The Guide to Alaska 100K

Alaska Airlines historically offered just three elite status tiers. That changed in 2021 with the introduction of Alaska MVP 100K — which now serves as the Seattle-based airline's top elite status tier.

From first-class upgrades on Alaska and American Airlines to free checked bags and lounge passes, Alaska 100K elite status comes packed with perks. Add in that Alaska doesn't have a spending requirement for elite status, and Alaska MVP elite status is quite appealing for many frequent fliers. Here's our full guide to Alaska's top-tier MVP Gold 100K elite status.

Anytime a loyalty program is bold enough to add a new top-tier elite status, it needs to justify making travelers fly extra to earn it. And that's arguably what Alaska did with its Alaska 100K perks. Here's an overview of the numerous benefits of Alaska MVP Gold 100K elite status:

Accelerated mileage earning rates

• 150% mileage bonus: Earn 2.5x the base mileage earnings when flying Alaska or its partners.

Upgrades and seat perks

• First-class upgrades on Alaska Airlines: Get upgraded to first class at booking any time you book Y, B, H, K or M fares. Clear upgrades as far out as 120 hours on all other fares — except for "saver" basic economy fares.

• Extra-legroom seats on Alaska: Get an instant upgrade to Premium Class extra-legroom seats at booking — except on "saver" basic economy fares.

• Companion upgrades: Get upgrades to first class or extra-legroom seats for up to one companion flying with you.

• First class guest upgrades: Gift up to four first-class upgrades to travelers who aren't flying with you.

• First-class upgrades on American Airlines: Get complimentary upgrades on domestic and short-haul international flights, prioritized after American Airlines Executive Platinum and Platinum Pro elites.

• Extra-legroom seats on American: Select American Airlines Main Cabin Extra extra-legroom seats for free starting at booking.

• International upgrades on American: Each April, receive two systemwide upgrades for flights anywhere American Airlines flies.

Airport perks

• Priority check-in and boarding when flying Alaska or its Oneworld partners.

• Free checked bags: Check up to three bags for free on Alaska flights and get extra baggage allowance on Oneworld airlines.

• Four free Alaska Lounge day passes: Use or gift up to four Alaska Lounge day passes.

• Express security lines available at select airports.

• Standby and wait list on full flights.

Onboard perks

• Complimentary premium beverage in main cabin: Upgrade didn't clear? Get a free premium beverage on most flights over 350 miles.

• Complimentary snack or meal in main cabin: Likewise, you can get a free snack or meal on flights over 790 miles. Note that fresh meals are only available by pre-order.

Other Alaska 100K perks

• Alaska Lounge membership discount: Receive a $100 discount on Alaska Lounge and Lounge+ memberships.

• Complimentary same-day flight changes.

• Priority customer service call routing.

• Elite leave for new parents: A new addition to the family can put a halt to travel plans. If that’s the case, you won’t need to worry about losing your hard-earned status. Elite leave lets you keep the elite status benefits you've already earned for another year.

Alaska 100K Choice Benefit

The newest perk of Alaska 100K elite status rolled out in January 2023, with a selection deadline of Jan. 31: 100K Choice Benefit. This new benefit gives Alaska MVP Gold 100K elites a choice of four options:

• 50,000 Bonus Miles: NerdWallet values at $600.

• Alaska Lounge+ Membership: otherwise costs $550 for Mileage Plan elites.

• Gifting MVP Gold Status: NerdWallet values at up to $2,160.

• Complimentary Wi-Fi: valued at around $600.

» Learn more: How much are my Alaska Airlines miles worth?

Unlike airlines that have pivoted to point-based systems, Alaska Mileage Plan still rewards travelers who are actually frequent flyers. To earn Alaska MVP Gold 100K elite status, Mileage Plan members must meet either a flight mileage or segment requirement:

• 100,000 elite-qualifying miles.

• 140 elite-qualifying segments.

All flights operated by Alaska Airlines earn (at least) 100% of flight miles as qualifying miles. That means you're sure to earn at least 100,000 elite-qualifying miles if you fly 100,000 miles on Alaska Airlines. However, earning rates vary when you fly on other airlines. For example, cheap flights on American Airlines only earn elite qualifying miles at one-quarter of the miles flown.

To ensure that flyers are loyal to Alaska Airlines, Mileage Plan members must fly a minimum number of Alaska Airlines flights to earn MVP status. Flyers must log a minimum of 24 qualifying segments on flights marketed and operated by Alaska Airlines — including its Horizon Air and SkyWest regional partners.

In a recent analysis, NerdWallet found that Alaska MVP Gold 100K elite provides around $8,300 in value for travelers that fly enough to earn it.

» Learn more: Your guide to the Alaska Airlines MVP elite status program

That makes Alaska 100K elite status the least-valuable top-tier elite status of all major U.S.-based airlines. Yet, Alaska Airlines took the top prize as NerdWallet's best overall elite status program, and Alaska 100K tied for the most rewarding top-tier elite status level.

How's that possible? Well, Alaska MVP elite status provides a huge return on your travel spending. Alaska elite status doesn't require that travelers meet a spending requirement, but we estimate travelers need to spend around $12,000 to reach Alaska 100K elite status. And the perks of this status are around $8,300. That's a return of around 69% of your travel spending.

» Learn more: What is Alaska elite status worth?

Get perks on a dozen other airlines through Oneworld

Alaska Airlines joined the Oneworld alliance in 2021. That means Alaska elite members get elite perks on airlines ranging from American Airlines to SriLankan Airlines. Alaska MVP Gold 100K elite members get Oneworld Emerald status — granting access to first-class lounges, first-class check-in, fast-track security and preferred seats.

No credit card shortcut to elite status

The recently refreshed Alaska Airlines Visa® credit card offers some elite-like perks — such as a free checked bag and priority boarding — plus valuable perks like a Companion Fare.

However, loyal Mileage Plan members can't use this card to shortcut their way to Alaska 100K elite status. 

And don’t forget about the sign-up bonus: Get 70,000 bonus miles plus Alaska's Famous Companion Fare™ from $122 ($99 fare plus taxes and fees from $23) with this offer. To qualify, make $3,000 or more in purchases within the first 90 days of opening your account.

» Learn more: The best airline credit cards right now

You can't status match to Alaska 100K

Travelers can take advantage of a once-per-lifetime Alaska status match. However, status matches to Alaska 100K aren't possible. Alaska MVP Gold 75K is the highest tier available for an Alaska status match.

No Alaska 100K lifetime status

Alaska Mileage Plan members earn lifetime Alaska MVP Gold 75K after earning two million eligible flight miles in the program. However, that's it. Alaska doesn't currently offer lifetime Alaska 100K.

Alaska Airlines MVP Gold 100K top-tier elite status comes with a slew of valuable benefits — both on Alaska Airlines and its partners. And Alaska 100K is arguably the most valuable top-tier elite status for frequent flyers, especially for travelers who can't meet expensive spending requirements on other airlines.

However, travelers actually need to be loyal to Alaska to earn 100K elite status, flying at least 24 flight segments on Alaska-operated flights. That will make earning Alaska 100K status challenging for travelers who don't frequently fly on routes operated by Alaska Airlines.

(Top photo courtesy of Alaska Airlines)