Alaska Airlines and American Airlines offer a tighter integration of their elite level advantages that is separate from their One world alliance cooperation.
These perks include reciprocal upgrades, preferred seating with extra legroom, and more.
Additionally, Alaska MVP Gold 75K and MVP Gold 100K status holders are expected to get confirmed upgrade certificates for international American Airlines flights.
This benefit was first announced last year, but it has only now become available.
Alaska Airlines has finally started sending upgrade certificates to qualifying elite members through email.
"Exclusive upgrade codes: Limited-time worldwide upgrades," reads the subject line.
Although not formally dubbed system wide upgrades, they function in a similar manner.
Who can get these certificates?
Alaska Airlines MVP Gold 75K and 100K members who earned status in 2021 will receive American Airlines upgrade credits for the 2022 program year.
Those who acquired their status through a promotion, status match, or status gift are not eligible, according to the terms and limitations.
MVP Gold 75K members are eligible for one one-way upgrade, whereas MVP Gold 100K members are eligible for two one-way upgrades.
There's no way to get more upgrade certificates, unfortunately.
How may these certificates be redeemed?
These certificates work in a similar way to the systemwide upgrades offered by American.
Each certificate is for a one-way ticket with a three-segment maximum.
Most economy or premium economy fares can be upgraded to business class, and most business-class fares can be upgraded to first class.
All flights, including premium transcontinental and long-haul international flights, are eligible.
Upgrades cannot be applied to basic economy or award tickets, which is the only major restriction.
Upgrades issued this year must be requested and confirmed by December 31, while you are not required to use them before the expiration date.
Follow these steps to redeem your upgrade certificates:
1- Include your Alaska Mileage Plan number when booking a flight marketed and operated by American Airlines or American Eagle (code share flights are not eligible).
2- Call 1-888-824-1816 and offer your unique access code (received via email) as well as your Mileage Plan number.
3- If space is available, your upgrade will be confirmed immediately; otherwise, you will be placed on the queue.
Your flight must have "A" fare (business to first on three-cabin planes) or "C" fare (economy to business or economy to first on domestic flights) upgrade availability in order for your upgrade to be verified instantly.
Expert Flyer (owned by parent business, Red Ventures) is the ideal place to look for A and C upgrade availability and see how many seats are still available.
If you're on the waiting list, you can get an upgrade at any time up until departure.
Your certificate will be considered used as long as a single leg of your journey is enhanced.
So, if you have an international connecting connection, double-check that your certificate covers the long-haul journey as well as the short local one.
Upgrade certificates cannot be sold, however members may use them on other passengers.
Also, while there is theoretically no charge for utilizing upgrade certificates, upgrading to a higher-class cabin may result in additional taxes or security costs, especially for flights departing the United Kingdom.
Final thoughts
American Airlines upgrade certificates for Alaska elite customers have finally arrived, six months late.
There are few limitations to using the certificates because they work similarly to system wide upgrades.
However, it can be difficult to find upgrading space that is confirmed ahead of time.
If your upgrade goes through, these certificates can easily be worth hundreds of dollars, especially when utilized for long-haul trips.
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