First Class Upgrades

Paid Upgrades

Upgrade to First Class on Alaska Airlines for as little as $50.00 (USD). Combine upgrades in $50 increments based on one-way trip miles.

One-Way Trip Miles Price
0 - 1,250 $50
1,251 - 2,500 $100
2,501 - 3,750 $150
over 3,751 $200

Paid Upgrades may be available within 24 hours of flight departure through Web Check-In, or on the day of departure at the following Alaska Airlines airport locations:

  • Check-In Kiosk (with Credit Card Only)
  • Departure Gate (with Credit Card Only)

Award tickets and Bonus Travel Tickets are not eligible for paid upgrades. Paid upgrades are subject to availability, do not include stopovers, and exclude industry discounts. The link to upgrade to First Class during Web Check-In will only appear if First Class seats are still available for purchase. Upgrades can only be used in conjunction with Value or Full Flex fares. Prices are based on one-way trip miles, as shown above. Value and Full Flex fare categories are booked in Y, S, B, M, or H classes of service.

Mileage Plan™ Redemptive Upgrades

  • Require 15,000 mile redemption for one-way travel systemwide on flights operated by Alaska Airlines.
  • Can be used in conjunction with Value or Full Flex fare categories only.
  • Redeem by calling Alaska Airlines Reservations at 1-800-ALASKAAIR (1-800-252-7522).
  • Effective June 25, 2008: Available within 24 hours of flight departure through Web Check-In, or on the day of departure at an airport Check-in Kiosk.

Mileage upgrades are booked in "U" Class and exclude free, tax/PFC only, award travel, industry, promotional discount or two-for-one fares. Mileage Upgrades can be used in conjunction with Money & Miles (AS50) Award Tickets. U Class may not be available on all flights. Value and Full flex fare categories are booked in Y, S, B, M, or H classes of service.

Complimentary Upgrades

MVP® and MVP® Gold members, can reserve or waitlist a seat in First Class on Alaska Airlines (subject to availability). Complimentary upgrades are booked in "U" Class and not available when traveling on award tickets, including the Money & Miles (AS50) Award. Upgrades are subject to availability as "U" Class may not be available on all flights.

  MVP MVP Gold
Unlimited First Class Upgrades* Anytime on Y or YAS fares (Full Flex Fares); 48 hours prior to departure on other fares Anytime on qualifying fares booked in Y, S, B, M, H, or Value and Full Flex fares; 72 hours prior to departure on other fares
Unlimited ability to upgrade one person into First Class when traveling with you - Yes
Paper Complimentary Upgrades awarded annually - Yes - 4 one-ways per year
Complimentary First Class Upgrade on Northwest Airlines* Anytime on Y or YAS fares; 24 hours prior to departure on other fares. Anytime on Y or YAS fares; 24 hours prior to departure on other fares.
* Subject to availability. Qualifying Mileage Plan number must be in the reservation. Certain restrictions apply.
PLEASE NOTE: The current elite upgrades on Northwest will be phased out on October 1, 2009. They will be replaced with a complimentary upgrade program across the new Delta domestic system in early 2010. Members who have already confirmed their full fare ticket upgrade on Northwest (Y fares) for travel after this date will not be affected.