So far as I know, U inventory never opened prior to that departure.
That's the key phrase: "So far as I know." The programming changes AS has implemented effectively mask reservation systems from knowing if U has opened up within the 72-hour upgrade window. That's to make sure, I'm told, that the MVPG upgrades are processed properly without line jumpers.
So if U did open up and others were upgraded, you'd never know unless you were high enough in the upgrade queue to be upgraded as well.
I have been upgraded on transcons on this system in the 72-hour window without ExpertFlyer first notifying me that U was available, and that didn't use to be the case before this change. It seems a better and more fair way to manage that upgrade inventory.
Programs: AS MVPG - AA NW CO UA US. Marriott Silver
Posts: 796
looks like someone is listening...
August 1, 2008
Dear 98103,
Last week we announced changes to the Mileage Plan program that will take effect on November 1, 2008. The goal of these changes is to ensure the long-term viability of the program while maintaining the benefits that our members value most.
As part of these changes, we announced that travel with the AS50 "Money and Miles" award would no longer earn miles. Based on your feedback and a better understanding of this award's importance to our most valued customers, we have modified this decision. Effective November 1, 2008, AS50 awards will earn 50 percent of the miles they earn today. These miles and 100 percent of the segments flown will count toward MVP Gold qualification.
For more information on this and our other Mileage Plan changes please visit alaskaair.com or contact MVP Gold customer service at (800) xxx-xxxx.
Thank you for your continued loyalty.
Sincerely,
Rick Rasmussen
Director, Customer Loyalty and Marketing Programs
Location: NYC (CT suburbs), Gulf Stream, FL, and Seattle
Programs: CO Infinite Plat, AirTran Elite, AS MVPG, Delta GM, US PLat.
Posts: 2,918
I'm pleased the new programming works behind the scenes. Trouble is, it means the process is less transparent. Others have moved in a different direction. For example, Continental now lists upgrade requests online, so you can see who gets them. Names are coded, but everyone can see how many are given, and at what point. Some of these MP changes make little sense. They are annoying, and save little, since the airline controls inventory, so they make the call on how much gets given away. I don't get it
Annoying as the surcharges are, they are far more understandable as they bring in badly needed revenue to offset noticeably higher fuel costs. Raising the amount of miles for an award brings in $0.
That's what I initially thought too. But then I realized that AS will be selling more miles to BofA and therefore raising more income. I'll be paying BofA another annual fee for their AS card so I can accumulate enough to travel to HI, which now requires an extra 5K miles.
#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!!!
Depends very much on who/how those bonuses are paid. If BofA is paying for those bonuses in whole or in part, which is likely, then changing those bonuses brings potentially LESS revenue to Alaska Air.
As alluded to by others, the various credit-card issuers have and may still be pre-purchasing FF-points for cash upfront, based upon certain conditions, of course. Those conditions can't be unilaterally changed by the airlines. You can reasonably speculate that any bonuses connected to BofA are contractually stipulated and not readily changed at the whim of Alaska.
Depends very much on who/how those bonuses are paid. If BofA is paying for those bonuses in whole or in part, which is likely, then changing those bonuses brings potentially LESS revenue to Alaska Air.
As alluded to by others, the various credit-card issuers have and may still be pre-purchasing FF-points for cash upfront, based upon certain conditions, of course. Those conditions can't be unilaterally changed by the airlines. You can reasonably speculate that any bonuses connected to BofA are contractually stipulated and not readily changed at the whim of Alaska.
so then if Bank of America has all this control then why doesnt BofA just buy Alaska air group and make it a subsidiary? Because from what Im hearing on here is everytime somebody mentions BofA cuts we see 3 or 4 excuses as to how BofA is basically controlling the airline in a round about way!!!
so then if Bank of America has all this control then why doesnt BofA just buy Alaska air group and make it a subsidiary? Because from what Im hearing on here is everytime somebody mentions BofA cuts we see 3 or 4 excuses as to how BofA is basically controlling the airline in a round about way!!!
