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Alaska Airlines is offering two promotions to earn elite-qualifying miles toward Mileage Plan elite status. The newest is a promotion to earn bonus elite-qualifying miles on flights within California through November 15, 2023. This is in addition to an ongoing promotion to earn unlimited elite-qualifying miles (EQMs) with credit card spending through November 30, 2023.
These promotions for elite-qualifying miles are best for those looking to switch their loyalty to Alaska or earn a higher level of Mileage Plan elite status. Some of these promotions are targeted, so check the registration links to see if you've been selected. Here's how the offers work and whether they're worth pursuing.
Double Elite Qualifying Miles on Flights in California
Alaska Mileage Plan members can earn double elite-qualifying miles on flights within California. This is a pretty limited offer, but those in the area might love it. First, you'll need to register for this promotion by October 31, 2023. After registering, you'll earn double elite-qualifying miles on flights within California between August 15 and November 15, 2023. This promotion is not valid on free or award travel, nor is it valid on saver fares booked in X class.
Bonus EQMs earned with this promotion are only valid for elite status qualifications. You won't earn double redeemable miles (those you use for award flights).
Consult the route map to see where Alaska Airlines flies within California. And remember that the flight period lasts until November 15.
Earn Bonus Alaska EQMs From Credit Card Spending
Those with the Alaska Airlines Visa® credit card and Alaska Airlines Visa® Business card can earn bonus elite miles through credit card spending. These are the important details:
- Register for this promotion before October 31, 2023.
- Earn 2,000 EQMs for every $10,000 spent using an Alaska Visa Card or Alaska Business Card.
- Valid on all purchases through November 30, 2023.
- Unlike previous promotions, Alaska isn't limiting the number of bonus elite miles you can earn.
- Spending excludes any fees (including the annual fee), returns, and adjustments.
- Spending across multiple cards linked to the same Alaska account is combined to reach the $10,000 threshold.
- Bonus EQMs won't show on your credit card statement but will post directly to Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan accounts within 8–12 weeks after qualifying.
Alaska Elite Status Requirements and Benefits
Alaska offers four tiers of Mileage Plan elite status: MVP, MVP Gold, MVP Gold 75K, and MVP Gold 100K. Travelers can earn Alaska elite status in one of two ways:
- Earning a set number of elite-qualifying miles on Alaska Airlines (20k, 40k, 75k, and 100k, respectively).
- Flying a certain number of qualifying segments (30, 60, 90, and 140, respectively).
Either way, you'll also need to fly a minimum number of flight segments on Alaska flights to qualify for status — ranging from 2 flights for MVP to 24 segments for MVP Gold 100K
Alaska elite benefits vary based on each tier but include perks like bonus points, first-class upgrades, preferred seating, priority check-in, and priority boarding.
Remember that Alaska joined the Oneworld alliance in 2021. This means that scoring Alaska elite status will qualify you for Oneworld benefits when flying on airlines like American Airlines, British Airways, Qatar Airways, and more.
Our Take
The promotion to earn double EQMs on flights in California is quite restricted, due to the flight paths. However, the Golden State is huge, and taking that trip to Mendocino or San Diego from the opposite side of the state would be a great way to earn some extra EQMs. I've driven those routes more times than I can count, and I know the value of flying instead. Then again, I do love cruising on the PCH.
The Alaska Visa Card and Alaska Business Card usually aren't the best cards to use for everyday purchases, providing only 1 mile per $1 spent on daily purchases. However, opening an Alaska credit card to earn bonus miles from spending during this promotion could make sense if you need a boost to your status plans this year.
If you're not already a member, you can sign up for the Mileage Plan program here. Then, add your Alaska Mileage Plan account to your AwardWallet account here. AwardWallet will help you track your mileage balance, elite status tier, and Alaska Mileage Plan expiration date. Plus, you can log into your Alaska account with just one click.
Do you plan to take advantage of this new Alaska Airlines promotion in California? Or is it too niche to help your quest for status?
