Programs: AS MVPG, DL GM, UA 3P, PriorityClub Platinum, Marriott Silver, SPG Gold
Posts: 2,672
Quote:
Originally Posted by bobsyouruncle
While I'm disappointed with the changes (although not surprised) I must give credit to AS for giving us over three months notice. That is quite reasonable IMHO.
Yup, plenty of time to burn miles at the current rate and look for cheaper alternatives for future travel.
When I switched to MP last year I did so in part because MP really is a great program, and also in part because I could accrue miles for flights on Delta, Northwest, Continental, American and Alaska, which meant I had a variety of carriers to choose from when I flew domestically.
Now DL and NW are combining, Continental is leaving the program, and MP has gotten substantially worse... I'd argue it's no longer competitive with AAdvantage (if only because you can mix and match OneWorld and partner carriers to reach your destination, giving you a lot more flexibility). The redemption level for anytime awards is even 5000 miles more than AA now. I had been on my way to MVPG this year (I'm already MVP and have 1 AS flight booked), but am seriously considering moving my business back to AA. I hope AS will either reconsider the change or at least make some changes to MP that will make the devaluation more palatable.
Compared to the rest of the industry, Alaska's mileage plan "changes" are just a soft blow.
No fuel surcharge or fee with in alaska airlines / horizon air travel
No removal of the 500 minimum
Just a few thousand more miles for award tickets
No real changes to MVP that would anger a good customer
Other airline mileage plans have had *much* worse changes than that. My only concern now is the potential run on mile redemption taking place and elimination of award availability.
Is there a pending/unannounced change for travel to/from Alaska? Did I miss something?
There is something weird about the state of Alaska and award travel. Some of the rumors did read that they would be removing any award travel in and out of alaska ... but i think it was a joke: AS Awards to/from Alaska will be discontinued after 8/31/08
if true, this would be a major blow to alaska's bread and butter. Not like anyone is rushing in to replace it ... and not like its cheap doing business in alaska either ... so they probably could.
Programs: AS MVPG, DL GM, UA 3P, PriorityClub Platinum, Marriott Silver, SPG Gold
Posts: 2,672
Quote:
Originally Posted by maokh
Just a few thousand more miles for award tickets
Haven't you heard? 25k is the new "SuperSaver" rate with ultra-limited availability. It's anybody's guess what the levels will be for the two higher tiers.
40/60?
50/75?
I really doubt this is going to be just a "few" thousand miles.
Alaska is now -- and has always been -- part of the continental US. It has never been part of the contiguous US.
From Wikipedia: "The continental United States commonly refers to the 48 contiguous states located on the central part of the North American continent, plus the District of Columbia, and so does not include Alaska and Hawaii"
Compared to the rest of the industry, Alaska's mileage plan "changes" are just a soft blow.
No fuel surcharge or fee with in alaska airlines / horizon air travel
No removal of the 500 minimum
Just a few thousand more miles for award tickets
No real changes to MVP that would anger a good customer
Other airline mileage plans have had *much* worse changes than that. My only concern now is the potential run on mile redemption taking place and elimination of award availability.
I completely agree. Those who are playing harbingers of Mileage Plan doom probably haven't seen what's happening now with other carriers' frequent flier programs:
Fees for redeeming awards on the award program's own carrier
Considering all that, I can live with higher redemption levels in three tiers and only a $25 partner booking fee. Plus the generous notice given to use miles and redeem awards at current levels.
And AS is alone, or among a very small number, of airlines that allow redeeming miles for a cash discount, so I'm not surprised there is one more restriction on the AS50, in addition to it not being upgradeable. YMMV.
There is something weird about the state of Alaska and award travel. Some of the rumors did read that they would be removing any award travel in and out of alaska ... but i think it was a joke: AS Awards to/from Alaska will be discontinued after 8/31/08
if true, this would be a major blow to alaska's bread and butter. Not like anyone is rushing in to replace it ... and not like its cheap doing business in alaska either ... so they probably could.
I think "Gotcha!" in the text of OP's first message in that thread made it pretty clear is was a poor practical joke. Along the lines of spam messages that have misleading subject lines to get you to click, in my mind. Not to be taken seriously.
Programs: TubWorld, Bar Alliance, Borratxo Legendarium
Posts: 10,066
Quote:
Originally Posted by spgaston
Haven't you heard? 25k is the new "SuperSaver" rate with ultra-limited availability. It's anybody's guess what the levels will be for the two higher tiers.
40/60?
50/75?
I really doubt this is going to be just a "few" thousand miles.
Anybodys guess? It's been linkable from the homepage since this morning.
Haven't you heard? 25k is the new "SuperSaver" rate with ultra-limited availability. It's anybody's guess what the levels will be for the two higher tiers.
40/60?
50/75?
I really doubt this is going to be just a "few" thousand miles.
Actually, it's not anybody's guess. The new levels with miles required are posted in the link that was included at the end of the AS email that went out this morning:
(Darn. Missydarlin just beat me to it. Thus this parenthetical edit and addition below.) So here are the levels themselves, to illustrate:
Continental U.S. & Canada Award Type / One Way / Round Trip
Super Saver Coach 12,500 25,000
Choice Coach 20,000 40,000
Full Flex Coach 27,500 55,000
Super Saver First 25,000 50,000
Full Flex First 50,000 100,000
Mexico Award Type / One Way / Round Trip
Super Saver Coach 17,500 35,000
Choice Coach 25,000 50,000
Full Flex Coach 32,500 65,000
Super Saver First 32,500 65,000
Full Flex First 60,000 120,000
Hawaii Award Type / One Way / Round Trip
Super Saver Coach 20,000 40,000
Choice Coach 27,500 55,000
Full Flex Coach 37,500 75,000
Super Saver First 37,500 75,000
Full Flex First 75,000 150,000
New Intra-State Awards
The popular 15,000 mile Intra-Alaska Award has been expanded to an Intra-State Award, offering travel wholly within one individual state, including Alaska, California, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, or Washington. This represents an award level reduction. First Class Intra-State Awards will also be available at reduced levels.
Award Type / One Way / Round Trip
Super Saver Coach 7,500 15,000
Choice Coach 12,500 25,000
Full Flex Coach 17,500 35,000
Super Saver First 15,000 30,000
Full Flex First 30,000 60,000
Last edited by Seattlenerd; Jul 24, 08 at 2:50 pm.
Reason: Trumped by missydarlin
Programs: TubWorld, Bar Alliance, Borratxo Legendarium
Posts: 10,066
Quote:
Originally Posted by LuckyDenver
Maybe I'm over-analyzing, but the presser lists new award levels in the following categories:
Continental U.S. & Canada
Mexico
Hawaii
Is there a pending/unannounced change for travel to/from Alaska? Did I miss something?
Is Alaska now part of the continental US? (which is fine by me...no more exorbitant shipping charges)
Yes, you are overanalyzing. Our award levels have always (ok... at least in the 10 years that I've been here) listed "Continental U.S. and Canada" as a region, and include the State of Alaska.
Does anyone think that the new three tier award system means AS will be joining SkyTeam?
Having affairs with various airlines but not marrying any of them seems to have been a strategy that worked well enough for AS, but I wouldn't rule an entry into SkyTeam out. But what does AS have to gain by no longer sleeping around with airlines regardless of alliance membership?
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This game is not as much fun as it used to be: 2008/2009 Frequent Flyer Program Fleecing Award goes to Delta Airlines