BofA is a customer of Alaska Airlines. The difference is it pays for FF miles (instead of tickets) and then redistribute the miles to its own customers. How much they pay, and possibly how they do it, is likely the subject of a contract between BofA and AS that can't be changed unilaterally.
It's likely no different than the relationship any airline or hotel chain has with a credit card issuer.
I like how AS is taking their good old time entering in 38k miles of mine on NWA...something about being months behind and doing it manually... please hurry so i can book award tickets
If they are being driven by oil, now that oil is half what it was a year ago, the airlines should be reversing course and dropping these changes.
In spite of your constant defense of DL management, the two airlines on the cutting edge of devaluing ff programs happen to be DL and US. US not long ago tried to takeover DL, and that would be a fitting tie up of the two most anti-consumer legacies in North America.
Quote:
Originally Posted by sxf24
This is not a "Delta infection." I've repeated, over and over again, that the changes in the domestic airline's business models are being driven by oil. While the competitive landscape would certainly play into consideration, DL was not the first airline to adjust its program and it is (and will not be) the "worst."
Do the changes suck? Yes.
Do they reflect a new reality? Absolutely.
Well, I did paint myself into a corner.
I guess I intended to limit my comments to major carriers. There is not a single major domestic carrier that has not changed the terms of their frequent flier program in the past 18 months.
If they are being driven by oil, now that oil is half what it was a year ago, the airlines should be reversing course and dropping these changes.
Oil is not half of what it was a year ago, it is just 18.4% lower.
However, a financial crisis for airlines driven by the cost of fuel has been replaced by a financial crisis for airlines driven by a financial crisis. There is still a desperate hunt for additional revenue and cost savings. Whether frequent flyer programs are a sustainable source remains to be seen. In the meantime, we'll continue to see program changes for all carriers, with many network carriers moving their programs to align more with their European partners.
Programs: Alaska Airlines MP, JetBlue TrueBlue, Virgin America eleVate
Posts: 12
I was so proud to declare to people that I had the great Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan. Where my miles were cheaper and easier to use. Now the pressure has fallen upon us all as well. I'll only throw a fit when they take away free checked luggage entirely. Because that would really be BS.
Programs: AA LifeP/2MM, CO Plt, UA 1K/MM, WN, Hilton D, Hyatt D, SPG Plt
Posts: 5,370
A little praise for AS and down to 24 points.
I just got done with a interesting week trying to use all my AS points. I am not here on this forum often but thought I would find a spot to at least compliment AS for what they have done for me in the past. And mind you I know I earned all those points. As for changes in the future AS lost their appeal to me when the BA fuel charge came up. Also I have been putting my AS flights onto my CO account to keep status. You wanna know about a bad program. Go and try to use CO points for anything useful.
This week I was able to get a rt BA award in F from SFO to BUD for December.
I was also able to get a rt BA award in F from SFO to LHR to CPT for July.
Whatever AS does from here I feel I got great value.
Just wondering if anyone at AS can share whether the miles burn rate is substantially higher lately?
Myself, I burnt 80k miles for 8 flights up and down the west coast in the next few months: YVR-SJC / YVR-LAX, etc. Not the best use of miles (I'm getting between 1.2-1.7 cents/miles). Still have 50k left for a Japan award on AA (haven't finalized my dates so can't book).
I'm sure others are burning their miles for BA or AS awards, etc.
Programs: AS MVPG, Delta Gold, US Gold, SPG Gold, HHonors Diamond, Hyatt Diamond
Posts: 318
Quote:
Originally Posted by flyingstudent
Just wondering if anyone at AS can share whether the miles burn rate is substantially higher lately?
Myself, I burnt 80k miles for 8 flights up and down the west coast in the next few months: YVR-SJC / YVR-LAX, etc. Not the best use of miles (I'm getting between 1.2-1.7 cents/miles). Still have 50k left for a Japan award on AA (haven't finalized my dates so can't book).
I'm sure others are burning their miles for BA or AS awards, etc.
