Jan 8, 2015, 12:16 am
Last edit by: jackal
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.
Note to FlyerTalk members who enjoy the ability to take advantage of loopholes--if someone posts something that exposes information you'd rather not be public, please remember this is a Flame-Free thread, and harsh or snarky posts are not permitted. Although FlyerTalk itself does not censor posts that share information, members are free to edit their own posts to remove information. If you wish to request any poster to remove information they have shared publicly, please do so politely and respectfully.
Welcome, and we look forward to providing any assistance we can!
~the Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan forum team~
For the previous incarnation of this thread, please click here
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.
Note to FlyerTalk members who enjoy the ability to take advantage of loopholes--if someone posts something that exposes information you'd rather not be public, please remember this is a Flame-Free thread, and harsh or snarky posts are not permitted. Although FlyerTalk itself does not censor posts that share information, members are free to edit their own posts to remove information. If you wish to request any poster to remove information they have shared publicly, please do so politely and respectfully.
Welcome, and we look forward to providing any assistance we can!
~the Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan forum team~
For the previous incarnation of this thread, please click here
2015 Alaska Airlines *FLAME-FREE* Q&A thread: all welcome, new and old!
Aug 29, 2015, 11:02 am
#931
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Northern Calif./Eastern Ida.
Programs: Amethyst Premier Plutonium Medallion
Posts: 20,643
Just out of curiousity, has anybody flown Delta, entered their Alaska number for the miles and found the miles ended up in the Skymiles account anyway?
That has happened twice to me, and I can't figure out if I simply did not enter the information correctly, or something went on behind the scenes.
Next time I will print a copy of my information to insure that I remember exactly what I entered.
That has happened twice to me, and I can't figure out if I simply did not enter the information correctly, or something went on behind the scenes.
Next time I will print a copy of my information to insure that I remember exactly what I entered.
Aug 29, 2015, 9:33 pm
#932
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend, Moderator, Information Desk, Ambassador, Alaska Airlines
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: FAI
Programs: AS MVP Gold100K, AS 1MM, Maika`i Card, AGR, HH Gold, Hertz PC, Marriott Titanium LTG, CO, 7H, BA, 8E
Posts: 42,953
EK also works for lots of Europe destinations ^
Aug 29, 2015, 9:48 pm
#933
Join Date: Dec 2011
Programs: CX MPC GO; Golden Circle nobody!
Posts: 249
Are there some form of elite benefits?
Hello everyone,
Going to go on my first Alaska Airline flight, and I am wondering if Alaska Airline offers any elite benefits to Cathay Pacific DM/One World Emerald...knowing that they are not part of the alliance...?
Thank you!!
Going to go on my first Alaska Airline flight, and I am wondering if Alaska Airline offers any elite benefits to Cathay Pacific DM/One World Emerald...knowing that they are not part of the alliance...?
Thank you!!
Aug 29, 2015, 10:48 pm
#934
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: SEA
Programs: Hilton/Marriott Gold, Accor Silver
Posts: 2,036
Hey all, I'm currently planning a trip to Europe next year and will likely be taking a BA flight from LCY to ZRH. The flight number is outside Alaska's ranges of mileage-eligible flight numbers, but I don't see why; it's on a BA CityFlyer flight, and they're a wholly-owned BA subsidiary. Do you guys have any idea of why I can't get credit for that flight, while I do on Delta flights on SkyWest metal?
Aug 30, 2015, 8:59 am
#935
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Northern Calif./Eastern Ida.
Programs: Amethyst Premier Plutonium Medallion
Posts: 20,643
Hey all, I'm currently planning a trip to Europe next year and will likely be taking a BA flight from LCY to ZRH. The flight number is outside Alaska's ranges of mileage-eligible flight numbers, but I don't see why; it's on a BA CityFlyer flight, and they're a wholly-owned BA subsidiary. Do you guys have any idea of why I can't get credit for that flight, while I do on Delta flights on SkyWest metal?
Aug 30, 2015, 11:28 pm
#936
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: BOS/ORH
Programs: AS 75K
Posts: 18,323
Hey all, I'm currently planning a trip to Europe next year and will likely be taking a BA flight from LCY to ZRH. The flight number is outside Alaska's ranges of mileage-eligible flight numbers, but I don't see why; it's on a BA CityFlyer flight, and they're a wholly-owned BA subsidiary. Do you guys have any idea of why I can't get credit for that flight, while I do on Delta flights on SkyWest metal?
