How Do I Upgrade to First Class on Alaska Airlines?

If you have ever been caught up by the allure of the luxurious Alaska Airlines first class cabin, where seats give utmost comfort, drinks and meals are specially curated by chefs, and priority services at the airport, you must have thought one day you would also get up there. If you have, your time to upgrade to Alaska Airlines first class has arrived, and the best thing is, you don’t have to break the bank for an Alaska first class upgrade. Upgrading to first class on Alaska Airlines has three main ways, including complimentary status upgrades, paid upgrades, and using miles or certificates. However, you can also get a gate upgrade at the last minute before boarding. Let’s deep dive into this guide and learn the best methods to upgrade to first class on Alaska Airlines.

How Can You Upgrade To First Class On Alaska Airlines?

The primary methods that can help you upgrade to first class on Alaska Airlines are complimentary upgrades, paid upgrades, upgrades with miles, and last-minute upgrades. You can use any of these methods based on your eligibility to move from the economy class to first class on Alaska Airlines. How you can use these methods is explained below.

1. Complimentary Elite Status Upgrades

You can get the benefit of a complimentary elite status upgrade only if you are a frequent flyer with the Alaska Airlines mileage plan. If you are, this should be the foremost option for you to upgrade on Alaska Airlines, as you can request an upgrade up to five days in advance and get an instant confirmed seat based on your status and booking priority. Yes, you read that right, your request’s fate depends on your Mileage Plan status, as upgrades are prioritized and assigned first to higher-tier members.

Here you can understand how Alaska Airlines’ upgrade priority works:

If you are asking for a complimentary elite status upgrade, you will be first placed on a waitlist, and you will be assigned an upgrade based on your elite status, fare class, and booking date. It is because when more than one passenger with the same status seeks a First Class upgrade, Alaska Airlines uses a hierarchy to break the deadlock by comparing their elite status level, fare class, million miler status, and time of booking.

• Elite Status Level: First of all, your elite status level is compared as MVP Gold 100K status passenger gets priority over a MVP Gold status passenger.
• Fare Class: When your elite status level is the same as that of other passengers, whoever has purchased a higher fare or less-discounted Main Cabin fare will first get the complimentary upgrade.
• Million Miler Status: Even if the deadlock does not break, Alaska Airlines compares your and other elite passengers’ Million Miler status. Whoever has the Million Miler status receives priority over others in their tier who do not have it.
• Time of Booking: If all factors remain equal, Alaska Airlines checks the date and time of flight booking to reach a conclusion. If you had booked a flight earlier than others, you would receive the upgrade. Otherwise, those who had booked the flight earliest will get the complimentary upgrade.

Learn more: How to Change Name on Alaska Airlines Ticket?

2. Paid Upgrades

If you are a non-elite status passenger and want an instant confirmed Alaska Airlines first-class seat, a paid upgrade is the best method for you. However, the caveat is that paid upgrades are available only after all complimentary elite upgrades have cleared. You can purchase a paid upgrade to Alaska first class either during booking or anytime before departure.

Here are the steps to get a paid upgrade to first class on Alaska Airlines:

1. Go to the Alaska Airlines official website or app.
2. Log in to your Manage Your Trip account and select the booking you want to upgrade.
3. Look for the First Class Upgrade option on the flight details page.
4. Use the Upgrade option and see pricing.
5. Pay the upgrade charges and confirm your seat in First Class.

However, you can also purchase an upgrade at the airport by visiting the check-in counter or requesting an upgrade at the departure gate, but the availability of first-class seats is hard to find.

3. Upgrades With Miles

When you don’t want to spend on an upgrade to first class, using miles for it becomes the best method. Although Mileage Plan miles can be used for an Alaska Airlines first class upgrade but your eligibility to apply for an upgrade depends on your fare class and seat availability. If first class seat is available and you have bought an eligible fare like Y, B, H, K, and M, but budget fares do not qualify. You can use your miles for an Alaska first class upgrade either during booking or after booking.

4. Last-Minute Gate Upgrades

The most underrated method of getting into the first class cabin of Alaska Airlines is securing a last-minute upgrade at the departure gate. Although this method has no guarantee of a first-class seat, when it works, it usually turns out to be the cheapest upgrade option of all, as gate agents sometimes offer an upgrade to a first-class seat at a steep discount when it remains unsold until boarding. To get a last-minute upgrade to first class on Alaska Airlines you just need to ask the gate agent very politely, “Are there any paid First Class upgrades available on the flight today?”

Is Upgrade To Alaska Airlines First Class Worth It?

Do you know if the Alaska Airlines first class upgrade you’re so eager to get is truly worth it? So, let’s see what you can expect after upgrading to Alaska Airlines first class.

• If you want a comfortable and spacious seat with ample legroom, yes, upgrading to Alaska first class is worth it.
• Complimentary chef-inspired meals and select drinks also make Alaska Airlines first class upgrade worthy for you.
• If you enjoy the priority benefits you receive at the airport during check-in and flight boarding, upgrading to it is definitely worth it.
• If you need to carry lots of luggage on the trip, you must upgrade to first class on Alaska Airlines, as it gives you two free checked bags that you may need to add with an extra fee in your original cabin.

Read more: Can You Change Alaska Airlines Flight on Same Day?

Tips To Maximize Your Chances For Alaska First Class Upgrade

If we put your budget and elite status aside for a while, what are some tips and tricks that can help you increase your chances of Alaska first class upgrade? So let’s take a look at some insider tips.

• If you are vying for a complimentary elite status upgrade, you should target the higher fares like Y, B, or H that can easily put you higher on the waitlist of passengers with the same elite status level.
• Before booking a flight, use the Alaska Airlines seat map to check if seats are available in the First Class cabin. Fewer seats booked in First Class can mean a higher chance of clearance for a first-class upgrade.
• Plan your travel for less popular days, such as Saturdays, Wednesdays, or Tuesdays, and off-peak times between 12 noon and 4 PM, when flights are less crowded and you have a higher chance of securing an upgrade to first class.
• Don’t purchase the saver fare that is not eligible for Alaska Airlines first class upgrade.
• Travelling with a status holder on the same reservation can also benefit you in getting a priority upgrade to first class over others.

Final Thoughts

Upgrading to first class on Alaska Airlines is a straightforward process, whether you want a complimentary elite status upgrade, a paid upgrade, a last-minute upgrade, or an upgrade with miles. Regardless of your elite status and fare class, you have more options to upgrade to first class on Alaska Airlines than you think. With only a few tips and smart moves, you can get Alaska Airlines first class wider seats, unlimited drinks, chef-inspired meals, and priority benefits at the airport.

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