You Can Match Your Status Between Alaska and Hawaiian Airlines Right Now

It's the next big step after the merger.

By Stella Shon Stella Shon

Stella Shon is an aviation news writer. Her work has been featured in publications including The Points Guy, USA Today, and others. Globetrotting more than 100,000 miles every year, she loves flying new airlines and scoping out remodeled airports. Travel + Leisure Editorial Guidelines Published on December 23, 2024

Close An Alaska Airlines airplane flying through clouds. Photo: Courtesy of Alaska Airlines

The next phase of Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines' merged loyalty programs is here: members can now take advantage of a status match program to enjoy reciprocal perks and benefits.

“A first for a U.S. airline, we will maintain both beloved brands and are excited to bring you increased benefits, a premium experience, and even greater value as you travel on both Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines,” Alaska shared about the loyalty program merger on its website. 

Alaska Mileage Plan MVP and HawaiianMiles Pualani members can access the status match program dashboard to request a match between the following tiers:

• Alaska MVP status match to HawaiianMiles Pualani Gold
• Alaska MVP Gold, MVP Gold 75K, and MVP Gold 100K match to HawaiianMiles Pualani Platinum
• HawaiianMiles Pualani Gold match to Alaska Mileage Plan MVP 
• HawaiianMiles Pualani Platinum match to Alaska Mileage Plan MVP Gold 

Hawaiian Airlines offers two elite status tiers. Gold members receive benefits such as up to two free checked bags, complimentary upgrades on inter-island flights, free extra legroom seats, and lounge access. Platinum members enjoy even more perks, including up to three free checked bags and upgrade certificates for flights between Hawaii and the mainland.

On the other hand, Alaska Airlines offers four tiers of elite status, though the status match for Hawaiian elite members is limited to the two lower levels. MVP members enjoy benefits like upgrade opportunities (subject to availability in specific fare classes) and up to two free checked bags. MVP Gold members receive additional perks, including enhanced upgrade access for themselves and one travel companion and complimentary same-day flight changes.

Once the request has been submitted, it can take up to 72 hours for the status match process to complete, according to the fine print of the program. 

Members of both programs can continue to earn and redeem miles across both airlines, with no expiration and a seamless 1:1 transfer ratio. In addition to loyalty program benefits, the Department of Transportation (DOT) has mandated that both airlines provide fee-free family seating on their flights.