For years, Alaska Airlines and American Airlines have maintained a rather strong partnership. This partnership has always offered both Alaska Airlines and American Airlines’ elite frequent flyers enhanced travel benefits. Now that Alaska Airlines is a member of the Oneworld alliance, Mileage Plan elite frequent flyers receive added benefits when traveling on American Airlines flights.

From complimentary access to Main Cabin Extra, complimentary upgrades, and priority boarding, here are the perks Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan MVP travelers receive on American Airlines.

What Benefits Do Alaska Airlines Elites Receive on American Airlines?

As previously mentioned, Alaska Airlines has maintained some form of partnership with American Airlines for a number of years. The partnership between the two airlines always led many frequent flyers and airline geeks to assume Alaska Airlines would join the Oneworld alliance. This assumption came true with Alaska Airlines joining the alliance in 2021. Now a part of the Oneworld alliance, ties between American and Alaska were strengthened.

With this strong intra-alliance partnership, elite frequent flyers from both airlines enjoy reciprocal benefits when traveling on the other airline. Alaska Airlines’ partnership with American Airlines is more intensive than other Oneworld alliance members. As a result, Alaska Airlines elite frequent flyers can enjoy benefits ranging from an increased checked baggage allowance to complimentary first class upgrades.

Of course, the benefits available to Alaska Airlines elite members vary depending on their status. Here’s what MVP members can expect when traveling on American Airlines and other Oneworld carriers based on their status.

Alaska Airlines MVP Oneworld Priority Benefits by Tier

MVP elite frequent flyers enjoy a base level of benefits thanks to Alaska Airlines’ membership in the Oneworld alliance. Alaska Airlines elite status tiers have a Oneworld Priority equivalent. Knowing your Oneworld Priority status equivalent makes determining these base level benefits quite simple.

Alaska Airlines MVP Status Oneworld Benefits

Mileage Plan MVP status is the entry-level elite status tier offered to Alaska Airlines frequent flyers. MVP members receive added benefits on Alaska Airlines as well as when traveling with other Oneworld alliance carriers. However, these benefits can be quite limited.

MVP status with Alaska Airlines equates to Oneworld Ruby status, Oneworld’s entry-level tier. Here are the benefits of Oneworld Ruby status:

• Access to business class priority check-in counters
• Access to preferred seating
• Waitlist priority when traveling stand-by

For MVP members traveling on American Airlines, business class check-in facilities are any priority check-in counters that are not branded as Flagship. So, MVP members can bypass the main cabin check-in counters and use priority check-in counters when traveling on American.

Additionally, MVP members receive access to what American Airlines calls “Preferred Seating” when traveling in the main cabin. These seats are usually located at the front of the aircraft but do not usually offer any added legroom.

Guide: Which Airlines Let You Buy Miles and Points?

Alaska Airlines MVP Gold Status Oneworld Benefits

The next Alaska Airlines elite status tier is MVP Gold status. Mileage Plan MVP Gold status members receive Oneworld Sapphire status which comes with additional benefits when traveling on other Oneworld carriers.

Here are the benefits of Oneworld Sapphire status:

• Access to business class lounges when traveling on Oneworld carriers
• Access to business class priority check-in counters
• Access to preferred seating
• Higher priority on waitlists when traveling stand-by
• Priority boarding
• One additional checked bag free of charge
• Priority baggage handling

Probably the most significant added benefit over Ruby status is access to business class lounges. However, this doesn’t apply to many American Airlines itineraries. Though American Airlines Admirals Clubs and Flagship Lounges are considered business class lounges, Alaska Airlines MVP Gold members will only receive access on certain itineraries.

The itineraries that are eligible for this benefit when traveling on American Airlines include international flights (excluding Canada, Mexico, and the Caribbean) and flights branded as Flagship.

So, let’s say, for example, you were traveling on American Airlines from Los Angeles (LAX) to St. Louis (STL) in economy. Both of these airports feature Admirals Clubs however, MVP Gold members would not have access to these lounges on this itinerary. But let’s say your final destination is London Heathrow (LHR) and, for whatever reason, you have to connect in both St. Louis and Chicago (ORD) before arriving in London. This itinerary now qualifies for lounge access.

