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I wasn’t expecting much when I learned that Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan elite members would be enjoying the benefits of status on American Airlines flights. I assumed American Airlines would prioritize its own elite members over its partner Alaska’s.
I was really wrong.
As a top-tier Alaska Airlines MVP Gold 100K, I’ve been treated as well as an AAdvantage Executive Platinum on many of my American Airlines flights. In fact, I’ve gotten upgraded on most of the AA flights I’ve taken this year. I’ve even been gifted two systemwide upgrade certificates, and I was able to apply them to an upcoming flight on American Airlines metal for a trip to Paris.
Here are all the ways I’m benefiting as an Alaska elite member flying American metal, and why it might make sense for you to pursue status with Alaska even if you don’t live on the West Coast.
In This Post
All about the upgrades
MVP Gold 75K and MVP Gold 100K members are eligible for complimentary domestic upgrades on American Airlines (including on Hawaii flights).
I’ve been extremely fortunate flying American Airlines as an Alaska elite member. So far in 2022, I’ve flown 11 segments on AA as an Alaska Gold MVP 100K. I’ve been upgraded on six of those 11 flights. That’s a better-than-50% upgrade rate. It’s also a better track record than when I was an Executive Platinum flyer on American Airlines in the five years that I had top-tier status with American.
I even got upgraded to business class on three of American’s long-haul flights where it runs the premium-heavy A321T aircraft with three-class service. I cleared the upgrade from Santa Ana, California’s John Wayne Airport (SNA) to John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) and enjoyed the cross-country jaunt in a lie-flat seat.
Upgraded on American Airlines from Santa Ana to New York. AMERICAN AIRLINES
Earlier this year, I also scored upgrades from JFK to San Francisco International Airport (SFO), and the return. This flight is also equipped with lie-flat seats.
Upgraded to American Airlines business class on an A321. CLINT HENDERSON/THE POINTS GUY
For my flight from JFK, I was upgraded literally within a few minutes of checking in. These upgrades have typically cleared around check-in time, but they can clear as early as 72 hours before the flight.
Upgraded to business class on New York-to-San Francisco route. AMERICAN AIRLINES
While I haven’t cleared every upgrade, I’ve still had really good luck. I feel like I’m treated at least as well as AA Executive Platinum members are.
In fact, according to American Airlines, top-tier Alaska elite members trump American Airlines’ Gold and Platinum members on the upgrade priority list but not Platinum Pro members: “Elite members with oneworld Emerald Priority Tier (MVP Gold 75k and MVP Gold 100k) will be prioritized after AAdvantage® Platinum Pro members on the upgrade waitlist.”
Related: How and why I went for top-tier status with Alaska Airlines
Extra-legroom seats
Alaska MVP Gold, Gold 75K and Gold 100K members get access to American Airlines’ extra-legroom seats, which American calls Main Cabin Extra. MVP Gold members can choose better seats within 24 hours of travel, but MVP Gold 75K and 100K members can choose extra-legroom seats at the time of booking. It’s a pretty compelling perk that has really come in handy for me, especially on those flights where I didn’t get upgraded.
A Main Cabin Extra seat on American Airlines, chosen courtesy of status on Alaska. CLINT HENDERSON/THE POINTS GUY
Priority boarding
Boarding an American Airlines Reno Air special-livery Boeing 737. CLINT HENDERSON/THE POINTS GUY
Alaska elite members also get priority boarding on AA flights. I get to board with Group 2 as an Alaska elite member … just behind first class.
That’s another compelling perk, especially on full flights where there is no guarantee there will be room for your carry-ons.
2 systemwide upgrades on American Airlines
Instructions for using systemwide upgrades on Alaska. ALASKA
Instructions for using systemwide upgrades on Alaska. ALASKA
When I qualified for Alaska MVP Gold 100K, I was also gifted two super-valuable systemwide upgrade certificates for American Airlines flights. I had the perfect flight to try to use them on: a long-haul flight from New York to Paris. I simply called a special American Airlines phone line where I was connected to an agent who told me he usually helps AA Concierge Key members. It took a bit of time since the agent hadn’t helped many Alaska elite members before, but he got me waitlisted for business class.
One of my upgrades has already cleared! I didn’t get a notification, but when I checked the reservation a few weeks after being added to the waitlist, I realized I no longer had a premium economy seat assignment, and I was able to pick a business-class seat. Score!
Seat map for an American Airlines flight from Paris to New York. AMERICAN AIRLINES
TPG conservatively values systemwide upgrades at $500 each, so I would say that’s a potential value of $1,000 if both upgrades clear.
Upgrade status on American Airlines flights. AMERICAN AIRLINES
Just note that, in order to confirm an upgrade, the flight must have open “C” space. Otherwise, you’re put on a waitlist.
Business class on a Boeing 777. CLINT HENDERSON/THE POINTS GUY
Oneworld Emerald status
As an elite member of the Oneworld alliance, I get to enjoy the benefits of Emerald status on a slew of airlines worldwide. This includes British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Finnair, Japan Airlines and Qantas, to name a few.
It includes priority boarding, the potential to choose better seats and priority check-in access.
It also means when I’m flying with a partner airline, I get access to both first- and business-class lounges. Here in the U.S., this includes flights on American when on a long-haul international flight.
Earlier in the year, I used American lounges even when flying in coach on domestic flights, but they’ve tightened the rules since then. Now you can only access Admirals Clubs if you are flying internationally or if you have a special Lounge+ membership.
Related: Everything you need to know about Alaska’s partnership with Oneworld
The only wrinkle
Alaska earning chart for flying American Airlines. ALASKA
The only wrinkle I’ve found when flying AA flights as an Alaska elite member is earning mileage credit.
Every time I fly American, I do earn miles toward Alaska status.
Unfortunately, I don’t earn a mile for every mile I fly on American Airlines (on Alaska you still get credit for every mile you fly). I’ve found some of my AA flights earn me as little as 25% of the base miles I’d earn on Alaska. Still, I’ve generally done OK when it comes to mileage credit.
Related: Your complete guide to Alaska Airlines partners
For example, due to my fare class, I only earned 1,293 base miles for a flight from San Francisco to New York in August. If I’d been on Alaska metal, I would have earned 2,586 base miles.
Other than that, I’ve been a very happy camper flying American with my Alaska status.
Bottom line
An American Airlines jet. CLINT HENDERSON/THE POINTS GUY
As an Alaska elite member flying American Airlines, I’ve enjoyed many great benefits, including domestic upgrades, priority boarding, free extra-legroom seats and even the chance to get a free upgrade to business class on an international flight.
While I’m unlikely to requalify for Alaska’s top-tier 100K status this year, I will squeeze every last drop out of this incredible partnership while I still can. For the rest of the year, I’ll use my Alaska Mileage Plan number on all my AA flights and credit all my American Airlines flights to Alaska.
I can recommend becoming an elite member with Alaska Airlines to get status on American Airlines flights. It’s certainly paid off for me. Just keep a close eye on those fare classes and ensure you are flying the minimum of six Alaska-marketed and -operated flights you’ll need to qualify for Mileage Plan status.
If you qualify for top-tier status this year, you are even eligible for new benefits for next year, including 50,000 bonus miles.