Mileage Plan

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Mileage Plan is the frequent-flyer program of Alaska Airlines. Members accrue program "miles" by flying Alaska Airlines and partner-operated flights, using co-branded credit cards, and booking vacation and hotel packages, among other methods. Mileage Plan miles can be redeemed for award flights on Alaska Airlines and partner carriers and provide eligibility for elite status with Mileage Plan.

Contents

History

In June 1983, Alaska Airlines introduced their frequent-flyer program, Gold Coast Travel. In 1987, Alaska Airlines acquired Jet America Airlines, which offered a frequent-flyer program that awarded credit by flight segments (number of flights taken), compared to Gold Coast Travel, where members earned credit based on the mileage of flights taken. [1] After acquisition by Alaska Airlines, participants of Jet America's frequent-flyer program were enrolled in Gold Coast Travel, and in September 1989, Gold Coast Travel was renamed Mileage Plan. Alaska Airlines also purchased regional commuter airline Horizon Air in 1986 and incorporated the carrier into Mileage Plan.

In 2016, Alaska Airlines acquired Virgin America, which offered a revenue-based accrual program, Elevate. On January 1, 2018, Elevate was discontinued, with all remaining accounts converted to Mileage Plan accounts. [2]

Oneworld Membership

In February 2020, Alaska Airlines announced its intention to join the Oneworld airline alliance in the summer of 2021. [3] This would add seven new airline partners, including Iberia, Malaysia Airlines, Qatar Airways, Royal Air Maroc, Royal Jordanian, S7 Airlines, and SriLankan Airlines. In October 2020, Alaska announced its Oneworld membership date had been moved to March 21, 2021. [4]

In December 2020, Oneworld member Qatar Airways established a mileage partnership with Alaska prior to the commencement of nonstop service from Seattle to Doha.

On March 31, 2021, Alaska Airlines officially joined the Oneworld alliance. Alaska temporarily suspended its partnership with S7 Airlines on March 1, 2022, in response to the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine. [5]

In September 2024, Alaska Airlines' purchase of Hawaiian Airlines was finalized and closed, with the latter retaining its independent branding. A combined loyalty program was announced as forthcoming, with Hawaiian Airlines also projected to join Oneworld in 2026, after merging into one operating certificate. [6]

Alaska Airlines flights, including Horizon Air flights, have been bookable as part of Oneworld Global Explorer fares since 2008. [7]

Accrual Structure

On all scheduled Alaska Airlines flights, including flights operated by Horizon Air and SkyWest, members accrue one mile per mile flown. On flights under 500 miles, a minimum of 500 miles are awarded. [8] Miles can also be accrued by flying eligible flights on Alaska Global Partners. [9]

Beginning in 2015, most airlines in the United States switched to revenue-based accrual programs, where credit is awarded based on the fare paid. Alaska Airlines has previously indicated that retaining a distance-based accrual program is a competitive advantage over other carriers. [10] Among major carriers in the United States, only Frontier Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines also accrue one mile per mile flown. No other major airline offers a minimum accrual amount (e.g. 500 miles) for passengers lacking elite status.

Partner Airlines

Mileage Plan includes 31 partner airlines that comprise the Alaska Global Partners, with two additional partners pending. [11] Partner airlines include Oneworld, SkyTeam, and Star Alliance members, as well as unaffiliated airlines.

The airline partners of Mileage Plan are:

