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My American Airlines Executive Platinum status is expiring since I decided to step off the Loyalty Points hamster wheel last year. Alaska Airlines, now a full member of the Oneworld alliance, offers interesting status benefits for its members, as well as reciprocal elite benefits with American Airlines.
Alaska offers a once-a-lifetime status match, and I decided to take advantage while my Executive Platinum status is still active. Here's why I chose now to status match to Alaska Airlines.
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1. Airline Status Isn’t What It Used To Be
Mostly gone are the days of earning airline elite status for flying “butt-in-seat” miles — at least with a U.S.-based carrier. A co-branded credit card is an ever-helpful tool to attain top-tier status, and it rewards big spenders. However, I'm not one of those people.
I originally received complimentary Executive Platinum status through a limited-time opportunity presented by the American Airlines partnership with World of Hyatt. That status was extended to the mess that was 2020. In 2023, I re-earned Executive Platinum with strategic retail purchases to maximize American Airlines Loyalty Points program.
But the value I assign to Executive Platinum today isn't what it was even a few years ago. There are fewer upgrades to go around, thanks to the airline aggressively selling cheap upgrades to any flyer that will pay. The status benefits are diminished, like how hard I find it to use systemwide upgrades with my schedule. I mean, even the seats up front are less comfortable than they once were as American fails to invest in maintaining its seats!
For my personal travels, I'd rather focus on earning hotel status like World of Hyatt, which still presents outsized value for my family.
2. Alaska Status Offers a Lot of Perks on American
To be honest, I don't plan on flying Alaska too often with my status-matched status. Alaska's recent merger with Hawaiian, as well as their interesting West Coast route network, does offer some opportunities for me. But I'm a Phoenix-based flyer, and American Airlines is the most convenient airline for me most of the time.
Alaska Airlines elites get several perks when flying on American Airlines, including reciprocal upgrades (even companions), extra legroom seats, checked bags, and priority check-in at the airport. You can review all of the benefits here.
While I'll be prioritized below American's own elites at reciprocal levels, I am betting I'm not going to miss out on many more upgrades that I otherwise would have received.
3. Alaska Airlines is Changing Fast
With its merger in 2024 with Hawaiian, Alaska added widebodies to their fleet. Immediately, we saw the airline add long-hauls to destinations like Tokyo and Seoul. This better utilizes aircraft across the combined airlines' route networks. I have no doubt that there is more to come on that front.
Alaska also continues to adjust its Mileage Plan program, and with all of the recent changes, I'm not sure that this “once a lifetime” status match will be around much longer. With my expiring top-tier status on American, it made sense to take the plunge. Little did I know that after requesting a status match in February 2025, Alaska would put an end date to American status match requests for March 31, 2025. My status match had fortuitous timing, for sure.
4. My Current Travel Plans
I'll lose American status on March 31, 2025, but with my status match, I'll be able to enjoy Alaska MVP Gold 75K until early June 2025. Until then, I'll have to fly 20,000 miles on Alaska to keep the status. With a trip planned to Japan between now and then, I'll continue to enjoy one of my favorite frequent flying perks: first class lounge access. Flying JAL is a treat, and JAL's first class lounge in Tokyo was a highlight of my honeymoon. I'm excited to visit once again!
Plus, other Oneworld Emerald privileges like extra baggage allowances for my growing family, reserving seats for free on partners like British Airways, and first class check-in at select airports are great perks to have.
5. I Like Alaska Airlines Miles!
Alaska Airlines continues to partner with unique airlines, like Starlux, Singapore, and Hainan, even when joining an alliance like Oneworld. With historically reasonable award rates, and fun benefits like free stopovers, Alaska has added a few new ways to earn miles, but some of our favorites include:
- Flying with Alaska Airlines and its partners.
- Booking travel through one of Alaska Airlines' travel partners.
- Shopping through the Alaska Airlines shopping portal.
- Dining with establishments in the Alaska Airlines dining program.
- Transferring Marriott Bonvoy or Bilt Rewards points to Alaska Airlines.
And of course, you can also earn with an Alaska Airlines credit card.
- 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
Final Thoughts
With so much change happening in the airline industry, it felt like the right move to take advantage of Alaska’s status match while my Executive Platinum status is still active. I’ll still get to enjoy many of the perks of Oneworld Emerald for a few more months — just as my American status expires.
The timing of my match also turned out to be fortunate, given Alaska’s recent decision to set a deadline for American status matches. While I may still fly American more than Alaska, the reciprocal benefits on American, strong Mileage Plan award options, and continued Oneworld perks make this a worthwhile move for my travel patterns.
Loyalty programs are shifting rapidly, and top-tier airline status isn't what it once was. For now, I’m happy with my choice to lock in Alaska MVP Gold 75K and see where it takes me — both literally and figuratively.
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