Difference in Upgrades — MVP vs MVP Gold
Aug 5, 2022, 12:33 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2022
Location: Seattle, WA
Programs: Alaska Airlines
Posts: 128
Difference in Upgrades — MVP vs MVP Gold
Hi everyone,
long time lurker, first time poster. I have been going through threads reading and it *seems* to me like there is a material difference in upgrades (MVP vs Gold). But I thought I would ask the question.
I am currently an MVP and have a touch over 35,000 qualifying miles with no further travel planned this year. From what I’ve read; I could most likely make this up in a mileage run or 2.
My question is: Is there a large difference in the consistency of getting First Class upgrades as an MVP Gold vs an MVP?
P.S — I’m Seattle based.
thanks everyone!
long time lurker, first time poster. I have been going through threads reading and it *seems* to me like there is a material difference in upgrades (MVP vs Gold). But I thought I would ask the question.
I am currently an MVP and have a touch over 35,000 qualifying miles with no further travel planned this year. From what I’ve read; I could most likely make this up in a mileage run or 2.
My question is: Is there a large difference in the consistency of getting First Class upgrades as an MVP Gold vs an MVP?
P.S — I’m Seattle based.
thanks everyone!
Aug 5, 2022, 12:50 pm
#2
Join Date: Dec 2016
Location: LAX
Programs: MVP100K, A-list, Marriott/IHG Plat, CHP525 Ticket Plat, CHP Solo Carpool 100K, Costco EXP, Tinder 1K
Posts: 820
Seattle based? In terms of UG, not much difference cuz it's unlikely that gold will clear UG to/from SEA anyways /s.
But is MVP gold worth it? Absolutely yes. Your upgrade window is 72hrs before departure. You will get 4 upgrade certificates on AS upon reaching gold. The most valuable part is, once you reach gold, you can request same day change/standby for free, you can choose free Main Cabin Extra (MCE) seats on AA during purchase. As oneworld sapphire, you will be eligible for lounge access when flying intl or non-US domestic itineraries (exclusions apply).
But is MVP gold worth it? Absolutely yes. Your upgrade window is 72hrs before departure. You will get 4 upgrade certificates on AS upon reaching gold. The most valuable part is, once you reach gold, you can request same day change/standby for free, you can choose free Main Cabin Extra (MCE) seats on AA during purchase. As oneworld sapphire, you will be eligible for lounge access when flying intl or non-US domestic itineraries (exclusions apply).
Aug 5, 2022, 1:56 pm
#4
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Portland, OR
Programs: Alaska Gold 100k
Posts: 959
Seattle based? In terms of UG, not much difference cuz it's unlikely that gold will clear UG to/from SEA anyways /s.
But is MVP gold worth it? Absolutely yes. Your upgrade window is 72hrs before departure. You will get 4 upgrade certificates on AS upon reaching gold. The most valuable part is, once you reach gold, you can request same day change/standby for free, you can choose free Main Cabin Extra (MCE) seats on AA during purchase. As oneworld sapphire, you will be eligible for lounge access when flying intl or non-US domestic itineraries (exclusions apply).
But is MVP gold worth it? Absolutely yes. Your upgrade window is 72hrs before departure. You will get 4 upgrade certificates on AS upon reaching gold. The most valuable part is, once you reach gold, you can request same day change/standby for free, you can choose free Main Cabin Extra (MCE) seats on AA during purchase. As oneworld sapphire, you will be eligible for lounge access when flying intl or non-US domestic itineraries (exclusions apply).
Aug 5, 2022, 2:08 pm
#5
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2022
Location: Seattle, WA
Programs: Alaska Airlines
Posts: 128
Thanks Everyone!
985X — I assumed the upgrades wouldn’t be a world of difference. I don’t know how elite heavy the SEA—>ORD; SEA—>PHL; and SEA—>ATL routes are but I’m hoping as a Gold to have more than 1 leg clear to FC next year 😂 I didn’t realize I could select the AA MCE seats at booking, that will be nice!
RAD_PDX - Thanks for the tip! And yes I do plan on flying the same amount (if not a little more) next year.