The comments on this page are not provided, reviewed, or otherwise approved by the bank advertiser. It is not the bank advertiser's responsibility to ensure all posts and/or questions are answered.
I was assured by Bank of America that I qualified for this promotion. I spent $30,000 on the card and haven’t received the miles. I have called multiple times to BOA and Alaska and haven’t made any progress. Any ideas?
I am not getting this offer, and when I called Alaska they said they don’t know about it. It is frustrating! Who has tips on how to get this offer implemented?
I’d recommend checking in with Bank of America, as it seems they are the ones that are offering this offer.
I checked my Alaska Airlines account and found that I received 1000 mile bonus on 07/24/2022. YAY!
I just called Alaska Airlines customer service and they denied such a program. Can you verify this?
Since Bank of America is offering this promotion, Alaska customer service agents are likely unaware of it. I suggest checking with Bank of America to see if this offer is valid for your account.
Interesting Article. Check with Alaska Airlines and their Customer Service has no clue about this promotion. Could not find anything about it on the Alaska Air website either. Is this real?
Yes it’s real. However, it’s a targeted offer. Also, it’s a promotion that’s offered through Bank of America – so it’s understandable that the Alaska customer service agents wouldn’t know about it.
I wish Alaska Airlines would travel to the Middle east.
Alaska miles are some of the most valuable out there, I wish they would become a transfer partner with Chase or AMEX.
Will call BOA to verify, but I am assuming the spend portion would not include donations made using the card?
Charity donations charged to your credit card would count toward qualifying spending. That’s one way that I have personally used to help knock out sign-up and welcome bonuses on cards requiring a large spend such as the Amex Business Platinum. However, point donations or other non-cash donations wouldn’t count.
I am seriously thinking of changing some of my spend to this card due to these benefits. I might want Alaska Airlines elite status and this would be a great way to start.
If Alaska joins Oneworld in 2021, what will happen to the unused miles? Can they be transferred to a Oneworld partner free of charge?
You can’t generally transfer miles between oneworld partners. Transfers BA and IB are an exception but that is because they are both owned by IAG. You can of course use your miles in one oneworld airline program to redeem for flights on another oneworld airline.
Alaska miles are the best for cathay!
I’m going to take advantage of this. Probably mostly the 2x miles on restaurants but elite points are nice too. I need to build AS miles and I know I could probably get better on my Chase or Barclay right now I view AS as a great place to get miles built up.
Wow. Citi and Chase should follow on board!
still a ton of money to spend. Also MVP is nearly useless so to get any real benefits you gotta be MVP gold
I am not sure that I want to be dining out full time right now. That’s a lot of commitment.
It’s a lot of spend, especially right now, but I wouldn’t say MVP is useless. Priority check-in and boarding, 2 free checked bags and 50% bonus RDMs are solid perks.
The restaurant purchase bonus is quite nice, just what the Alaska credit card needed.
Does Alaska have its own dining plan as well?
Not entirely sure about that one….
Yes they do, if you mean this common offering: https://mileageplan.rewardsnetwork.com
The same promotion AA & AC have with their co branded credit cards, a good way to incentivize people to reach a tier status.
Maybe some of them will keep it permanently?
Getting Alaska EQM on everyday spend is a good if you afford to make the purchases currently.
Decent bonus. That are so late to offer the grocery spend incentive. I am not sure what took BOA so long.
Yes, especially when the pandemic is technically under control.
I think that they made an error in judgement in delaying the bonuses.
They don’t have to do anything, but to your point they DID do something so either do it on time or not at all.
This is a good deal from a very good airline. I’ve been very satisfied with Alaska. Fourth thousand bonus miles would go a long way. I like this option.
I really want to try Alaska – I’ve heard good things – but living on the east coast makes it hard. 🙁
I agree! I’ve liked flying with Alaska but the flights are more limited for us here on the East coast, so I’m not sure this would be that good of a deal right now 🙁