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

Dec. 20, 2022
3 min read
Alaska Airlines A320
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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?

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?

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.

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

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A note about MVP Gold 75K

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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Build your loyalty to Delta by applying for the carrier's mid-tier card option, the Delta SkyMiles Platinum card. The annual fee is quickly recouped by the card's travel perks, such as an application credit to Global Entry or TSA Precheck, annual companion certificate and so much more. Plus you can fast-track to elite status simply through card spend.

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  • Statement credit for TSA PreCheck/Global Entry fee (up to $100)
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Cons

  • Doesn't make sense if you don't fly Delta
  • SkyMiles aren't the most valuable airline currency
  • Earn 90,000 bonus miles after you spend $4,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months.
  • Receive a Domestic Main Cabin round-trip companion certificate each year upon renewal of your Card. Payment of the government imposed taxes and fees of no more than $80 for roundtrip domestic flights (for itineraries with up to four flight segments) is required. Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. See terms and conditions for details.
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  • Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels.
  • Earn 2X Miles at restaurants worldwide including takeout and delivery in the U.S., and at U.S. supermarkets.
  • Earn 1X Mile on all other eligible purchases.
  • Enjoy a per-visit rate of $50 per person for Card Members and up to two guests to enter the Delta Sky Club when traveling on a Delta flight.
  • Fee Credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® after you apply through any Authorized Enrollment Provider. If approved for Global Entry, at no additional charge, you will receive access to TSA PreCheck.
  • Earn up to 20,000 Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) with Status Boost® per year. After you spend $25,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year, you can earn 10,000 MQMs up to two times per year, getting you closer to Medallion® Status. MQMs are used to determine Medallion® Status and are different than miles you earn toward flights.
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TPG Editor‘s Rating
Card Rating is based on the opinion of TPG‘s editors and is not influenced by the card issuer.
3 / 5
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Rewards Rate

3XEarn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels.
2XEarn 2X Miles at restaurants worldwide, including takeout and delivery in the U.S. and at U.S. supermarkets.
1XEarn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.
  • Intro Offer
    Earn 90,000 bonus miles after you spend $4,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months.

    Earn 90,000 Bonus Miles
    50,000 Bonus Miles
  • Annual Fee

    $250
  • Recommended 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.

    670-850
    Excellent/Good

Why We Chose It

Build your loyalty to Delta by applying for the carrier's mid-tier card option, the Delta SkyMiles Platinum card. The annual fee is quickly recouped by the card's travel perks, such as an application credit to Global Entry or TSA Precheck, annual companion certificate and so much more. Plus you can fast-track to elite status simply through card spend.

Pros

  • Earn bonus Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) and an Medallion Qualifying Dollar (MQD) waiver when you hit specific spending thresholds with your card within a calendar year
  • Receive a Domestic Main Cabin round-trip companion certificate each year
  • Statement credit for TSA PreCheck/Global Entry fee (up to $100)
  • First checked bag free

Cons

  • Doesn't make sense if you don't fly Delta
  • SkyMiles aren't the most valuable airline currency
  • Earn 90,000 bonus miles after you spend $4,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months.
  • Receive a Domestic Main Cabin round-trip companion certificate each year upon renewal of your Card. Payment of the government imposed taxes and fees of no more than $80 for roundtrip domestic flights (for itineraries with up to four flight segments) is required. Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. See terms and conditions for details.
  • Enjoy your first checked bag free on Delta flights. Plus enjoy Main Cabin 1 Priority Boarding and settle into your seat sooner.
  • New: Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
  • Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels.
  • Earn 2X Miles at restaurants worldwide including takeout and delivery in the U.S., and at U.S. supermarkets.
  • Earn 1X Mile on all other eligible purchases.
  • Enjoy a per-visit rate of $50 per person for Card Members and up to two guests to enter the Delta Sky Club when traveling on a Delta flight.
  • Fee Credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® after you apply through any Authorized Enrollment Provider. If approved for Global Entry, at no additional charge, you will receive access to TSA PreCheck.
  • Earn up to 20,000 Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) with Status Boost® per year. After you spend $25,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year, you can earn 10,000 MQMs up to two times per year, getting you closer to Medallion® Status. MQMs are used to determine Medallion® Status and are different than miles you earn toward flights.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees.
  • $250 Annual Fee.
  • Terms Apply.
  • See Rates & Fees