Taking my new MVP Gold Status Out for a Spin

[BarkinJ]

I just got status matched to MVP Gold from my AAdvantage Plat status. So now that I have my status, what should I do with it?

I'm based out of LAX, and I do most of my flying to ORD, BOS, JFK, HPN, and MIA. But I also fly three or four flights a year on the really cool LAX-STS Horizon flight. (I'm pretty sure STS is my favorite airport. Snoopy as a mascot. How cool!)

Anyway... I want to take my status out for a spin.

How do I best take advantage of the perks?

Good places for (easy upgrade) mileage runs?

Where should I take my wife for an inexpensive vacation?

[BTW... Longtime Flyertalk lurker... This is my first post.]

[dave1013]

Welcome to Flyertalk postings and your status as an Alaska Airlines MVP Gold!

I've flown about twenty times between LAX and SEA over the past two years and have had good success being upgraded at the 72-hour mark even though most of the time I had purchased the least expensive ticket available. You'd probably have the same luck, so why not make a weekend of it and come up to Seattle, see the sights, and enjoy? Of course the weather has not been the greatest but if chances of being upgraded is something that interests you, this might be a good way to do it. There's plenty to see, do, eat, and drink even in the dead of winter.

[jackal]

As much as I'd like to promote winter tourism to Alaska (it needs all the promotion it can get...those of us in the tourism industry here literally starve in the winter months), I can't recommend a trip up here to ANC to test out your status--you have very little chance of upgrades on the SEA-ANC segment (unless you fly a red-eye, and even then, it's iffy). Plus, I'd hardly call even the lowest fare I've ever seen on that route anything close to a mileage-run-worthy fare.

I'd also avoid the transcons for the same reason--upgraded F seats ("U class") are rarely available. Fares can be a little more competitive on those routes, though (did someone recently mention PDX-BOS for $90ish each way?)

Of course, upgrades are only one benefit of MVPG status. Even if you don't get upgraded, you're still entitled to one free adult beverage in coach (the FAs should offer it to you, but sometimes a flash of the Gold card or a discreet mention that you're Gold might be required), and the bonus miles, MVPG desk, priority standby, and all the other extras are available anytime.

[gba]

Welcome to FT!

Why don't you cash in all your miles for an award ticket somewhere? In my opinion, the best benefit of MVP Gold status is the ability to change or cancel any award ticket made with your miles.

If you're new to AS (in addition to being a new Gold) there are also no change fees on tickets purchased tickets for you (but not for your wife) so if you find a good fare somewhere, but aren't sure you'll make the trip, go ahead and book it now and know that you can change (but not refund) it later.

[jackal]

Don't know that the OP has AS miles. If he books a trip on AS with AA miles, I'm not sure the MVPG benefits apply.

But gba's mention of the change fee waiver is of note: it allows you to make speculative bookings with virtually no penalty.

[BarkinJ]

Originally Posted by jackal

Don't know that the OP has AS miles. If he books a trip on AS with AA miles, I'm not sure the MVPG benefits apply.

But gba's mention of the change fee waiver is of note: it allows you to make speculative bookings with virtually no penalty.

OK... so now I have two questions:

1. If I buy a ticket while logged in on alaskaair.com -- say a flight LAX-SEA -- and when I purchase the ticket I ask to receive AAdvantage miles, will my MVPG perks apply when I fly? (In other words, AS should know who I am and that I am a MVPG member, so wouldn't my status be marked on my boarding pass and all that? And wouldn't the system make me eligible for upgrades and the like?)

2. Do MVPG benefits apply for Horizon flights? Specifically, I'm asking about the change fee waiver. My perception has been that AS and Horizon are basically one airline, at least from the customer's perspective. Is that true?

3. I know MVPG gets me some possibility for complimentary upgrades. If my wife is flying with me, does she get upgraded too? (Obviously, we'd be on the same itinerary.)

Thanks for welcoming me and for all the great advice. Already talking to the wife about taking a trip to SEA. What's AS's first class product like? (assuming I can get the upgrade)

[CDKing]

Originally Posted by jackal

(did someone recently mention PDX-BOS for $90ish each way?)

