Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan - Confirmed First Class Baggage fee?

So even though in First Class (U Class) you'll still have to pay for baggage starting 7/9/12. Wasn't having unnecessary baggage fees waived supposed to be a perk of sitting in First Class?

Another North of Expected type of service I guess.
But I really hope I'm interpreting/reading this wrong.

It is pretty clear that you are correct. I imagine this is targeting people who were paying $50 to upgrade and checking 2 bags, making the effective price of F $10, which is too low.

Here's the AS page confirming this ugly policy change:

http://www.alaskaair.com/content/travel-info/policies/baggage-checked.aspx

So when you use your MVPG Guest Upgrade certificates to upgrade your friends or family members, they still don't get free baggage. :td:

Baggage charges were only waived if you were confirmed in F at the time you checked your bags. Since those on cheap fares couldn't upgrade until the gate, people confirmed in U before arriving at the ticket counter were people who:

- were elite and got free bags anyway
- were gifted an upgrade by an MVPG
- had an expensive fare and used miles to upgrade
- had an expensive fare and paid the upgrade fee ($50+)

This seems like a money-grubbing move that recognizes that people who are paying to upgrade have money to spend (expense accounts) and will pay for baggage if they have to.

This seems like a money-grubbing move

Agreed, and back in February (http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/alaska-airlines-mileage-plan/1314904-alaska-air-ceo-ayer-retire-will-join-fed-aviation-task-force.html) one of our mods, in his post #9, provided a glimpse into the potential of things like this.

But hey - five in a row per JD Power. More power to 'em (and less of something to the rest of us!).

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Wow AS way to cheapen the experience of F :td:

Makes those upgrade certs even more worthless :(

This makes very little sense to me, and is another downgrade of the upgrade certificates.

I would not doubt at all that this, along with with the fare restrictions, will cause less usage of the upgrade certs. They will probably use that data to say that there isn't enough of them being used to continue to offer it as a benefit and will just stop offering them.

Way to go Alaska :td:

When is AS going to rebadge the "FC" product to Economy +, and call it an enhancement?

Economy + is a registerd trademark of Untied Airlines. <<shudder>>

This makes perfect sense as a policy change. Elites will still be exempt. The only people who will be hit by it are people paying for upgrades. Given how cheap AS airport/gate upgrades are for discount-fare non-status passengers, I think that its reasonable that that charge only covers the actual upgrade and not the baggage. $10 for an upgrade on a 1,000 mile flight if you are only checking two bags - you could actually come close to drinking that amount of booze at airline wholesale/catering costs.

I remember three years ago I bought a $50 upgrade on US Airways to avoid an $80 overweight fee. That's just silly...

This makes perfect sense as a policy change. Elites will still be exempt. The only people who will be hit by it are people paying for upgrades. Wrong. It also affects people that we might give a nice gift to, i.e., I've upgraded your flight to F. Oh, but AS will still charge you for your luggage. But what about your nice gifts the past few years? Oh, I'm sorry, and I know I told you you'd already have to pay more for that fare so I'd be able to upgrade you, and now, they have taken the screwdriver out for you in the F check-in line, because it needed using.

The only people who will be hit by it are people paying for upgrades.

Unless they are Club 49 members about to fly on a "qualifying" flight.

Granted, this is probably far short of a majority of cases but this latest AS baggage policy gambit incrementally enhances the value of a Club 49 membership for this very reason.

That said, I think at last count there were over 300,000 Club 49 members so perhaps most everyone who can sign up, has signed up.

Wrong. It also affects people that we might give a nice gift to, i.e., I've upgraded your flight to F. Oh, but AS will still charge you for your luggage. But what about your nice gifts the past few years? Oh, I'm sorry, and I know I told you you'd already have to pay more for that fare so I'd be able to upgrade you, and now, they have taken the screwdriver out for you in the F check-in line, because it needed using.

The bizarre part? "Oh, we'll let you board early if you gate-check your bags" gets announced regularly at gates, in my experience (though who knows what's going to happen now that there's a $25 fee to gate check).

So, buying F = pay for baggage, but if you pay for F, take your baggage through the TSA checkpoint and gate-check it...

