Alaska Airlines has announced significant changes to its Mileage Plan program, starting in January 2025. These updates aim to enhance the loyalty experience by introducing new milestones, offering more ways to earn and redeem miles, and improving the elite upgrade process. The program will be more customizable, allowing members to choose perks that suit different needs or preferences.

Here’s a breakdown of all you need to know:

1. Milestone Rewards: Unlock Perks Along Your Journey

Alaska Airlines is introducing a series of milestones at different elite-qualifying mile (EQM) levels, with unique, selectable perks for each one. Members will now have the freedom to choose their rewards as they progress.

New milestones in Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan coming in 2025, with more perks and flexibility.

Milestone Benefits
10K Milestone (10,000 EQMs) Pick one (1) of these perks: 750 bonus miles, Pre-order a complimentary meal for your flight, One (1) complimentary Wi-Fi pass, Try MVP status for a trip, Earn double miles with non-air partners, Upgrade your next Avis rental
MVP / Oneworld Ruby (20,000 EQMs) Top benefits include: Earn 25% bonus miles on every flight, including with partners; Upgrades to First Class and Premium Class on Alaska Airlines, starting in late 2025 companions in the same reservation become eligible for First Class and Premium Class upgrades; Oneworld Ruby privileges including upgrades on American Airlines; Avis Preferred Plus status and Clear Plus membership discounts
30K Milestone (30,000 EQMs) Pick one (1) of these perks: 2,500 bonus miles, $25 off a future Alaska flight, Four (4) Wi-Fi passes, Try MVP Gold status for a trip, $100 off an Alaska Lounge membership
MVP Gold / Oneworld Sapphire (40,000 EQMs) Top benefits include: Earn 50% bonus miles on every flight; Oneworld Sapphire privileges with Business Class lounge access for international travel; Complimentary premium drink or chocolate in Main Cabin; Standby and waitlist for full flights; Complimentary same-day flight changes; Avis Preferred Plus status and Clear Plus membership discounts
55K Milestone (55,000 EQMs) Pick two (2) of these perks: 5,000 bonus miles, 10,000 miles off an Extras redemption, Gift MVP for a trip, One (1) complimentary Lounge day pass, Two (2) upgrade certificates
MVP Gold 75K / Oneworld Emerald (75,000 EQMs) Top benefits include: Earn 100% bonus miles on every flight; Complimentary Premium Class upgrades at booking for all Main Cabin fares (excluding Saver); Oneworld Emerald privileges with Business and First Class lounge access; Complimentary premium drink or chocolate in Main Cabin; Avis President’s Club status and Clear Plus membership discounts
85K Milestone (85,000 EQMs) Pick two (2) of these perks: 15,000 bonus miles, 25,000 miles off an Extras redemption, Two (2) complimentary Lounge day passes, Two (2) upgrade certificates, Gift MVP Gold status for a trip, Nominate someone for MVP status, 10,000 elite-qualifying miles rolled over
MVP Gold 100K / Oneworld Emerald (100,000 EQMs) Top benefits include: Earn 150% bonus miles on every flight; Oneworld Emerald privileges with Business and First Class lounge access; Complimentary premium drink or chocolate in Main Cabin; Complimentary meal in Main Cabin; Avis President’s Club status and Clear Plus membership discounts; 100K Choice Benefit: Pick one (1) of these perks: 50,000 bonus miles, 75,000 miles off an Extras redemption, Alaska Lounge+ membership, Complimentary Wi-Fi on every flight, Four (4) upgrade certificates, Nominate someone for MVP Gold status
150K Milestone (150,000 EQMs) Pick two (2) of these perks: 15,000 bonus miles, 25,000 miles off an Extras redemption, Two (2) complimentary Lounge passes, Two (2) upgrade certificates, 10,000 elite-qualifying miles rolled over
200K Milestone (200,000 EQMs) Pick two (2) of these perks: 15,000 bonus miles, 25,000 miles off an Extras redemption, Two (2) complimentary Lounge passes, Two (2) upgrade certificates, 10,000 elite-qualifying miles rolled over
250K Milestone (250,000 EQMs) Pick two (2) of these perks: 15,000 bonus miles, 25,000 miles off an Extras redemption, Two (2) complimentary Lounge passes, Two (2) upgrade certificates, 10,000 elite-qualifying miles rolled over

2. Elite Status Levels and Benefits

Alaska Airlines is making it easier to reach elite status and enjoy a variety of benefits across different tiers.