985X — I assumed the upgrades wouldn’t be a world of difference. I don’t know how elite heavy the SEA—>ORD; SEA—>PHL; and SEA—>ATL routes are but I’m hoping as a Gold to have more than 1 leg clear to FC next year 😂 I didn’t realize I could select the AA MCE seats at booking, that will be nice!
RAD_PDX - Thanks for the tip! And yes I do plan on flying the same amount (if not a little more) next year.
Aug 5, 2022, 2:09 pm
#6
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2022
Location: Seattle, WA
Programs: Alaska Airlines
Posts: 128
Waitlisted — That will be nice! I’ve never understood why elites still get upgraded to PC seats at the gate if they can select them beforehand? Even as an MVP I have had great luck getting PC on most of my flights.
Aug 5, 2022, 2:29 pm
#7
Join Date: Oct 2019
Location: PDX, OGG or between the two
Programs: AS 75K
Posts: 2,865
For only 5K miles I think it's worth it to mileage run or take a trip. I got my first upgrades west coast to Hawaii as a Gold. You won't see many but likely a couple here and there. As an MVP you'll likely get none. Also, as mentioned, the 72-hour upgrade into premium seats is a really nice perk.
Aug 5, 2022, 3:26 pm
#9
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: SEA (the REAL Washington); occasionally in the other Washington (DCA area)
Programs: DL PM 1.57MM; AS MVPG 100K
Posts: 21,371
I've been flying SEA<>WAS as a 75K about every 3-4 weeks for the past year; have had a few UGs clear inside T-24, but have also been lucky with snagging some upfares in the ~$300 range
can't speak to ORD, but from what I've observed (on seat maps and at nearby gates) PHL would probably be similar in terms of clearing late if at all ... ATL odds could be slightly better due to greater frequency, and cost of upfare is also better than PHL
can't speak to ORD, but from what I've observed (on seat maps and at nearby gates) PHL would probably be similar in terms of clearing late if at all ... ATL odds could be slightly better due to greater frequency, and cost of upfare is also better than PHL
Aug 5, 2022, 5:10 pm
#11
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: SFO
Programs: AS 75k, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Gold, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 544
The Same Day Change (SDC) perk is my fave elite Alaska perk and one that comes in handy if you go up and down the west coast or anywhere where there are multiple daily flights. For me, that alone is worth the 5k mileage run to get to MVP Gold.
Aug 5, 2022, 6:10 pm
#12
Join Date: May 2012
Location: DCA, lived MCI, SEA/PDX,BUF (born/raised)
Programs: Marriott (Silver/Gold), IHG, Carlson, Best Western, Choice( Gold), AS (MVP), WN, UA
Posts: 8,735
I agree with others. Do a XC RT should get you to gold.
I’ve been MVP for years. I don’t travel enough to get gold. From my experience in get upgrades
if I’m on a non Seattle route I have better luck. I might get upgraded to premium on a Seattle route. I have better luck here on non Seattle. Some of these upgrades I got came last 2 hrs before departure.
you will get the benefits of gold flying in/ out of Seattle
I’ve been MVP for years. I don’t travel enough to get gold. From my experience in get upgrades
if I’m on a non Seattle route I have better luck. I might get upgraded to premium on a Seattle route. I have better luck here on non Seattle. Some of these upgrades I got came last 2 hrs before departure.
you will get the benefits of gold flying in/ out of Seattle
Aug 6, 2022, 1:27 am
#13
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: LAX/NYC
Programs: Bonvoy Ambassador, HH G, BR Diamond/*G, BAEC Gold, Hertz PC
Posts: 564
Other points not mentioned above
- OneWorld Sapphire status is useful when traveling internationally if you're not booking business class tickets
- No award change fees (I found this really useful but is it still the case? I can't find the text for this anymore.)
Aug 6, 2022, 2:46 am
#14
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: British Columbia
Programs: AS MVPG100K, Marriott Marriott Titanium Elite, Hilton Gold
Posts: 7,263
James
Aug 6, 2022, 5:09 am
#15
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: PDX
Programs: AS 75K, BW Plat, Marriott Gold, IHG Plat, Hilton Gold
Posts: 10,724
MVPG also allows for companion upgrades that you don't get with MVP....this works perfectly for my family of 4 when both parents have at least MVPG.