{"id":140209,"date":"2023-12-10T23:00:37","date_gmt":"2023-12-10T23:00:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/?p=140209"},"modified":"2026-04-08T13:51:25","modified_gmt":"2026-04-08T13:51:25","slug":"switching-loyalty-alaska-to-southwest","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/airlines\/switching-loyalty-alaska-to-southwest\/","title":{"rendered":"Why I\u2019m Giving up My Alaska MVP Status to Fly Southwest Airlines in 2024"},"content":{"rendered":"

My love affair with Alaska Airlines is officially over.<\/p>\n

I live 30 minutes from Portland International Airport (PDX), an Alaska hub and have loyally flown Alaska Airlines for years. While my spouse scores frequent first-class upgrades by maintaining elite Alaska status year after year primarily through work travel, I\u2019m in that annoying spot where I travel just enough for work and pleasure to grind out Alaska\u2019s lowest tier of status: MVP.<\/p>\n

Alaska MVP Status offers priority check-in and boarding, two free checked bags, preferred seating, express security lines at select airports, and an Alaska Lounge membership discount. It also offers upgrades to premium and first class — at least in theory. But I can\u2019t remember a time I\u2019ve been upgraded with MVP status, even to premium class. And because I\u2019m taller than average and frequently take flights over 5 hours long, upgrades are the most valuable part of status to me.<\/p>\n

Even if it means giving up nonstop flights, fewer delays, and a smooth boarding process, I\u2019m going to stop spending thousands of dollars per year on Alaska Airlines flights.<\/p>\n

I never thought I\u2019d say this, but I\u2019m flying Southwest Airlines next year.<\/p>\n

Why I\u2019m Switching to Southwest Airlines<\/span><\/h2>\n

I\u2019ve been aware of the Southwest Airlines Companion Pass<\/a> points and miles sweet spot for years, but the inconvenience of flying Southwest from an Alaska hub kept me loyal to Alaska Airlines.<\/p>\n

That is until I did the math for next year\u2019s family trips.<\/p>\n

We\u2019re a family of five. If my husband and I each earn a Southwest Companion Pass opening credit cards<\/a> as detailed below, we\u2019ll pay a combined $336 in annual fees to hold those cards for at least one year. We\u2019ll earn a combined 330,000 Rapid Rewards welcome bonus and referral points, as well as two Companion Passes good through 2025.<\/p>\n

Depending on Southwest\u2019s 2024 sales, these points and passes could help fly our family of five to Los Angeles, Hawaii, Chicago, and New York for less than $60 in taxes per trip next year, bringing the total out-of-pocket cost of next year\u2019s family flights to $576.<\/p>\n

Paying $576 for even one of next year\u2019s family vacations sounds too good to be true. To take even one of those family trips on Alaska Airlines would cost us three times that much — or exhaust all our accrued Alaska miles.<\/p>\n

How We\u2019re Earning Two Southwest Companion Passes<\/span><\/h2>\n

To earn a Southwest Companion Pass, a traveler must earn 135,000 Rapid Rewards in a single calendar year. Sure, you can do so by earning 135,000 points through flights, but it's much easier to do so by opening a couple of Southwest credit cards and timing out when you meet the minimum spending requirement.<\/p>\n

There are several card combinations one could open in order to earn the required 135,000 Rapid Rewards. Depending on the current Southwest sign-up bonuses<\/a>, you'll likely need to sign up for one personal Southwest card and one small business credit card.<\/p>\n

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Southwest Rapid Rewards\u00ae<\/sup> Plus Credit Card<\/div>\n
\"Southwest<\/div>\n
Apply Now<\/a><\/div>\n
Rates & Fees<\/a><\/span><\/div>\n
Welcome Bonus<\/strong>\r\nEarn 50,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.<\/div>\n <\/div>\n
\n Southwest Rapid Rewards\u00ae<\/sup> Plus Credit Card<\/strong>\n
Welcome Bonus<\/strong>\r\nEarn 50,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.<\/div>\n
Annual Fee:<\/strong>$99<\/b><\/div>\n
Show more<\/a>Why We Like It<\/a>Highlights<\/a>Earning Rates<\/a>
The Southwest Rapid Rewards\u00ae<\/sup> Plus Credit Card is the most cost-effective option for enjoying Southwest benefits. Cardholders receive 25% back on inflight purchases, and a boost of 10,000 Companion Pass qualifying points annually, all at a lower annual fee compared to other Southwest-branded cards. The card offers 3,000 anniversary points, and 2 points per $1 spent on Southwest\u00ae<\/sup> purchases.<\/div>
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