Alaska Million Miler Status: A Lifetime of Perks for Mileage Plan Loyalists

If you're a frequent flyer with Alaska Airlines, you're probably used to the yearly reset of elite status. However, like many major airlines, Alaska’s Mileage Plan offers a special milestone for its most loyal customers: Million Miler status. Unlike other elite tiers, Million Miler is a lifetime achievement that provides lasting benefits for those who reach it.

So how do you earn Alaska lifetime status, and is it worth the effort? This guide will provide all the essential details about Alaska Airlines Million Miler status, including how to qualify and what makes it so valuable for dedicated flyers.

How to Become an Alaska Airlines Million Miler

Achieving Million Miler status with Alaska Airlines is a remarkable accomplishment, reserved for the most dedicated travelers. It’s not an easy feat, but for those aiming to reach this coveted milestone — or simply curious about how it works — here’s everything you need to know about earning Alaska Airlines Million Miler status.

What counts towards Million Miler status?

To become a Million Miler with Alaska Airlines, it’s all about the miles you physically fly on Alaska-operated flights. Only paid, “butt-in-seat” miles count toward this lifetime status. That means that flights on partner airlines and award flights won’t contribute to your total.

It’s important to note that while spending on Alaska’s co-branded credit cards can help you earn elite qualifying miles, it won’t bring you any closer to Million Miler status. Achieving this milestone is solely based on the miles you’ve actually flown with Alaska Airlines.

Alaska Airlines Visa Signature^® credit card

How to Apply

Alaska Airlines Visa Signature^® credit card

Annual Fee$95

Limited Time Online Offer: Earn 60,000 bonus miles plus Alaska's Famous Companion Fare™ ($99 fare plus taxes and fees from $23) with this offer. To qualify, make $3,000 or more in purchases within the first 90 days of opening your account. Additionally, receive a 30% flight discount code for a qualifying future flight after opening your new account.

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Why We Like ItHighlightsEarning Rates

The Alaska Airlines Visa Signature^® credit card offers cardholders 3 miles per dollar on eligible Alaska Airlines purchases and 2 miles per dollar on everyday purchases like gas, local transit including ride share, cable, and select streaming services. Other benefits include Alaska’s Famous Companion Fare™ annually from $122 ($99 fare plus taxes and fees from $23) after spending $6K in the previous anniversary year, priority boarding, a free checked bag, a 10% reward bonus on miles for Bank of America account holders, and a $100 discount on Alaska Lounge+ Membership.

• 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 do you track your progress?

Tracking your progress toward Million Miler status is simple. Log in to your Alaska Airlines account and click on the drop-down menu under your name on the upper right. Select “Overview and Elite status.”

Credit: Alaska Airlines

Then, scroll down to the section titled Your Lifetime Alaska Miles. There, you will find a tracking tool that will show you your progress toward Alaska Million Miler. These miles do not reset each year as they continue to accrue for the lifetime of your account.

What Do You Get With Alaska Million Miler Status?

The main perk of reaching Million Miler status is achieving Mileage Plan elite status that never expires.

1 million miles

For loyal Mileage Plan members who reach one million lifetime miles, Alaska Airlines grants MVP Gold status for life. This status includes valuable benefits like priority boarding, complimentary upgrades, and access to dedicated customer service. In addition, Gold status includes corresponding OneWorld Sapphire status.

2 million miles

For those who reach the milestone of two million miles, Alaska Airlines bestows MVP Gold 75K lifetime status, the second-highest status available, which comes with even greater perks. This status includes upgrades, lounge passes, more bonus miles on eligible flights, enhanced luggage allowances, and OneWorld Emerald status.

3 million miles

Finally, although only one guest has reached this level as of August 2024, MVP Gold 100K is the reward for reaching three million lifetime miles. Gold 110K is the highest level of Alaska's elite status program and corresponds to OneWorld Emerald status. It includes a host of elite benefits, including priority access, complimentary first and premium cabin upgrades, meals, and more.

Credit: Alaska Airlines

Other Alaska Airlines Million Miler Benefits

In addition to lifetime Mileage Plan elite status with Alaska Airlines, Million Milers also now receive additional benefits that can sweeten the pot even more.

Prioritized upgrades

Travelers with one and two million miler status also receive priority on upgrade lists. For instance, Alaska Airlines will prioritize Million Milers with MVP Gold status over other MVP Gold members without Million Miler status. However, passengers who book higher fare classes will still receive priority over Million Milers, regardless of their status.

Furthermore, Alaska Airlines will give Million Milers four upgrade certificates per year.

Main cabin meals

Million Milers will get a complimentary meal or picnic pack whenever meals are served in the Main Cabin on their Alaska Airlines flight. These are served on most flights that exceed 775 miles in distance flown.

Credit: Alaska Airlines

Annual status boost

Each calendar year, Million Miler members will get a boost of elite qualifying miles to help them reach the next tier of Alaska status faster.

• One million mile members will start with 20,000 elite qualifying miles
• Two million mile members will start with 40,000 elite qualifying miles

With this annual status boost, travelers with one million miler status will need to earn just 55,000 elite qualifying miles (compared to the usual 75,000) to achieve MVP Gold 75K status. Similarly, two million-mile flyers will need to earn 60,000 elite qualifying miles (instead of the standard 100,000) to reach MVP Gold 100K status, the airline's top elite tier.

Share your status within your household

Alaska Airlines allows lifetime elite members to share their status (either their lifetime status or their annual earned status — whichever is higher) with a member of their household. This valuable perk is also available for life.

Million Miler members can change who they choose to share their status with at any time, although it will not kick in until January 1 of the following year.

Credit: Brie Bash, AwardWallet

Is Alaska Million Miler Status Worth It?

The value of Million Miler status naturally depends on how much you fly with Alaska. Since the airline is based on the West Coast, for many, it would not be feasible to achieve this many lifetime miles, as they must be earned on Alaska metal alone.

But for those who already travel frequently on Alaska Airlines, lifetime perks like upgrades, extra baggage allowances, and priority service can be extremely valuable. Furthermore, the annual elite status boost and the ability to share your status with a companion makes Million Miler status that much more appealing.

How Does Alaska Million Miler Status Compare with Competitors?

Alaska Million Miler status is most similar to United's Million Miler program. Both offer multiple levels of lifetime status and allow members to share their status with a household member. And both programs reward a higher tier of elite status for each million miles you fly.

Additionally, both Alaska and United require miles to be earned from flights operated by the airline itself, excluding partner flights or award bookings, ensuring that the program rewards the most loyal customers who fly directly with the airline. This differs from American and Delta Airlines — which allow members to earn lifetime miles on partner bookings.

Bottom Line

Compared to major carriers like American and United, Million Miler status with Alaska Airlines may be more challenging for many travelers to earn. The airline's more limited number of destinations and focus on specific regional markets mean that fewer passengers will have the opportunity to accumulate the required miles.

However, for those dedicated and loyal travelers who frequently fly with Alaska, reaching Million Miler status offers a unique path to lifetime benefits, including lifetime elite status and priority treatment, making it a valuable achievement for those committed to the airline.

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