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Earn Alaska Elite Status with Just One Trip

Alaska Airlines is buttering up infrequent flyers with status matches, challenges, and buy-up offers, and it's working.


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Fly to Australia or New Zealand and get MVP Status

Alaska Airlines is buttering up infrequent flyers with status matches, challenges, and buy-up offers, and it’s working on me. The airline occasionally offers ways to fast-track to status, and right now, there’s a deal with Hawaiian Airlines where you can earn MVP status through 2026 by taking just one round-trip flight from the US to select cities in Australia or New Zealand.

Based at Nadi International Airport, Fiji Airways operates flights to 26 destinations across 15 countries and territories, including key oneworld hubs such as Sydney, Los Angeles, Tokyo, and Hong Kong.

How the Alaska MVP Elite Status promotion works:

o earn MVP status through 2026, buy a single round-trip flight between the US (excluding Hawaii) and Sydney or Auckland by December 31. Note that award tickets and Alaska’s Saver fares (basic economy) don’t qualify, and you have to book all flight segments at once on Alaska or Hawaiian Airlines’ website using your Alaska Mileage Plan number. The flights must be operated by Alaska, Hawaiian, Horizon Air, or SkyWest Airlines, and your trip must start and end in the same US city.

This promotion offers a shortcut to Alaska MVP status with just one round-trip flight to Sydney or Auckland, bypassing the usual 20,000 elite qualifying miles. While you might miss cheaper flights with ineligible partners, MVP status gets you 25% bonus miles, seat upgrades, free checked bags, priority check-in, and Alaska lounge discounts. It also gives you automatic Oneworld Ruby and HawaiianMiles Pualani Gold status.

If you fly Alaska or Hawaiian often and were already thinking of visiting the South Pacific, this deal is worth it in my opinion! Just note, it’s not available to elite members.

Alaska Airlines Visa Signature® Credit Card​

70,000 Bonus Miles

Offer Details:

Earn 70,000 bonus miles plus Alaska’s Companion Fare from $122 ($99 fare plus taxes and fees from $23) with this offer. Must spend $3,000 in purchases within the first 90 days of opening your account.

Why we like it

The Alaska Airlines Visa Signature® credit card is powerful in the hands of someone who can use it well. The Seattle-based airline’s routes are overwhelmingly located on the West Coast, but thanks to its valuable miles, the card doesn’t pigeonhole anyone because of Alaska’s airline partners like American Airlines, Japan Airlines, Cathay Pacific, British Airways, and more. Its sign-up bonus is worth around $1200, and the card gives the holder access to its coveted Companion Pass.

  • 3 miles for every $1 spent on eligible Alaska Airlines purchases.

  • 2 miles for every $1 spent on eligible gas, EV charging station, cable, streaming services and local transit (including ride share) purchases.

  • 1 mile per $1 spent on all other purchases.

Pros

  • The 70,000-mile intro bonus is worth around $900 and earned by spending $3000 in three months. 

  • Alaska Airlines miles are extremely valuable and can be used on a number of different airlines around the world. 

  • Cardholders are entitled to the Alaska Airlines Companion Pass, which allows you to bring a companion on an Alaska flight for 122 ($99, plus taxes and fees from $23)— this can save hundreds and even thousands of dollars if maximized.

  • A free checked bag for the cardholder and up to six travelers on the same booking, comfortably validating the $75 annual fee. 

  • 20% back on any Alaska Airlines in-flight purchases

Cons

  • A $95 annual fee 

  • Those on the East Coast may not be able to take advantage of some of the best perks the card offers 

  • Earning categories are extremely limited, making it harder to accrue points after the bonus

Terms Apply

British Airways Visa Signature Card

85,000 Avios Points

Offer Details:

Earn 85,000 Avios after you spend $5,000 on purchases within the first three months of account opening.

Why we like it

The British Airways Visa Siagnature is best suited for those with an eye on earning Avios. The good news is that almost everyone can find a use for them. 85,000 of them can go a long way when used with British Airways or any of its other airlines like Qatar or Finnair. The up to $600 credit is an excellent way to help beat the  hefty taxes and fees on flights to and from the UK.

  • 3 Avios per $1 spent on purchases with Iberia, British Airways, Aer Lingus, and LEVEL.

  • 2 Avios per $1 spent on hotel accommodations when purchased directly with the hotel.

  PROS

  • Big 85,000 Avios bonus

  • $600 taxes and fee credit can add value

  • Avios can be used on multiple airlines

  • No foreign transaction fees

CONS

  • Elevated earning rates limited to travel costs

  • Avios redemptions can have high taxes and fees

  • $95 annual fee 

Terms Apply

Editorial Disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone. This post contains references to products from one or more of our partners and we may receive compensation when you click on links to those products.

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