Related: How I've benefited from being an Alaska MVP Gold 100K when flying American

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.

Related: Alaska Mileage Plan top-tier members get intriguing choice of perks for 2023

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.

Featured image by CLINT HENDERSON/THE POINTS GUY
Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.

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Why We Chose It

There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)

Pros

  • 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
  • 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
  • Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
  • Solid welcome bonus

Cons

  • Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
  • Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
  • You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
  • $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
  • $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
  • $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
  • $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. 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, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
  • Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees.
  • Annual Fee is $325.
  • Terms Apply.