I've been absolutely crushing it with Alaska's revamped loyalty program this year. The airline has rolled out some impressive new features lately, transforming what was already a solid program into something truly exceptional.

In a world where most airline loyalty programs keep devaluing their offerings, Alaska Airlines is swimming against the current. They're actually enhancing their Mileage Plan program for 2025, giving travelers more ways to earn status and enjoy premium perks without spending a fortune.

Today, I'll walk you through why Alaska's Mileage Plan deserves your attention and why I firmly believe it's the best airline loyalty program in the country right now—whether you're a frequent flyer or just someone who travels a couple times a year.

What Makes Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan Special in 2025

What sets Alaska's program apart from the competition? While other major U.S. carriers have shifted to revenue-based earning models (where you earn miles based on how much you spend rather than how far you fly), Alaska's still holding strong with its distance-based earning structure.

This means when you fly 1,000 miles, you earn 1,000 miles—regardless of how little you paid for your ticket. It's refreshingly straightforward and typically much more generous, especially for budget-conscious travelers who snag great deals.

But that's just the beginning. Alaska's impressive partner network—including all 13 oneworld Alliance members plus 17 non-alliance partners—opens up over 1,200 destinations worldwide. With the addition of Hawaiian Airlines to the Alaska Air Group, your travel possibilities have expanded even further.

Perhaps the most underrated feature is Alaska's free stopover policy on award flights—even on one-way tickets! Most airlines either don't allow stopovers on one-ways or charge extra miles for them. With Alaska, you can essentially get two destinations for the price of one.

And now, the cherry on top: Alaska's new milestone rewards program has officially launched for 2025, letting you collect valuable perks even before reaching elite status. But more on that juicy benefit shortly!

Alaska's New Milestone Rewards Explained

How Milestone Rewards Work

The concept behind milestone rewards is brilliantly simple: you earn special perks as you accumulate Elite Qualifying Miles (EQMs), regardless of whether you've hit elite status thresholds yet. Think of them as little celebration gifts along your journey.

Starting January 1, 2025, you'll receive your choice of rewards when you hit certain EQM milestones throughout the calendar year. The beauty of this system is that it rewards your loyalty more frequently, rather than making you wait until you've flown enough to earn status.

Milestone Reward Tiers (10k, 30k, 55k, 85k, 150k, 200k, 250k)

Alaska's milestone rewards kick in at impressively attainable levels:

• 10,000 EQMs: Your first milestone comes surprisingly quickly—just a few transcontinental flights will get you there! Options typically include bonus miles, Wi-Fi passes, or lounge access.
• 30,000 EQMs: This mid-tier milestone gives you more valuable choices to select from.
• 55,000 EQMs: This is where things get interesting. At this level, you can choose two rewards instead of one! You've surpassed MVP Gold status (40,000 EQMs) at this point.
• 85,000 EQMs: Another double-reward tier that hits after you've reached MVP Gold 75K status, with increasingly premium options.
• 150,000 EQMs, 200,000 EQMs, and 250,000 EQMs: These super-elite milestones offer the most valuable rewards for Alaska's most loyal travelers.

Best Milestone Reward Choices for Maximum Value

If you're anything like me, you'll gravitate toward the miles option whenever it's available. By selecting Alaska miles at every opportunity, you can rack up an astounding 183,250 miles annually just from milestone rewards!

Given that Alaska miles are among the most valuable airline currencies (typically worth around 1.3-1.5 cents each), that's potentially over $2,700 in travel value just from milestone bonuses.

For comparison, that's enough miles for multiple domestic round-trips in economy, or a spectacular business class one-way to Asia on partners like Japan Airlines or Cathay Pacific.

However, if you frequently fly Alaska but don't have lounge access through a credit card, those Alaska Lounge passes can offer great value too. And those upgrade certificates? Pure gold for making your next cross-country flight significantly more comfortable.

Comparison with Other Airline Reward Programs

No other major U.S. airline offers rewards at such frequent intervals. American Airlines has Loyalty Points rewards, but they're tied directly to status levels. United and Delta offer some choice benefits, but only after reaching elite thresholds.

Alaska stands alone in rewarding you multiple times throughout the year, regardless of whether you qualify for status or not. It's a refreshing approach that acknowledges every bit of your loyalty, not just when you cross major thresholds.

Elite Status Benefits That Make Alaska Stand Out

Alaska MVP Status Levels

Alaska's elite program features four tiers, each with increasing perks:

• MVP (20,000 EQMs): The entry-level status includes 50% bonus miles on flights, priority check-in and boarding, and complimentary upgrades when available.
• MVP Gold (40,000 EQMs): This mid-tier status ups the ante with 100% bonus miles, express security line access, free same-day flight changes, and significantly improved upgrade chances.
• MVP Gold 75K (75,000 EQMs): The premium tier boosts your bonus to 125%, provides you with four Alaska Lounge day passes, and grants you 50,000 bonus miles when you qualify.
• MVP Gold 100K (100,000 EQMs): The ultra-elite tier introduced a few years back offers a 150% mileage bonus and—get this—an additional 50,000 bonus miles when you qualify. Talk about generous!

