Alaska Airlines Upgrade System Explained

I. Introduction to Alaska Airlines Upgrades

For frequent flyers, an upgrade to a premium cabin represents one of the most coveted perks of loyalty. It transforms the travel experience from mere transportation to a more comfortable and enjoyable journey. Alaska Airlines, a carrier renowned for its customer service and robust loyalty program, Mileage Plan™, offers a system of complimentary upgrades as a key benefit for its elite members.¹ Understanding the intricacies of this system is paramount for travelers looking to maximize their chances of securing a more spacious seat and enhanced amenities at the front of the aircraft.

This guide aims to demystify the often-complex process by which Alaska Airlines prioritizes these upgrades. The airline’s upgrade system is a critical component of its loyalty proposition, and recent as well as upcoming changes to the upgrade order reflect an evolving strategy. These shifts appear designed to balance rewards for high-value customers, recognize fare contributions, and foster overall engagement with the Mileage Plan program. Airlines utilize upgrade mechanisms not only to incentivize loyalty but also to encourage higher spending. The specific order in which upgrades are processed reveals which customer attributes and behaviors the airline values most. Forthcoming modifications, such as the 2025 adjustment that lessens the immediate impact of fare class as a primary tie-breaker, suggest a strategic pivot, possibly towards simplifying the process or rewarding a broader spectrum of loyalty indicators beyond the fare paid for a single flight.

II. Eligibility for Complimentary Upgrades

The cornerstone of eligibility for complimentary upgrades on Alaska Airlines is holding elite status within the Mileage Plan™ program. To be considered for these coveted upgrades, a passenger’s qualifying Mileage Plan number must be correctly included in their reservation, and the flight miles for the journey must be credited to their Mileage Plan account.¹

However, not all tickets are treated equally when it comes to upgrade eligibility. Fare class plays a significant role. Notably, Alaska Airlines’ “Saver Fares,” booked under the X class of service, are generally not eligible for immediate upgrades upon booking. Passengers holding Saver Fares face a significantly restricted upgrade window, typically only becoming eligible for consideration within the last two hours before departure.¹ These fares are structured to appeal to the most price-sensitive travelers, and by limiting their upgrade eligibility, Alaska Airlines protects the value proposition associated with higher, more flexible fares and the benefits earned through elite status. This differentiation is a common practice across the airline industry, enabling carriers to segment their customer base effectively. While Saver Fares attract one demographic, the allure of upgrade benefits is targeted towards elite members and those purchasing higher fare categories, thereby maintaining revenue integrity and the perceived exclusivity of elite status.

III. The Upgrade Hierarchy: Who Gets Cleared First?

The order in which eligible passengers are awarded upgrades is determined by a clearly defined hierarchy. This hierarchy has an existing structure and is scheduled to change in April 2025.

A. Current Upgrade Waitlist Order (Until April 13, 2025)

Under the system in place until April 13, 2025, the upgrade waitlist is prioritized as follows:

1. Elite Status Level: The primary factor is the passenger’s Mileage Plan elite tier. Alaska MVP Gold 100K members receive the highest priority, followed by MVP Gold 75K, MVP Gold, and then MVP members.¹
2. Fare Class: Within each elite status level, passengers who have purchased higher fare classes are prioritized. For example, an MVP Gold member on a Y fare would be ahead of another MVP Gold member on an M fare.¹
3. Million Miler Milestone: Members who have achieved Million Miler status with Alaska Airlines receive a tie-breaking preference.¹
4. Time of Booking: If all preceding factors are identical between two passengers, the individual who booked their ticket earlier receives priority.¹

This traditional model places a significant emphasis on the fare paid for the specific flight being upgraded, directly rewarding passengers who opt for higher, often more flexible and expensive, economy fares. It represents a direct acknowledgment of revenue contribution on a per-flight basis and offers a relatively transparent, albeit potentially complex, system due to the multitude of fare buckets.

B. NEW Upgrade Waitlist Order (Effective April 14, 2025)

Commencing April 14, 2025, Alaska Airlines will implement a revised upgrade waitlist order ¹:

1. Elite Status Level: This remains the paramount factor, with MVP Gold 100K members at the top, followed by MVP Gold 75K, MVP Gold, and MVP.
2. Million Miler Milestone: Long-term loyalty, as demonstrated by Million Miler status, is the next consideration.
3. Corporate Travelers: A notable change, Mileage Plan members whose tickets include their eligible employer’s Corporate Ticket Designator will receive the next level of priority.
4. Elite-Qualifying Miles (EQMs) earned in 2024 and 2025: Recent overall loyalty and flight activity, measured by EQMs accumulated in the preceding and current year, will then be considered.
5. Date and Time of Booking: The original booking timestamp serves as the final tie-breaker.

