Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan - Platinum Visa Board Room Passes

I just noticed that the new Board Room passes that came with my AS Visa renewal don't specify that I can bring a guest in with me. I believe that in past years there was some wording to that effect.

Has anyone used one of the new passes yet and succeeded in bringing a guest in with them? Thanks for any info.

After the fact that they made the upgrade non-transferable, it would not surprise me if you couldn't.

.

[This message has been edited by AS Flyer (edited 01-03-2002).]

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by jeffreyt:
After the fact that they made the upgrade non-transferable, it would not surprise me if you couldn't.

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I agree. Guess I'll just have to take my chances. Maybe they're leaving it up to the discretion of Board Room staff. I've always been able to take someone in with me in the past, but that's when it was spelled out on the pass.

I just got the e-mail that says AS will be back to a full schedule next month, so the Board Rooms will no doubt be very busy at times -- especially with non-MVP Golds having no clue what security is going to be like. Get there early and wait.....

I have used the new passes in Anchorage and they would not let me bring in a guest. They alerted me a while back, after the Dec 15, 2001 expiration there would no longer be a guest allowed with the passes.

Wow, they reduced the value of the passes and then didn't even bother to send out a notice? At least the devaluation of the MVP and Gold levels seem to be getting communicated.

I don't think it's very realistic to expect current cardholders to notice the recent devaluation in their passes without sending out some sort of notice.

Was anyone notified as to how the new Visa upgrade certificates work?

-Robert

All of the changes to the Platinum Visa benefits has been done without any notice whatsoever. They must think we have "sucker" written on our foreheads and won't notice.

I just applied for the AS Visa Platinum. I did so for the $50 companion cert, and the Board room passes. They have not arrived, and will not arrive before my next trip. Oh well.

But for the future - if I cannot bring in a guest on one pass with me, I'll have to use both passes at one time. That really stinks.

I'm going to write to Bank of America and complain.

Those were not the terms I signed up for.

Interesting, because the online material at the URL below still states, "One Board Room pass is valid for one visit to any Alaska Airlines Board Room. One guest may accompany the Board Room pass holder. More details available when you become a cardmember."

http://www.bankofamerica.com/creditcards/index.cfm?template=cc_alaskaair_plat.cfm&cardtype=plat&headerType=alaskaair

Mikey, I agree that it's a good idea to voice our objection to Bank of America. I tried to call them about the change in the Visa upgrade certs a month or so ago but the CSR I spoke with did not seem to know what I was talking about. They promised to have someone call me back, but of course no one ever did. Maybe if I write a letter it will get to the right person (not holding my breath, however). I actually believe that AS is the source of the devaluation in our benefits, but I suppose B of A is the place to start.

I've thought of suggesting that the upgrade certs be redeemable for either the at-the-airport upgrade OR, say, 2500 MP miles. That way the upgrade certs will be worth something to those of us who are not MVP Gold.

As for the Board Room passes, I'm guessing that we're just stuck with paying the same $75 for less value.

(edited to correct typos)

[This message has been edited by Westcoaster (edited 01-07-2002).]

does anyone have any solid information on what is happening with the two one way paper upgrades that come with the Platinum Visa? i am assuming this will be affected somehow (probably negatively) by the changes in the Mileage Plan upgrade system.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by ender83:
does anyone have any solid information on what is happening with the two one way paper upgrades that come with the Platinum Visa? i am assuming this will be affected somehow (probably negatively) by the changes in the Mileage Plan upgrade system.</font>

The new Visa upgrades are only valid for a specific distance. I don't have the sheet in front of me, but I think it's something like 1250 miles. If you're upgrading for a trip longer than how many ever miles it is, then you must use both certificates.

Also, the first class may only be confirmed at the airport on the day of departure.

-Robert

Update: I called Bank of America to get the appropriate address for a letter about the reduction in Visa benefits. The B of A rep said that they don't have any control over the benefits and that I should contact Alaska directly. Then she said that B of A has other airline cards as well and suggested that I might switch to one of those. So B of A would rather "switch than fight", to paraphrase the old cigarette commercials.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Westcoaster:
Update: I called Bank of America to get the appropriate address for a letter about the reduction in Visa benefits. The B of A rep said that they don't have any control over the benefits and that I should contact Alaska directly. Then she said that B of A has other airline cards as well and suggested that I might switch to one of those. So B of A would rather "switch than fight", to paraphrase the old cigarette commercials.</font>


BofA is a classless institution. This is a prime example

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Westcoaster:
I've thought of suggesting that the upgrade certs be redeemable for either the at-the-airport upgrade OR, say, 2500 MP miles. That way the upgrade certs will be worth something to those of us who are not MVP Gold.(edited to correct typos)
</font>

They won't have any value to golds either, after April golds will be automatically upgraded without using certs.

-Robert

-Robert

Tonight in SEA I learned that you can NOT bring a guest! I walk in.. The realize I am under 21. Said no entrance without an adult! I am an MVP Gold, 50K+ miles and flying First class! So as I am flying with Family I wait for mom to get through security (I used MVP/1K line) She comes in. The lady said that now only mom can get in. Well they said I gotta leave, along came a very kind lady who gave me a pass we both got in to enjoy cheese and drinks. What a waste, and thank God for the nice lady as I was kind of hungry, what a way to end a semi crappy and expensive SEA trip.

So that's the way they treat MVPs, eh? No wonder I always get AA miles when I fly AS (at least the times I actually have to pay rather than using miles).

The "no guest thing" is one issue, but I'm interested in anyone's recent experience with being asked to show their card with the pass. I want to give a pass away but don't want them turned away because they don't have the card. What has been your experience with this this year? Are they asking to see your card? Thanks.

I used a cert that was generously given to me by a fellow FTer, and was able to use it with no problem.

They never asked to see the card. Which was good, because I did not have one at that time.

Seeing this topic pop up again reminds me that AS didn't respond in any way to the letter I sent them regarding the changes in Visa benefits. Maybe they're trying to tell me that my vote doesn't count. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/frown.gif Or maybe they're just too busy right now. If anyone else contacted them and got a response, please share. Thanks.

I suspect that with all the changes being made to the MVP program now, it will for all intents and purposes be all but impossible to get an upgrade on the day of the flight.

I can confirm that the boardroom passes are for one person only. In recent months, the AS boardroom in SEA has been extremely crowded; this change may be a plus.

Although I enjoy AS's generosity and it has benefited me much, I find it to probably be in excess of the reasonable. I'm an AA EXP and so gather all of my AS mileage on AA. I have no AS status yet thanks to the BofA upgrades, boardroom certs, and many baggage claim upgrades, I fly F on AS at least half of the time and am no stranger in the boardroom. (AS frequently loses my bags and I always write - it's a game now)

If I was loyal AS, I'd be pissed to see no-status me taking up one of the three desk seats in the boardroom and having to sit in coach behind upgraded me.

Furthermore, on a few occasions I've tried to buy AS F, yes pay full fare, and been unable due to AS selling it out with upgrades. That's simply dumb business.

It hurts, but perhaps AS is becoming better at business.

Just a heads up for those who planned to use their Board Room passes at SEA during the next few months: The latest AS news e-mail says that we cannot use passes at the SEA Board Room through the end of July due to some construction there. It will be members only during that time.

I was at SEA this morning and there's barely room for the members. The club is reduced to a portion of its former size during the construction.

I noticed that too, so I assume it applies to those of us wanting to use expiring Gold Upgrade certs as a boardroom pass?

I wonder if the Admiral's club at IAD will let someone in with those certs.