May 14, 2013, 10:28 pm
Last edit by: beckoa
Welcome to the Newbie Lounge Thread!
Anyone is welcome to ask anything, even the most basic questions, in this thread without having to fear a snarky response. In this thread, there's no such thing as a dumb question--we were all new to Alaska Airlines, FlyerTalk, and even the whole idea of mileage programs once and needed some help navigating the ropes. We're here to help you do just that!
That said, if you want to do a little reading to see if your question has been previously discussed, links to some of the most common and extensive topics in this forum are listed in our FAQ thread--click here to check it out.
Special care will be given in this thread to trying to provide answers in a clear manner with minimal use of acronyms and jargon.
If you need to contact someone for help, here's a current list of our forum's team:
Ambassadors (Our Greeters--members who have specifically volunteered to welcome and mentor newbies and monitor this thread):
ANC RED-EYE
baliktad
beckoa
golfingboy
Moderators (Our Janitors--members who have volunteered to do housekeeping/keep the forum in order)
Cholula
jackal
You are welcome to send a private message to any of these individuals for assistance, but you'll generally get a faster response and broader palette of answers if you simply post your inquiry here in this thread.
Welcome, and we look forward to providing any assistance we can!
~the Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan forum team~
Anyone is welcome to ask anything, even the most basic questions, in this thread without having to fear a snarky response. In this thread, there's no such thing as a dumb question--we were all new to Alaska Airlines, FlyerTalk, and even the whole idea of mileage programs once and needed some help navigating the ropes. We're here to help you do just that!
That said, if you want to do a little reading to see if your question has been previously discussed, links to some of the most common and extensive topics in this forum are listed in our FAQ thread--click here to check it out.
Special care will be given in this thread to trying to provide answers in a clear manner with minimal use of acronyms and jargon.
If you need to contact someone for help, here's a current list of our forum's team:
Ambassadors (Our Greeters--members who have specifically volunteered to welcome and mentor newbies and monitor this thread):
ANC RED-EYE
baliktad
beckoa
golfingboy
Moderators (Our Janitors--members who have volunteered to do housekeeping/keep the forum in order)
Cholula
jackal
You are welcome to send a private message to any of these individuals for assistance, but you'll generally get a faster response and broader palette of answers if you simply post your inquiry here in this thread.
Welcome, and we look forward to providing any assistance we can!
~the Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan forum team~
[Alaska Airlines NEWBIE LOUNGE] Ask Your Questions Here (flame free) (2010-2014)
Apr 16, 2014, 4:20 pm
#3166
Join Date: May 2013
Programs: Hyatt Explorist, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 246
On your AS segments, you can be waitlisted for first class. AS knows what you paid for your award and is willing to grant you the accommodations you 'paid' for as they become available. You don't have to wait for the day of departure for this - you will be waitlisted for 'A' space and can be upgraded anytime it becomes available.
On EK segments, you will fly as ticketed. There's no chance to upgrade as EK doesn't have any idea what you 'paid' or what you are entitled to. The only way to change is if EK opens up award availability and you call AS to request a change to the ticket (along with any applicable change fees).
On EK segments, you will fly as ticketed. There's no chance to upgrade as EK doesn't have any idea what you 'paid' or what you are entitled to. The only way to change is if EK opens up award availability and you call AS to request a change to the ticket (along with any applicable change fees).
In a ticket with stopover it makes sense.. Since EK may not know if those were separate tickets with diff class award redemption or same ticket.. But on a through itinerary, I assume EK can at least see that the other segment of theirs was first class and help.. It is just that they don't want to do that..
Apr 16, 2014, 4:45 pm
#3167
Ambassador: Alaska Airlines
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Seattle
Programs: AS MVP Gold
Posts: 2,732
Thanks for the info..
In a ticket with stopover it makes sense.. Since EK may not know if those were separate tickets with diff class award redemption or same ticket.. But on a through itinerary, I assume EK can at least see that the other segment of theirs was first class and help.. It is just that they don't want to do that..
