UAPremierExec

So I've flown VX a few times now, and have an upcoming flight. Here's a list of things I wish we could either keep or get (or move up from 4Q17/1Q18):

1. Recognize AS MVP/MVPG/MVPG 75K in VX Sabre so we don't have to spend time on phone for better seats or pay for bags
2. Keep the red rope between F & Y. It really really does reduce traffic into the F cabin and make it a much more pleasurable experience
3. Keep the funky & cool IBE search feature on Virginamerica.com - makes searching for flights 20x easier
4. Love the cute avatars when selecting your seat on VX
5. The interactive seatmap does very well in showing the differences between seat types and also seat cost
6. RED could be transformed into GoGo whereby we can login to alaskair.com, GoGo recognizes our seat, and we can order from our devices
7. in F, keep the Dean & Deluca snack bites.. much better than the sodium-saturated snack basket in F right now
8. Priority bag tags for elites and first class

SF1K

PDXPremier

The fact that 75Ks currently must sit in the back on VX flights is probably the saddest fact of all....this still hasn't been fixed? Really??? As far as I know, VX elites not only get preferred seats (including premium class upgrades), but also get on the first class upgrade list when flying AS. Oh well, I know this is old news, but it's still a major disappointment...AS is better than this.

UAPremierExec

SF1K - my experiences in Y on VX are they are using carts in the aisle - but these have been long haul flights (California -/- Florida).

I've used the seat back to order food and what not - and it didn't appear like people say. I didn't get my food until they came by with the cart. I could have just had an "off flight" too.

Also, VX Elites get discount upgrade offers to MCS/First Class - would be nice to have AS elites in on that pool as well.

AS Flyer

VX elites are now AS elites so it's not really all that crazy that they would be upgraded on AS planes. They aren't upgraded to F on VX planes, unless that has changed recently - I know they are planning to change that, but I think you'll see that more the further they get into the integration. Do 75K's get access to whatever VX calls their Premium Economy section?

Kufat

Officially, no. There have been scattered reports of comps at the gate, but that's all.

UAPremierExec

The gate agents in MCO or FLL won't move us. One said its because they don't know if we are legit or not because the system doesn't show them our status level. Ok, fine.

eponymous_coward

AS elites not only don't get Main Cabin Select (= AS Pemium Class) on VX, but they don't get Main Cabin Express (= AS Preferred Seating) on VX, until the "fall 2017" date (which is when I'd guess they'll get VX Sabre to recognize AS elite status).

They'd have to do this anyways because presumably VX Sabre will be sticking around while there's VX tickets (there won't be VX elites starting 1/1/18, so they'll need a way to do elite recognition). The reason why it's not earlier is probably "well, we're killing off Elevate anyways, why spend the $ to do a bunch of stuff we only have to deal with for a few months anyway (while there are two elite systems hanging around)"?

There was more of a reason to do this for UA/CO and US/AA because there was an alliance involved the acquired airline had to operate in (even if it was just for a year or two). AS and VX don't have this issue.

PDXPremier

I don't think it's crazy that VX elites are upgraded on AS planes...I think it's crazy that VX elites can sit in first, premium class, or preferred seats on AS planes, but AS elites have to sit in the back half of the plane on VX...they don't expect F, but really, not even "preferred" seating in the front half of the airplane??? That's what we all think is the crazy part

pcoll

Exactly, the crazy part, that is so insulating to AS Elites , is the complete one sidedness of this integration.
AS Elites get treated like non Elevate members, while VX are given increased status on AS and are invited to the best seats on the plane on AS.

rustykettel

It's become even crazier in my mind now that it's been announced that VX elites will requalify for next year by mileage as well AS elite. How I think it should have been handled- cross match to both programs for status this year and add up the miles for next year (and they're going to do anyways for all VX members, elite or not) at the end of the year.

My opinion is that AS management was occupied more with getting approval for the acquisition and less on what the combined airline would look like, the roadmap to get there, and communicating (as well as implementing) that roadmap as quickly as possible. Things like the baggage fee waiver should have been implemented on day one. Just show your ID card (physical or app) or AS credit card to the counter agent should have been all that's required. It's an easy win and that it took months to do, along with an unpublicized waiver that seemed to rest on the agent's discretion, is astounding.

jiburi

Just with all other past mega mergers, I think AS will create a new tier.

Let's me be the first to call it, Platinum 100K.

Jiburi

rustykettel

Nah, it'll be Diamond 100K as a swipe at their former partner.

jiburi

Or maybe Platinum Cod 100K....

I won't allow Alaska to name its top tier, Kale 100K......

Jiburi

Tack

I agree with everything except the Priority bag tags. Why? Every AS flight that I have taken has beaten the 20 min bag guarantee. Every AA flight the last few years? close to 30 min WITH the AA Priority bag tags. Useless