:confused:

:rolleyes:

The right way to make this change would be to only offer paid upgrades after baggage has been collected and paid for if necessary. Then AS gets all its incremental revenue from business passengers who are charging their company anyway, and still preserves the benefit and good will for recipients of MVPG Guest Upgrades.

Disappointed AS again has chosen to make a devaluing change by trying to slip it under the radar, instead of at the very least being upfront and informing elites.

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The right way to make this change would be to only offer paid upgrades after baggage has been collected and paid for if necessary. Then AS gets all its incremental revenue from business passengers who are charging their company anyway, and still preserves the benefit and good will for recipients of MVPG Guest Upgrades.

Disappointed AS again has chosen to make a devaluing change by trying to slip it under the radar, instead of at the very least being upfront and informing elites.

This would be an excellent way to structure this- as it would hold paid upgrades for the gate to maximize the opportunity of elites to be upgraded (vs skipping, etc)

Here's the AS page confirming this ugly policy change:

http://www.alaskaair.com/content/travel-info/policies/baggage-checked.aspx

So when you use your MVPG Guest Upgrade certificates to upgrade your friends or family members, they still don't get free baggage. :td:

Baggage charges were only waived if you were confirmed in F at the time you checked your bags. Since those on cheap fares couldn't upgrade until the gate, people confirmed in U before arriving at the ticket counter were people who:

- were elite and got free bags anyway
- were gifted an upgrade by an MVPG
- had an expensive fare and used miles to upgrade
- had an expensive fare and paid the upgrade fee ($50+)

This seems like a money-grubbing move that recognizes that people who are paying to upgrade have money to spend (expense accounts) and will pay for baggage if they have to.

Why should someone who is a friend or relative of an elite member get a free bag? Not a big deal to me.

Why should someone who is a friend or relative of an elite member get a free bag? Not a big deal to me.

Because they are in the F cabin, with all the benefits of the F cabin. This is the only airline I know of that now cheapens the F experience by not giving you the regular benefits of the cabin that comes with an upgrade. Chip chip chip, clunk.

"For the same price, we don't suck quite as much" is becoming almost too generous of a slogan.

Wrong. It also affects people that we might give a nice gift to, i.e., I've upgraded your flight to F. Oh, but AS will still charge you for your luggage. But what about your nice gifts the past few years? Oh, I'm sorry, and I know I told you you'd already have to pay more for that fare so I'd be able to upgrade you, and now, they have taken the screwdriver out for you in the F check-in line, because it needed using.

Not sure AS gives a hoot about the non-status pax. Not sure why AS would care. Trust me, this won't cost AS one pax. People will still line up to pay for their el cheapo UG.

Not sure AS gives a hoot about the non-status pax. Not sure why AS would care. Trust me, this won't cost AS one pax. People will still line up to pay for their el cheapo UG.

But it is a slap in the face of goodwill for MVPGs. It applies to all "U", not just paid at the airport/gate. That is two big hits to the value of the certificates if used for guests in just a few short months. Death by a thousand little cuts.

Because they are in the F cabin, with all the benefits of the F cabin. This is the only airline I know of that now cheapens the F experience by not giving you the regular benefits of the cabin that comes with an upgrade. Chip chip chip, clunk.

"For the same price, we don't suck quite as much" is becoming almost too generous of a slogan.

To each their own. Not a big deal to me. All I know is when I am upgraded (which is 100% of my flights this year) I get all the benefits.

If the friend or family member you upgraded doesn't like it they could always head back to coach. ;)

To each their own. Not a big deal to me. All I know is when I am upgraded (which is 100% of my flights this year) I get all the benefits.

If the friend or family member you upgraded doesn't like it they could always head back to coach. ;)

+1 - I hear that there's going to be a massive protest by pax who receive a freebie UG from a friend and won't accept it because they will still have to pay for the same bags they would have to pay for if they sat in steerage.

+1 - I hear that there's going to be a massive protest by pax who receive a freebie UG from a friend and won't accept it because they will still have to pay for the same bags they would have to pay for if they sat in steerage.

Just don't get any outrage over this.

+1 - I hear that there's going to be a massive protest by pax who receive a freebie UG from a friend and won't accept it because they will still have to pay for the same bags they would have to pay for if they sat in steerage.