  • MVP / Oneworld Ruby (20,000 EQMs): Earn 25% bonus miles on every flight and enjoy day-of-travel upgrades, including First Class upgrades on Alaska Airlines and Oneworld partners.
  • MVP Gold / Oneworld Sapphire (40,000 EQMs): Benefits include 50% bonus miles, access to Business Class lounges when traveling internationally, and standby/waitlist privileges.
  • MVP Gold 75K / Oneworld Emerald (75,000 EQMs): With 100% bonus miles and complimentary Premium Class upgrades at booking, this tier offers enhanced comfort and privileges.
  • MVP Gold 100K / Oneworld Emerald (100,000 EQMs): Earn 150% bonus miles and enjoy the ultimate elite experience with Business and First Class lounge access, a complimentary meal in Main Cabin, and a premium drink on every flight.

3. New Ways to Earn EQMs

Starting in 2025, Alaska Airlines is introducing more ways to accumulate elite-qualifying miles:

  • Alaska Visa Card: Earn 1 EQM for every $3 spent on purchases, up to 30,000 EQMs annually.
  • Mileage Plan Partners: Earn 1,000 EQMs for every 3,000 miles earned with eligible non-airline partners, including hotels, cruises, and ride-sharing services.
  • Award Travel: For the first time, you will earn 1 EQM for every mile flown on award travel, including flights on Alaska’s Global Partners.

4. Upgrades: A Better Experience for You and Your Companion

Alaska is revamping the upgrade process:

  • Companion Upgrades: Starting in late 2025, MVP members and their companions traveling on the same reservation will be eligible for complimentary upgrades to First Class and Premium Class, based on availability.
  • Upgrade Notifications: You’ll receive email alerts when upgrade space becomes available on your flight, ensuring you don’t miss out on the chance to elevate your experience.

5. Global Earning and Redemption Simplified

Alaska’s partnership with Global Partners is getting a refresh:

  • Universal Earn Rates: Beginning in 2025, earning miles with Global Partners will follow universal earn rates, simplifying the process. Oman Air and Porter Airlines are the latest additions to Alaska’s partner network.
  • Expanded Redemption Options: You’ll soon be able to mix and match flights from different partners for greater flexibility when planning award travel.

6. More Global Getaways and Seasonal Discounts

Alaska will continue to offer Global Getaways in 2025, allowing members to redeem miles for international travel at discounted rates during certain times of the year.

7. Enhanced App Experience

To complement these changes, Alaska Airlines will be launching a streamlined app experience, making it easier to track your progress toward elite status and select the rewards that matter most to you.

How To Find Mileage Plan Award Flights

AwardFares is your best friend to quickly find the best available award seats using Mileage Plan miles. Simply follow these steps:

  1. Go to AwardFares.
  2. Select Mileage Plan under Loyalty Program
  3. Choose a desired Route (e.g. Seattle (SEA) to New York (JFK))
  4. Pick a date, or use the Timeline View to explore availability on different dates.
  5. Apply more filters (optional). For example, add a specific airline, cabin.
  6. Done! AwardFares will do its magic and show you flights ready to be booked in the list below, with details such as the prices, number of stops, total travel time, aircraft used, and more!

Search for award flights in the new Alaska Mileage Plan Program in 2025.

Search for award flights from Seattle to New York in the new Alaska Mileage Plan Program in 2025.

Become a Mileage Plan Pro

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