Originally Posted by jiburi

Granted, OP looks at upgrade and enhanced customer service as their guide of airline choice, I don't believe Alaska was ever marketed to members as such. So OP's decision to booking away from AS is rightfully correct.

What AS does well, is the mileage earn rate. Most competitors can't come close to AS mileage earn rate. Then combined that with mileage redemption rate, this is why Alaska is amongst one of the highest rated airlines. Inflight service is at best, equal to most carriers.

Glaring AS minus, is airline's network reach, limited to mostly western domestic routes, and those routes of its airline partners. Another minus is airport experience, with airport services limited at some airport (including lounge access), and gate agents not sufficiently trained at times. .

I have a friend, who is lifetime platinum on United, with benefits that of enhanced customer service and reasonable rate (tho reduced of late) of upgrade. Still, with metric of "spend' being criteria for mileage earn, and some upgrades, he no longer feels it is worth flying United.

I think we've all experience downgrading experience from F to Y. It never feels good no matter what instrument or booking class was used. It also doesn't help to know what critieria was used or wasn't used. Combined that with "keeping family together" to accommodating "dead-heading" passenger, gate agents have to make several difficult decisions. I feel sorry for the OP but written policy alone can't make all decisions.

Safe travel at your other airline of your choice.

Jiburi