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/alask...-partners.html
Aug 31, 2015, 7:29 am
#937
Join Date: Feb 2015
Posts: 407
Newbie to Alaska MP question: Ex-LHR/-LON/-Europe query
Firstly, thank you for reading this and my apologies if the question appears really obtuse! I basically had a question from across the pond in London, albeit one which probably sounds pretty ignorant (unlike other FFPs, I’m new to Alaska):
Is it possible to book an award seat ex-LHR/ex-LON or ex-Europe via Alaska’s Mileage Plan but for flights on one of Alaska’s partner airlines, e.g. Cathay/Qantas/BA? I get the impression that journeys must start/end in the USA if booking via Alaska (though perhaps I’m mistaken?), but I’d love to be wrong! I ask mainly as most of my future travel plans would route from London via Hong Kong/Dubai/Australia, so if there was any means (or sleight-of-hand! ) to book Qantas/Cathay/BA via Alaska out of Heathrow/Europe, I’d be ever so grateful to know! Thank you in advance. Simon
Is it possible to book an award seat ex-LHR/ex-LON or ex-Europe via Alaska’s Mileage Plan but for flights on one of Alaska’s partner airlines, e.g. Cathay/Qantas/BA? I get the impression that journeys must start/end in the USA if booking via Alaska (though perhaps I’m mistaken?), but I’d love to be wrong! I ask mainly as most of my future travel plans would route from London via Hong Kong/Dubai/Australia, so if there was any means (or sleight-of-hand!
) to book Qantas/Cathay/BA via Alaska out of Heathrow/Europe, I’d be ever so grateful to know! Thank you in advance. Simon
Aug 31, 2015, 8:51 am
#938
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: LAX
Programs: AA EXP
Posts: 946
I'm a bit confused about the mileage earning for an MVP 75k flying on Delta. I have a flight booked that looks like it only earns 50% EQM, but what about the RDM? Do I earn actual miles flown plus the MVP 75k bonus or do I only earn 50% plus a bonus on that?
Thanks for any guidance!
Thanks for any guidance!
Aug 31, 2015, 11:01 am
#939
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: BOS/ORH
Programs: AS 75K
Posts: 18,323
Firstly, thank you for reading this and my apologies if the question appears really obtuse! I basically had a question from across the pond in London, albeit one which probably sounds pretty ignorant (unlike other FFPs, I’m new to Alaska):
Is it possible to book an award seat ex-LHR/ex-LON or ex-Europe via Alaska’s Mileage Plan but for flights on one of Alaska’s partner airlines, e.g. Cathay/Qantas/BA? I get the impression that journeys must start/end in the USA if booking via Alaska (though perhaps I’m mistaken?), but I’d love to be wrong! I ask mainly as most of my future travel plans would route from London via Hong Kong/Dubai/Australia, so if there was any means (or sleight-of-hand! ) to book Qantas/Cathay/BA via Alaska out of Heathrow/Europe, I’d be ever so grateful to know! Thank you in advance. Simon
Is it possible to book an award seat ex-LHR/ex-LON or ex-Europe via Alaska’s Mileage Plan but for flights on one of Alaska’s partner airlines, e.g. Cathay/Qantas/BA? I get the impression that journeys must start/end in the USA if booking via Alaska (though perhaps I’m mistaken?), but I’d love to be wrong! I ask mainly as most of my future travel plans would route from London via Hong Kong/Dubai/Australia, so if there was any means (or sleight-of-hand!
) to book Qantas/Cathay/BA via Alaska out of Heathrow/Europe, I’d be ever so grateful to know! Thank you in advance. Simon
Aug 31, 2015, 11:02 am
#940
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Sunny Seattle
Programs: AS MVPG 75K, HH Diamond
Posts: 539
Is it possible to book an award seat ex-LHR/ex-LON or ex-Europe via Alaska’s Mileage Plan but for flights on one of Alaska’s partner airlines, e.g. Cathay/Qantas/BA? I get the impression that journeys must start/end in the USA if booking via Alaska (though perhaps I’m mistaken?), but I’d love to be wrong!
The sole exception is Cathay Pacific, which does allow Europe ↔ HKG awards. If you wanted to go beyond HKG, that would require a second award.
