Advertiser & Editorial Disclosure: The Bulkhead Seat earns an affiliate commission for anyone approved through the links below. This compensation may impact how and where links appear on this site. We work to provide the best publicly available offers to our readers. We frequently update them, but this site does not include all available offers. Opinions, reviews, analyses & recommendations are the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, endorsed, or approved by any of these entities.
Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan will see many changes in 2025. These include new ways to earn status, changes to partner earnings, milestone perks, and updates to upgrades. There’s a lot to unpack with some changes positive and others that are not going to be as well received.
Milestone Moments
Members earn elite-qualifying miles (EQMs) in 2025 to earn status (as they do now). There are four status levels: MVP, MVP Gold, MVP Gold 75K, and MVP Gold 100K. Next year, there will also be Milestone Moments awarded starting at 10,000 EQMs and continuing between and past the status levels. Other Milestone Moments will be earned at 30,000, 55,000, 85,000, 150,000, 200,000, and 250,000 EQMs. The first milestone at 10,000 EQMs offers a choice of one of the following benefits:
- 750 bonus miles
- Pre-order one complimentary meal for your flight
- One complimentary Wi-Fi pass
- Try MVP status for a trip
- Earn double miles with non-air partners
- Upgrade your next Avis rental
MVP status is earned at 20,000 EQMs and includes a 50% bonus miles on every flight (including partners) as well as other benefits. This level also includes oneworld® Ruby status. At 30,000 EQMs, a member can choose from the following:
- 2,500 bonus miles
- $25 off a future Alaska flight
- Four complimentary Wi-Fi passes
- Try MVP Gold status for a trip
- $100 off an Alaska Lounge membership
MVP Gold is earned with 40,000 EQMs and this comes with a host of benefits including 50% bonus miles on every flight (including partners) along with oneworld® Sapphire status. At 55,000 EQMs, members may choose two of the following:
- 5,000 bonus miles
- 10,000 miles off an Extras redemption*
- Gift MVP for a trip
- One complimentary Lounge day pass
- Two upgrade certificates
*Extras redemptions are similar to United’s MileagePlus Exclusives and allow members to redeem miles for experiences.
MVP Gold 75K is earned with 75,000 EQMs. This offers 100% bonus miles on every flight (including partners) along with other benefits and oneworld® Emerald status. The next Milestone Moment comes at 85,000 EQMs. Members may choose two of these benefits:
- 15,000 bonus miles
- 25,000 miles off an Extras redemption
- Two complimentary Lounge day passes
- Two upgrade certificates
- Gift MVP Gold status for a trip
- Nominate someone for MVP status
- 10,000 elite-qualifying miles rolled over
MVP Gold 100K status is earned with 100,000 EQMs. This includes 150% bonus miles on every flight (including partners) along with oneworld® Emerald status. The next Milestone Awards are earned with 150,000, 200,000, and 250,000 EQMs. Benefit are the same at each of these marks and choices include two picks from this list:
- 15,000 bonus miles
- 25,000 off an Extras redemption
- Two complimentary Lounge passes
- Two upgrade certificates
- 10,000 elite-qualifying miles rolled over
More Ways to Earn EQMs
In 2025, flying is not the only way to earn EQMs. Members can achieve elite status quicker with any of the following ways:
- Award Travel Redemptions: When members fly on an award trip with Alaska or its global partners, they’ll earn elite-qualifying miles (EQMs) based on the distance flown. All award trips flown on or after Jan. 1st, will earn EQMs. For example, a guest redeems a roundtrip award ticket between Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) and Tokyo Narita Airport (NRT), which covers 9,538 miles. That translates to earning 9,538 EQMs. Mileage Plan is the only program that I am aware of that offers EQMs for partner award tickets.
- The Alaska Airlines Visa® Card: In 2025, cardholders will earn one EQM for every $3 spent on qualified purchases (up to 30,000 EQMs).
- Everyday Travel Partners: Members can earn 1,000 EQMs for every 3,000 miles earned with Alaska’s eligible non-airline partners.
- Rollover EQMs: 10,000 EQMs may be rolled over if chosen as a Milestone Moment.
Consistent Earnings Across Partners
Alaska has 23 airline partners. Starting in 2025, earnings will be consistent across all of them. Members always earn 100% of the miles flown. Alaska will provide a 150% mileage bonus of the distance flown in Premium Economy, 250% in Business Class, and up to 350% in international First Class when purchased through Alaska. If flights are booked through partners, the number of miles awarded are decreasing. Full details can be found here.
Multi-Carrier Redemptions
In 2025, members can mix and match Alaska’s global partners on a single award ticket. Multi-carrier redemptions will begin on flights between the US and Europe (and then expand to other regions and partners throughout next year).
Updates to Upgrades
Alaska is changing several parts of its upgrade offerings in 2025. These include:
- Confirming Upgrades: Alaska will notify members who have upgrade certificates if there is a confirmable upgrade on their flight.
- Companion Upgrades: MVP members’ traveling companions flying on the same reservation will be eligible for complimentary space-available upgrades. This used to be limited to MVP Gold and above.
- Upgrade Priority: Within each elite level, Million Milers will be prioritized.
Anthony’s Take: Members of Mileage Plan have a lot to celebrate today as the loyalty program has gotten more valuable as a whole with Milestone Moments.
(Image Credits: Alaska Airlines.)
User Generated Content Disclosure: The Bulkhead Seat encourages constructive discussions, comments, and questions. Responses are not provided by or commissioned by any bank advertisers. These responses have not been reviewed, approved, or endorsed by the bank advertiser. It is not the responsibility of the bank advertiser to respond to comments.
Advertiser & Editorial Disclosure: The Bulkhead Seat earns an affiliate commission for anyone approved through the links above This compensation may impact how and where links appear on this site. We work to provide the best publicly available offers to our readers. We frequently update them, but this site does not include all available offers. Opinions, reviews, analyses & recommendations are the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, endorsed, or approved by any of these entities.
