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Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan MVP Gold is a mid-tier elite status that strikes a balance between valuable perks and reasonable qualification requirements. With complimentary upgrades on Alaska and American, 50% bonus miles on flights, and Oneworld Sapphire perks, MVP Gold stands out as a sweet spot as it offers strong benefits for frequent travelers
But should you chase Alaska MVP Gold status? Let’s break down the benefits, how to qualify, and whether it makes sense for your travel habits.
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Alaska Mileage Plan MVP Gold Benefits
Alaska Airlines offers four elite status tiers above its general Mileage Plan membership. MVP Gold is the second tier of elite status — above entry-level MVP and below both MVP Gold 100K and MVP Gold 75K. Once you graduate from MVP status, you’ll enjoy these perks as an MVP Gold member:
Complimentary upgrades to First and Premium Class
MVP Gold members and one companion on the same reservation enjoy complimentary, space-available upgrades to First or Premium Class on Alaska-operated flights.
When booking certain expensive fares (Y, B, H, or K), you'll qualify for immediate upgrades upon booking. When booking other fare classes, upgrades clear starting 72 hours before departure — or within two hours if booked on a Saver (X) fare.
Alaska elites are also eligible for upgrades on American Airlines flights. MVP Gold elites are prioritized after AAdvantage® Platinum members for upgrades. Check out our detailed guide to reciprocal upgrades for more information.
Bonus miles
MVP Gold members earn a 50% elite bonus on all Alaska- and partner-operated flights, on top of the base Mileage Plan mile earned per actual mile flown.
Most Alaska fares earn 1 Mileage Plan mile per mile flown — except Saver fares which earn at a rate of 30% of miles flown — before this elite bonus. Just keep in mind that bonus miles based on purchased fare class count toward elite status qualification, but elite status bonuses do not.
Travel perks on Alaska
As an MVP Gold, you're also entitled to several additional travel-related perks, which can enhance your pre- and in-flight experience. Benefits include:
- A complimentary drink or chocolate on flights over 350 miles.
- Priority check-in, security, and boarding (Group A).
- Two free checked bags per person on your reservation.
- Access to preferred seating in Main Cabin at booking.
- Main Cabin Extra seating on American Airlines at booking, which includes free alcoholic beverages.
In addition, you can also take advantage of complimentary same-day flight changes on non-Saver fares and free standby and waitlist access for full flights.
Oneworld Sapphire benefits
As a MVP Gold elite, you get Oneworld Sapphire elite status as well. This grants you perks when flying Oneworld partner airlines, including:
- Priority check-in, boarding, and security lanes.
- Complimentary standby and preferred seating.
- Two free checked bags.
- Business class lounge access on flights outside North America.
Alaska Airlines lounge membership discount
Alaska elites previously received a $100 discount on lounge memberships, but that perk ended on January 31, 2025. Now, memberships cost:
- $595 for an Alaska Lounge membership.
- $795 for Lounge+ membership (increased in February 2025).
Now, MVP Gold members can get $100 off a lounge membership as an Alaska Milestone Reward at 30,000 EQMs — though this means foregoing other options like 2,500 bonus miles, a $25 Alaska flight credit, or four Alaska Wi-Fi passes.
Elite leave
New or expecting parents can extend their MVP Gold status for an additional year during pregnancy or parental leave.
Priority call routing
Enjoy priority call routing for faster service when contacting Alaska Airlines.
How To Get Alaska MVP Gold Status
To qualify for MVP Gold, you’ll need 40,000 Elite Qualifying Miles (EQMs). Alaska removed segment-based requirements, making EQMs the sole metric for earning status. However, there are plenty of ways to earn EQMs outside of flying Alaska Airlines and its partners:
- Award flights earn EQMs — for both Alaska Airlines and partner flights. You'll earn 1 EQM per mile flown.
