Alaska Airlines’ 2023 Elite Status Fast Track Promo

Most major airline loyalty programs extended their elite status for the first couple of years of the Pandemic. I think we are going to see a lot of status challenge opportunities for existing elite members to requalify for status in early 2023.

Let's take a look at the details of the promotion that was just rolled out.

Alaska Mileage Plan offers second chance at elite status

The status fast track promotion is for those who were unable to requalify after holding status. You need to earn a certain number of base flight miles in order to get back your status.

• MVP members — 5,000 miles
• MVP Gold members — 10,000 miles
• MVP Gold 75K members — 20,000 miles

It is expected that there are some terms to be aware of.

• This is only valid for those who had MVP, MVP Gold, or MVP Gold 75K status, as of January 1, 2022
• Members who were participating in a status match challenge on January 1, 2022, and did not retain the status, are not eligible
• Miles eligible for this offer include base miles earned on Alaska flights, as well as base miles earned on eligible partner flights
• A minimum of two segments must be flown on Alaska marketed and operated flights
• Award travel and bonus miles are not eligible base flight miles
• Members who receive MVP Gold 75K status as part of this offer aren’t eligible for the 50,000 bonus miles, or American Airlines systemwide upgrades ordinarily associated with the status

My take on this Alaska elite status fast track promo

It doesn't come as a surprise. Alaska Airlines recently held a forum for frequent flyers and it was revealed that an offer like this would be coming in early 2023 for those who didn't requalify. The details are revealed before the year ends.

You can maintain your status for a further year if you earn 25% of the standard requirements over the course of three months. There is no way to get to the 100K level with this offer.

People are in either camp when it comes to offers like this.

• Those who didn’t requalify are probably happy that there’s a fairly easy way they can maintain their status
• Those who did requalify aren’t fans of offers like this, given the extent to which elite ranks have been swelled during the pandemic; with upgrades being one of the primary benefits of having elite status, it very much is a zero sum game, since the more elite members there are, the more competition there is for upgrades

Bottom line

The details of the elite status fast track offer have been announced. In the spring, elite members who didn't requalify for status can fly a certain number of miles in order to maintain their status.

It is easy to maintain mileage plan status with this generous offer. Is that a good or bad thing?

What do you think about this promotion?