119 each way incl taxes. Or purchase through AA as code share for $97.10 each way incl taxes. But then again buying through AA wont let you test Gold status as I've been told its only eligible for upgrade at 24 hours

[dave1013]

Originally Posted by BarkinJ

OK... so now I have two questions:

1. If I buy a ticket while logged in on alaskaair.com -- say a flight LAX-SEA -- and when I purchase the ticket I ask to receive AAdvantage miles, will my MVPG perks apply when I fly? (In other words, AS should know who I am and that I am a MVPG member, so wouldn't my status be marked on my boarding pass and all that? And wouldn't the system make me eligible for upgrades and the like?) I'll take a crack at this. If your MVPG status is not marked on your BP you can always flash your MVPG card to the agent at the gate. If your wife comes with, advise the agent of that and you can board early together (presumes you are not upgraded to F). This might be the only perk you would realize if you applied the miles to your AA account. I am not sure about the upgrade aspect if you put the miles on AA. You could always ask to be put on the upgrade list, if everything else fails.

2. Do MVPG benefits apply for Horizon flights? Specifically, I'm asking about the change fee waiver. My perception has been that AS and Horizon are basically one airline, at least from the customer's perspective. Is that true? I believe the answer is yes.

3. I know MVPG gets me some possibility for complimentary upgrades. If my wife is flying with me, does she get upgraded too? (Obviously, we'd be on the same itinerary.) If she is on the same itinerary as you, then yes, she would enjoy the complimentary upgrade if U space is available.

Thanks for welcoming me and for all the great advice. Already talking to the wife about taking a trip to SEA. What's AS's first class product like? (assuming I can get the upgrade) If my experience holds true, you'll get food, e.g., a hot sandwich or a nice salad. AS competes with Virgin on this route so the service is pretty good. IMHO.

[eponymous_coward]

I've seen U sometimes on LAX-DCA (especially Sat.), so you could fly AS LAX-DCA, and connect to AA to go to JFK/BOS/MIA. That's a 2300 mile flight on AS metal right there (one of the longer ones in the system).

Flying LAX-SEA-ORD or LAX-DCA-ORD would be kind of silly (as well as LAX-SEA/PDX-any of the above), unless you're doing a mileage run, as the frequencies aren't really intended for travel ex-LAX; they are tweaked for the hubs in SEA and PDX, plus QX connections into those hubs. Expect to end up waiting in airports for connecting flights if you do this. Could be fine for a mileage run, though.

QX flies LAX-RNO. Boom, cheap vacation- Reno's hurting right now. Should be able to find good deals for Reno casinos (perhaps if you play enough, you might even get airfare comped back on top of room and board).

Also, sometimes offseason fares to certain places in Mexico (like, say CUN in summer) can be reasonable (~$450), AND there can be 72 hour MVPG upgrades available. I was able to do this with a companion last year for a July trip, both ways, and all parts of the leg (SEA-LAX-CUN and back). In addition, the prices for that time of year tend to be better for the resorts- as long as you stay out of prime hurricane season (late July to mid-September) and can stomach 90+ degree tropical heat, you can find good deals. The other factor is that LAX is AS's Mexico hub, so that's where most of the ex-LAX traffic goes (outside of the big three of SEA, PDX, ANC).

[jackal]

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Originally Posted by BarkinJ

1. If I buy a ticket while logged in on alaskaair.com -- say a flight LAX-SEA -- and when I purchase the ticket I ask to receive AAdvantage miles, will my MVPG perks apply when I fly? (In other words, AS should know who I am and that I am a MVPG member, so wouldn't my status be marked on my boarding pass and all that? And wouldn't the system make me eligible for upgrades and the like?)

2. Do MVPG benefits apply for Horizon flights? Specifically, I'm asking about the change fee waiver. My perception has been that AS and Horizon are basically one airline, at least from the customer's perspective. Is that true?

3. I know MVPG gets me some possibility for complimentary upgrades. If my wife is flying with me, does she get upgraded too? (Obviously, we'd be on the same itinerary.)

1. No, AS would not recognize your status. The website login does not affect anything. You must credit the flights to AS to show up as MVPG in the AS system. (Some airlines do have separate fields in their system for credit and status--IIRC, UA does this--but AS does not, to my knowledge, have this capability.)