Starting April 14, 2025, Alaska is making another significant improvement: they'll prioritize upgrades based on your tier and EQMs earned rather than by fare class. This means loyal flyers will have better chances of upgrades regardless of the fare they purchased.

Oneworld Alliance Status Benefits

Since joining oneworld in 2021, Alaska elites enjoy fantastic benefits when flying partner airlines:

• MVP = oneworld Ruby
• MVP Gold = oneworld Sapphire
• MVP Gold 75K and 100K = oneworld Emerald

That oneworld Emerald status is where the magic happens. I've been Alaska Gold 75K since January, and the international lounge access alone has been worth its weight in gold. Imagine flying economy but relaxing in Qatar's business class lounge in Doha or Cathay Pacific's spectacular "The Pier" first-class lounge in Hong Kong before your flight. It's game-changing.

Partner Airline Benefits (American, Hawaiian, etc.)

The partnership with American Airlines delivers exceptional value for Alaska elites. You'll get complimentary access to American's Admirals Clubs when flying AA, plus eligibility for first-class upgrades on American-operated flights.

My personal experience? I've flown American four times since earning Alaska status and scored first-class upgrades every single time. That's a remarkable upgrade success rate compared to what most AA elites report.

Alaska's acquisition of Hawaiian Airlines has also created some sweet reciprocal benefits. By linking your Alaska and Hawaiian accounts, you'll receive first-class upgrade certificates for Hawaiian flights. I've already secured certificates that will let me experience Hawaiian's plush business-class suites later this year.

First-Class Upgrade Policies

Alaska's upgrade system is refreshingly transparent and generous. Even base-level MVPs can score complimentary upgrades starting 48 hours before departure. Gold members get a 72-hour window, while 75K and 100K members can be upgraded 120 hours before departure.

Starting April 14, 2025, there's another fantastic upgrade enhancement: MVP members will be able to get complimentary companion upgrades when traveling on the same reservation. Previously, this perk was limited to solo travel, making this a huge improvement for those who frequently travel with partners, family, or colleagues.

How to Earn Elite Qualifying Miles (EQMs) with Alaska

Flying on Alaska Airlines

The traditional path to earning EQMs is by flying on Alaska-operated flights. You'll earn 1 EQM per actual mile flown, with a minimum of 500 EQMs for shorter flights.

What sets Alaska apart is that you earn these EQMs regardless of the fare class you book. Even the cheapest economy tickets earn 100% of the miles flown as EQMs. Compare that to United, American, and Delta, which typically award fewer EQMs for discount fares.

Partner Airline Flights

Here's where Alaska truly distinguishes itself from competitors. When you fly on partner airlines and credit the flight to Alaska, you'll typically earn 100% of the flown miles as EQMs when booking directly through Alaska's website or app.

This means flights on American, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Japan Airlines, or any other partner count toward your Alaska status. The world is literally your oyster for status earning.

Award Travel EQM Earning (New for 2025)

This is perhaps the most groundbreaking change for 2025: you'll now earn 1 EQM per mile flown when you redeem Alaska miles for award travel—including on partner airlines!

Let that sink in. When you use your miles for a "free" flight, you'll still earn EQMs toward status. This is virtually unheard of in the airline loyalty world. Delta offers something similar, but only on ridiculously priced partner awards that most travelers avoid.

Here's a real-world example: Next month, I'll fly on Qatar Airways from Luanda, Angola to Islamabad, Pakistan, which I booked using 30,000 Alaska miles. In addition to enjoying this fantastic redemption value, I'll earn 4,890 EQMs, pushing me over the threshold for Alaska Gold 100K status—which comes with yet another 50,000 bonus miles!

Credit Card Spending

Starting January 1, 2025, holders of the Alaska Airlines Visa Signature® credit card and the Alaska Airlines Visa Business card will earn 1 EQM for every $3 spent, up to 30,000 EQMs annually.

This means you could earn MVP status (requiring 20,000 EQMs) solely through $60,000 of credit card spending—without setting foot on a plane! Or more realistically, you could combine moderate flying with card spending to reach higher elite tiers more easily.

Other Ways to Earn EQMs (Shopping, Dining, etc.)

Alaska is expanding EQM earning to everyday activities in 2025. You'll earn 1,000 EQMs for every 3,000 miles earned through Alaska's "Everyday Partners," including:

• Mileage Plan Shopping portal: Earn miles (and now EQMs) for online purchases you'd make anyway
• Alaska Airlines Dining program: Link your credit card and earn when dining at participating restaurants
• Other partners: Including Bilt, Lyft, and more

This creates numerous opportunities to rack up EQMs without flying, making status much more accessible to average travelers.