This impending shift in upgrade prioritization, particularly the de-emphasis of the specific fare class paid for that flight as a primary tie-breaker, signals a strategic evolution. Instead, factors like corporate travel affiliations and recent overall EQM earnings gain prominence. This change is designed to reward broader, more consistent loyalty and acknowledge high-value corporate partnerships, rather than solely focusing on the revenue from an individual ticket. For passengers, this means that those who previously relied on purchasing higher (though not the highest) economy fares for an edge in upgrade chances might find their relative priority adjusted. Conversely, highly active Mileage Plan members or those traveling on corporate-negotiated tickets stand to benefit. This modification could simplify the “game” of chasing upgrades by making it less about navigating specific fare buckets and more about sustained engagement with the airline and its programs, potentially enhancing the value proposition for corporate travel agreements.

IV. Upgrade Windows: When Do Upgrades Start Clearing?

The timing of upgrade confirmations varies based on the fare purchased and the passenger’s elite status level.

A. Fares Qualifying for Immediate Upgrade (U Class Availability)

Certain higher fare classes allow elite members to secure an upgrade to First Class instantly at the time of booking, provided that “U” class (First Class upgrade inventory) or “R” class (Premium Class inventory, though “R” is also a directly bookable fare class ³) is available. This bypasses the uncertainty of the waitlist. The specific fare classes that qualify for immediate First Class upgrades are ¹:

• MVP Gold 75K/100K members: Y, B, H, K, or M fares..²
• MVP Gold members: Y, B, H, or K fares..²
• MVP members: Y or B fares..²

Purchasing these higher, often more expensive, fare classes is a direct route to potentially securing an upgrade without waiting, representing an incentive for increased upfront revenue for the airline.¹ Airlines aim to sell their premium cabin seats directly; if that demand doesn’t fully materialize, offering immediate upgrades on higher economy fares is a way to capture substantial revenue while also rewarding elite loyalty.

B. Standard Upgrade Windows for Discounted Fares & Nonrefundable Awards

For passengers on eligible discounted fares or nonrefundable award tickets not qualifying for immediate upgrades, confirmations begin clearing within specific windows leading up to departure ¹:

• MVP Gold 100K/75K members: As early as 120 hours prior to departure.
• MVP Gold members: As early as 72 hours prior to departure.
• MVP members: As early as 48 hours prior to departure.
• Saver Fares (X class): Within 2 hours of departure.

These staggered windows clearly delineate the incremental value of higher elite status tiers, granting top-tier members the earliest opportunity to have their upgrades confirmed. This structure is a core element in differentiating the benefits of each elite level, as a longer window generally correlates with a higher probability of an upgrade clearing, thereby making higher status tiers more appealing.

V. The Role of “U” Class and Upgrade Inventory

Complimentary First Class upgrades on Alaska Airlines are booked into the “U” class of service.¹ It is crucial to understand that “U” class inventory may not be available on all flights, even if there are physically empty seats visible in the First Class cabin.¹ The availability of this upgrade inventory is dynamic and can vary based on numerous factors, including the route, date, time of booking, and overall demand for the flight.⁵

Airlines utilize specific fare classes like “U” as a sophisticated yield management tool. By controlling this inventory tightly, they aim to maximize revenue, carefully balancing the provision of complimentary upgrades to loyal customers against the potential for last-minute paid sales of First Class seats.

However, for those on the waitlist, opportunities can still arise closer to departure. Within approximately 60 minutes of the flight’s departure, Alaska Airlines may open up all remaining First Class seats for upgrades, even those not previously designated as “U” class inventory.⁵ This allows gate agents to clear remaining eligible passengers from the waitlist and fill the premium cabin.

VI. Special Cases and Considerations

Several specific scenarios affect the upgrade process:

• Companions: MVP Gold, Gold 75K, and Gold 100K members may upgrade one companion traveling with them on the same flight, in the same reservation, and in the same original class of service.¹ However, if a reservation includes a companion and only one upgrade seat becomes available, the system will bypass that reservation and move to the next single passenger on the waitlist.¹ If two elite members with different status levels are on the same reservation, both travelers will share the upgrade priority of the higher-status member.⁵ This companion upgrade is a valuable perk, but the “skip if only one seat” rule ensures fairness to solo travelers on the waitlist.
• American Airlines AAdvantage Member Upgrades on Alaska Flights: AAdvantage elite members are integrated into the Alaska Airlines upgrade queue, positioned after comparable Alaska elite tiers. Specifically, American AAdvantage® Concierge Key, Executive Platinum, and Platinum Pro members (all Oneworld® Emerald) are prioritized after Alaska MVP Gold 100K and MVP Gold 75K members. American AAdvantage® Platinum members (Oneworld Sapphire) are prioritized after Alaska MVP Gold members, and American AAdvantage® Gold members (Oneworld Ruby) are prioritized after Alaska MVP members.⁴ This structured integration is a facet of alliance partnerships like Oneworld, balancing partner reciprocity with the prioritization of an airline’s own elite members.
• Flight Changes/Same-Day Confirmed Changes: If a passenger makes a flight change or a same-day confirmed change more than 60 minutes before the new flight’s departure, their “time of booking” for upgrade priority purposes resets to the date and time the flight was changed, not the original booking date.⁵ This policy is in place to prevent manipulation of the upgrade system by booking early and then changing to a more desirable flight while retaining the original booking time priority.
• Premium Class Upgrades: Alaska Airlines also offers complimentary upgrades to Premium Class, which features extra legroom and other amenities. This is a separate but related process, also prioritized by elite status, fare class, and other factors.² Importantly, accepting a Premium Class upgrade does not negatively impact a passenger’s position on the First Class upgrade waitlist.² Automatic upgrades to Premium Class are typically processed only if the same seat type (aisle for aisle, window for window) is available, unless the passenger is in a middle seat or has no pre-assigned seat.² Passengers in exit row seats are not automatically moved to Premium Class.²