It may be possible to upgrade day-of-departure (really, 24 hours before flight when OLCI opens) without paying, but I don't know for sure. I would assume you'd basically fall under whatever perks you'd otherwise normally get with your AA status.

2. Yes, AS and QX are more or less treated as a single airline and all elite benefits (with the exception of F upgrades, of course) apply.

3. Yes, you can upgrade one companion traveling with you as a Gold. (I'm not clear if the other person must be on the same PNR or not, but you said your wife would be, so it's a non-issue.)

[Seat 7D]

Originally Posted by BarkinJ

I just got status matched to MVP Gold from my AAdvantage Plat status. So now that I have my status, what should I do with it?

I'm based out of LAX, and I do most of my flying to ORD, BOS, JFK, HPN, and MIA. But I also fly three or four flights a year on the really cool LAX-STS Horizon flight. (I'm pretty sure STS is my favorite airport. Snoopy as a mascot. How cool!)

Anyway... I want to take my status out for a spin.

How do I best take advantage of the perks?

Good places for (easy upgrade) mileage runs?

Where should I take my wife for an inexpensive vacation?

[BTW... Longtime Flyertalk lurker... This is my first post.]

I've heard that upgrades are fairly easy on the LAX-DCA flight, but I'm not sure that qualifies as much of a vacation. As you probably know, Alaska flies extensively through Mexico from LAX. LAX-CUN has several opportunities even at the last minute (this week) for easy upgrades. And I think $216 each way for for 4200 miles roundtrip with free upgrades qualifies as a decent mileage run in my book.

[beckoa]

Welcome BarkinJ to Flyertalk and especially the Alaska Airlines forum!

Its a cool thing to be an MVPG (even if it's a freebie match ) and I am sure you'll enjoy your experiences.

Change fees waived have been one of the most lucrative (well $ saver) items for myself, (well... I don't use it that much but its nice ), 100% bonus on flown miles (RDM) and a newer change due to the diminishing benefits of the airline industry, 2 free checked bags as an MVPG and others on the same PNR (like your wife)

I'd say check out Hawaii!

Sure, you have a little longer to fly via SEA... but you get 4 upgrade certs... use them on a longer route with great service, and if you book long enough in advance (330 days), there's usually some U space avail...

I've never flown to Mexico or Canada but AS offers nonstops to both (at least used to fly nonstop to YVR...?)

[beckoa]

Originally Posted by jackal

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It may be possible to upgrade day-of-departure (really, 24 hours before flight when OLCI opens) without paying, but I don't know for sure. I would assume you'd basically fall under whatever perks you'd otherwise normally get with your AA status.

I don't think any upgrade would be possible if you entered your AA number... basically no benies would apply, besides pre-boarding, elite security access... and if you flash your card, the 'first one on us' premium complimentary beverage... ie- nothing in your ticket PNR would indicate your status...

Originally Posted by jackal

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3. Yes, you can upgrade one companion traveling with you as a Gold. (I'm not clear if the other person must be on the same PNR or not, but you said your wife would be, so it's a non-issue.)

Correct... you get a companion upgrade... and they don't have to be on the same PNR... in fact they only need to share one segment of flight... don't have to be identical itins...

[beckoa]

Originally Posted by Seat 7D

I've heard that upgrades are fairly easy on the LAX-DCA flight, but I'm not sure that qualifies as much of a vacation. As you probably know, Alaska flies extensively through Mexico from LAX. LAX-CUN has several opportunities even at the last minute (this week) for easy upgrades. And I think $216 each way for for 4200 miles roundtrip with free upgrades qualifies as a decent mileage run in my book.

Well... speaking of itins and crazy routings... (note- my ideas are hard - ie - expensive - to implement since AS prices its flights on a OW basis- so it'll be the equivalent of buying lots of OW segments... not really flexible routing rules)

Instead of flying LAX-SEA, try LAX-DCA-SEA

When trying to fly to HNL... try LAX-SEA-ANC-HNL... or better yet... LAX-DCA-SEA-FAI-ANC-HNL

[maokh]

When flying to a codeshare destination not served by Alaska in the lower 48 (ie, pittsburgh), the second choice is always about a $1000+ ticket that routes through anchorage of about 25 hours of duration.

Sometimes the extra miles are not worth it...