Alaska's subscription-based flight pass now includes free elite status, more routes

Alaska Airlines is making some exciting changes to its Flight Pass offering.

The Seattle-based carrier unveiled on Thursday an expansion of its subscription-based travel pass, which now includes a promotional MVP elite status membership and covers an additional destination.

Perhaps most exciting is that from Nov. 3 through Nov. 30, all new Flight Pass subscribers will receive complimentary MVP status in Alaska's Mileage Plan frequent flyer program.

During this period, those who enroll in the entry-level Flight Pass will enjoy complimentary MVP status, while those splurging for a Flight Pass Pro subscription will receive MVP Gold status.

Existing subscribers are also entitled to complimentary status, which will process on your account no later than Dec. 7. The complimentary status will be valid through December 2023, so you'll have just more than a year to enjoy the status perks.

Note that you must be enrolled in a 12 or 24 trips-per-year subscription to receive complimentary status. Those who buy a six-trip package will not receive the elite perks.

Alaska explains that it's making this move since subscribers are investing with the airline and committing to take a certain number of trips each year, which would likely be enough to earn status by the end of the year. (Flights taken as part of the subscription are eligible to earn Mileage Plan miles just like a standard economy ticket.)

"To thank subscribers for their commitment to Alaska Airlines, elite benefits that would normally be earned after flying for a year can now be enjoyed from the very beginning. Flight Pass members will be able to enjoy the perks of being Mileage Plan elite members throughout their subscription, including upgrades to first and premium class, earned bonus miles and free checked bags," Neil Thwaitesm, Alaska's regional vice president of California, said in a statement.

In addition to the elite status perks, Alaska is expanding the reach of the Flight Pass. Effective immediately, subscribers can now fly between Salt Lake City and both San Francisco and San Diego.

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Those based in Salt Lake City can also now subscribe to a Flight Pass, but it won't be as useful since there are only two routes included from Utah.

That said, the addition of the Utah capital comes just in time for the start of the ski season; those who frequent popular resorts in the area, such as Deer Valley and Park City, could definitely find value in this expansion.

Together with Salt Lake City, the Flight Pass now covers 20 total routes, all of which you can see in the updated map below.

It's worth noting that Alaska recently removed the Reno to Los Angeles route from the pass; it suspended the flight due to a shortage of crew, a spokesperson confirmed. The service suspension will last through the winter and is slated to return to service in spring 2023.

Finally, Alaska shared some interesting tidbits about its new Flight Pass. Ever since its launch in February, the airline has seen good traction from millennials and Gen Z-ers based in northern California. The most booked routes connect between the major metro areas in California, while the most popular plan among the options is the $49 per month service that includes six round-trip flights a year.

For more details about the Alaska Flight Pass, check out TPG's comprehensive guide.