Folks, it is just another in the constant string of chipping of benefits. One of these days, it is going to hit you in a painful place. No, there will not be a massive protest from this. This is a product that AS has given to its "most valuable flyers" to (1) either get themselves out of the main cabin, at any fare, or (2) give to friends/family, on any fare, for some time. They recently removed the "any fare" benefit. They have now removed another benefit. An airline that prides itself on customer service, and being a cut above the competition, has been continually chopping, chopping, chopping in the past couple of years. The "big picture" of two years ago v. now (when they are making $, and not as a result of these incremental chops - they are too recent to make a difference) in benefits is pretty big, even though very few have been "revolt" material. It wasn't enough that you now have to tell your friends/family to spend more $ to avail themselves of the certificate, now that they have, they still have to pay for their bags.

I also find a difference between anyone who might get an airport upgrade with the T&C at the time of the upgrade (i.e., you still pay for your bags) v. someone using a Gold UG cert.

I also find a difference between anyone who might get an airport upgrade with the T&C at the time of the upgrade (i.e., you still pay for your bags) v. someone using a Gold UG cert.

Or 15,000 miles to upgrade a (fairly expensive, since miles can't be used on the cheaper fare classes) coach ticket.

But what if you buy a F ticket outright? Does one still get free baggage?

But what if you buy a F ticket outright? Does one still get free baggage?

Yes, U class (upgrade) is specified as the one associated with the baggage charges.

Folks, it is just another in the constant string of chipping of benefits. One of these days, it is going to hit you in a painful place. No, there will not be a massive protest from this. This is a product that AS has given to its "most valuable flyers" to (1) either get themselves out of the main cabin, at any fare, or (2) give to friends/family, on any fare, for some time. They recently removed the "any fare" benefit. They have now removed another benefit. An airline that prides itself on customer service, and being a cut above the competition, has been continually chopping, chopping, chopping in the past couple of years. The "big picture" of two years ago v. now (when they are making $, and not as a result of these incremental chops - they are too recent to make a difference) in benefits is pretty big, even though very few have been "revolt" material. It wasn't enough that you now have to tell your friends/family to spend more $ to avail themselves of the certificate, now that they have, they still have to pay for their bags.

I also find a difference between anyone who might get an airport upgrade with the T&C at the time of the upgrade (i.e., you still pay for your bags) v. someone using a Gold UG cert.

It's a business relationship not a marriage. If there's a better deal to be had on another carrier, I would grab it. There's nobody who seriously thinks that with capacity cuts, more paid F and the like that any carrier's FFP will survive intact for more than the next 9-18 months.

Just booked a flight with upgrades to Hawaii for September. I spoke with the CSR last night and she didn't know about this change. She had to confirm with a few people. At the end of the day, it really doesn't bother me. Pay for first and get the benefits, upgrade to first and lose a few. It's still a good deal IMO.

Heck, why stop at baggage? Next up:

First Class Upgraders do not get complimentary booze
First Class Upgraders do not get a meal
First Class Upgraders do not get complimentary Dig-e-Player
First Class Upgraders do not get to select a seat
First Class Upgraders do not get priority security line access
First Class Upgraders do not get to board early
First Class Upgraders do not get pre-departure water
First Class Upgraders do not get hot towels
First Class Upgraders do not get greeted by name
First Class Upgraders do not get to use forward lavatory
First Class Upgraders do not get to recline
First Class Upgraders do not get to unfold tray table
First Class Upgraders do not get to use the reading light

Anything I missed?

I know I am in the minority but air travel is mass transit to me.
I pick AS because they are partners with Delta and between the two I can get everywhere I need to go at a fair price.

Being a Gold 75 I earn extra miles, get upgrades (100% this year out of PDX on AS), a free cocktail if I don't get upgraded, and 2 free bags. Seems like a square deal to me.

All I care about is me and AS treats me and most other elites very fairly IMO and don't see this as an eroding of benefits.

If I were non-elite as I am when I fly Southwest I treat it as mass transit and just want to get to my destination safely. None of the other fluff means anything to me.

But it is a slap in the face of goodwill for MVPGs. It applies to all "U", not just paid at the airport/gate. That is two big hits to the value of the certificates if used for guests in just a few short months. Death by a thousand little cuts.

Just curious, what other domestic airlines offer guest upgrade certificates and what are their policies? I could be wrong but my guess is zero. When I was a DL elite I never saw one.