Alaska Global PartnerAirline AlliancePartnership Commenced
Flag of Ireland.svg Aer Lingus [12] (none)2018
Flag of French Polynesia.svg Air Tahiti Nui [13] (none)2022
Flag of the United States.svg Aleutian Airways [14] (none)2024
Flag of the United States.svg American Airlines Oneworld1999
Flag of the Bahamas.svg Bahamasair (none)2023
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg British Airways Oneworld2001
Flag of Hong Kong.svg Cathay Pacific [15] Oneworld2003
Flag of Germany.svg Condor [16] (none)2013
Flag of the United States.svg Contour Airlines [17] (none)2024
Flag of Israel.svg El Al [18] (none)2019
Flag of Fiji.svg Fiji Airways [19] Oneworld Connect2009
Flag of Finland.svg Finnair [20] Oneworld2017
Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg Hainan Airlines [21] (none)2015
Flag of Spain.svg Iberia Oneworld2021
Flag of Iceland.svg Icelandair [22] (none)2015
Flag of Japan.svg Japan Airlines [23] Oneworld2016
Flag of the United States.svg Kenmore Air [24] (none)2023
Flag of South Korea.svg Korean Air [25] SkyTeam2008
Flag of Chile.svg LATAM Chile [26] (none)1999
Flag of Malaysia.svg Malaysia Airlines Oneworld2021
Flag of the United States.svg Mokulele Airlines [27] (none)2023
Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Porter Airlines [28] (none)2023
Flag of Australia (converted).svg Qantas Oneworld1984
Flag of Qatar.svg Qatar Airways [29] Oneworld2020
Flag of Morocco.svg Royal Air Maroc Oneworld2021
Flag of Jordan.svg Royal Jordanian Oneworld2021
Flag of Russia.svg S7 Airlines Oneworld2021-2023 [lower-alpha 1]
Flag of Singapore.svg Singapore Airlines [31] Star Alliance2017
Flag of the United States.svg Southern Airways Express (none)2023
Flag of Sri Lanka.svg SriLankan Airlines Oneworld2021
Flag of the Republic of China.svg Starlux Airlines [32] (none)2023

Future Partners

Oman Air is projected to be a partner when it becomes a full Oneworld member in 2024, and is currently a partner airline eligible for Mileage Plan award redemptions. [33] [34]

Hawaiian Airlines' purchase by Alaska Airlines was closed in September 2024, with a combined loyalty program was announced as forthcoming. Airline status recognition, mileage balances, mileage accrual, and award redemptions are expected to be combinable, interchangeable, and reciprocal under Mileage Plan, and Hawaiian Airlines' 'HawaiianMiles' program in the interim. [35] [36]

Former Partners

Delta had been a mileage partner from 2004 until 2017, when it established Seattle as a hub city. [37] The partnership with Delta was preceded by a partnership with Northwest Airlines in 1995, prior to the merger of the two airlines. [38] Alaska Airlines was also a former mileage partner with other SkyTeam members, including Aeromexico, from 2013 until 2017, and Air France and KLM, from 2007 until 2018. [39] [40]

Emirates ceased to be a partner in 2021, shortly after Alaska joined the Oneworld alliance. The two airlines had a mileage agreement starting in 2012.

Membership Tiers

Mileage Plan's elite tiers for frequent travelers are MVP, MVP Gold and MVP Gold 75K. Members in elite tiers receive additional benefits compared to non-elite members, including complimentary upgrades to First and Premium Class, increased mileage accrual, priority check-in and boarding, discount or free lounge access, complimentary checked bags and other benefits.

Starting in 2024, Mileage Plan elite status is only earned through accrued EQMs earned on Alaska and/or partner flights. Members attain elite status according to the following EQM thresholds: [41]

Qualification MethodMVPMVP GoldMVP Gold 75KMVP Gold 100K
Miles earned on Alaska 1 (and/or) Elite Qualifying Partner flights20,00040,00075,000100,000
Notes

There is no minimum spending requirement in order to receive elite status in Mileage Plan. Additionally, Members who fly 1,000,000 miles on Alaska Airlines are granted MVP Gold status for life.

Additional Benefits

Mileage Plan members are eligible to check in one case of wine (up to 12 bottles) for free when flying domestically, if departing from one of 32 airports in California, Idaho, Oregon, or Washington. [42]

In March 2016, Alaska Airlines introduced a temporary, promotional award where Mileage Plus members could redeem 10,000 miles to cover the $85 cost of a TSA PreCheck screening application charged by the Transportation Security Administration. [43]

Club 49

Members who are residents of the State of Alaska, or military personnel permanently stationed in Alaska are eligible to participate in Alaska Airlines' Club 49 program. [44] Benefits include:

Huaka‘i

In late 2024, Hawaii residents will be eligible to join the Huaka'i program, providing benefits such as 10% off one inter-island booking per quarter, a free checked bag, and exclusive network-wide deals each month. Hawaiian Airlines World Elite Mastercard cardmembers will receive 20% off one inter-island flight per quarter, on top of the existing cardholder benefit of two free checked bags. [47]

Recognition

As of 2022, Mileage Plan has been the recipient of the U.S. News & World Report Best Airline Reward Program for seven consecutive years since 2015, based on an airline's overall evaluation of six criteria: ease of earning a free round-trip flight, benefits, network coverage, flight volume, award flight availability and airline quality ratings. [48]

Notes

  1. Partnership suspended on March 1, 2022, in response to the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine. [30]

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