AwardWallet receives compensation from advertising partners for links on the blog. The opinions expressed here are our own and have not been reviewed, provided, or approved by any bank advertiser. Here's our complete list of Advertisers. Offers for Bank of America cards mentioned in this post have been updated as of 06/11/2025
Alaska Airlines is offering complimentary Mileage Plan elite status after one round-trip flight — with a catch. If you book and fly a round-trip between the continental U.S. and either Auckland or Sydney, you’ll lock in MVP perks through December 2026. Here’s what to know.
Earn MVP Status After One Round-Trip Flight to the South Pacific
Mileage Plan MVP status (and Oneworld Ruby perks) can be yours after just one round-trip flight. All you need to do is book a paid (non-award) trip in an eligible fare class between the U.S. and Auckland (AKL) or Sydney (SYD) and complete your travel by December 31, 2025.
No registration is required for this offer. Just make sure to book through alaskaair.com or hawaiianairlines.com and include your Mileage Plan number when booking.
The reward for completing your long-haul journey is complimentary MVP status, valid through December 31, 2026. Here's what that gets you:
- Earn 25% bonus miles on all flights
- Check two bags for free (through 2025, then one in 2026)
- Complimentary First and Premium Class upgrades, when available
- Complimentary preferred seating
- Express security, priority check-in, and priority boarding
- Oneworld Ruby status, which means benefits when flying other alliance member carriers, like American Airlines
- Priority call routing for Customer Care
Terms and conditions
This is a surprisingly straightforward promotion. Here are the key terms and conditions to keep in mind:
- Book and complete one round trip between the continental U.S. (including Alaska, excluding Hawaii) and either Auckland (AKL) or Sydney (SYD).
- Travel must be completed by December 31, 2025.
- All segments must be booked at the same time.
- Only flights operated by Alaska, Hawaiian, Horizon, or SkyWest qualify.
- Codeshare flights, award tickets, and Saver fares do not qualify.
- The trip must originate and return to the same U.S. city (excluding Hawaii).
- Status will post by the 15th of the month after travel is completed, valid through December 31, 2026.
How to Maximize This Offer
If you want to maximize this offer and earn MVP elite status after just one trip, there’s really only one way to do it: book the cheapest non-Saver fare you can find.
We’re seeing round-trip fares between the U.S. and Sydney or Auckland starting at just over $1,000 between now and the end of the year. It’s a long haul in coach, but it’s the most cost-effective way to snag MVP status via this offer.
If that’s more than you’re willing to pay for entry-level elite benefits — or the idea of flying to the South Pacific doesn't sound appealing — this might be an offer worth passing on. If you're still looking for a way to get Alaska elite status, remember that Alaska offers a status match from competitor airlines.
But if you’re game for it, consider using a card that earns bonus points on airfare or even the Alaska Airlines Visa Signature® credit card. A sizable airfare purchase like this is a great way to make a sizable dent in a card’s minimum spend requirement.
- LIMITED TIME ONLINE OFFER-Buy One, Get One + 50,000 Bonus Miles!
- Buy one ticket, get one for just the taxes and fees ($0 fare plus taxes and fees from $23) and get 50,000 bonus miles with this offer. To qualify, make $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
This is a neat promotion — and a cool way to get Mileage Plan members excited about where Hawaiian Airlines can take them in the wake of the two airlines' recent merger. While MVP benefits are weak compared to, say, MVP Gold, earning elite status after just one round-trip flight is a pretty solid deal.
If you can find a fare that works and travel by December 31, 2025, MVP status is yours for the taking.
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.