Alaska Airways is including perks for its loyalest flyers, and I’m impressed. I first wrote about this a number of weeks in the past, when this was first revealed. These modifications have now been rolled out, together with the flexibility to appoint somebody for elite standing. Let’s cowl all the main points.
Alaska’s new perks for lifetime elite members
In Might 2023, Alaska Airways revealed that it will make some constructive modifications to its million miler lifetime elite standing program.
For context, those that earn a million miler standing obtain MVP Gold for all times, whereas those that earn two million miler standing obtain MVP Gold 75K for all times. That continues to be the case as earlier than, however now eligible members get much more worth:
- Alaska a million milers obtain an annual standing enhance of 20,000 elite qualifying miles, whereas Alaska two million milers obtain an annual standing enhance of 40,000 elite qualifying miles
- Alaska million milers are in a position to share standing with somebody of their family, they usually can share the upper of their lifetime standing or their annual shared standing; this may be requested right here, and can routinely renew every January
- Alaska million milers get prioritized forward of different elite members in the identical elite tier and fare class for upgrades (word that companions of million milers don’t get that very same precedence, however fairly they’ll be “normal” elites inside their tier)
- Alaska is growing recognition of million milers, each by way of the decision middle (the place an agent instrument flags the standing) and onboard flights (the place the flight attendant app displays this)
These are implausible modifications
Incomes million miler standing with Alaska takes dedication, provided that the airline doesn’t have as large of a community because the “large three.” Alaska’s million miler program was already aggressive, and now it’s trade main.
These newest modifications are nice:
- The annual standing enhance is an effective solution to incentivize incremental enterprise, particularly for these seeking to go for a better elite tier, like MVP Gold 100K
- I really like when a loyalty program creates rewards not only for the members, but additionally for relations, who are sometimes making fairly a sacrifice by having their beloved one journey a lot
- I believe it makes excellent sense to prioritize upgrades for million milers vs. non-million milers, all else being equal
Properly performed, Alaska! As an American frequent flyer, I’m jealous. To say that American’s million miler program is uncompetitive can be a extreme understatement. In the meantime at Alaska, you may earn oneworld Emerald for all times, not only for your self, but additionally for a companion. *drool*
Backside line
Alaska Mileage Plan is making vital enhancements to its million miler program, with the introduction of an annual elite enhance, family standing sharing, and better improve precedence. It’s good to see an airline listening to member suggestions on this means.
What do you make of those Alaska million miler modifications?