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Alaska Airlines announces new elite status match challenge perk for California-based flyers

March 09, 2023
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4 min read
In this photo illustration, the Mileage Plan Alaska Airlines
Alaska Airlines announces new elite status match challenge perk for California-based flyers
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Editor's Note

This story has been updated to reflect the latest promotion.

For a limited time only, Alaska Airlines is offering a pretty cool perk as part of a status match promotion for California-based flyers only.

Starting today through March 20, Californians who take part in a status match challenge to MVP Gold 75K will receive a complimentary Alaska Lounge membership during the 90-day challenge.

That's pretty cool since you don't normally get a lounge membership simply through status. Normally, members earn four Alaska Lounge day passes — but only if you qualify for MVP Gold 75K or MVP Gold 100K organically.

Related: The ultimate guide to Alaska lounges

ALASKA AIRLINES

If you are not currently an Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan member, you must sign up for an account to participate in this challenge. Then, simply upload a screenshot of your current elite status in another program to initiate the challenge.

ALASKA AIRLINES

Your existing status will be matched to either MVP, MVP Gold or MVP Gold 75K (based on the chart above), and you'll enjoy that status for 90 days. You then must fly Alaska-marketed and operated flights to maintain your new status beyond the initial 90-day period.

  • Fly 5,000 miles for MVP status.
  • Fly 10,000 miles for MVP Gold status.
  • Fly 20,000 miles for MVP Gold 75K status.

MVP Gold 75K status, Alaska's second-highest status level, is normally earned by flying at least 75,000 elite-qualifying miles or 90 segments, at least 12 of which must be on Alaska Airlines — so this is a significant shortcut to enjoying these perks.

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Once you reach one of the above thresholds, your status will extend beyond the first 90 days in one of two ways:

  • Start your status match by the end of June and meet the requirements to keep your status through the end of 2023.
  • Start your status match between July and December and meet the requirements to keep your status through the end of 2024.

Remember that Alaska still rewards miles (and status) based on actual miles flown, so this fun promotion might even make some mileage running worth the trouble. However, just note that you can only status match once over the lifetime of your account, so be sure this is the right time before jumping in.

Related: What is Alaska Airlines' elite status worth?

Bottom line

This new promotion is a deal sweetener for California residents, as you can now enjoy 90 days of Alaska Lounge access if you initiate a status challenge for MVP Gold 75K by March 20, 2023. Though this part of the offer is limited to California-based flyers, it's a quick way to earn a status that's not so hard to maintain.

If you are not based in California, you can still participate in Alaska's existing status match challenge program outlined here. With this program, Alaska will match your existing airline status on select U.S. and Canadian airlines with its respective MVP tier for 90 days, and you can extend your status by earning the same number of elite-qualifying miles detailed above.

However, only California flyers will enjoy lounge access during that trial period.

Related reading:

Featured image by SOPA IMAGES/CONTRIBUTOR/GETTY IMAGES
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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  • Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
  • Solid welcome bonus

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  • 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.
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  • $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.
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