Aug 31, 2015, 11:04 am
#941
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2015
Location: BOS, YVR, ZRH
Programs: *G
Posts: 17,399
Firstly, thank you for reading this and my apologies if the question appears really obtuse! I basically had a question from across the pond in London, albeit one which probably sounds pretty ignorant (unlike other FFPs, I’m new to Alaska):
Is it possible to book an award seat ex-LHR/ex-LON or ex-Europe via Alaska’s Mileage Plan but for flights on one of Alaska’s partner airlines, e.g. Cathay/Qantas/BA? I get the impression that journeys must start/end in the USA if booking via Alaska (though perhaps I’m mistaken?), but I’d love to be wrong! I ask mainly as most of my future travel plans would route from London via Hong Kong/Dubai/Australia, so if there was any means (or sleight-of-hand! ) to book Qantas/Cathay/BA via Alaska out of Heathrow/Europe, I’d be ever so grateful to know! Thank you in advance. Simon
Is it possible to book an award seat ex-LHR/ex-LON or ex-Europe via Alaska’s Mileage Plan but for flights on one of Alaska’s partner airlines, e.g. Cathay/Qantas/BA? I get the impression that journeys must start/end in the USA if booking via Alaska (though perhaps I’m mistaken?), but I’d love to be wrong! I ask mainly as most of my future travel plans would route from London via Hong Kong/Dubai/Australia, so if there was any means (or sleight-of-hand!
) to book Qantas/Cathay/BA via Alaska out of Heathrow/Europe, I’d be ever so grateful to know! Thank you in advance. SimonBUT for ex-EU flights not via NA, AFAIK you CAN do that, but only on Cathay, for which you have to call in. The award chart tells you allowable routings. The only routing ex-Europe that doesnt involve NA is Cathay. KE also allows intra-asia award flights.
You'll have to go through 2 awards anyway though, either Europe-HKG and then an intra-asia award or Europe-NA and then NA-wherever.
Try making some dummy bookings, just know that Cathay wont show up.
Edit: beaten like Brazil at the world cup
Aug 31, 2015, 11:07 am
#942
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Northern Calif./Eastern Ida.
Programs: Amethyst Premier Plutonium Medallion
Posts: 20,643
I'm a bit confused about the mileage earning for an MVP 75k flying on Delta. I have a flight booked that looks like it only earns 50% EQM, but what about the RDM? Do I earn actual miles flown plus the MVP 75k bonus or do I only earn 50% plus a bonus on that?
Thanks for any guidance!
Thanks for any guidance!
for a hypothetical 1000 mile flight on DL in a 50% earning class, a 75K level member would get:
RDMs = 1000*.5 + 1000*.5*1.25) = 1125
EQMs = 1000*.5 = 500
someone please correct me if i'm wrong but i think i got this right.
Aug 31, 2015, 11:15 am
#943
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: BOS/ORH
Programs: AS 75K
Posts: 18,323
IIRC, you'll earn both 50% RDM and EQM. the elite bonuses are based on the 50% earning, so as a 75K, you'll earn (actual miles flown*.50)+(actual miles flown*.50*1.25).
for a hypothetical 1000 mile flight on DL in a 50% earning class, a 75K level member would get:
RDMs = (1000*.5)+ (1000*.5)*1.25)= 1125
EQMs = 1000*.5 = 500
someone please correct me if i'm wrong but i think i got this right.
for a hypothetical 1000 mile flight on DL in a 50% earning class, a 75K level member would get:
RDMs = (1000*.5)+ (1000*.5)*1.25)= 1125
EQMs = 1000*.5 = 500
someone please correct me if i'm wrong but i think i got this right.
Aug 31, 2015, 11:39 am
#944
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: LAX
Programs: AA EXP
Posts: 946
Thanks guys. That's pretty brutal on the mileage earning front, oh well!
Aug 31, 2015, 12:05 pm
#945
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Northern Calif./Eastern Ida.
Programs: Amethyst Premier Plutonium Medallion
Posts: 20,643
yeah this has driven all but my cheapest business away from Delta at least for the purposes of crediting miles to AS. i still buy their cheap F and J fares when they are available, and i bought a super cheap coach fare for next year to central america where it was so cheap that i don't mind taking the hit on miles (though i might credit the trip to DL). mid-tier coach fares i'm trying to push onto AA or AS metal to protect miles earned.