In a ticket with stopover it makes sense.. Since EK may not know if those were separate tickets with diff class award redemption or same ticket.. But on a through itinerary, I assume EK can at least see that the other segment of theirs was first class and help.. It is just that they don't want to do that..
Apr 17, 2014, 7:55 pm
#3168
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: SEA
Programs: AS MVPG
Posts: 117
When I look at the upgrade list with my mobile app, is that list only reflecting those who have checked in, or am I seeing the complete list? I'm #4 of 4 on a flight with 4 seats that leaves in 23 hours, and I'm wondering if I actually have a chance, or if there are still elites that haven't checked in yet and are not being reflected on this list.
Apr 17, 2014, 8:51 pm
#3169
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: SGF
Programs: AS, AA, UA, AGR S (former 75K, GLD, 1K, and S+, now an elite peon)
Posts: 23,194
When I look at the upgrade list with my mobile app, is that list only reflecting those who have checked in, or am I seeing the complete list? I'm #4 of 4 on a flight with 4 seats that leaves in 23 hours, and I'm wondering if I actually have a chance, or if there are still elites that haven't checked in yet and are not being reflected on this list.
It only shows those who are checked in.
Apr 18, 2014, 7:21 am
#3171
Join Date: Jun 2012
Programs: AA EXP, Hyatt Globalist, *A Silver
Posts: 4,896
Hi ASers! I'm trying to decide if it's worth it flying on EK J. I am flying DTW-PVG, and on EK JI'd get my separate positioning flight and then do USA-DXB-PVG, or do USA-HKG-PVG on CX F, or simpler, just do DTW-DFW-PVG on AA J for 55K miles (is flying out of ORD or DFW better?). I feel like if I fly on EK I'd want to fly in F, but F awards aren't released until close to departure. However, I must plan the trip in advance, so getting tickets last minute is not an option. I have 100K AS miles, but I do not know if there is an option to buy the J ticket for 75K and then spend 25K later to upgrade? I also don't want to cancel the J last minute and rebook F for fear that someone might snag the F before me.
Any suggestions?
Any suggestions?
Apr 18, 2014, 8:08 pm
#3172
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: SEA
Programs: AS 75K
Posts: 759
Hi ASers! I'm trying to decide if it's worth it flying on EK J. I am flying DTW-PVG, and on EK JI'd get my separate positioning flight and then do USA-DXB-PVG, or do USA-HKG-PVG on CX F, or simpler, just do DTW-DFW-PVG on AA J for 55K miles (is flying out of ORD or DFW better?). I feel like if I fly on EK I'd want to fly in F, but F awards aren't released until close to departure. However, I must plan the trip in advance, so getting tickets last minute is not an option. I have 100K AS miles, but I do not know if there is an option to buy the J ticket for 75K and then spend 25K later to upgrade? I also don't want to cancel the J last minute and rebook F for fear that someone might snag the F before me.
Any suggestions?
Any suggestions?
* I have the impression that EK J < CX J. I assume most people would rate AA J < EK J but haven't looked into it. I haven't flown any of those products longhaul so can't comment specifically.
* I don't know the relative ease of AA's different locations
* Some EK F awards are available in advance but not a ton. If it's not available now then I guess that doesn't help you (unless your dates are flexible I guess?)
* My impression from reading the forum is that it's not possible to just upgrade legs due to something about married segments. I don't know the details since I haven't encountered the issue myself. I'd read the EK thread to find out more (though it's long and meander-y) or hope someone else who knows more can answer.
Apr 19, 2014, 3:19 am
#3173
Join Date: Feb 2014
Posts: 314
hello experts. I recently moved to Seattle and will be traveling to Vegas once a month on work travel indefinitely. The goal is to attain AS elite status and have some nice* er benefits and have more mileage earning opportunity. Currently i am trying to book all my travel + hotel stays via AS vacations website. Combined with the 1500 miles bonus per booking and double EQM to Vegas from Seattle, I am thinking I am on the right track.
Could you please suggest if there is anything else I can do in addition to have an advantage in earning rdm or eqm.
Thank you.
Could you please suggest if there is anything else I can do in addition to have an advantage in earning rdm or eqm.
Thank you.
