Complimentary upgrades

Being upgraded to a better seat is one popular perk of Mileage Plan™ elite status. We are committed to offering one of the most generous upgrade policies in the industry, and ensuring that we continue recognizing our top members with the benefits you value most.

Guest upgrades

Guest upgrades are electronic upgrade codes given to MVP® Gold members to use to upgrade friends or family members who are not traveling with them, or for their own use for immediate upgrade when purchasing a fare that qualifies for a guest upgrade. Once you have qualified for MVP® Gold status, your guest upgrade codes will be deposited into your Account profile.

Guest upgrades may also be provided to corporate clients, or other customers as a service gesture in the event of a downgrade or service failure.


Applying guest upgrades to a reservation

If the ticket has already been purchased
  1. View your reservation at alaskaair.com and select the link next to your confirmation code that says "MVP Gold guest upgrade."
  2. If your flight is eligible*, you will be able to enter a guest upgrade code.

* If you are an Elite level Mileage Plan™ member who is eligible for complimentary upgrades, you will need to call Reservations (1-800-252-7522) to remove yourself from the waitlist before requesting a guest upgrade.

When shopping for flights
  1. Find flights with First Class upgrades, choose MVP® Gold guest upgrade from the "Upgrade type" filter on the all search options link when shopping for flights.
  2. Choose a flight with a "First Class upgrade available" icon.

    3. Example of upgrade indicators:
    Symbol to indicate complimentary upgrades are available. First Class upgrade available
    First Class upgrade not available. First Class upgrade not available

  3. Elite level Mileage Plan members only: Select "I want to apply an MVP® Gold guest upgrade code to one or more of my flights" during booking.
  4. From your confirmed reservation page, select the MVP® Gold guest upgrades link to apply your guest upgrade codes.
    5. Qualifying fares for immediate upgrade

Guest upgrades rules

Not all flights have a First Class cabin. Flights must be marketed and ticketed by Alaska Airlines. Each guest upgrade code is valid for one-way travel for one person. Connecting flights must have no more than a 4-hour stopover between them. Passengers traveling on an upgraded ticket do not have complimentary access to the Alaska Airlines airport lounges.

In addition:
  • Guest upgrades are valid on Alaska Airlines flight numbers 001 - 2999, 3300-3499.
  • Guest upgrades are booked into "U" class of service and are subject to availability as "U" class may not be available on all flights.
  • "U" class must be available at the time of the request, as guest upgrades may not utilize the upgrade waitlist. When purchasing, choose a flight with a First Class upgrade indicator above the displayed price.
  • Tickets purchased in Y, B, H, K, M, L, V, S, or N are eligible for guest upgrades (not eligible in Q, O, G or X classes).
  • MVP® Gold guest upgrades are not available when traveling on an award ticket, including the Money & Miles award.
  • Each guest upgrade code is valid for one-way travel for one person. Connecting flights must have no more than a 4-hour stopover between them.
  • Guest upgrades may not be used as a placeholder for a complimentary upgrade by an elite level member. Once a guest upgrade has been processed, you may not remove it in order to be placed on the upgrade waitlist, or receive a complimentary upgrade based on Elite level.
  • Guest upgrades are transferable but may not be bartered, bought, or sold.
  • If a flight upgraded with a guest upgrade is changed or canceled, the upgrade is forfeited. A replacement guest upgrade code can be requested through customer care only by the MVP® Gold to whom it was originally issued.