Personally, I use these on myself on long-haul flights where I don't want to wait and see if I clear. Most of the time the guest upgrade fare is the same as the lowest fare so no problem. And if I were to get a friend or family member upgraded to F and they complained about the baggage fee, it would be their last F experience on me.

Just curious, what other domestic airlines offer guest upgrade certificates and what are their policies? I could be wrong but my guess is zero. When I was a DL elite I never saw one.

Personally, I use these on myself on long-haul flights where I don't want to wait and see if I clear. Most of the time the guest upgrade fare is the same as the lowest fare so no problem. And if I were to get a friend or family member upgraded to F and they complained about the baggage fee, it would be their last F experience on me.

Other airlines that hand out transferable upgrade certificates (such as UA CR1s and SWUs - they now have new names) are de-facto guest upgrade certificates - you can use them on yourself, or gift them. Once you are in the new cabin, you get the full benefits of the class, such as luggage allowance, lounge access (if international), etc.

Just curious, what other domestic airlines offer guest upgrade certificates and what are their policies? I could be wrong but my guess is zero. When I was a DL elite I never saw one.

Personally, I use these on myself on long-haul flights where I don't want to wait and see if I clear. Most of the time the guest upgrade fare is the same as the lowest fare so no problem. And if I were to get a friend or family member upgraded to F and they complained about the baggage fee, it would be their last F experience on me.

The RPUs and GPUs (rebranded CR-1s and SWUs) mentioned by Eastbay1K are UA's version; DL and AA both offer SWUs (formerly known as PMUs and eVIPs).

UA's are usable on any fare domestically and AA's are usable on any fare worldwide.

It is pretty clear that you are correct. I imagine this is targeting people who were paying $50 to upgrade and checking 2 bags, making the effective price of F $10, which is too low.

+1 You've just described me! :D Last summer I spent $200 to upgrade my family and saved $60 on checked bags, so the real cost was just $35pp for a 3-hour flight from Mexico. Can’t beat that, especially as a non-elite.

I guess the moral of the story is that AS, AA and DL elite status will provide the best way to avoid fees.

I haven’t checked lately but do BofA AS visa holders get a fee waiver? That's a benefit that Chase and Citi provide on most of their airline-affiliated cards. BofA really needs to get with the program instead of continuously reducing benefits. I already know people dumping the card because of frustration in finding low mile award seats. :mad:

I haven’t checked lately but do BofA AS visa holders get a fee waiver? That's a benefit that Chase and Citi provide on most of their airline-affiliated cards. BofA really needs to get with the program instead of continuously reducing benefits. I already know people dumping the card because of frustration in finding low mile award seats. :mad:

No. And good luck getting any increase in benefits from the credit card. All they do it chip. I'm also not so sure it is the CC vendor that provides the benefit, but the airline, to entice you to get the card, for all the $ the airline makes off of you for having the card.

Folks, it is just another in the constant string of chipping of benefits. One of these days, it is going to hit you in a painful place.

I shudder to guess as to what's the next shoe to drop. I will say this: the day they eliminate the change fee waiver for MVPG is the day I go back to shopping purely on fare price.


No, there will not be a massive protest from this. This is a product that AS has given to its "most valuable flyers" to (1) either get themselves out of the main cabin, at any fare, or (2) give to friends/family, on any fare, for some time. They recently removed the "any fare" benefit. They have now removed another benefit. An airline that prides itself on customer service, and being a cut above the competition, has been continually chopping, chopping, chopping in the past couple of years. The "big picture" of two years ago v. now (when they are making $, and not as a result of these incremental chops - they are too recent to make a difference) in benefits is pretty big, even though very few have been "revolt" material. It wasn't enough that you now have to tell your friends/family to spend more $ to avail themselves of the certificate, now that they have, they still have to pay for their bags.

Perhaps not revolt worthy, but definitely one of the lamest things they've come up with in awhile. Keep in mind that this new policy also affects MVPG companions who upgrade via an instant-upgrade fare, which is usually not an insignificant premium. Seriously, lame, lame lame. :td::td::td:


I also find a difference between anyone who might get an airport upgrade with the T&C at the time of the upgrade (i.e., you still pay for your bags) v. someone using a Gold UG cert.

