Originally Posted by
beckoa
I think a compromise I could live with is a change fee waiver extended to MVPG and G75K's. I can deal with some of the rest. Zero flexibility is unfortunate, especially as a 1MM'er and unlike AS.
I read the official Alaska language in places like
https://www.alaskaair.com/content/tr...perience/saver as dictating that we couldn't *change* flights as a Gold or 75K, or expect a *refund* outside of 24 hours--but not as removing our ability to outright *cancel* the flights for a credit certificate (as opposed to a refund.)
So I had a rude awakening today when I tried to cancel two tickets booked Christmas day, some 30 hours earlier. Upon calling the gold line, I pointed the CSR to the language I thought was ambiguous. She agreed that it was easy to misinterpret, and kept me on hold 10-15 minutes asking supervisors for help. No dice...all I can do is cancel and get nothing back for the effort of canceling.
I certainly could have been more careful before booking these tickets. But I can't be the only elite who was put off by this experience well beyond the $300 in wasted tickets (assuming I don't get a more friendly hearing before the flights in February 2019).
Moreover, I am now disincented to cancel and let Alaska resell the seat to someone who can actually fly. That's because if there are schedule changes or IRROPS, I can get credit back, which I have no chance of getting if I cancel now.
It would be smart of Alaska allowed a one-time cancellation exception for new saver bookers. And indeed, if anyone has informed suggestions on who I might reach out to in my specific case, I'd be grateful.
Another worthwhile tweak would be a penalty to cancel which might be more significant than for a standard fare, but not so great as to disincent anyone from ever cancelling. FWIW.