With its merger with Hawaiian Airlines in the works, far more people have their eyes Alaska’s and Hawaiian’s respective loyalty programs than ever before. And while changes were expected, I didn’t think they’d occur this early. Nevertheless, let’s take a look at the Alaska Mileage Plan changes for 2025.
In an email to members yesterday, Alaska Airlines announced its Alaska Mileage Plan changes for 2025. Often, changes with any loyalty program are things to fear – this has been particularly true with hotel programs as of late. However, with U.S.-based airlines, changes haven’t always been negative, and that’s certainly the case here. At least, it is in my opinion. Based on your travel patterns and statuses you may disagree, and I could certainly see why you would, too. At any rate, there’s much to cover today, so I’m going to break things down into more manageable sections.
Alaska Mileage Plan Changes for 2025
The going theme with the Alaska Mileage Plan changes for 2025 is that elite qualifications are getting easier, while the airline is also adding milestone rewards, similar to what its Oneworld sponsor does. I know those that don’t travel quite as much will like these changes, though those that have earned their statuses the hard way and are finding it increasingly difficult to score free upgrades won’t be as enthusiastic.
Earn EQMs with the Alaska Air Visa
This year, Alaska Air Visa Signature cardholders can earn 4,000 elite qualifying miles (EQMs) for every $10,000 spent, with a maximum of 20,000 miles. When announced, this was marketed as a limited time offer. However, with the Mileage Plan changes for 2025, the ability to earn EQMs is becoming permanent. Moreover, rather than fixed thresholds, cardholders will now earn 1 EQM per $3 spent, with an increased maximum of 30,000 EQMs.
If this looks like a devaluation compared to this year, you’d be right. The ease of earning EQMs comes with an increase in spend requirement. For 2024, the earn ratio was 1:2.5, whereas next year it’ll be 1:3. To put it another way, you’d have to spend $50,000 to earn this years maximum of 20,000 miles, while you’ll need to spend $60,000 to earn those same EQMs next year, and $90,000 to reach the 30,000 EQM limit.
Still, if you have a non-grandfathered Alaska Air Visa card and must spend $6,000 to earn your companion certificate, at least you’ll earn 2,000 EQMs, plus the miles you’d normally earn for doing so.
Award Travel
Next on the list of Alaska Mileage Plan changes for 2025 is award travel. Specifically, you’ll now be able to earn EQMs for award travel at a rate of 1 EQM for each mile flown on both Alaska Airlines and partner flights.
Partner Travel Earnings Adjustments
While it possible to earn redeemable miles (miles) and EQMs on paid flights with partner airlines right now, another of the Alaska Mileage Plan changes for 2025 impacts introduces different earning rates based on how you book your partner flights. Today, this is how things work:
- Alaska Air 2024 Earnings (based on miles flown)
- Basic Economy: 30% miles and EQMs
- Economy: 100% miles and EQMs
- Economy (fare code H or K): 125% miles and EQMs
- Full Fare Economy (codes Y or B: 150%): 150% miles and EQMs
- First Class (fare code D or I): 150% miles and EQMs
- First Class (fare code C): 175% miles and EQMs
- First Class (fare code J): 200% miles and EQMs
- Alaska-Marketed Partners Flights 2024 Earnings
- Economy Fares: all same as above
- Premium Economy: 150% miles and EQMs
- Business Class: same as Alaska Air First Class fare codes rates
- First Class (codes F or A): 200% miles and EQMs
In 2025, there will be three separate charts. Naturally, the Alaska Air one isn’t changing at all, so I won’t rehash it below. However, partner flights will change to the following:
- Partner Flights Booked Via Partner Sites
- Discount/Basic Economy: 25% miles and EQMs
- Economy: 50% miles and EQMs
- Premium Economy: 100% miles and EQMs
- Business Class: 125% miles and EQMs
- First Class: 150% miles and EQMs
- Partner Flights Booked Via Alaska Air
- Discount/Basic Economy: 100% miles and EQMs
- Economy: 100% miles and EQMs
- Premium Economy: 150% miles and EQMs
- Domestic First Class: 150% miles and EQMs
- International Business Class: 250% miles and EQMs
- International First Class: 350% miles and EQMs
It’s worth noting that the old earnings charts are valid for flights booked before October 16, 2024, for travel on or after January 1, 2025. However, you’ll need to contact Alaska Air to submit a retro credit request after you’ve completed your travel to get your earnings differences.
Earn EQMs With Non-Airline Partners
Another of the Alaska Mileage Plan changes in 2025 is the ability to earn EQMs with non-airline partners. These non-airline partners include hotels, cruises, rental cars, and the Alaska Mileage Plan shopping portal. Like the credit card earnings, you’ll earn at a rate of 1:3, though the thresholds are higher for this method – you’ll earn 1,000 EQMs for every 3,000 miles earned.
Mix & Match Partner Travel
While announced yesterday, this isn’t exactly one of the Alaska Mileage Plan changes for 2025, as this will go into effect this winter. However, when this change goes into effect, you’ll be able to book multiple partners on a single award ticket. The example Alaska gives is the ability to fly to the UK on American and then use British Airways to get to Rome, Italy.