So do I, but good luck explaining that to the bean counters. To them, they're just a bunch of people with potential ancillary revenue burning holes in their pockets. They may as well take them for whatever they can.

Keep in mind that this new policy also affects MVPG companions who upgrade via an instant-upgrade fare, which is usually not an insignificant premium. Seriously, lame, lame lame. :td::td::td:

I feared this at first too, but they should be OK since the companion has to be on the same reservation as the MVPG and anyone on the same reservation gets two bags free. For now, at least.

I feared this at first too, but they should be OK since the companion has to be on the same reservation as the MVPG and anyone on the same reservation gets two bags free. For now, at least.

Well that's a relief...at least for now.

I feared this at first too, but they should be OK since the companion has to be on the same reservation as the MVPG and anyone on the same reservation gets two bags free. For now, at least.

Actually, no, they don't. And now that I think about that, this has the potential to affect me, as I have an upcoming trip with a nonelite who is booked on a separate reservation but who is on the upgrade list as my companion, and we quite possibly may be checking some extra bags.

Any word if they are only enforcing for tickets bought after 7/9/12 or for all travel after 7/9/12 regardless of purchase date?

I was merely rolling my eyes in response to this change until I thought about this...now I'm actually getting pretty angry.

And yes, the change fee waiver is the ONLY thing keeping me MVPG at this point. If that goes away, I will not shed a tear if I end up never setting foot on an AS aircraft again. (I won't go out of my way to avoid them, but I won't pay more to fly on them and will be happy to find myself on UA if UA is within ~15% of the price of AS.)

May 16 is the cutoff for confirmation of the upgrade. Those confirmed in U on or after May 16th and flying on or after July 10 are paying the $20.

So this will apply to non-elite flyers who are:

1. Mileage upgraders
2. Pay-at-check-in upgraders
3. MVPG companion upgraders on different records
4. Guest upgrade certificate recipients not on same record as MVPG sponsor

...right? Am I missing any?

I can see the point on hitting #2 as a couple of people have cited above, but why not just jack up the price of those upgrades? 3 and 4 indirectly affect MVPGs and 75Ks (at least to the point of the :rolleyes: if not the $20).

Just curious, what other domestic airlines offer guest upgrade certificates and what are their policies? I could be wrong but my guess is zero. When I was a DL elite I never saw one.


Delta elites don't get certs for companion upgrades for the 'domestic' upgrade benefit: no certs are needed.

http://www.delta.com/skymiles/about_skymiles/benefits_at_glance/upgrades/index.jsp##companion

As jackal suggests, Delta's first class benefits are generally a function of the cabin in which one is seated, not how one gets there: paid, award, SWU, Medallion upgrade or companion of Medallion upgrade.

Just curious, what other domestic airlines offer guest upgrade certificates and what are their policies? I could be wrong but my guess is zero. When I was a DL elite I never saw one.

.Thats part of the problem with the airline industry. It shouldnt matter what somebody else offers or not. In a normal business world you offer a better product than your competitor. In the airline business world you see who can get away with providing the poorest product. I still think the whole checked baggage charges among the major airlines was conspired. If WN starts flying to Hawaii and or Alaska....AS executives are going to be soiling their pants

Thats part of the problem with the airline industry. It shouldnt matter what somebody else offers or not. In a normal business world you offer a better product than your competitor. In the airline business world you see who can get away with providing the poorest product. I still think the whole checked baggage charges among the major airlines was conspired. If WN starts flying to Hawaii and or Alaska....AS executives are going to be soiling their pants

^ Whenever there is a cutback and I hear "In order to stay competitive..." I wonder why being competitive doesn't mean being better than your competition.

I don't think there is much dispute that this industry is "just on the other side of the fine line" of antitrust charges.

And yes, the change fee waiver is the ONLY thing keeping me MVPG at this point. If that goes away, I will not shed a tear if I end up never setting foot on an AS aircraft again. (I won't go out of my way to avoid them, but I won't pay more to fly on them and will be happy to find myself on UA if UA is within ~15% of the price of AS.)At the rate AS is going I look at going back to DL or trying UA. I have recently gone out of my way to remain using AS since my travel destinations have primarily changed even though using DL or UA for my frequent midwest travel could be more efficient and many times less costly. If AS keeps it up I'll just cash out the miles for an Australian excursion or Europe excursion and take business elsewhere.

