Programs: DL GM, AS MVPG/BR, WN B-list, VX Fovnding, AA PlAAstic, HHhhhhoners, SPGG, Hertz 5*, AMZN Big Radish
Posts: 313
Quote:
Originally Posted by eponymous_coward
The transcon problem being described is different, which is that revenue management never releases anything into the U bucket, period, and it's gate lotto for upgrades, if that.
You're right, we're kind of arguing about two different issues. This is one of the reasons why I tend to prefer DL for last minute transcons. At least with them it's less of a mystery.
Programs: CO OnePass (Platinum) DL PM (Matched) AS MP (former Gold) HHonors (Diamond) SPG (Gold)
Posts: 2,145
Quote:
Originally Posted by hgdf
You're right, we're kind of arguing about two different issues. This is one of the reasons why I tend to prefer DL for last minute transcons. At least with them it's less of a mystery.
Are you speaking of the transparency of the process on DL with the upgrade list appearing on the GIDS? If so, I agree there needs ot be more transparency to the AS system as well. I love CO's EUA process and the fact that one can track everything on the pda site or the regular website. As CO rolls out DL style GIDS the pda info will also appear there.
Programs: AA EXP, SPG Gold, CO Plat, IC Amb, *A Miles but no status
Posts: 201
wow, didn't mean to cause the stir
I was on the cheapest fare, can't recall the class but I am now sure it was the case that it was not offered online or at the kiosk due to my class. Not sure about if anyone else was on the list and not upgraded. I recall there being at least one more open seat in First so I don't think anyone missed out. I would think Alaska would handle that correctly.
On the way back I am in the 'Bargain' fare instead of Hot Deals. Is that treated the same for the online upgrades? Since its a Tues morning flight I figure there is a good chance I can still get the $50 upgrade. Worth it to me as right now I have no seat assignement and only see a single middle seat avail. Looked like the first few coach rows are all blocked out for MVP but are currently mostly unassigned.
Programs: DL GM, AS MVPG/BR, WN B-list, VX Fovnding, AA PlAAstic, HHhhhhoners, SPGG, Hertz 5*, AMZN Big Radish
Posts: 313
Quote:
Originally Posted by COpltASgldPHX
Are you speaking of the transparency of the process on DL with the upgrade list appearing on the GIDS? If so, I agree there needs ot be more transparency to the AS system as well. I love CO's EUA process and the fact that one can track everything on the pda site or the regular website. As CO rolls out DL style GIDS the pda info will also appear there.
Yes, the automated process for airport upgrades with standby list on the GIDS helps a lot. For some reason I trust the computer more than I do the gate agents. DL's online reservation system also makes it a lot clearer whether you're getting a confirmed upgrade for the particular segment as you're booking it, as opposed going on the wait list.
Programs: AS MVP (withering away due to insane fares), UA, AA, AGR, NPS passport, Costco Exec
Posts: 5,225
Quote:
Originally Posted by mikelat
On the way back I am in the 'Bargain' fare instead of Hot Deals. Is that treated the same for the online upgrades? Since its a Tues morning flight I figure there is a good chance I can still get the $50 upgrade. Worth it to me as right now I have no seat assignement and only see a single middle seat avail. Looked like the first few coach rows are all blocked out for MVP but are currently mostly unassigned.
Yes. Only the Value and higher fare classes qualify for being able to buy the upgrade online or at a kiosk. Hot Deals and Bargain fares don't.
If you can't snag the upgrade, you should be able to access the seats blocked off for elites when you do OLCI, since at that point they're made freely available. Check in early so you have access to the best seats.
Then, of course, ask for the upgrade when you get to the gate, but that way, if you can't get it, you won't be stuck in 26E.
Location: NYC (CT suburbs), Gulf Stream, FL, and Seattle
Programs: CO Infinite Plat, AirTran Elite, AS MVPG, Delta GM, US PLat.