Apr 19, 2014, 10:51 am
#3174
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: PDX
Programs: AS MVPG
Posts: 608
hello experts. I recently moved to Seattle and will be traveling to Vegas once a month on work travel indefinitely. The goal is to attain AS elite status and have some nice* er benefits and have more mileage earning opportunity. Currently i am trying to book all my travel + hotel stays via AS vacations website. Combined with the 1500 miles bonus per booking and double EQM to Vegas from Seattle, I am thinking I am on the right track.
Could you please suggest if there is anything else I can do in addition to have an advantage in earning rdm or eqm.
Thank you.
Could you please suggest if there is anything else I can do in addition to have an advantage in earning rdm or eqm.
Thank you.
- Pay for all your AS charges with the AS Visa to get 3 miles per dollar.
- Sign up for EasyBiz to get an additional company mileage account that accrues 1 mile per dollar (in addition to whatever you accrue for yourself with the flying and AS Visa purchases)
Apr 19, 2014, 11:09 am
#3175
Join Date: Feb 2014
Posts: 314
Two other strategies:
- Pay for all your AS charges with the AS Visa to get 3 miles per dollar.
- Sign up for EasyBiz to get an additional company mileage account that accrues 1 mile per dollar (in addition to whatever you accrue for yourself with the flying and AS Visa purchases)
I just applied for AS Visa last night and got the 30 day message ( i think because of the new address).
I am unable to sign up for the EasyBiz account, it is throwing me into a loop saying I already have an account but wouldn't let me login using my usual AS FF login info
Edit : Signed up now.
Last edited by su9062; Apr 19, 2014 at 11:25 am
Apr 19, 2014, 11:30 am
#3176
Join Date: Feb 2014
Posts: 314
Two other strategies:
- Pay for all your AS charges with the AS Visa to get 3 miles per dollar.
- Sign up for EasyBiz to get an additional company mileage account that accrues 1 mile per dollar (in addition to whatever you accrue for yourself with the flying and AS Visa purchases)
Apr 19, 2014, 6:16 pm
#3177
Join Date: Jan 2008
Programs: AS MVPG, CO, NW(now DL), Flying Blue
Posts: 6,554
I use easy biz for a me +1 business. Quite honestly if alaskaair.com would allow me to have the same reports available on easybiz and allow me to hold reservations I wouldnt even mess around with easybiz. You cant use my wallet credits with it but sure you get miles per dollar spent which I dont care about, and I think you have to spend $5,000 a year or every 2 years to keep it active. Not sure you can buy miles to add to the easybiz accrual either. SO unless you plan on flying a lot and spending lots of money to keep the miles active Id really reconsider banking miles in an easybiz account
Apr 20, 2014, 1:19 am
#3178
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: SEA, PAE, BLI
Programs: WN A-List Preferred, AS, DL Kryptonium
Posts: 1,604
hello experts. I recently moved to Seattle and will be traveling to Vegas once a month on work travel indefinitely. The goal is to attain AS elite status and have some nice* er benefits and have more mileage earning opportunity. Currently i am trying to book all my travel + hotel stays via AS vacations website. Combined with the 1500 miles bonus per booking and double EQM to Vegas from Seattle, I am thinking I am on the right track.
Could you please suggest if there is anything else I can do in addition to have an advantage in earning rdm or eqm.
Thank you.
Could you please suggest if there is anything else I can do in addition to have an advantage in earning rdm or eqm.
Thank you.
While earning AS miles is great, you might find that you'll get more benefits if you book hotels directly with your players club card so you can earn elite status on that. Elite status often means fewer lines, more discounts, and in the case of Total Rewards (Caesars) properties, no resort fees.
You can book a vacation package with as little as 1 night of a hotel to get bulk airfare rates. If you're booking published airfares as part of vacation packages, you're likely better off booking everything separately and having better cancellation policies as a result.
Apr 21, 2014, 5:35 am
#3179
Join Date: Jun 2012
Programs: AA EXP, Hyatt Globalist, *A Silver
Posts: 4,896
Is it not possible to book AA/CX/CX on the same award ticket? I would have to get the AA flight separately?