Seasonal discounts will also become available for global travel on partner airlines.
Milestone Rewards
The last of the Alaska Mileage Plan changes in 2025 is, perhaps, one of the biggest – milestone rewards. To be clear, Alaska Air offers a lite version of this now, including receiving 50,000 miles upon achieving MVP Gold 75k status, and a 100k Choice Benefit when achieving MVP Gold 100k. Current 100k choice benefits include:
- 50,000 miles
- a one-year Alaska Lounge+ membership
- the ability to gif MVP status to someone
- free WiFi onboard Alaska Air-operated flights for a year
However, going forward, the existing 75k benefit is going away and is being replaced several choice benefit options, along with benefit options at different EQM earning thresholds. Those new choices (of which you can pick only one per level) include:
- 10,000 EQMs
- 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):
- Earn 25% bonus miles on every flight, including with our partners
- Enjoy exclusive day-of-travel benefits including upgrades to First Class and Premium Class on Alaska Airlines, when available
- Starting later in 2025: Companions traveling on the same flight, in the same reservation will become eligible for First Class and Premium Class upgrades (when available)
- Your status goes further with oneworld Ruby privileges, including upgrades to First Class and Main Cabin Extra on American Airlines, when available
- Extra benefits with our non-air partners, including a status match to Avis Preferred Plus status and discounts on a Clear Plus membership
- 30,000 EQMs
- 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)
- Earn 50% bonus miles on every flight, including with our partners
- Your status goes further with oneworld Sapphire privileges, including access to Business Class lounges when traveling on a oneworld member airline to a destination outside of the US, Canada, or Mexico.
- A complimentary premium drink or chocolate when you fly in Main Cabin
- Standby and waitlist for full flights
- Complimentary same-day flight changes
- Extra benefits with our non-air partners, including status-matching to Avis Preferred Plus status and discounts on a Clear Plus membership
- 55,000 EQMs
- 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)
- Earn 100% bonus miles on every flight, including with our partners
- Complimentary upgrades into Premium Class upgrades at booking for all Main Cabin fares (excluding Saver)
- Your status goes further with oneworld Emerald privileges, including access to Business and First Class lounges when traveling on a oneworld member airline to a destination outside of the US, Canada, or Mexico.
- A complimentary premium drink or chocolate when you fly in Main Cabin
- Extra benefits with our non-air partners, including status-matching to Avis President’s Club status and discounts on a Clear Plus membership
- 85,000 EQMs
- 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)
- Earn 150% more bonus miles on every flight, including with our partners
- Your status goes further with oneworld Emerald privileges, including access to Business Class and First Class lounges when traveling on a oneworld member airline to a destination outside of the US, Canada, or Mexico.
- A complimentary premium drink or chocolate when you fly in Main Cabin
- A complimentary meal when you fly in Main Cabin
- Extra benefits with our non-air partners, including status-matching to Avis President’s Club status and discounts on a Clear Plus membership
- 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
- 150,000 EQMs (choose two of the following):
- 15,000 bonus miles
- 25,000 off an Extras redemption
- Two (2) complimentary Lounge passes
- Two (2) upgrade certificates
- 10,000 elite-qualifying miles rolled over
- 200,000 EQMs (choose two of the following):
- 15,000 bonus miles
- 25,000 off an Extras redemption
- Two (2) complimentary Lounge passes
- Two (2) upgrade certificates
- 10,000 elite-qualifying miles rolled over
- 250,000 EQMs (choose two of the following):
- 15,000 bonus miles
- 25,000 off an Extras redemption
- Two (2) complimentary Lounge passes
- Two (2) upgrade certificates
- 10,000 elite-qualifying miles rolled over
As you can see above, MVP Gold 100k members will enjoy greater benefits beyond their old 100k Choice Benefit under the Alaska Mileage Plan changes in 2025. However, MVP Gold 75ks haven’t fared as well, and will lose their 50,000-mile bonus entirely.
Moreover, while not announced in the overarching communications regarding the Alaska Mileage Plan changes in 2025, MVP members will lose the ability to check two free bags in 2026. That benefit is being reduced down to one free checked bag in 2026.
Another unannounced change is the elite bonus mileage earnings structure. This year, MVPs earn 50% bonus miles, MVP Golds get 100%, MVP Gold 75ks get 125%, and MVP Gold 100ks get receive 150% earnings. However, in 2025, that’s changing to 25%, 50%, 100%, and 150%, respectively.
Alaska Mileage Plan Changes for 2025, Final Thoughts
This post on the upcoming Alaska Mileage Plan changes for 2025 is getting way too long, so I’m going to end it here. That said, all of these changes go into effect on January 1, 2025, unless noted otherwise. Bonus EQMs from the new earning methods will begin posting in the spring, and the ability to mix & match will rollout to flights between the U.S. and Europe first, and globally later.
At any rate, with all the questions I’ve been seeing in various places online, it’s important to note that the Alaska Mileage Plan changes for 2025 are just that – Alaska Mileage Plan changes for 2025. They in no way impact HawaiianMiles members. Yet. But, more on that later.
With all that said, what do you think of the Alaska Mileage Plan changes for 2025? Do you like them? Or do you think they’ll lessen your experience with the airline? Let me know!