Posts: 2,918
You guys are right. Transcons (or any nonstop over 3 hours) are different. What you don't want to overlook is, for the last few years, it's been those kinds of flights they are adding. Austin, Atlanta, all the Hawaiian services, and don't foget the unsuccessful attempts from PDX (BOS, MCO). They are clearly trying to extend average stage length, not only by adding long haul, but also transferring west coast flying to Horizon. AS is becoming less and less a regional carrier,and the upgrade program needs to reflect that. Otherwise dump it. If an MVPG pays full boat for an F ticket, there is no need for the program. He/she gets the mileage bonus, fee free changes, access to the expedited screening, and even a free admit to the Boardroom. So does a non MP member, in that circumstance. Every time I make this point, somebody wants to invalidate it by suggesting I am a chronic whiner. I might be, but not on this one. If you are going to have to pay full fare for those seats, and you still get every Gold benefit, even if you never fly the airline, then who needs it?
Programs: AS MVP Gold (83K), AS BR [3 year renewal], Maika`i Card, CO
Posts: 11,091
Quote:
Originally Posted by deelmakur
You guys are right. Transcons (or any nonstop over 3 hours) are different. What you don't want to overlook is, for the last few years, it's been those kinds of flights they are adding. Austin, Atlanta, all the Hawaiian services, and don't foget the unsuccessful attempts from PDX (BOS, MCO). They are clearly trying to extend average stage length, not only by adding long haul, but also transferring west coast flying to Horizon. AS is becoming less and less a regional carrier,and the upgrade program needs to reflect that. Otherwise dump it. If an MVPG pays full boat for an F ticket, there is no need for the program. He/she gets the mileage bonus, fee free changes, access to the expedited screening, and even a free admit to the Boardroom. So does a non MP member, in that circumstance. Every time I make this point, somebody wants to invalidate it by suggesting I am a chronic whiner. I might be, but not on this one. If you are going to have to pay full fare for those seats, and you still get every Gold benefit, even if you never fly the airline, then who needs it?
Interesting point...
As hard as trans-con upgrades are to get... if one is flexible and understands when/where to fly... they can be successful IME...
Oh, although PDX-ORD died... PDX-BOS is still around and is one of the better routes to seek the from...
I guess if someone is flying paid F primarily... the biggest benefit to having a MP is free trips... 50% faster then MP members in Y, and 150% faster if MVPG...
AS is still contemplating an MVPP tier... what would you suggest besides the other complimentary First Class amenities?
Programs: UA 1K, AS MVPG, AA G (MM), Hyatt Diamond, Hilton Silver, Marriott Silver, Global Entry, NEXUS
Posts: 146
Quote:
Originally Posted by beckoa
AS is still contemplating an MVPP tier... what would you suggest besides the other complimentary First Class amenities?
At the rate I'm going, I could easily divert some of my UA flying to AS and make MVPP. No problem. Doesn't matter whether it's based on mileage or spending. So what would make me do it? One thing: better availability of upgrades on transcons. That's it.
After my last experience, I decided to start being better about booking far ahead. I have an SEA-ORD-SEA trip coming up in five weeks' time. I checked AS and the fares were tolerable... but no direct flights were upgradeable. I then checked the seat map and every F seat was open -- but no upgrades allowed. That I don't understand. So I thought about it for a few moments, then went straight over and booked myself on UA.
If the "U" icon had been there, I'd be on AS. It's that simple. And that's literally the only thing I care about as a hypothetical benefit of a hypothetical MVPP program.
Programs: AS MVP Gold (83K), AS BR [3 year renewal], Maika`i Card, CO
Posts: 11,091
Quote:
Originally Posted by boosman
At the rate I'm going, I could easily divert some of my UA flying to AS and make MVPP. No problem. Doesn't matter whether it's based on mileage or spending. So what would make me do it? One thing: better availability of upgrades on transcons. That's it.
After my last experience, I decided to start being better about booking far ahead. I have an SEA-ORD-SEA trip coming up in five weeks' time. I checked AS and the fares were tolerable... but no direct flights were upgradeable. I then checked the seat map and every F seat was open -- but no upgrades allowed. That I don't understand. So I thought about it for a few moments, then went straight over and booked myself on UA.
If the "U" icon had been there, I'd be on AS. It's that simple. And that's literally the only thing I care about as a hypothetical benefit of a hypothetical MVPP program.
