That's my experience as well, which is why I'm curious. I think an AS50 in coach is booked into a special class in coach which basically says "sorry, don't automagically upgrade this person".
My travel agent books all of my tickets--including the AS50 awards. I am not sure how AS.com handles AS50 bookings but through the travel agent, it is a simple 50% off the base fare and the AS50 certificate number in the endorsement box. The only way the airport agent can determine if an AS50 is being used is by looking at the endorsement box or the fare history and I have found that it is rarely done at the airport when I request for a comp upgrade.
Same thing for the rules that state that code share flights booked on a partner airline ticket stock is not eligible for upgrades--I have never had a problem getting one (except at DEN) at the airport if U class still has space.
IF the real idea was to reduce the miles on the books(thats only something Ive read here I havent heard anyone at AS say that) but if they are there are plenty of other ways to do that!
#1. get rid of double miles for alaskaair.com purchases on the BofA visa
#2. eliminate the 1000 bonus miles for purchases online with the visa or reduce it to 500! Also only give 1000 for actual fare purchases. Not everyone is aware of this but you get 1000 for things like a $50 upgrade online and change fees paid online! I paid $15 one day to change a fare and got 1000 bonus miles for using the AS visa card!!!
They can eliminate bonus miles for elites (US has done this)
Tell the FA's to stop pushing the crack Visa cards to its passengers on every flight.
Now come on. I called you on this 100% increase business once before by pointing out the fact that AS has other expenses than fuel and that AS hedged part of their fuel for this year. Why do you keep trying to imply that a nearly 100% increase in fares/awards is in some way justified at this point? It's not a logical argument.
I'm not saying that AS' cost structure has increased 100%, but my point follows the same absurd logic that a 5% decline in fuel prices should result in a comparable decline in prices or surcharges.
My travel agent books all of my tickets--including the AS50 awards. I am not sure how AS.com handles AS50 bookings but through the travel agent, it is a simple 50% off the base fare and the AS50 certificate number in the endorsement box. The only way the airport agent can determine if an AS50 is being used is by looking at the endorsement box or the fare history and I have found that it is rarely done at the airport when I request for a comp upgrade.
Same thing for the rules that state that code share flights booked on a partner airline ticket stock is not eligible for upgrades--I have never had a problem getting one (except at DEN) at the airport if U class still has space.
you're not *supposed* to get the upgrade, and it will not happen automatically.. but I have been upgraded on an AS50 at the airport because there was availability... and I have been upgraded on a partner issued but AS operated ticket because there was availability... but to expect an AS50 ticket to be upgraded is probably setting oneself up for disappointment.
Programs: AS MVPG, DL GM, UA 3P, PriorityClub Platinum, Marriott Silver, SPG Gold
Posts: 2,673
Quote:
Originally Posted by sxf24
Most of the miles were not sold, rather they were given away to customers.
I paid for every one of my miles. Every time I flew a paid flight on AS instead of the competition because of MP, every charge I made on my (for fee) BofA card instead of another card. These are all ways that MP brings value and money in for AS, and you bet I paid for it.
I paid for every one of my miles. Every time I flew a paid flight on AS instead of the competition because of MP, every charge I made on my (for fee) BofA card instead of another card. These are all ways that MP brings value and money in for AS, and you bet I paid for it.
Miles are never "given away".
You paid for travel on AS and were given miles based on your patronage. You did not purchase those miles.
you're not *supposed* to get the upgrade, and it will not happen automatically.. but I have been upgraded on an AS50 at the airport because there was availability... and I have been upgraded on a partner issued but AS operated ticket because there was availability... but to expect an AS50 ticket to be upgraded is probably setting oneself up for disappointment.
90% of my AS flights are trans cons and I never expect to get upgraded and never put myself on the list as it seems pointless. I do check for U class at certain points within the 72 hour mark and when U class opens up, the telephone agents/gate agents never have a issue with giving me the upgrade.
Yeah, but there are more earned miles than purchased.
If half of all miles redeemed are "sold" miles, a peak award of 50000 miles translates to 25k sold miles. 25k at 1 or 2 cents per mile is still a revenue ticket in my book.
Bottom line is airlines have to walk a very fine line in keeping their FF programs attractive enough to keep people charging on their mileage credit cards--if they devalue the programs too much, they stand to loose a large revenue stream.
Bottom line is airlines have to walk a very fine line in keeping their FF programs attractive enough to keep people charging on their mileage credit cards--if they devalue the programs too much, they stand to loose a large revenue stream.
I agree. However, AS - and its relatively minor changes - remains solidly on the consumer friendly side of the line.
90% of my AS flights are trans cons and I never expect to get upgraded and never put myself on the list as it seems pointless. I do check for U class at certain points within the 72 hour mark and when U class opens up, the telephone agents/gate agents never have a issue with giving me the upgrade.
Perhaps you may want to rethink your disinterest in putting yourself on the first class wait list. AS had made some programming changes that make the upgrade sweeps more likely to catch those on the wait list if transcon U opens up, right up to a half-hour prior to check in time.
Location: NYC (CT suburbs), Gulf Stream, FL, and Seattle
Programs: CO Infinite Plat, AirTran Elite, AS MVPG, Delta GM, US PLat.
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I flew AS 14 to Newark on Thursday, in F. So far as I know, U inventory never opened prior to that departure. My wife and I used AS 50,'s although, with the F fare now around $750 each way, that $250 credit never came near half the cost. Based on a conversation I oveheard in the boarding line, I believe at least 2 of the 16 First Class seats were used by non revs.They are going to manage that inventroy right down the drain.
