Alaska joins oneworld on March 31, 2021. With Alaska Airlines’ membership in oneworld less than four months away, both companies announced which Alaska’s elite Mileage Plan will receive what oneworld tier status in the global alliance.
The matching oneworld tier status in the global alliance are as follows:
- MVP Gold 75K = oneworld Emerald
- MVP Gold = oneworld Sapphire
- MVP = oneworld Ruby
Matching oneworld tier status happens automatically at that time.
Whatever your status is at the end of 2020, you will get it in 2021. That means you’ll get the chance to unlock even more benefits as Alaska moves closer to the oneworld® launch in summer 2021.
MVP and MVP Gold – Now it is easier for you to get to the next tier. Earn 50% more Mileage Plan elite-qualifying miles (EQM) for Alaska Airlines flights between June 1 and December 31, 2020. No registration required.
MVP Gold 75K – To earn your MVP Gold 75K 50,000 bonus miles, you still need to qualify for 2021 status by the end of this year. But you can get there easier than ever, with 50% bonus EQMs through December 31, 2020.
Any elite-qualifying miles earned between January 1, 2020 and April 30, 2020 will be rolled over to 2021 to give you a head start on earning your status for 2022.
Members who started a status match challenge between December 1, 2019 and March 31, 2020 will have the challenge criteria waived, and your matched status will be extended through December 31, 2021.
Qualifying is simple.
For 2021 qualification for 2022
| Qualifying flights | MVP | MVP Gold | MVP Gold 75K |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eligible miles earned on Alaska Airlines* and partners | 20,000 | 40,000 | 75,000 |
| Segments flown on Alaska Airlines* and partners | 30 | 60 | 90 |
Annual qualification period is January 1 – December 31.
*must fly a minimum number of segments on Alaska Airlines to earn or retain status. 2 for MVP, 4 for MVP Gold, 6 for MVP Gold 75K
Through December 31, 2020
| Qualifying flights | MVP | MVP Gold | MVP Gold 75K |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eligible miles earned on Alaska Airlines | 20,000 | 40,000 | 75,000 |
| Eligible miles earned on Alaska Airlines and elite-qualifying partners1 | 25,000 | 50,000 | 90,000 |
| Segments flown on Alaska Airlines and elite-qualifying partners1 | 30 | 60 | 90 |
Annual qualification period is January 1 – December 31.
1Travel on our regional partners PenAir and Ravn does not count toward elite status qualification.
Many of the benefits elite flyers currently enjoy on Alaska with their status will seamlessly carry over to the oneworld tiers when they travel on any of the 13 global oneworld member airlines. This means they’ll be able to take advantage of a variety of privileges, including priority check-in, access to international first and business class lounges, preferred boarding, fast track through security, baggage benefits and more.
“Our upcoming membership in oneworld opens up endless possibilities, especially for our elite Mileage Plan members,” said Ben Minicucci, Alaska’s president.
“As the airline industry continues to recover, we expect an increasing number of our guests to look ahead to international travel once again. If you’ve worked hard to earn status with us, all that hard work will go even further with benefits in oneworld to make your journey even more enjoyable.”
For example, beginning March 31, an Alaska MVP Gold member will receive oneworld Sapphire status right away. If that traveler then takes a trip from San Francisco to Doha on Qatar Airways, they’ll have access to business class lounges, business class priority check-in and priority boarding, regardless of the class of service they’re flying in.
“We are excited to announce the oneworld benefits that Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan customers can expect when Alaska joins the alliance next year – unlocking more benefits and destinations for the airline’s frequent flyers,” said oneworld CEO Rob Gurney.
“With its strong network on the U.S. West Coast and award-winning customer service, Alaska’s membership will position oneworld to offer even more privileges and options to our member airlines and customers.”
Alaska will be the 14th full member of oneworld. The current 13 full members of the alliance are: American Airlines; British Airways; Cathay Pacific; Finnair; Iberia; Japan Airlines; Malaysia Airlines; Qantas; Qatar Airways; Royal Air Maroc; Royal Jordanian; S7 Airlines and SriLankan Airlines. Fiji Airways is a oneworld connect partner. Prior to COVID-19, the alliance’s global network offered flights to more than 1,000 destinations in more than 170 countries and territories.