The same restrictions on lounge access apply to MVP Gold 75K and MVP Gold 100K members as well.

Alaska Airlines MVP Gold 75K and Gold 100K Status Oneworld Benefits

Both Mileage Plan MVP Gold 75K and Gold 100K members receive Oneworld Emerald status. This is a rather significant bump up over Sapphire status.

Here are the benefits of Oneworld Sapphire status:

• Access to first and business class lounges when traveling on Oneworld carriers
• Access to first and business class priority check-in counters
• Fast Track or Priority security screening at select airports
• Access to preferred seating
• Highest priority on waitlists when traveling stand-by
• Priority boarding
• Additional checked baggage free of charge
• Priority baggage handling

As previously mentioned, the same restrictions apply to Admirals Club access when traveling on American Airlines when with Gold 75K and 100K status. However, if you are traveling on an eligible itinerary, you would also have the ability to access American Airlines’ network of Flagship First Dining facilities.

Related: American Airlines Flagship Lounge Los Angeles (LAX) Review

Added Benefits for Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan Elites on American Airlines

In addition to the standard Oneworld Priority benefits. Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan elite frequent flyers can enjoy additional benefits when traveling on American Airlines. These benefits include access to Main Cabin Extra seating and complimentary first class upgrades on eligible routes.

Here are the additional benefits Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan elites can expect when traveling on flights operated by American Airlines:

Access to Main Cabin Extra Seating with Mileage Plan Status

Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan members with elite status receive access to Main Cabin Extra just like American’s AAdvantage elite frequent flyers. Members can select these seats at various times prior to departure depending on their Mileage Plan status. Here’s when eligible elites will be able to select a Main Cabin Extra seat:

• MVP, MVP Gold 75K, and MVP Gold 100K: Can select a seat in Main Cabin Extra at the time of booking
• MVP: Can select a seat starting 24 hours prior to departure

Snagging an upgrade to first class has become extremely challenging. Additionally, the benefits of domestic first class on most routes aren’t all that glamorous. American Airlines Main Cabin Extra is often just as enjoyable as a seat in first class on shorter routes. Main Cabin Extra offers added legroom, preferred access to overhead bin space, and complimentary beer, wine, and spirits. Having complimentary access to these seats can save Alaska Airlines elite frequent flyers over $150 per flight.

Complimentary Upgrades to First Class with Mileage Plan Status

Who doesn’t love a free upgrade? Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan members with elite status have access to complimentary space-available upgrades on select flights operated by American Airlines. Upgrade list priority depends on your Mileage Plan status and only select itineraries are eligible. Mileage Plan members with elite status can receive complimentary first class upgrades on the following routes operated by American Airlines:

• Flights within the United States (including Hawaii)
• Flights between the United States and Canada, Mexico, the Bahamas, the Caribbean, Bermuda, and Central America

Mileage Plan members with elite status will be upgraded from Main Cabin or Premium Economy to the next cabin of service. So, if you’re flying in main cabin on one of American Airlines’ few routes operated by the Airbus A321T which features 3-cabins of service, you will be upgraded to business class. If you’re traveling aboard a Boeing 737 in main cabin, you will be upgraded to domestic first.

Here is how American Airlines handles upgrades for Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan elite frequent flyers:

• MVP: Upgrades can be confirmed as early as 24 hours before departure
• MVP Gold: Upgrades can be confirmed as early as 48 hours before departure
• MVP Gold 75K: Upgrades can be confirmed as early as 72 hours before departure
• MVP Gold 100K: Upgrades can be confirmed as early as 72 hours before departure

Of course, Alaska Airlines MVP elite frequent flyers are lower on the priority list compared to AAdvantage frequent flyers when traveling on American Airlines. Here’s how American Airlines prioritizes upgrades:

• Alaska MVP
• AAdvantage Gold
• Alaska MVP Gold
• AAdvantage Platinum
• Alaska MVP Gold 75K
• Alaska MVP Gold 100K
• AAdvantage Platinum Pro
• AAdvantage Executive Platinum
• ConciergeKey

It’s also worth noting that Alaska Airlines MVP Gold members and higher can also receive a companion upgrade. So, assuming space is available, these members can upgrade alongside a travel companion on the same itinerary.

