Alaska Airlines announces elite status challenge for California-based flyers

As the end of the year inches nearer, Alaska Airlines is the latest carrier to announce a limited-time status promotion for California-based flyers. For those hailing from the Golden State, the carrier is currently offering the opportunity to earn elite status through 2023 by taking two qualifying round-trip, coast-to-coast flights.

Flights taken between Jan. 1 and March 23, 2023, from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), San Diego International Airport (SAN) and San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to specific East Coast destinations qualify for this promo. You'll need to fly two round-trip qualifying flights to earn Mileage Plan MVP or four round-trip flights to earn MVP Gold — Alaska's first and second elite status tiers, respectively.

To participate in the status challenge, you must be based in California and fly at least two round-trip flights on the below routes:

• LAX to Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL), Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR), Dulles International Airport (IAD) or Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA).
• SAN to Boston Logan International Airport (BOS), John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), Orlando International Airport (MCO), FLL or EWR.
• SFO to Tampa International Airport (TPA), BOS, JFK, EWR, MCO, IAD or DCA.

Alaska frequent flyers should register online by entering their Mileage Plan number and email address. If you are not currently an Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan member, you can also use the registration link to sign up for an account to participate in this challenge.

This offer is only valid for qualifying flights credited to the member's Mileage Plan account and is not valid on award or free travel. Participants can expect their status levels to reflect the challenge about four to six weeks after the qualifying activity is posted to their account. Their status will be valid through Dec. 31, 2023.

Flying two round-trip flights for a total of four qualifying flights to earn MVP status for 2023 will give you several key benefits. To start, you'll receive a 50% bonus on miles earned for all Alaska and Oneworld partner flights you take. Additionally, you'll enjoy priority check-in and boarding, potential upgrades to premium or first-class seats 48 hours before departure, two free checked bags, preferred seat selection and a $100 discount on an Alaska Lounge membership.

Normally, flyers receive MVP status by earning 20,000 elite-qualifying miles on Alaska or partner flights, or by flying 30 qualifying segments.

Flying four round-trip qualifying flights (eight flights total) will give you MVP Gold, which comes with a 100% bonus on miles earned on Alaska and partner flights. It also provides an upgrade opportunity for both you and a companion to premium or first-class seats 72 hours before departure, a complimentary premium beverage in Main Cabin seats, free same-day flight changes, priority check-in and boarding, two free checked bags, preferred seat selection, express security at select airports, the aforementioned $100 discount on an Alaska Lounge membership and a dedicated phone support line.

Flyers regularly earn MVP Gold by flying 40,000 elite-qualifying miles on Alaska or partner flights, or via 60 qualifying segments with Alaska or its partners.

Bottom line

Though this promo is limited to California-based flyers on specific cross-country routes that don't pass through Alaska's West Coast hubs, this is a quick way for non-Alaska status holders to earn status for next year.

If you are not based in California, you can also temporarily earn Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan status via its existing status match challenge program, which is 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. After this, you can extend your status by earning a set number of elite-qualifying miles or segments.