So the discussed MVPP tier would solve some of your issues... someone mentioned it would remove the 'U' requirement possibly on higher fares (lets say Value and above) so if there was an open seat... you got it!
Programs: Various bits of plastic with names of noble metals on them
Posts: 1,987
Quote:
What you don't want to overlook is, for the last few years, it's been those kinds of flights they are adding. Austin, Atlanta, all the Hawaiian services, and don't foget the unsuccessful attempts from PDX (BOS, MCO).
Right, but here's the thing: go look at the U space on some of those flights. SEA-HNL, two weeks from today, one week trip? Plenty of U. Same with SEA-AUS down the pike some more. Please also note that some of the AS ANC folks on FT have done MULTIPLE MRs to HNL getting U. I would also imagine that SJC-AUS is going to be an easy route to score an upgrade on for a while as well (at least until a sufficient Bay Area population has MVPG).
It may be that the EWR-SEA routes just have different F purchase rates than other locales. That would be a good reason not to have U- they sell out of F.
Also, I've flown 6 non-stops over 2 hours on AS: SEA-MIA, SEA-ORD, LAX-CUN. My lifetime upgrade percentage is 50%... all on waitlist. (I can probably count the U-eligible fares I've bought on AS in multiple years as an MVPG on two hands, and have fingers left over.) Granted the plural of "anecdote" is not "data", but given the success rate some of our AS forum mileage runners have, I tend to think that things are not quite as bleak as you put it.
Last edited by eponymous_coward; Jul 9, 09 at 5:19 pm.
Programs: UA 1K, AS MVPG, AA G (MM), Hyatt Diamond, Hilton Silver, Marriott Silver, Global Entry, NEXUS
Posts: 146
Quote:
Originally Posted by beckoa
So the discussed MVPP tier would solve some of your issues... someone mentioned it would remove the 'U' requirement possibly on higher fares (lets say Value and above) so if there was an open seat... you got it!
Yes. If there were an MVPP tier, I'd go for it, because then I could book transcons knowing that as long as there was an open seat in F, it was mine.
The tricky part would be the qualification level. I'm a 150-160K BIS miles/year kind of guy these days, and honestly, that's quite enough. I'd like to keep my UA 1K if possible. So I'd be dependent on UA and/or AS running aggressive DEQM promotions (which they have been doing of late, so that's probably a good bet), taking full advantage of said promotions, and otherwise managing my miles between the two programs. If AS MVPP is at 75K EQMs, I'm good. If it's at 100K EQMs, it's becomes more difficult.
So the discussed MVPP tier would solve some of your issues... someone mentioned it would remove the 'U' requirement possibly on higher fares (lets say Value and above) so if there was an open seat... you got it!
Yes. If there were an MVPP tier, I'd go for it, because then I could book transcons knowing that as long as there was an open seat in F, it was mine.
The tricky part would be the qualification level. I'm a 150-160K BIS miles/year kind of guy these days, and honestly, that's quite enough. I'd like to keep my UA 1K if possible. So I'd be dependent on UA and/or AS running aggressive DEQM promotions (which they have been doing of late, so that's probably a good bet), taking full advantage of said promotions, and otherwise managing my miles between the two programs. If AS MVPP is at 75K EQMs, I'm good. If it's at 100K EQMs, it's becomes more difficult.
Well with the DEQM promo and misc ancillary trips- I'll be between 75 and 90 K EQM's on the year
However under the proposed tier... I'm not sure I'd be elgible as it might be based on $ vs. EQM's...
And as you said, if you are not willing to give up 1K... it might not be for you either...
Just need MVPP rolled out
(Isn't DL releasing a 4th tier this month too?)
IIRC more details should be announced sometime soon but is supposed to start in 2010. Technically its the 5th tier as DL has one of those "Special" ones similar to UA's GS. They need a new tier much more than AS does. With the DEQM promo and Gift MQM's, once SM & WP EQM's are merge there will be a lot of people with over 100k EQM's
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2009 AS- 79,706 EQM/29 Seg - AS+Partner 87,619/38 seg
from...
January came early!!! 
