How to Fast-track Alaska Airlines Elite Status in 2025!

[@RSquared-travel-rewards]

Correction: Please note that on award flights you will earn EQMs on the base miles flown but they will not qualify for travel class bonus EQMs. Only paid fares will earn base miles EQMs + class bonus EQMs. My decision to switch is 100% based on earning base EQMs on award flights because that's a next-level benefit of a loyalty program.

[@jimmyjames6492]

❤Alaska Mileage Plan❤ Can't wait to see your journey to the top and how it all plays out 😎😎😎 Thanks for the info + video!

[@RSquared-travel-rewards]

Neither can I 🤣

[@kevinManhattan]

I fly constantly with AA, British and JAL. And one scheduled with Korean Air also. This looks like right in my alley. Thanks Richard!

[@RSquared-travel-rewards]

Cool. Sounds like a match. I'm looking forward to Jan 1st to begin earning EQMs

[@reneecopeland1095]

Great video. Thank you for the valuable content.

[@RSquared-travel-rewards]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@fredsax7793]

If I'm not going to be traveling for two years, should I start using travel credit cards now to build up points?

[@RSquared-travel-rewards]

only if travel is what you desire. some folks use cash back cards. I'm 100% travel focused so prefer to only acquire travel cards. 2 years is not a long time especially if you don't have high spend so the sooner you start focusing on transferable currency the better. However, to be clear, you don't need the actual travel cards as yet, I recommend that you start out with cards that can be converted to travel currency. So begin with $0 annual fee worker cards like: - Citi custom cash & double cash - OR Capital one savor one & quick silver - OR Chase freedom unlimited & freedom flex - OR the BILT card. I gave you options depending on the card issuer you prefer. When you're ready to travel just pick up the travel card associate with the card issuer of your worker cards. Have fun!!

[@fredsax7793]

@@RSquared-travel-rewards As you suggested, I got the Chase freedom flex. I'm considering Amex Gold Card or Chase Ink Preferred; or both. Because of the sign-up miles bonus. I am a business owner. My main goal is to accumulate travel points with everyday purchases for the next two years. Points that don't expire. I live in Hawaii. Unless I'm flying inter-island, every flight is a long haul. I like your channel because you don't speak fast. Did you notice that trait among your colleagues? All these mathematicians are lacking in social polish; that's why you stand out from the crowd, Maestro.

[@Zenichiro]

Yes, you’ll struggle a mass points the same year you wanna travel

[@mssara714]

In order to use card benefits that come with the Qatar card, do you have to use the card to book all of your flights? Or do you just need to be able to show the card at airports?

[@RSquared-travel-rewards]

LOL, you're cutting it close. The deal ends tomorrow Dec 31st. The Qatar card benefits and the Qatar loyalty program (Privilege Club) are 2 separate things. However, being approved for the Qatar Visa infinite card grants you Qatar Privilege Club gold status for 1 year which is just a special promotion. It also has a signup bonus of 80K avios after spending $5k within the 1st 3mos. I love Qatar qsuites so I easily jumped on this offer. You may sign up for the free membership first which take just a few mins. Record your membership id etc. Then when you apply for the Qatar card, part of the application process will be to provide your Qatar membership id. If you don't have one they will generate the membership for you. It is the membership ID that you would attached to reservations that will grant you the necessary priority and biz class lounge access within airports when flying on a oneworld airline. Once you have the card, it has no special value at airports. The card is just a spend card which earns avios points, 6x avios on dining, 5x avios on bookings with qatar and 2x avios catch-all. The dining and catch-all multiplier are returned to normal 3x and 1x on Jan 1st, 2025. If this card works for you, please review carefully, I'd love it if you used my referral link.

[@djcruiser9816]

We’re going North to Alaska, The Rush is on!

[@RSquared-travel-rewards]

hahaha, the rush is on indeed 🤣

[@atp0657]

How will you get Qatar gold status when the flight will be booked on Alaska frequent flyer info to get Alaska EQM ?

[@RSquared-travel-rewards]

The Qatar Visa Infinite card that I acquired comes with immediate Gold status for the 1st year!

[@jsbatra]

what if Alaska devalues its points? also AK seems to allow booking 11 months ahead. all the available jal and Qatar seats are taken by then

[@RSquared-travel-rewards]

Like with all transfers, you need to plan on book a trip asap. My travel season starts this Friday which is a month earlier than usual. So yes, they can be devaluation, but I book quickly.