The structured handling of these special cases demonstrates Alaska’s comprehensive approach to managing upgrades, accommodating various passenger types and situations while maintaining a clear hierarchy that generally favors its own top-tier loyalists.

VII. How to Check Your Upgrade Status

Passengers can monitor their upgrade status through several channels. The Alaska Airlines mobile app and the official website, alaskaair.com (via the “Manage Trip” section or by checking flight status), provide updates.¹ Once check-in begins, the upgrade waitlist is also often visible on gate information displays at the airport.¹ Additionally, passengers will typically receive an email notification if their upgrade is confirmed.⁶

VIII. Tips for Maximizing Your Upgrade Chances

While no strategy guarantees an upgrade, understanding the system allows for informed choices that can improve a passenger’s odds:

• Achieve Higher Elite Status: This is the most significant factor. Higher tiers have earlier windows and higher waitlist priority.
• Book Eligible Fare Classes: Especially if aiming for immediate upgrades or, until April 13, 2025, higher waitlist priority within an elite tier.
• Travel Strategically: Opting for flights on less popular days (e.g., Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Saturdays) or at off-peak times (e.g., midday flights, red-eyes) can mean less competition for limited upgrade seats.
• Book Early: With the new 2025 rules retaining date and time of booking as a final tie-breaker, booking further in advance can provide an edge if all other factors are equal.
• Consider Splitting Reservations for Companions: If traveling with a companion and upgrade space is anticipated to be very tight, splitting the Passenger Name Record (PNR) might be considered. This would allow each passenger to clear based on their individual status, though it means the companion would not benefit from the primary traveler’s higher status for the upgrade.⁵
• Understand Corporate Travel Designators: For travel from April 14, 2025, onwards, having an eligible Corporate Ticket Designator on the booking will significantly enhance upgrade priority.
• Increase EQM Earnings: For the 2025 rules, a higher tally of recently earned EQMs will improve upgrade chances within an elite tier.
• Monitor “U” Class Availability: For those with upgrade certificates or seeking to understand likelihood, tools that track fare class availability can be insightful, though “U” class can open and close dynamically.

While some elements like flight load are beyond a traveler’s control, a strategic approach to booking, status attainment, and travel timing can make a difference. The 2025 rule changes particularly emphasize the value of overall program engagement (EQMs) and affiliations (corporate travel) in addition to elite status.

IX. Conclusion

The Alaska Airlines upgrade order is a multifaceted system designed to reward loyalty while managing valuable premium cabin inventory. The impending changes effective April 14, 2025, represent a significant evolution, shifting some emphasis from per-flight fare contributions towards broader indicators of loyalty such as Million Miler status, corporate affiliations, and recent flight activity.

For travelers, understanding these rules—both current and future—is key to navigating the upgrade landscape effectively. While elite status remains the primary determinant, awareness of fare class implications (especially for immediate upgrades), upgrade windows, the role of “U” class inventory, and the nuances of special considerations like companion travel can empower passengers to make choices that enhance their travel experience. As Alaska Airlines continues to refine its loyalty offerings, staying informed about these developments will be crucial for those seeking to enjoy the comforts of the First Class cabin.

Alaska Airlines Upgrade Priority: Current vs. April 14, 2025

Priority Factor	Order (Until April 13, 2025)	Order (From April 14, 2025)
1. Elite Status Level	MVP Gold 100K > 75K > Gold > MVP	MVP Gold 100K > 75K > Gold > MVP
2. Fare Class	Higher fare class within elite tier	Not a primary factor in this position
3. Million Miler Milestone	Tie-breaker after Elite Status & Fare Class	Second factor after Elite Status
4. Corporate Traveler Designator	Not explicitly prioritized at this level	Third factor after Million Miler
5. Recent EQM Earn (2024 & 2025)	Not explicitly prioritized at this level	Fourth factor after Corporate Traveler Designator
6. Date and Time of Booking	Final tie-breaker	Final tie-breaker

Source: Alaska Airlines ¹