- Credit card spending: Earn 1 EQM per $3 spent on the Alaska Airlines Visa Signature® credit card and Alaska Airlines Visa® Business card, capped at 30,000 EQMs annually (equivalent to $90,000 in spending).
- Leverage Alaska's shopping portal and other partners: Earn 1,000 EQMs for every 3,000 Alaska miles earned through partners like Lyft and the Alaska shopping portal.
In addition, if you hold elite status with another eligible airline, you can also complete a once-per-lifetime status match to Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan. You'll get Alaska status for a short period of time, but you can extend it with qualifying activity.
- LIMITED TIME ONLINE OFFER-60,000 Bonus Miles + a 30% Flight Discount Code!
- Receive a 30% flight discount code for a qualifying future flight after opening your new account. Additionally, earn 60,000 bonus miles plus Alaska's Famous Companion Fare™ ($99 fare plus taxes and fees from $23) after making $3,000 or more in purchases within the first 90 days of opening your account.
- Get Alaska's Famous Companion Fare™ ($99 fare plus taxes and fees from $23) each account anniversary after you spend $6,000 or more on purchases within the prior anniversary year. Valid on all Alaska Airlines flights booked on alaskaair.com.
- Earn unlimited 3 miles for every $1 spent on eligible Alaska Airlines purchases. Earn unlimited 2 miles for every $1 spent on eligible gas, EV charging station, cable, streaming services and local transit (including ride share) purchases. And earn unlimited 1 mile per $1 spent on all other purchases. And, your miles don't expire on active accounts.
- Earn a 10% rewards bonus on all miles earned from card purchases if you have an eligible Bank of America® account.
- Free checked bag and enjoy priority boarding for you and up to 6 guests on the same reservation, when you pay for your flight with your card - Also available for authorized users when they book a reservation too!
- With oneworld® Alliance member airlines and Alaska's Global Partners, Alaska has expanded their global reach to over 1,000 destinations worldwide bringing more airline partners and more ways to earn and redeem miles.
- Plus, no foreign transaction fees and a low $95 annual fee.
- This online only offer may not be available elsewhere if you leave this page. You can take advantage of this offer when you apply now.
- Earn unlimited 3 miles for every $1 spent on eligible Alaska Airlines purchases
- Earn unlimited 2 miles for every $1 spent on eligible gas, EV charging stations, cable, streaming services and local transit (including ride share) purchases
- Earn unlimited 1 mile for every $1 spent on all other eligible purchases
How To Get Alaska MVP Gold Status for Life
The only way to earn lifetime MVP Gold status is by flying 1 million revenue miles (award flights don't count) on Alaska Airlines. Upon reaching this milestone, you’ll also be able to gift MVP Gold status to a companion each year — or the highest tier you earned in the previous year.
Related: Alaska Airlines Makes Significant Improvements to Lifetime Elite Status
Is It Worth Earning Alaska MVP Gold?
If you frequently fly Alaska Airlines, earning elite status is a great way to improve your travel experience. MVP Gold, in particular, is the happy medium between valuable perks and reasonable qualification requirements.
While earning 40,000 EQMs annually takes time and effort, the benefits — especially increased mileage earning, upgrades, and Oneworld Sapphire perks — can be well worth it. Plus, Alaska is one of a few remaining airlines where elite status is primarily earned through flying, rather than credit card spending. For some, that's a big reason to remain loyal to the Mileage Plan program.
That said, some of MVP Gold’s benefits — like free checked bags — can be replicated by simply holding the Alaska Visa Card. If perks like free bags are one of the main reasons you're considering earning status, carrying the co-branded credit card is an easy way to get them.
However, for frequent flyers who value upgrades, priority access, and the benefits of Oneworld Sapphire status, earning MVP Gold is the way to go.
Final Thoughts
MVP Gold is a solid mid-tier elite status for travelers who regularly fly with Alaska Airlines. Beyond complimentary upgrades, it offers tangible perks that make travel more comfortable and affordable — which is reason enough to consider earning it.
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