Originally Posted by
missydarlin
I'm not sure how you figure that its not automatic?
Anyone with an elite Mileage Plan number in their reservation is automatically put into the upgrade queue.
You can proactively choose NOT to have a complimentary upgrade by checking a box at the time of booking.
You can proactively choose to shop fares that qualify for immediate upgrade.
You can proactively choose to shop for guest upgrades instead of complimentary upgrades.
Otherwise, the request for a comp upgrade is automatic. And that upgrade request has to be manually removed by an agent if you want a different kind of upgrade after booking.
missydarlin, your advice on this site is invaluable and I have learned a lot from you over the years. However, I'm just going to have to disagree with you on this point. This is a problem for only those of us that are elites and I will continue to believe that this is a disservice to us, especially in an age when Alaska is trying to encourage us to do as much as possible online. I just did another booking and again -- there's nothing automatic putting me on the upgrade list. I have to choose one of the following (none of the buttons are auto-filled):
Select an upgrade option *
"I want to request a Complimentary Upgrade. If not immediately available, add me to the list."
"I want to apply an MVP® Gold Guest Upgrade code to one or more of my flights."
"I do not want to fly First Class."
As 2013 starts, I will continue to hope that in addition to better training for agents regarding the use of the upgrades, that this change can be incorporated by the IT department.
Originally Posted by
baliktad
This is the part we would like to have corrected. Applying a Gold Guest Upgrade (even when otherwise waitlisted) should not require manual intervention. There's no need to allow users full control of their waitlist status. Just do whatever is necessary (de-waitlist, reissue, whatever) when a valid Guest Upgrade code is presented to allow the upgrade to be processed immediately online.
baliktad -- exactly.