With the new m.alaskaair.com feature we can see conveniently how long the upgrade list is when checked in online. This is the space to track flights and see just how long some are. The potential value in reviewing entries in this thread are for determining what flights and/or days of the week are going to provide your highest chance of securing a complementary upgrade.
Note: There are several similar threads focusing on different aspects of upgrades:
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How long is the upgrade list for your Alaska Airlines flight? (2013)
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With the new m.alaskaair.com feature we can see conveniently how long the upgrade list is when checked in online. I think it would be interesting to track flights and see just how long some are. Keep in mind too that MVPG and higher can have a companion adding to the lists.
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Thanks!
I missed this one and certainly appreciate the information. I was number one on the flt to AUS tomorrow, now I am number two. Such is life. Interesting in any event. And, at least I am still in the running!!
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bkkth
I missed this one and certainly appreciate the information. I was number one on the flt to AUS tomorrow, now I am number two. Such is life. Interesting in any event. And, at least I am still in the running!!
If it works anything like DL and UA's upgrade lists, it only shows people who have checked in. If someone higher than you on the list checks in after you've looked, you'll be bumped down accordingly.
Thus, the list is only fully accurate starting at T-00:30:00, when further check-ins are no longer accepted.
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On Jan 2 the SEA BOS flight I forgot to look until I got to the airport and saw that I was 1st on the list and that continued right up to boarding, there were 3 screens of names so that means it was something like 35+ or so
Does everyone who is eligible show up on the list right at T-24? Or is it more like DL where the airport list only includes those who have checked in up to that point?
Basically, when is the right time to examine the list?
Does everyone who is eligible show up on the list right at T-24? Or is it more like DL where the airport list only includes those who have checked in up to that point?
Basically, when is the right time to examine the list?
The list seems to grow throughout OLCI. So I'm assuming it's more like Delta's.
I'd suspect the "right" time is about an hour before departure.
1/10/13 FLL-SEA AS27 8:00 AM 2 on list; and I'm right at the top
... but who's to say how that will look, tomorrow at 7:30 AM ; especially since there is only 1 seat up front at this point. Darn BCS bowl bringing more folks to South Florida... and here I thought I'd miss the holiday crowd with that extra week after New Years
Programs: Pure AS MVP Gold75K, AS BR lapsed, Maika`i Card, AGR, HH Gold, Hertz 5*, Marriott Gold, SPG, CO, 7H
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Seattlenerd
Quote:
Originally Posted by baliktad
Does everyone who is eligible show up on the list right at T-24? Or is it more like DL where the airport list only includes those who have checked in up to that point?
Basically, when is the right time to examine the list?
The list seems to grow throughout OLCI. So I'm assuming it's more like Delta's.
I'd suspect the "right" time is about an hour before departure.
Agreed. My SJC-SEA started at 8 last night and is at 29 currently for AS329, 2:55 PM departure. I think one pax cleared (companion & I booked Value fare with U open at booking )
AS 109 on 12/26
#11/23 I believe
MVPG booked in eligible/instantly upgradeable (H) fare 3-4 weeks out...
So, is the ultimate point of this thread to prove that complimentary elite upgrades on AS have essentially become a joke?
It seems inexplicable how this happened. 7 years ago was my qualifying year as MVP. I had a fairly reasonable upgrade percentage...
Since then:
-OLCI loophole has closed
-paper cert reuse loophole has closed
-G/T fares no longer eligible for MVPG guest upgrades
-Companion cert no longer valid for F
-F upgrade certs no longer given annually with AS Visa renewal
All of these things were supposed to make result in elite upgrade improvements...what's happened?
-more F sales due to "priced to sell" approach?
-75K?
So, is the ultimate point of this thread to prove that complimentary elite upgrades on AS have essentially become a joke?
It seems inexplicable how this happened. 7 years ago was my qualifying year as MVP. I had a fairly reasonable upgrade percentage...
Since then:
-OLCI loophole has closed
-paper cert reuse loophole has closed
-G/T fares no longer eligible for MVPG guest upgrades
-Companion cert no longer valid for F
-F upgrade certs no longer given annually with AS Visa renewal
All of these things were supposed to make result in elite upgrade improvements...what's happened?
-more F sales due to "priced to sell" approach?
-75K?
Closing the loopholes was an improvement. It kept people from line-jumping and gaming the system, to the detriment of others. Those were not published benefits.
Of your list, the only two that are downgrades are the G/T fare restriction and the companion fare not being good for F. And neither of those actually affect having an upgrade processed within the upgrade window for open seats.
The pricing F to sell is neutral: it does impact available upgrades before flight, but also keeps the airline healthy.
The addition of Gold 75k is also net neutral. Same number of total frequent flier upgrades, but a reordering of who gets them first. Which could be seen as a downgrade for Gold and MVP.
AS has added lots of transcons in the past decade. That's swelled the ranks of Golds (and, in part, led to the introduction of the 75k sub-level), making the upgrade lists longer.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Seattlenerd
AS has added lots of transcons in the past decade. That's swelled the ranks of Golds (and, in part, led to the introduction of the 75k sub-level), making the upgrade lists longer.
Perhaps that is the primary reason along with the DL partnership making the list much longer, although they should be at the bottom. Unless you book your ticket under 24, maybe 48 [as DL elites do get upgrades at 48 hours], hours out and you are not a 75K, you will be at the bottom if my understanding of how the upgrade system works is correct.
I think what ANC RED-EYE was basically saying is that AS's rationalization for all of those dilutions was to protect upgrades for elite members is total hogwash.
They did that to improve the bottom line. They can sell more F seats at the rack rate rather than having some F seats being occupied with customers paying half for it and the G/T restriction to force some customers to shell out more money to be able to upgrade or have a shot of upgrading outside of the window.
)
; especially since there is only 1 seat up front at this point. Darn BCS bowl bringing more folks to South Florida... and here I thought I'd miss the holiday crowd with that extra week after New Years 
