Ticket agent: Your bag is 58 lbs, that is an extra $50

Me: You don't waive overweight fees for first class or MVP Gold?

Ticket Agent: No, nobody does. We give you two bags free though.

Me: Well, Delta and United both give three up to 70 lbs for me. If I was on a delta codeshare number would I still be charged?

Ticket Agent: Yes. We give two free bags. We can't afford to give waivers for up to 70 lbs. We are just a small airline.

Me: That's interesting. I just started flying Alaska on a status challenge. It is good to know.

Ticket Agent: Oh yeah, everyone who flies out of Seattle is MVP Gold. It really doesn't do you any good.


I was happy with her frank dialog, but is that really the case? It seems like Alaska should be all over any of their frequent flyers since they are a smaller airline?

I fly around 250K domestic and carry Delta Diamond and United Premier Executive. If it isn't worth it to fly AS as a gold, I may just tack on two hours of sipping scotch while flying/sky clubbing through SLC. I have noticed that on the four flights I have taken, I have only been upgraded once. Two of those were last minute/full fare flights in coach.