One reason I really like AS...
Jun 23, 2017, 8:03 pm
#16
Join Date: May 2017
Location: SEA
Posts: 355
Jun 26, 2017, 1:40 am
#17
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
Jun 26, 2017, 4:21 pm
#18
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
Jun 30, 2017, 4:44 pm
#20
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: SFO, SJC
Programs: UA MM /Gold ; AS MVP Gold; SWA A LIst and CP; HH Gold; Bonvoy Titanium; IHG Plat Elite
Posts: 588
Alaska has lots of benefits that many other programs do not have. It's the main reason why I still fly them. However, they really need to improve their on board experience (even beyond the ones they recently announced). Food is a major issue for me, as is cleanliness/comfort in the aircraft.
- First Class upgrades (more on AS than UA - Gold level in both programs). AS wins here.
- E+/Premium Y seating - UA at booking, AS depending on fare booked or WL for upgrade (this is due to MVP Gold). UA wins
- Food (UA E+ - no free food, Ua First - yuck!!, AS premium Y - free snack box, acknowledgement by FA by name and sometimes a yummy square of chocolate!, AS First - hot food!!) AS wins hands down.
- Seat comfort First Class / E+ / Premium Y - both UA and AS are comfy for my slightly above 5' height. Neither stand out as being better than the other airline.
- Access to live phone agent during irrops - AS wins (again based on my personal experience only)
- Same Day Confirmed Change - UA wins. UA allows changes 24 hrs BEFORE and AFTER the original flight meaning I can go home a day earlier or a day later. Once I changed a flight 7 days in a row because I ended up staying longer at a customer site due to a work emergency. AS SDC policy is good but only allows changes to same calendar day only. In the same situation (where I did not know when I would leave SEA) I would have had to cancel my ticket and use the residual value towards a new higher fare ticket on the day I could actually go home.
- Standby experience - same on both airlines.
- General cleanliness of planes - similar on both airlines. Always bring wipes, hand sanitizer and wash hands as soon as I get off a flight.