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Chasing elite status on Alaska Airlines? A flight to California this fall could help

Sept. 30, 2022
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3 min read
Alaska Airlines
Chasing elite status on Alaska Airlines? A flight to California this fall could help
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Heads up, frequent Alaska Airlines flyers: If you’ve fallen behind in your attempt to gain or keep elite status in the Mileage Plan program, here’s a chance to get back in the game and enjoy some warm fall weather while you’re at it.

Starting this weekend, through the early part of November, you can earn a 50% boost on elite qualifying miles for certain flights.

Here’s the key rule: It has to be a flight to, from or within the state of California between Oct. 1 and Nov. 10.

Alaska Airlines announced the promotion on Twitter Friday afternoon.


Elite qualifying miles are the way Alaska Mileage Plan members earn elite status, with 20,000 elite qualifying miles earning you the first status tier of MVP. That will get you started with complimentary upgrades, priority check-in and 50% mileage bonuses on all flights.

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These 50% bonuses could go a long way toward earning you elite Alaska status for the first time, helping you keep status, or reach the next status level.

alaska airlines plane
CLINT HENDERSON/THE POINTS GUY

For perspective on what a boost this promotion could provide toward your elite status goals, let’s say you live in New York and have flown on Alaska a few times this year, earning 13,000 elite qualifying miles, year to date. You’re more than halfway to MVP status, but have a ways to go to get there before the end of the year.

A single round trip from Newark/Liberty International Airport (EWR) to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) could put you over the top. For the $496 October round trip, you’d ordinarily earn 2,447 elite qualifying miles in each direction or 4,894 miles round-trip. With this promotion, though, you’d earn a 50% bonus on those miles — bringing your total earnings to 7,341 miles.

alaska airlines booking
ALASKAAIR.COM

Just one transcontinental flight to California could also put a big dent in your earnings if you already have elite status and are hoping to renew or improve that status. Bonus earnings are capped at 10,000 miles, according to the official terms.

Again, this is a fall-oriented promotion, so you’ll need to travel between Saturday and Nov. 10.

Bottom line

Whether it’s an excuse to fly Alaska Airlines to Los Angeles and visit Disneyland, go to San Francisco to explore the Bay Area or even rent a car from there and head out to do some wine tasting in Napa, visiting the Golden State could be a great way to enjoy some warm weather this fall and put yourself in prime position for elite status while you’re at it.

Featured image by ZACH GRIFF/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

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  • 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.