Summary

  • Use guest upgrade codes for first class for non-traveling companions.
  • Paid upgrades to first class start at $23 & depend on various factors.
  • Use miles to upgrade seats in specific fare categories or contact reservations.

Alaska Airlines is one of the largest airlines in the United States by passenger traffic. It operates an extensive network of domestic and international flights across 115 destinations. This major carrier provides upgrades for all levels of its elite members.

For those who frequently fly Alaska, knowing about its upgrades can come in quite handy. Even if you don’t have elite status on this airline, there are ways to upgrade your trips.

Related

Alaska Airlines ‘upgrade unlocked’ Promotion Grants Random Passengers Free Premium Upgrades

The promotion will run from June 1 to September 2.

5

Get a friend to give you a complementary upgrade

Upgrade codes allow Elite members to upgrade other guests for free.

Alaska Airlines allows passengers to use guest upgrade codes to upgrade someone else’s reservation. These codes can be used to move a guest from Main Cabin to Premium Class or from Premium Class to First Class. These codes allow them to:

  • Upgrade friends or family members who are not traveling with them.
  • Use the codes for their own immediate upgrade when purchasing a fare that qualifies for a guest upgrade.
Sunset on Alaska Airlines Boeing 737-9 MAX N966AK Flashing Beacon at SEA - 4x6

Photo: Joe Kunzler | Simple Flying

Once a member qualifies for MVP® Gold status, they will get their upgrade codes. Guest upgrades may also be provided to corporate clients or other customers as a goodwill gesture in the event of a downgrade or service failure. Members can make use of a guest upgrade code if the ticket has already been purchased and the flight is eligible.

Here are the qualifying fares for an immediate guest upgrade.

  • Flight numbers that have valid guest upgrades on Alaska Airlines: 001-2999, 3300-3499.
  • Tickets purchased in Y, B, H, K, M, L, V, S, or N fare classes are eligible for guest upgrades (not eligible in Q, O, G, or X classes).

4

Pay for the upgrade yourself

You can upgrade a flight for as little as $23 or as much as $200.

Alaska Airlines offers passengers the opportunity to upgrade to First Class for a fee. These paid upgrades become available during online check-in within 24 hours of your flight. Here are a few things you have to keep in mind though:

  • The cost of paid upgrades starts at $23.00 (for very short flights).
  • Availability depends on factors such as the route, date, time of booking, and flight.
  • Not all first class seats are initially released for upgrade, so even if seats appear available on the seat map, upgrade inventory may not be open.
  • Within 60 minutes of departure, any remaining first class seats (even those not initially designated for upgrade) will open up for upgrade.
alaska airlines first class

Photo: Alaska Airlines

Premium Class paid upgrades are available at any time from booking through online check-in. They may also be available on the calendar day of departure at a kiosk, at the departure gate, or at the ticket counter (at the airport).

3

Use your stash of miles to upgrade

You need to be booked into Y, B, H, K or M fares to upgrade with miles.

One can also use miles to upgrade an economy fare. To upgrade with miles, the ticket must be booked in a specific fare category. Here are a few details about upgrading Alaska Airlines’ flights by using miles:

  • 15,000 Mileage Plan miles are needed for a one-way first class upgrade.
  • Flights with the available upgrade seats are designated with “U” next to the fare.
  • Premium Class paid upgrades are available at any time from booking through online check-in.
  • If you’re selecting or changing seats during booking, you can choose a Premium Class seat.
  • MVP Gold 75K and MVP Gold 100K members have additional options for choosing Premium Class seats on booking, except for Saver fares (X class of service).
First class on alaska airlines boeing 737 max

Photo: Alaska Airlines

Those looking to upgrade to first class through miles will need to contact Alaska Airlines for reservations. They can purchase first class upgrades with miles when purchasing their ticket. MVP members can upgrade only themselves, whereas MVP Gold members and above can upgrade themselves and one companion traveling with them.

Related

How To Spend Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan Miles

Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan uses dynamic award pricing but still offers some good value partner awards.

2

American Airlines frequent fliers might be eligible for upgrades too

Only select members are eligible for reciprocal upgrades.

The partnership of Alaska Airlines with American Airlines (AA) makes elite members of AA eligible for upgrades on Alaska flights. All American AAdvantage elite members are eligible for upgrades to first class on domestic flights.

Such upgrades are unlimited, complimentary, and auto-requested. Additionally, American Advantage elite members can upgrade to business class on select short-haul international flights.

American Airlines planes at San Antonio International Airport.

Photo: San Antonio International Airport

Elite members can upgrade themselves and a companion traveling with them. Upgrades are valid from economy or premium economy to the next class of service (usually marketed as first or business class).

There are complimentary upgrades for Mileage Plan Elite members traveling on American Airlines flights. Alaska dictates some of the terms and conditions of the upgrade:

  • Upgrades are within the U.S. (including Hawaii) and between the U.S. and Canada, Mexico, the Bahamas, the Caribbean, Bermuda and Central America (based on availability).
  • Upgrades are valid from the Main Cabin or Premium Economy to the next class of service.
  • Upgrades will be confirmed as early as 72 hours before seats are available, depending on your status.

Related

The Different Ways To Earn Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan Miles

Alaska Airlines is unusual in that it still uses a distance-based method of earning miles on flights. Plus there are other ways to earn.

1

Get an upgrade for taking care of the planet

Alaska was the first airline to offer an upgrade for environmentally conscious travelers.

Alaska Airlines hopes to offset its carbon emissions by 2040. In its effort to do so, it became the first airline in the US to establish a connection between passengers using Sustainable Air Fuel and earning elite status.

The airline offers mileage credits in elite-qualifying miles (EQMs), and you can purchase tickets using frequent flier miles and miles in combination with cash.

NESTE SAF TANKER

Photo: Airbus

The following table shows some basic calculations of Alaska Airlines for the reduction of its carbon emissions and investment in Sustainable Aviation fuel along two routes:

Origin Destination 5% 10% 20%
SEA SFO $4,87 $9.74 $19.49
SEA JFK $12.55 $25.10 $50.20

Simple Flying has covered the status upgrades on Alaska Airlines for offsetting emissions, as the author wrote:

“For every $100 spent on SAF up to $1,000, 500 EQMs will be rewarded with a maximum of 5,000. The cost of a 100% offset for SEA-SFO can become $97.45 and SEA-JFK being an additional $251. If this cost was applied involuntarily, there would be reduced access to aviation.”

Which of the methods discussed above have you chosen to upgrade with Alaska Airlines, and how was your experience? Let us know in the comments below.

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