I have an upcoming trip with a nonelite who is booked on a separate reservation but who is on the upgrade list as my companion, and we quite possibly may be checking some extra bags.

You didn't say what the itin for this trip is, but can Club 49 membership be a mitigating factor for your companion?

At the rate AS is going I look at going back to DL or trying UA. I have recently gone out of my way to remain using AS since my travel destinations have primarily changed even though using DL or UA for my frequent midwest travel could be more efficient and many times less costly. If AS keeps it up I'll just cash out the miles for an Australian excursion or Europe excursion and take business elsewhere.

UA? They might be the worst run airline in the US currently. DL would be much better than UA.

UA? They might be the worst run airline in the US currently. DL would be much better than UA.

UA's typical change fee is double what AS charges, and they only waive it for SDC if your Gold or higher. UA's typical change fee is double what AS charges, and they only waive it for SDC if your Gold or higher.

If AS nixed the change fee waiver, I would probably just let myself drop down to MVP and split by flying with WN for those times when I require flexibility.

You didn't say what the itin for this trip is, but can Club 49 membership be a mitigating factor for your companion?

ANC-LAX one-way at the end of July.

I am Club 49 (doesn't matter, since I'm elite; they have so far ignored my requests to give elite Club 49 members the ability to check a third bag for free, which would make AS competitive with DL and UA); my companion is a nonresident family member (i.e. not eligible for Club 49) living here for the last year and a half and is moving back to the Lower 48.

Between me needing to schlep some additional stuff south and my companion also needing to do the same, we are likely going to need more than my two free bags. The ANC-LAX nonstop redeye is usually a pretty easy upgrade, so we were sort of counting on the upgrade to get us four free bags.

I was merely rolling my eyes in response to this change until I thought about this...now I'm actually getting pretty angry.



I just hope they receive some negative publicity for this.

Headline: Alaska Airlines the first US carrier to charge first class passengers for baggage.

I can see the point on hitting #2 as a couple of people have cited above, but why not just jack up the price of those upgrades?

In case you missed it, they're doing exactly that, starting Dec 1:

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/alaska-airlines-mileage-plan/1310286-upgrade-increase.html

While the price points stayed the same, the distances decreased, which is an effective price hike.

In case you missed it, they're doing exactly that, starting Dec 1:

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/alaska-airlines-mileage-plan/1310286-upgrade-increase.html

While the price points stayed the same, the distances decreased, which is an effective price hike.

I still say it's too cheap. IMO it should be $50 per 500 miles.

^ Whenever there is a cutback and I hear "In order to stay competitive..." I wonder why being competitive doesn't mean being better than your competition.

I don't think there is much dispute that this industry is "just on the other side of the fine line" of antitrust charges.

With domestic travel, airline compete based on network and price, because that is what customers care about. Outside of JFK-LAX/SFO, no airline has been successful in distinguishing themselves by offering more services.

I just hope they receive some negative publicity for this.

Headline: Alaska Airlines the first US carrier to charge first class passengers for baggage.

I just posted a little somthin' somthin' on my CNBC blog:

http://www.cnbc.com/id/47905842

I just posted a little somthin' somthin' on my CNBC blog:

http://www.cnbc.com/id/47905842

Thanks! Well written.

Just curious, what other domestic airlines offer guest upgrade certificates and what are their policies? I could be wrong but my guess is zero. When I was a DL elite I never saw one.

Personally, I use these on myself on long-haul flights where I don't want to wait and see if I clear. Most of the time the guest upgrade fare is the same as the lowest fare so no problem. And if I were to get a friend or family member upgraded to F and they complained about the baggage fee, it would be their last F experience on me.

AA offers System-Wide Upgrades that can be used by the holder of the upgrade or anyone else who they'd like to gift it to. Nice thing about those is they can be used for up to 3 segments and on Intl travel on AA metal and not just domestic. EXPs get 8/year. So, I book SEA-DFW-JFK-BCN for example and its all upgradeable via SWU for myself and my girlfriend, depending on availability.

+1 You've just described me! :D Last summer I spent $200 to upgrade my family and saved $60 on checked bags, so the real cost was just $35pp for a 3-hour flight from Mexico. Can’t beat that, especially as a non-elite.

