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If you are an Alaska Airline Mileage Plan elite member like me, you probably have been wondering when you will be getting elite benefits when flying Virgin America. The two airlines have been busy adding more and more nonstop services, including the latest 13 new routes from San Francisco Bay Area. As the two airlines continue to integrate their operations, Alaska has stated that their goal is to provide Mileage Plan elite members with benefits comparable to what Elevate elite members receive when flying Virgin America.

Last week, Alaska announced the timeline for implementing more elite benefits when flying on Virgin America. When you travel on a Virgin America flight, regardless whether you book your flights directly with Virgin America or through Alaska website (e.g. ASXXXX operated by Virgin America), you can expect the following benefits as an Alaska Mileage Plan elite member, no later than late summer this year:

Alaska Virgin

  • Current benefits: Priority check-in and priority boarding
  • Coming late spring 2017 – two free checked bags
  • Coming late summer 2017 –
    • Access to preferred main cabin seating
    • Select fee waivers
    • Main Cabin Select upgrade eligibility
    • Advance purchase window for First Class upgrades

Unfortunately certain Mileage Plan benefits, such as complimentary First Class upgrades, and complimentary in-flight beverages for MVP Gold and 75K members, will only be available when flying on Alaska. This also means, the MVP Gold guest upgrade certificate can only be used on flights operated by Alaska Airlines.

If you have more questions related to Alaska elite benefit on Virgin America, you can head to this page and check out the frequently asked question section. Hopefully you will find your answer there.


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