Alaska Mileage Plan will institute some changes at the end of April that should help its MVP Gold members recline in first class.

As of April 30, Alaska Mileage Plan members who hold MVP Gold status will be offered unlimited upgrades. MVP Gold members will be able to book upgrades at any time and they can be used on any purchased fare, including Web Specials. Upgrades will be booked in a new subset of first class inventory. With this change, last-seat availability will be eliminated, i.e., some first class seats will be made available for sale but will not be available as an upgrade.

If a first class seat is not available at the time of booking, MVP Gold members will be waitlisted. Technology is in the pipeline to provide notification by email, phone or fax.

MVP Gold members will receive four one-way Guest Upgrades annually. These upgrades are transferable and are valid for one year from the date of issue. One passenger traveling with you on the same flight may upgrade with you into first class without the use of a guest upgrade.

First-class bonus miles will only be awarded for paid first-class tickets booked in F class and, as of April 30, will no longer be provided for complimentary upgrades, paid upgrades or mileage upgrades.

Finally, MVP Gold status is earned at 35,000 actual Alaska or Horizon miles, or 50,000 miles or 60 segments when combining travel on Alaska, Horizon, American, Northwest, KLM or LanChile.