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Alaska Airlines announced an elite status challenge for California residents for flights in early 2023. By flying just two coast-to-coast round-trip flights in the first three months of 2023, Californians can get Alaska MVP elite status. Or upgrade to MVP Gold after four coast-to-coast round-trip flights.
Here are the details and why this might be a promotion worth taking advantage of.
Alaska Airlines “Coast to Elite” Status Challenge Promotion
From January 1 to March 31, 2023, California residents can get a fast track to MVP or MVP Gold through Alaska Airlines “Coast to Elite” status challenge. MVP can be gained with just two round-trip flights on eligible routes, while MVP Gold can be achieved with four round-trip flights.
Although flights must be taken in early 2023, registration is already open. Click here to register for the promotion before booking your flights. Just make sure your flights take place between January 1 and March 31, 2023.
Eligible Routes
To qualify for this “Coast to Elite” elite status challenge, flyers must take flights on the following non-stop Alaska Airlines routes:
- Los Angeles (LAX): Fort Lauderdale (FLL), Newark (EWR), Washington-Dulles (IAD), or Washington-Reagan (DCA).
- San Diego (SAN): Boston (BOS), Fort Lauderdale (FLL), Newark (EWR), New York (JFK), or Orlando (MCO).
- San Francisco (SFO): Boston (BOS), New York (JFK), Newark (EWR), Orlando (MCO), Tampa (TPA), Washington-Dulles (IAD), or Washington-Reagan (DCA).
Terms and Conditions
- Members must register for the promotion before booking flights.
- Qualifying flights are only those marketed and operated by Alaska Airlines on the above routes.
- Flights must take place between January 1 and March 31, 2023.
- Award flights are not eligible for this promotion.
- Award elite status will post to your account within 4-6 weeks of the eligible flights.
- Elite status will be valid until December 31, 2023.
- Mileage Plan members must have a California address registered to their account to be eligible for this promotion.
Alaska MVP and MVP Gold Elite Status Perks
MVP and MVP Gold are the first two of four tiers in the Alaska Mileage Plan program. You can read our full guide to the Alaska Mileage Plan rewards program, but here's a quick synopsis of the two tiers related to this promotion.
MVP Elite Status
Alaska MVP elite status normally requires four qualifying segments flown on Alaska Airlines plus either 20,000 elite qualifying miles or 30 qualifying segments on Alaska Airlines and elite-qualifying partners.
Some of the benefits that come with MVP elite status include the following:
- Priority check-in and boarding, and express security line at select airports
- Two free checked bags for you and companions on the same reservation
- Free checked bag on American Airlines
- 50% bonus redeemable miles
- Access to preferred seating
- First Class and Premium Class upgrades, when available
- Oneworld Ruby status
MVP Gold Elite Status
Starting in 2022, MVP Gold elite status requires six qualifying segments flown on Alaska Airlines plus either 40,000 qualifying miles or 60 qualifying segments with Alaska Airlines and elite-qualifying partners.
The additional benefits awarded to MVP Gold Elite status are as follows:
- Complimentary same-day flight changes — and complimentary same-day standby when a confirmed flight change isn't available.
- 100% bonus redeemable miles
- Unlimited First Class and Premium Class upgrades (upon availability) for yourself and a companion on the same reservation
- A complimentary premium beverage in the Main Cabin
- Four First Class guest upgrades per year (not applicable to award tickets)
- Waivers for Mileage Plan service charges and ticket change fees
- Access to Hainan and Icelandair lounges
- Oneworld Sapphire status
Our Take
This Alaska Airlines “Coast to Elite” status challenge is a great promotion for California residents. After all, you can score Alaska MVP elite status with 4 flight segments instead of 30 and MVP Gold with 8 flight segments instead of 60!
If you're a California resident, will you be taking advantage of this promotion?
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