Alaska Airlines Flight Pass Now Includes Elite Status From $99 a Month, With a Major Catch

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Earlier this year, Alaska Airlines introduced a subscription-based program called Flight Pass. The Alaska Flight Pass program allows travelers to receive a certain number of monthly flight credits for a fixed monthly fee. This monthly fee ranges from as little as $49 to a whopping $749 per month depending on the desired number of flight credits.

Now through the end of November 2022, Alaska Airlines sweetened the Flight Pass program by adding Mileage Plan elite status for select tiers. However, there is a major catch to this promotion.

With the addition of elite status for select Flight Pass tiers, select travelers can now receive entry-level Oneworld status for just $99 a month. Here's how to take advantage of this new benefit and what you'll receive as an Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan elite frequent flyer.

Earn Elite Status through Alaska Flight Pass: The Catch

Before we dive into this offer, let's get to that major catch we mentioned. The terms and conditions of this offer are quite restrictive. Here are some of the most important restrictions found in the terms and conditions:

• Offer is only eligible to residents of Arizona, California, Nevada, and Utah
• New members must sign up by November 30, 2022, to be eligible for elite status
• Elite status is good through the end of 2023
• Offer is available to both current and new Flight Pass members

The most obvious takeaway from that list is that this offer is only available to residents of Arizona, California, Nevada, and Utah. So, unless you are a resident of one of those states, you will not be eligible for elite status.

What Is The Alaska Airlines Flight Pass Program?

Everything you need to know about Alaska Airlines Flight Pass can be found in AwardWallet's coverage of the program from February 2022. We'll also cover the basics of the Flight Pass program in this post.

How Does Alaska Airlines Flight Pass Work?

Alaska Flight Pass is a subscription-based program that allows members to receive a certain number of round-trip flights for a fixed monthly fee. There are six different tiers each offering a different number of monthly flight credits. Now, for a limited time, select tiers also come with Mileage Plan elite status.

Most Flight Pass fares are priced at around $14.61 one-way which includes government-imposed taxes and fees.

Alaska Airlines notes in the program's terms and conditions that it reserves the right to impose a surcharge on premium routes. This means that during peak travel periods on the more popular eligible routes, Flight Pass members will need to pay extra to redeem their monthly credits.

Which Routes Are Included in Alaska Airlines Flight Pass?

Members can redeem their Flight Pass credits for flights on select routes operating between cities in Arizona, California, Nevada, and Utah.

Flights between all major Californian cities are included as are other popular destinations including Las Vegas, Phoenix, and Salt Lake City. You can find a map of all routes that are eligible for the Flight Pass program below:

Here are the eligible Alaska Airlines Flight Pass routes. (Image via Alaska Airlines)

How Many Flight Pass Credits Do Members Receive?

The least expensive tier ($49 a month) comes with 1 round-trip flight every 2 months while the most expensive tier ($749 a month) offers members 2 round-trip flights every month.

In addition to those two tiers, there are four additional tiers offered as part of the program. For a complete breakdown of pricing, check out AwardWallet's original post covering the Flight Pass program.

Alaska Airlines Adds Elite Status to Flight Pass Program

Now through the end of November 2022, select Flight Pass tiers come with Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan elite status. When an eligible member signs up for one of the eligible Flight Pass tiers, they will receive elite status through the end of 2023.

It is unclear if there will be an option to extend their status. However, for now, members are guaranteed status for at least through the end of next year.

Receive complimentary first-class upgrades with Mileage Plan elite status. (Image courtesy of Alaska Airlines)

Which Tiers Are Eligible for Elite Status?

Most Flight Pass tiers now offer members elite status. There are just two tiers that do not come with elite status. The least expensive standard Flight Pass ($49 a month) and Flight Pass Pro ($199 a month) tiers do not offer elite status.

With this limited-time offer, you can receive Alaska Airlines elite status starting at $99 a month. Keep in mind though; the Flight Pass program comes with a minimum commitment of 12 months.

The table below provides an overview of the tiers that are eligible for elite status and the costs associated with each tier:

Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan Elite Status

Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan program offers four different elite status tiers. The lowest tier is Mileage Plan MVP status and the highest tier is Mileage Plan MVP Gold 100k status. With Alaska Airlines now fully integrated into the Oneworld Alliance, each status corresponds to one of the three Oneworld elite status tiers.

For a complete overview of the Mileage Plan program and elite status, check out AwardWallet's guide to the program.

As previously mentioned, for a limited time, new Flight Pass and Flight Pass Pro members that select eligible tiers will receive Mileage Plan elite status.

• Eligible new Flight Pass members will receive Mileage Plan MVP status
• Eligible new Flight Pass Pro members will receive Mileage Plan MVP Gold status.

Here is a quick overview of eligibility and the benefits and features offered with each elite status tier.

Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan MVP Status

New basic Flight Pass members that select eligible tiers will receive Mileage Plan MVP status. As Alaska Airlines' entry-level elite status, MVP status doesn't come with many exciting benefits. Rather, these benefits are quite practical for frequent flyers.

Mileage Plan MVP Status offers members the following benefits:

Equivalent to Oneworld Ruby status, members with Mileage Plan MVP will receive the following benefits when traveling on Oneworld partner airlines:

• Priority standby and waitlisting (where offered)
• Access to preferred or pre-reserved seating
• Access to First Class or Business Class priority check-in

Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan MVP Gold Status

Available to new Flight Pass Pro members that select eligible tiers, Mileage Plan MVP Gold status is slightly more exciting. This is especially true when traveling with Oneworld partners.

Here are some of the top benefits offered to members that hold Mileage Plan MVP Gold status:

Mileage Plan MVP Gold status also comes with significantly better Oneworld benefits. As Oneworld Sapphire members, travelers with MVP Gold status receive all of the benefits that come with Oneworld Ruby as well as the following:

• Priority baggage handling
• Extra baggage allowance
• Access up to 620 airport lounges worldwide
• Priority boarding

As an Alaska Airlines elite frequent flyer, you will also enjoy benefits with these Oneworld partner airlines. (Image via Oneworld)

The Bottom Line

For a limited time, eligible travelers can score Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan elite status starting at just $99 a month. With the addition of elite status to the Alaska Airlines Flight Pass program, there is now a simple and straightforward way to earn Oneworld elite status without having to step foot on an airplane. Well, at least for eligible travelers.

Those eligible for this promotion will receive Mileage Plan elite status through the end of 2023. Keep in mind that this is a limited-time offer so you will want to act before the end of November 2022.

What do you make of Alaska Airlines' decision to add elite status to the Flight Pass program? Will you take advantage of this program to get Oneworld elite status?

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