Alaska Mileage Plan Award Sweet Spots

Domestic Flight Redemptions

One of my favorite uses for Alaska miles is booking American Airlines flights within the U.S. for as few as 4,500 miles one-way. I've done this twice this year for flights between New York (LGA) and Toronto (YYZ), and the value was exceptional.

These short-haul redemptions often deliver 2-3 cents per mile in value, especially when cash fares are high for last-minute bookings.

Alaska's own flights can also be excellent value. Economy awards start at just 5,000 miles one-way for short flights, while cross-country trips typically run 12,500-15,000 miles in economy or 25,000-30,000 in first class.

International Partner Award Gems

The real magic of Alaska miles happens when you tap into their international partner award chart. Some extraordinary sweet spots include:

• Cathay Pacific business class to Asia for 50,000-70,000 miles one-way
• Japan Airlines first class to Tokyo for 70,000 miles one-way from the West Coast
• Fiji Airways business class within Oceania for just 15,000 miles one-way
• LATAM flights within South America at very reasonable rates

For the ultra-luxury seekers, you can even book Emirates first class with Alaska miles, though these awards aren't as great a value as they once were.

Using the Free Stopover Benefit

Alaska's generous stopover policy on award tickets lets you add a free extended stay in a connecting city—even on one-way tickets. Most airlines only allow stopovers on round-trip international itineraries, if at all.

For example, you could fly from Los Angeles to Tokyo, stop for a few days (or weeks!), then continue to Bangkok—all for the same miles as a simple Los Angeles to Bangkok itinerary.

This effectively gives you two vacations for the price of one and is a fantastic way to maximize the value of your miles.

Business and First Class Value

While economy awards offer good value, the true sweet spots in Alaska's program lie in premium cabin redemptions. Business and first-class partner awards often deliver 3-5 cents per mile in value, sometimes even more.

For instance, a one-way business class flight from the U.S. to Asia can easily cost $4,000-$6,000 in cash. Book it with 50,000-70,000 Alaska miles, and you're getting 6-10 cents per mile in value!

Even better, premium cabin awards often include lounge access, priority services, and much better onboard experiences, making long-haul travel significantly more enjoyable.

How to Maximize Alaska Miles Value

Best Ways to Earn Alaska Miles

Given the tremendous value of Alaska miles, how can you earn them beyond flying? Here are some top strategies:

• Alaska Airlines credit cards: The personal and business cards offer generous welcome bonuses and ongoing earning potential.
• Transfer from Marriott Bonvoy: Convert Marriott points to Alaska miles at a 3:1 ratio, with a 5,000-mile bonus when transferring 60,000 points (yielding 25,000 Alaska miles).
• Bilt Rewards transfers: Since early 2024, you can transfer Bilt points to Alaska at a 1:1 ratio, opening up another flexible currency option.
• Mileage Plan Shopping and Dining: Earn bonus miles for online purchases and restaurant visits you'd make anyway.
• Buy miles during promotions: While I generally advise against buying miles speculatively, Alaska frequently runs promotions offering up to 50% bonus miles, which can be worthwhile for specific high-value redemptions.

Strategic Redemption Tips

To maximize value, follow these principles:

1. Focus on partner premium cabins for long-haul international flights where cash prices are typically highest.
2. Leverage stopovers to visit multiple destinations for the same mileage cost.
3. Book short-haul American flights for domestic travel, which can start at just 4,500 miles.
4. Look for sweet spots in off-peak seasons when award availability is better.
5. Book well in advance (or very last-minute) for the best availability on premium cabins.

Credit Card Strategy

The Alaska Airlines Visa Signature® card deserves a spot in most travelers' wallets. Beyond the welcome bonus, it offers:

• Annual Companion Fare from $99 (plus taxes and fees from $23)
• Free checked bag for you and up to 6 companions on the same reservation
• 20% back on Alaska Airlines inflight purchases
• 3x miles on Alaska Airlines purchases
• No foreign transaction fees

And starting in 2025, you'll earn 1 EQM for every $3 spent, up to 30,000 EQMs annually—a game-changer for status seekers.

For business owners, the Alaska Airlines Visa Business card offers similar benefits with the potential for higher spending and thus more EQMs.

Why Alaska Mileage Plan Reigns Supreme in 2025

After diving deep into Alaska's Mileage Plan, I hope you can see why I'm so enthusiastic about this program for 2025 and beyond. While other airlines keep shifting goal posts and devaluing their currencies, Alaska continues to enhance their program in meaningful ways.

The combination of distance-based earning, valuable partner awards, free stopovers, and now the addition of milestone rewards and EQMs for award travel makes Mileage Plan stand head and shoulders above competitor programs.

Whether you're a road warrior aiming for top-tier status or an occasional traveler looking to maximize value from your miles, Alaska Airlines offers something truly special. Their continued commitment to customer-friendly policies in an industry that's increasingly nickel-and-diming travelers is refreshing and worth rewarding with your loyalty.

Have you tried Alaska's Mileage Plan program yet? Or do you have any questions about how to maximize your Alaska miles? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below!

Safe travels and happy point-hacking!