Every now and then, we get to see an act of generosity in the frequent flier program market place. The most recent example of this is Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan’s generous treatment of it’s elite members that were recently impacted by the MBNA Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan Mastercard being cancelled. Alaska Airlines has offered a generous transition offer for it’s Alaska Mileage Plan elite members in order to retain their business in the foreseeable future. Read on to see what Alaska Airlines has offered it’s current elites impacted by the MBNA Alaska Mileage PlanWorld Elite Mastercard credit card cancellation..

Alaska Airlines Extends Elite Status for MBNA Alaska Airlines Mastercard Credit Card Holders

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MBNA announced earlier that they would be discontinuing the MBNA Alaska Airlines Mastercard. Existing card holders were told that they would be converted to an MNBA World Rewards Mastercard. While we likely expected some retention efforts on the part of MBNA, we’ve learned that Alaska Arlines has made a retention offer of their own.

Alaska Airlines Reminds Mileage Plan Members miles can continue to be earned:

In a direct email to Alaska Mileage Plan Members, Alaska Airlines reminded Mileage Plan members that miles can continue to be earned through the credit card until August 31, 2023. They also remind customers that there is no change to mileage accumulation outside of the credit card.

There was no big surprise with this information. This type of message is pretty typical of programs as they change and evolve over time.

Alaska Airlines Extends Alaska Airlines Elite Status for one Year:

Alaska Mileage Plan MVP, MVP Gold, MVP Gold 75k members, that were also MBNA World Elite Mastercard holders get a status extension

Further on, the message indicated that for MBNA Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan Mastercard credit card holders, your Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan Elite status was going to be extended for another year; or until the end of the qualification period on December 31, 2024.

This means that if you are an MBNA Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan Credit Card Holder, and happened to have Alaska Mileage Plan Elite Status, you can likely expect your status to be extended to the end of the 2024 Milage Plan qualification period ending of December 31, 2024.

This was terrific news. It’s always a relief to be able to re-qualify on status, without having to actually fly. Although I was on track to renew my Alaska Airlines MVP Status anyway, it’s a really classy touch that Alaska Airlines offered a status extension for those that are going to be without the credit card moving forward.

On its own, this was exceptionally generous of Alaska Airlines to offer this status extension. It encourages people to continue flying with Alaska; which is exactly the intent.

Alaska Airlines Also Offers a 30% promotional code:

As if that wasn’t enough, Alaska Airlines also offered MBNA Alaska Mileage Plan Mastercard and Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan Elite members a 30% off promotional code for select travel.

The terms and Conditions of the Promotional Code were as follows:

Valid for one discount of 30% off coach base fare levels published at alaskaair.com. Fare basis code information can be found in the section entitled “View Fare and Baggage Rule” on the Itinerary and Price Summary page. Fare types that are ineligible for this discount may be lower than other fares with discount code applied. One discount allowed per reservation. Discount not valid on all fares, including but not limited to Mileage Plan Award Reservations, tour or contract fares, and many privately filed fares. Any Discount Code value remaining after purchase is forfeited. 

Reservations & Ticketing: Valid for new ticket purchases only at alaskaair.com. Discount Code cannot be applied to tickets that have already been purchased and issued. Discount Code is relinquished at time of ticketing and void for future purchases. Credit card required for purchase. 

Passengers: Up to six people per Discount Code, traveling together and booked and ticketed at the same time in the same reservation and at the same fare. 

Routes: Discount is valid between Alaska Airlines Cities (excluding SCC airport) and Canada. Travel must originate and/or end in Canada. Discount is only valid on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, or Saturdays. Based on published fare routings and some cities may not be available. 

Advance Purchase: Per applicable fare rules.

Purchase By: 11:59 p.m. PT on September 30, 2023.

It’s pretty rare to get such a steep promotional code discount, so I would imagine that there can be some value found in redeeming this code under the right circumstances.

Of course, if you have any remaining Alaska Airlines 2 for 1 Famous Companion fare codes left in your account, you’ll want to burn those off as they won’t be renewed with the new MBNA Rewards World Elite Mastercard now that there is no further credit card relationship in Canada with Alaska Mileage Plan.. Arguably, getting a 2 for 1 fare will be better value than 30% off a single flight. However, in the event you are needing to travel on your own, this might represent a good opportunity.

My Take on This Offer:

This was a pretty generous way of Alaska Airlines to recognize it’s Canadian Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan elite members. As both MrsWT73 and I are Alaska Mileage Plan Elite members, we’d both get notified that our status would be extended for another calendar year.

The addition of a promotional code offering 30% off for future travel on Alaska Airlines was the icing on the cake. Although the code is limited to departures from Canada, and can only be redeemed for travel on Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturday, I would imagine that we will be able to find some use with this voucher before it expires to further increase our Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan balance at a reasonable cost.

I really value Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan miles, so this was a great move by Alaska Airlines in showing some good will towards it’s elite members by allowing travellers to earn even more Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan miles.

In Summary: Alaska Airlines rewards MBNA Mastercard Credit Card Holders that were also Mileage Plan Elite Members.

Alaska Airlines has rewarded it’s Mileage Plan Elite members that were holders of the MBNA Alaska Airlines Mastercard that is being discontinued. Alaska Airlines has generously offered a one year Elite Status extension, along with a 30% promotional code off future travel on select days.

This is a particularly generous move by Alaska Airlines and is an offer that is actually likely to increase engagement with the airlines. Typically, retention offers are on a “beg for it basis”, so it’s nice to see Alaska Airlines acting in a generous and classy way here.

Although I was already on track to earn Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan Elite Status, I’ll be sure to use the promotional code for future travels.

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If you had the MBNA Mastercard, were you surprised by the offer of an elite status extension for another year?

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