We’re usually in an uproar when an airline announces program “enhancements” with little notice, however this time the changes are for the good. As of Jan. 1, 2015, Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan Gold 75K members will earn 50,000 bonus miles upon qualification and an elite mileage bonus of 125 percent when flying on Alaska Airlines and all partner airlines, an increase from the former elite bonus of 100 percent.

Alaska also increased class of service bonuses members receive on first class, refundable economy and some Gold upgradable fares on Alaska Airlines flights. Economy class flights booked in M and B now earn 125 percent of miles flown and economy class flights booked in Y and S now earn 150 percent of miles flown.

Due to recent changes announced by Delta, Alaska has made changes to mileage earning for members when flying on Delta. First, business and higher fare economy tickets earn a class-of-service bonus between 25 to 75 percent depending on the fare class. Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan members who regularly fly Delta economy will notice that mileage earning on discount economy fares has been reduced by 25 to 75 percent depending on the fare purchased.

This should come as no surprise, given the bitter turf battle that is being waged in Seattle between the two airlines. For more information on the Mileage Plan changes, visit http://insideflyerus.wpengine.com/link/?11891 . To learn more about changes to the earning structure when flying on partner airline Delta, visit http://insideflyerus.wpengine.com/link/?11890