The Guide to Alaska MVP Gold

Alaska MVP Gold status offers several valuable benefits to Alaska frequent flyers, including priority boarding, bonus miles and complimentary upgrades. Earning this status can be done in several different ways, and the perks can absolutely be worth the effort for frequent flyers.

There are two ways to get Alaska MVP Gold status: Qualify through flying or qualify through credit card spending (when available).

» Learn more: Your guide to Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan

Qualifying for Alaska MVP Gold status through flying

To qualify for Alaska MVP Gold status through flying, you’ll need to complete the following requirement:

• Earn 40,000 elite-qualifying miles in a calendar year. The 40,000 elite-qualifying miles can be earned through flights taken on Alaska Airlines or its Oneworld or global partner airlines, including American Airlines, British Airways, Qantas, Singapore Airlines and others.

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

For flights credited to Alaska Airlines or Hawaiian Airlines, the number of elite-qualifying miles you’ll earn is based on the distance you flew and the cabin and fare class purchased.

For example, if you fly one way from Los Angeles to Seattle in economy on an Alaska-operated flight, you’ll earn at least 954 elite-qualifying miles, unless you purchase a ticket in the X fare class. The number of Alaska elite-qualifying miles you’ll earn on partner airlines is also based on a combination of fare class and distance flown.

You can find the most up-to-date partner mileage information on Alaska’s website.

Very frequent Alaska flyers — those who fly 1,000,000 miles or more on Alaska — will qualify for Alaska MVP Gold status for life.

» Learn more: How to earn miles with Alaska Airlines

Qualifying for Alaska MVP Gold status through credit card spending

Alaska Airlines also allows you to earn elite status through its co-branded credit card.

Through 2025, cardholders are able to earn 1 elite-qualifying mile for every $3 spent on your card, up to 30,000 miles. That’s not quite enough for MVP Gold, but it gets you most of the way there.

» Learn more: Is an Alaska Airlines credit card worth it?

The benefits make Alaska’s MVP Gold status quite valuable. Some of our favorite benefits are priority call routing, 100% bonus miles, and priority check-in and boarding. Here is the full list of benefits:

If your local airport is a hub for Alaska or a partner airline and you fly often, you may want to try qualifying for Alaska’s MVP Gold status so you can take advantage of the benefits offered.

Top photo courtesy of Alaska Airlines.