[@fromthedecksoftheworld]

If u want to enjoy the benefits of being a QA Gold Status, you have to edit/add ur QA Frequent flyer before/during checkin. If u want to earn EQMs, u have to keep ur AS Frequent flyer from booking/checkin/boarding. U can’t have both benefits at the same time. Or i might be wrong…

[@RSquared-travel-rewards]

I don't think you're wrong but I expect to do a status match with Alaska for a period of time. I also expect to do a Qatar award flight using just the Qatar status

[@RunBuddyRun]

Qatar's QSuites is off the charts. Never flown their biz class but double beds in biz class is pretty slick!

[@RSquared-travel-rewards]

Same! 2025 will be the same.

[@MR-ys3vc]

if i book an award ticket today (2024) for a flight in 2025, will I still earn the bonus miles? Or is it only for flights booked and traveled in 2025 and beyond?

[@RSquared-travel-rewards]

@@MR-ys3vc You may book your trip now for 2025 because trip miles and EQMs are earned when you travel. Remember that award trips will earn 100% miles and EQMs. The crazy bonuses are based on non-award flights. Btw 100% on an award ticket is exceptional. I encourage you to book now before the great award tickets are gobbled up.

[@RSquared-travel-rewards]

Btw, if you book now using the Alaska card, there are card usage miles (3x) and EQMs you would earn now. The EQMs would expire Dec 31st.

[@MR-ys3vc]

Amazing

[@moose354]

Let me correct you on one point. EQMs earned on award tickets is only counted as actual base miles. You will not earn class of service EQM bonus levels on award tickets.

[@RSquared-travel-rewards]

@@moose354 You are correct! Thanks for that correction. I'll pin a comment!

[@robert8311]

Wish Alaska would partner with Amex as Hawaiian did just keep it going but probably cause mass devaluation

[@RSquared-travel-rewards]

Which means, act quickly.

[@BoywithLoveeee]

Will I get eqm if I fly with Hawaiian?

[@RSquared-travel-rewards]

Yes. However, it is best to book Hawaiian through Alaska to have the best EQM earnings opportunity.

[@scottstiller2730]

I'm ALL in! I have the same cards except the AMEX Blue Business and I'll follow roughly the plan you've outlined so thank you. I currently have 277 Qatar Qpoints so I'll keep my Qatar Gold status for another year. I have an upcoming paid flight from LAX-SIN, can you think of a reason NOT to credit it to Alaska instead of Qatar? I'll never reach the 600 Qpoints for platinum. I do agree that Alaska can't keep up with giving away EQM's on award flights. My guess is that they're trying to pry away small portions of other airlines loyalists and it looks like it's working... Thank you again for the video

[@RSquared-travel-rewards]

Very cool Scott. Glad that you've already secured Qatar Gold for year 2. I would definitely credit Alaska for your upcoming flight if platinum is out of the question. The jump from gold to platinum is a tall order and likely for Qatar enthusiasts. However, if you can hit Alaska MVP 75K, you can then try for a status match back to Qatar Platinum - just a thought. Given that I spend a lot on Amex, hence my AMEX 2x BBP. As long as Hawaiian transfers to Alaska, I will keep spending on the Amex BBP to earn Alaska miles faster. Thanks for watching!

[@gregb5876]

With MVP status, therefore OW Emarld status, do you get access to the AA Admiral's club?

[@RSquared-travel-rewards]

For sure! But it needs to be MVP GOLD 75K or 100K

[@kevinManhattan]

@@RSquared-travel-rewards How about AA Flagship Lounges?

[@tyxcuyiloiyug6461]

​@@RSquared-travel-rewardsOnly for international itineraries.

[@ThatGuy-uv2br]

I don't think the Amex Hawaiian transfer will last much into 2025. Alaska has said it's definitely going away. I'm most curious on how to make the most of points / cash to turn those flights into status, if you are flexible with destinations and timing.

[@RSquared-travel-rewards]

The sauce is award flights on long haul trips. You could literally book a round trip from the east coast to let's say south Africa and earn close to 20K EQM. If you bump it up to biz, you can hit the first MVP Status on 1 round trip. If you've seen my travel channel @richarddebs, Africa is where I spend lots of my time. Check out award flights from the US to Bangkok.

[@luisenglish-mn1mz]

XDDD