I guess the moral of the story is that AS, AA and DL elite status will provide the best way to avoid fees.

I haven’t checked lately but do BofA AS visa holders get a fee waiver? That's a benefit that Chase and Citi provide on most of their airline-affiliated cards. BofA really needs to get with the program instead of continuously reducing benefits. I already know people dumping the card because of frustration in finding low mile award seats. :mad:

And, due to AS's IT, you quite possibly leap-frogged some MVP/MVPG/MVP75k on the ugprades too. Not that I hold that against you, I'd do it too now that I don't have any status on AS.

Heck, why stop at baggage? Next up:
First Class Upgraders do not get to recline
Anything I missed?

yay!!! I like this one

I just posted a little somthin' somthin' on my CNBC blog:

http://www.cnbc.com/id/47905842

Very well put. A little south of expected though on Alaska's part if you ask me. Chip chip chip away.

I think charging for bags in general is lame -- but this is the new era of airline 'service'. This change is (in part) management making life a bit less pleasant for passengers AND the Alaska employees who get to be complained to. This is so 'USAirways'.

I sent a comment out to Customer Care -- perhaps if they get comments they just might reconsider.

This is so 'USAirways'.

+1

May I ask a quick question for you guys? Can I upgrade into First Class for free? I am scheduled to SEA next 2 weeks. So should we can asked ticket agent or gate agent to upgrade us into First Class. If First Class is not full. If they have seat available.

May I ask a quick question for you guys? Can I upgrade into First Class for free? I am scheduled to SEA next 2 weeks. So should we can asked ticket agent or gate agent to upgrade us into First Class. If First Class is not full. If they have seat available.

No they won't upgrade you for free. But if there are seats available after all the elites are upgraded, you can pay for one.

http://www.alaskaair.com/content/travel-info/first-class-upgrades.aspx#paid

No they won't upgrade you for free. But if there are seats available after all the elites are upgraded, you can pay for one.

http://www.alaskaair.com/content/travel-info/first-class-upgrades.aspx#paid

The OP has DL status of sorts - I don't know what that gets him on AS in the upgrade dept.

The OP has DL status of sorts - I don't know what that gets him on AS in the upgrade dept.

AS upgrades Diamond, Plat, and Gold Medallion.

AS upgrades Diamond, Plat, and Gold Medallion.

And now I know. I wasn't previously sure.

And now I know. I wasn't previously sure.

I had to google it :)

http://www.delta.com/skymiles/about_skymiles/skymiles_program_updates/index.jsp

They've gone back to the drawing board with this policy so its implementation is delayed indefinitely.

Also delayed is the implementation of the GDL/MEX 2nd bag fee... that was due to start July 10 and has been pushed back to August 15.

They've gone back to the drawing board with this policy so its implementation is delayed indefinitely.

Also delayed is the implementation of the GDL/MEX 2nd bag fee... that was due to start July 10 and has been pushed back to August 15.
The power of PR? :)

They've gone back to the drawing board with this policy so its implementation is delayed indefinitely.

Also delayed is the implementation of the GDL/MEX 2nd bag fee... that was due to start July 10 and has been pushed back to August 15.

Excellent- glad to hear this and thanks for the update^

Great to hear AS listening to its customers ;)

That's good news about going back to the drawing board. I just hope that they don't replace the first class bag fee proposal with something as onerous or worse. In other words, please don't mess with the change fee waiver for Golds and 75K's!

The AS web site (https://www.alaskaair.com/content/travel-info/optional-services-fees.aspx?lid=home-page:news-advisories::mexico-bags#gdl) has been updated regarding the F baggage fee policy. It says that passengers confirmed in First Class at the time of check-in get the first two checked bags for free. Passengers upgraded after baggage has been accepted are not eligible for a refund of baggage fees paid.

They've gone back to the drawing board with this policy so its implementation is delayed indefinitely.

Also delayed is the implementation of the GDL/MEX 2nd bag fee... that was due to start July 10 and has been pushed back to August 15.

Whew!!!! I just found this thread. After reading the baggage fee rules on alaskaair.com I thought I was losing my mind (I can hear it now.....:rolleyes:) The old fare rules are still up. Hopefully they will stay that way for a long time to come.

Too bad they won't get some feedback on the BoA downgraded benefits too.