Alaska Airlines targets Delta with lucrative status match offer
Update: Some offers mentioned below are no longer available. View the current offers here.
Alaska Airlines is out with a new status match and making no secret about who it targets.
Branding this as an opportunity "in the wake of recent loyalty changes at one of our competitors," the Seattle-based carrier is making an overt attempt to lure Delta Air Lines loyalists disenchanted by the recent SkyMiles overhaul.
Between now and Oct. 31, Alaska is letting SkyMiles Medallion members match into elite status within the Mileage Plan program, including — for the first time — to Alaska's top-tier MVP Gold 100K status. Historically, you haven't been able to reach that top rung through a status match.
There are a couple of other factors that make this status match opportunity particularly notable.
First, it is not a status challenge. Lately, most status matches require some kind of flying or spending requirement. Not this one, which is a straight status match for those who have an active Alaska Airlines Visa Signature® credit card by the end of the year.
Additionally, SkyMiles members with Medallion status for 2024 can actually qualify one level higher than the "corresponding" Mileage Plan tier if they have an active Alaska Airlines cobranded Visa — or secure one by Dec. 31.
In a pointed statement announcing the news, Alaska's Mileage Plan chief seemed to clearly allude to Delta's SkyMiles changes, which tie future elite status qualification solely to spending via (a lot of) Medallion Qualifying Dollars.
"We've always believed that loyalty is about more than just revenue and that earning elite status shouldn't require a second mortgage," Alaska Vice President of Loyalty, Alliances and Sales Brett Catlin said, noting the Mileage Plan program has "no spend requirements" for elite status qualification.
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How is this status match different?
Alaska offering a status match isn't new. In fact, it has an ongoing match opportunity for Delta flyers and many other major North American airlines.
However, there are some limitations to the typical Alaska status match.
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In most cases, you can't match into MVP Gold 100K status. And, to keep your Mileage Plan elite status beyond 90 days, you generally have to complete a status challenge, such as flying 5,000 miles on Alaska within a certain time frame (with steeper requirements for higher status tiers).
Alaska status match for Delta SkyMiles elite members
This olive branch Alaska is extending to SkyMiles elites is a little different, including:
- The ability to match into MVP Gold 100K status.
- There is no status challenge if you are an Alaska Airlines Visa Signature® credit card — you are just matched through next year.
- Matching into one tier higher than usual if you are an Alaska Airlines Visa cardholder and have Delta status for 2024.
How Delta SkyMiles members can get elite status on Alaska
The rules for this status match are as follows:
- Apply by Oct. 31 to match your Delta Medallion status into the Alaska Mileage Plan program
- If you have an active Alaska Visa credit card by Dec. 31, there's no status challenge, and SkyMiles members with Medallion status for 2024 and an Alaska credit card can match as follows:
- Medallion Silver = MVP Gold
- Medallion Gold = MVP Gold 75K
- Medallion Platinum and Diamond = MVP Gold 100K
Is the Alaska status match worth it?
The downside to shifting to flying Alaska from Delta is that Alaska doesn't offer nearly the same network size, especially once you get outside the Pacific Northwest or beyond Alaska's bases in California.
However, Alaska is a member of the Oneworld alliance and, most notably, has a partnership with American Airlines that affords Mileage Plan elite members a host of benefits when flying on American flights.
For instance, Mileage Plan elite members can earn upgrades on American Airlines flights within/between the U.S. and Mexico, the Bahamas, the Caribbean and Central America.
Now, a word of caution: there are a few 'fine print' limitations to this status match:
- Mileage Plan members who qualify for MVP Gold 100K or 75K by way of a status match are not eligible for any systemwide upgrades on American flights...a key perk that can be used for a lie-flat business-class seat to Europe or elsewhere. (MVP Gold 100K members typically get two one-way certificates; MVP Gold 75K typically get one).
- Members who status match into MVP Gold 100K will also not be eligible for choice benefits with Alaska, which include a choice of perks like a lounge membership, 50,000 bonus miles or nominating someone else for MVP status.
- Members who status match into MVP Gold 75K status will not be eligible for the 50,000 bonus miles associated with the status tier
- You can only status match with Alaska Mileage Plan once in your life
Still, since there's no status challenge attached to this Alaska Airlines match opportunity, it's an easier path to Oneworld elite status than what American Airlines currently offers.
Related: How to maximize Alaska status on American and vice versa
Oneworld elite status
By earning Mileage Plan elite status through this match opportunity, you'll be able to enjoy Oneworld elite status perks when flying on alliance partners beyond American, including with British Airways, Finnair, Iberia, Qatar Airways and Qantas, among others.
This can earn you benefits like priority boarding, complimentary checked bags and (for some members) business lounge access when flying abroad.
Alaska Mileage Plan members earn Oneworld status as follows:
- MVP = Oneworld Ruby
- MVP Gold = Oneworld Sapphire
- MVP Gold 75K and MVP Gold 100K = Oneworld Emerald
Mileage Plan benefits
Key aspects of Alaska Airlines' elite status include first-class upgrades on Alaska flights for all tiers, with priority, of course, going to higher-tier elite members.
All elite members get at least two free checked bags (three for the higher tiers) along with discounted lounge access and a handful of free daypasses for MVP Gold 75K and MVP Gold 100K members.
Like top-tier Medallion members, Alaska MVP Gold 100K members can select a complimentary lounge membership as a choice perk of status.
- Alaska Lounge+ membership
- Gifting MVP status
- Complimentary Clear membership
- Complimentary Wi-Fi on all flights
A full rundown of Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan elite status benefits can be found in our complete guide to Alaska status. You can also find a full list here on Alaska's website.
Bottom line
Alaska Airlines' newest status match opportunity is clearly geared toward Delta elite members fed up with the recently announced SkyMiles changes.
Though Delta loyalists may not find the volume of flights on Alaska they need for all their travels, Alaska's partnership with American Airlines and participation in the Oneworld alliance provides members a pathway to an elite status experience on a wide range of domestic and international flights.
Just keep in mind, you won't be able to tap into a few popular Mileage Plan elite status perks like Alaska's choice benefits or international upgrade certificates on American.
However, even if you only fly Alaska a few times a year, doing it in comfort and style via an elite status match remains a great opportunity.
Related reading:
- The best credit cards for airport lounge access
- The ultimate guide to American Airlines Admirals Club access
- The 7 do's and don'ts in an airport lounge
- The best credit cards to reach elite status
- 7 domestic lounges that are worth going out of your way for
- Best credit cards for American Airlines flyers
Updated as of 4/18/2024.