Testing Out Alaska Airlines MVP Status Benefits on American Airlines

A few years ago, I flew from Jacksonville. FL (JAX) to San Juan, PR (SJU). All of the flights in my itinerary were operated by American Airlines. At the time, I had Alaska Airlines MVP status so, I decided to test the benefits of MVP status when traveling on American Airlines.

To test these benefits, all I had to do was add my Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan number to my booking made with American Airlines. Travelers can do this at the time of booking or anytime before check-in.

A quick note about this trip: This trip took place before Mileage Plan MVPs had the ability to receive complimentary upgrades on American Airlines. While the first flight did not have a first class cabin, the second flight would have been eligible for a space-available upgrade to first class.

Here’s what it was like to utilize Mileage Plan MVP status on flights operated by American Airlines:

Flight #1: Jacksonville to Miami

My flight to Miami boarded around 4:30 AM and departed just before 5:00 AM. American Eagle operated the flight with an Embraer ERJ-145 featuring a total of 50 seats. On American Eagles’ Embraer 145, nearly 75% percent of the 50 seats are branded either as preferred seats or sold as Main Cabin Extra. or Main Cabin Extra seating.

Without MVP status, I would have been able to choose from a select few seats located at the rear of the aircraft or I could pay $12 to $14 for a seat closer to the front of the aircraft.

While on the ground I benefited from access to American’s priority check-in counters as well as priority boarding.

I initially decided to reserve seat 2A hoping that 1A would eventually free up. If 1A didn’t open up I would wait till check-in time to reserve an exit row free of charge. Luckily, 1A opened up the night before.

MVP Gold and higher receive Main Cabin Extra free of charge and don’t have to wait till check-in time to receive a Main Cabin Extra seat. All Mileage Plan elite status tiers open up Americans’ “reserved for elite and full fare customers” though these seats can vary to a middle seat closer to the front or a window seat in the back.

Flight #2: Miami to San Juan

My elite benefits were quite useful on my second flight from Miami to San Juan. Miami to San Juan is only a two-hour flight, however, it was quite full.

On this flight, I paid just $14 to upgrade to Main Cabin Extra, specifically, seat 15A which is arguably the best seat on the entire plane. I had ample legroom and an open seat next to me,  I do regret paying the $14 surcharge as it turned out that both exit rows went out close to empty until just 10 minutes prior to boarding.

In short, I could have had 15A at no additional charge if I had been a little more patient. I did, however, avoid the $3 upcharge when I switched to 15C at check-in.

Priority boarding also came in handy. I arrived at the gate five minutes prior to the scheduled boarding time, however, boarding had begun and group 2 was well on their way. I used the priority boarding lane to bypass the long line that snaked around the gate area.

I also earned 50% bonus miles with Alaska Airlines as these flights were credited to my Mileage Plan account. Mileage Plan MVP Gold, Gold 75K, and Gold 100K earn an even higher bonus when traveling on Alaska Airlines and eligible partners like American Airlines.

Related: Alaska Airlines Embraer E175 First Class Review

The Bottom Line

Thanks to American Airlines’ extensive partnership with Alaska Airlines, Mileage Plan MVP elite frequent flyers enjoy a range of valuable benefits when flying with American Airlines. Though both carriers are Oneworld alliance members, the benefits available to Mileage Plan elites go beyond the standard Oneworld priority benefits.

Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan members with elite status receive benefits that range from priority boarding and preferred seating to complimentary first class upgrades when traveling on flights operated by American Airlines. These benefits offered to Mileage Plan members when traveling on American Airlines are one of the many reasons the loyalty program continues to be among the most rewarded in the industry.

Do you have Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan elite status? Have you ever flown American Airlines with Alaska Airlines elite status?

More From TravelUpdate:

• Guide: How To Earn Points on Airbnb Stays
• Review: Aspire Lounge at Belfast City Airport
• Guide: American Airlines Airbus A321T
• Car Rental: Here’s What You Need to Know About Renting an Electric Car