LwoodY2K

It could make sense if AS wants to move towards reciprocal upgrades with AA?

In my not very extensive looking I've never seen this. Any hints on where it is - just the web browser on the tablets? I know the gogo purchase page show a little bar with amount of time left on my phone's browser, so maybe the map's only on the non-mobile version?

ashill

As noted, that makes this rumor at the level of random FlyerTalk separation, no more informed.

Well, that would be innovation. I'd be awfully surprised.

I'd say that's borderline inevitable, since AS will now be the last frequent flyer program I know of (domestically or abroad) that awards award miles based on mileage with only small bonuses for premium cabins and expensive tickets. Maybe it will be multipliers (which range from ≈0.25 to ≈4) based on on booking class, as AS, AA, UA, and DL do for partners instead of straight spend, particularly since I imagine that a higher fraction of miles from flights credited to AS's program are earned on partner tickets than for AA, UA, and DL's programs (simply because AS is much smaller than most of their partners).

As others have noted, this makes no sense whatsoever. Reducing the number of F seats just makes it cost AS less to keep the theoretical upgrade benefit there on paper; upgrades will be appreciably more rare, though.

This is the only plausible reason I could think of. Maybe AS is thinking about moving towards some sort of currency for elite upgrades for MVPs and MVP Golds (non-75k) like AA. I'd still put that in the highly unlikely category. If developing reciprocal upgrades with AA is a priority, there are other ways to do it. An obvious way would be exactly the way it worked for US Silvers, Golds, and Platinums before the AA and US frequent flyer programs merged: US elites had to pay the cost of 500 mile upgrades ($30/500 miles at the time) to upgrade on AA. AA could certainly allow AS elites to do the same.

But for me, reciprocal upgrades between AS and AA aren't very high on my wish list, even though my flights are split about 60/40 between AA and AS.

Dieuwer

If Alaska does as the OP says, I bet that Delta will be laughing all the way to the bank in SEA.

IWontRegretThis

+1

CDKing

That parent who is a 75K with their under 5 child that is 75K would not be too happy.

Giving a partner elite upgrade priority over AS elite would alienate a lot of customers. Id just give more of my business to other carriers. I've already been going that way anyways. Delta has super cheap fares to Alaska now a days. Id be better off paying for Economy comfort than booking AS. I can fly RT to Asia now for cheaper than AS from BOS-ANC

ashill

Who's talking about that? I certainly agree that giving partner elites upgrade priority over any AS elites would be terrible marketing; I can't imagine AS (or any airline) would do that. (Unless the partner elite uses AS miles to upgrade, but then the partner elite status has nothing to do with the transaction.)

AS Flyer

On the OP?

PDXPremier

Yes please, as much as you feel comfortable sharing....and for once it doesn't involve polenta or chocolate bars

GRALISTAIR

Yep which is why I can't believe it is 100% true.

AS Flyer

Frankly, I'd rather talk about polenta and chocolate bars This is just embarrassing. Honestly, it sounds like someone rambling on about their own personal thoughts. Nobody that knows anything of the sort would be rattling it off on a plane to passengers. SO, my thoughts, this FA should find something different to talk about with his/her passengers rather than spreading rumors.

PDXPremier

Thanks....now back to our regularly scheduled programming....do you think AS will remove all polenta from flights in 2017??

CDKing

No Polenta on the new transcon first class small plate menu ^

diver858

DL and recently AA have become more aggressive selling a larger percentage of discount F (A fare bucket on domestic AA), with the stated goal (by DL) of selling 70% of F seats, effectively leaving lower tier elites in the back the bus. Reading between the lines, this could indeed be what the FA was attempting to suggest.

With the pitiful legroom in AS F, inconsistent F meals and service, I find it hard to believe why someone would pay full fare to sit in the front on AS.

Eastbay1K

As I'm sure you are aware, AS has been offering a capacity controlled discounted F bucket and will be improving the F seat substantially later this year.

AKCuisine

Thank you for discrediting these unfortunate rumors, AS Flyer. You are a voice of reason on this board.

((***cyberhugs***))