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Alaska Airlines makes it even easier for elites to requalify for 2022 status

Dec. 10, 2021
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3 min read
Alaska Airlines plane landing in San Jose
Alaska Airlines makes it even easier for elites to requalify for 2022 status
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With the exception of Delta, most U.S. carriers will not be outright extending elite status for another year like they did in 2020. However, some are still offering partial extensions and fast-track opportunities that make requalifying for status easier.

Throughout 2021, Alaska Airlines has been following reduced qualification thresholds and awarding bonus elite-qualifying miles on all Alaska Airlines-operated flights. In September, the airline announced that it would further help elites requalify for status, but details were light. We only knew that 2021 status will be extended through April 2022 and that there will be an opportunity to requalify by flying a minimum number of miles in the first quarter of 2022.

Well, Alaska just revealed details on how this will all work exactly, and here's what you can expect.

boarding group signage for Alaska Airlines
(Photo by Chris Dong/The Points Guy)

Alaska's new opportunity to requalify for status

Any current elite who doesn't requalify for status will automatically have their status extended through April 30, 2022. They'll then be able to extend their status through Dec. 31, 2022, by earning the following number of base flight miles between Jan. 1 and April 30, 2022:

  • MVP members: 5,000 miles (MVP is normally earned with 20,000 elite-qualifying miles or 30 segments in a calendar year)
  • MVP Gold members: 10,000 miles (normally earned with 40,000 elite-qualifying miles or 60 segments in a calendar)
  • MVP Gold 75K members: 20,000 miles (normally earned with 75,000 elite-qualifying miles or 90 segments in a calendar year)

Just to give you an idea, a nonstop flight from San Francisco (SFO) to New York-JFK is 2,586 miles. In turn, you only need one round-trip cross-country itinerary to requalify for MVP status, or four of these trips to retain MVP Gold 75K status. Of course, you can earn more miles faster by tagging on connecting flights or booking first class fares.

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You'll always earn a minimum of 100% of the miles flown on Alaska, even in basic economy. But when you book first class, you can get a 50% to 75% bonus.

Related: United extends elite status for some, announces reduced requirements for next year

There's no registration required to participate in this offer. Just note that this may not be used to achieve a higher status than the one held on Jan. 1, 2021. Further, a minimum of two segments must be flown on Alaska-marketed and operated flights.

If you requalify through this fast track, it will be almost as if you earned your status "the hard way." Alaska Gold Guest Upgrades, lounge day passes, and MVP Gold 75K MVP nominations will be awarded after meeting the requirements for the respective elite status levels. However, those that requalify for MVP Gold 75K status through this offer will not receive the 50,000 bonus miles normally associated with qualifying for this tier.

For more on elite status extensions and shortcuts to requalify, see this guide.

Featured image by SUNDRY PHOTOGRAPHY/SHUTTERSTOCK
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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  • 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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