How Do I Upgrade to Premium Class on Alaska Airlines?

Looking to make your Alaska Airlines flight more comfortable so you can stretch out, enjoy complimentary wines, and breeze through the crowd to board the flight? If you are, upgrading to Alaska Airlines’ premium class is worth considering because it significantly enhances your experience that too without the full ticket cost of luxurious First Class. And the plus point is that upgrading your seat is easier than you think, whether you realize the need for an upgrade to Alaska Airlines premium class at the time of check-in or after arriving at the airport. We have detailed some of the best and easiest methods, from simple buying paid upgrades to leveraging elite status. It depends on your preference and eligibility, which method you should use to switch from economy class to premium class on Alaska Airlines.

Quick Answer: The Fastest Way to Upgrade

If you want to upgrade right now, the fastest route is:

Go to the Alaska Airlines Manage Trip page → enter your confirmation code → select “Upgrade” or “Seat Selection” → choose Premium Class → pay the upgrade fee.

How Can You Upgrade To Premium Class On Alaska Airlines?

Alaska Airlines offers multiple options to upgrade to premium class that give an enhanced traveling experience compared to economy class. However, the method you can choose for upgrading to premium class depends on your status, preference, and the time of your request for an upgrade. Here are the best methods you can try to upgrade your seat on Alaska Airlines.

1. Purchase An Upgrade

For a confirmed upgrade on Alaska Airlines, you must go with this option that guarantees your extra comfort and premium experience on the flight.

• At the Time of Booking: To upgrade to Premium Class on Alaska Airlines, you must initially purchase a Main Cabin fare and then open the seat map to select a Premium Class seat from the first few rows of the main cabin. An additional fee or fare difference may be applicable for upgrading to Premium Class. Simply complete the payment step to secure your upgraded seat instantly.
• After Booking: When you have already booked a Main Cabin ticket, you need to use Manage Trip to upgrade your existing booking. Just log in to your account on Manage Trip on the Alaska Airlines website or app and hit the Change Your Seat option. If seats are available in Premium Cabin, you can choose your upgraded seat from them, but at an additional cost.

2. Complimentary Upgrade

Alaska Airlines rewards its Atmos™ Rewards status members with complimentary upgrades on all eligible flights. If you also hold the elite status (Silver, Gold, Platinum, or Titanium), you can get a confirmed upgrade from Main Cabin to Premium Class. However, your elite status will decide how long it will take to confirm your complimentary upgrade because passengers with higher tiers clear the upgrade waitlist first. Here, you can also check how early passengers with elite status can get a confirmed upgrade.

Besides your elite status, your eligibility to get a complimentary upgrade also depends on your original fare class because fares with higher class get priority to clear the upgrade waitlist over lower fare classes. And if you have a Saver fare, you can not get a complimentary elite status upgrade on Alaska Airlines.

3. Last Minute Upgrade

Moving from economy class to Premium Class on Alaska Airlines through a last-minute upgrade can be a steal deal for you, but the availability of seats is a bigger concern. It happens rarely, but when seats remain unsold, you may get the last-minute upgrade at the departure gate by politely approaching the gate agent or during online check-in that starts 24 hours before departure on Alaska Airlines. By asking the gate agent or checking the seat map of your Alaska Airlines flight, and upgrading the price after the check-in process for your flight starts, you can secure a sweet spot in Premium Class.

Learn more: How Do I Upgrade to First Class on Alaska Airlines?

Reasons Why Upgrade To Premium Class On Alaska Airlines May Not Be Available For You

Since not every ticket is upgrade-friendly, there is a chance that you may not be able to upgrade to premium class on Alaska Airlines. If you are keen to upgrade to Premium Class on Alaska Airlines, you must know what the possible reasons are that can prevent you from upgrading. Here are the common reasons:

• If you purchase a Saver fare that is not eligible for upgrade, it can become a reason for the disqualification of your upgrade request on Alaska Airlines.
• As partner airlines have different policies, you may not be able to upgrade to Premium Class if you purchased a partner airline’s ticket.
• While traveling in a group, you may not get an upgrade on Alaska Airlines, as Group bookings can limit upgrade chances.
• If you have purchased an Award ticket or a discounted ticket, you may or may not be eligible for an upgrade to Premium Class.
• Although you are eligible for an upgrade on Alaska Airlines, you may not get an upgrade if the Premium Class flight is full and a seat is not available.

Tips to Increase Your Chances of Getting a Confirmed Premium Class Upgrade On Alaska Airlines

Since many travelers are vying for Alaska Airlines premium class upgrade at the same time, you need to be more active and smart than others to increase your chances. Here are some tips that can really help you in securing an upgrade on Alaska Airlines:

• While purchasing Alaska Airlines fare, choose higher upgradable fare classes like Y, B, H, K, or M.
• Join the Mileage Plan program and achieve elite status. Doing this can also give you a free upgrade on Alaska Airlines.
• Use the Alaska Airlines mobile app, where you can get instant notifications for upgrade offers whenever they are available.
• Keep your travel plan flexible so you can fly earlier or later according to the availability of an upgrade on Alaska Airlines.
• Be proactive and arrive at the airport early so you can have enough time to request agents for last-minute upgrades.
• Use the seat map to get an update on seat availability in Premium Class on Alaska Airlines.

Conclusion

Upgrading to Premium Class on Alaska Airlines is easier than you think, whether you prefer purchasing a paid upgrade or relying on your elite status in Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan. However, the most convenient way to get a confirmed upgrade to Premium Class from Main Cabin is to purchase the upgrade when you book your ticket, while the complimentary elite status upgrade is assigned first to a higher tier. With our suggested methods and tips, you can get closer to a Premium Class upgrade on Alaska Airlines and easily secure it to enjoy a more comfortable flight.

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