AS elites need to understand there are two exit row options:

1. The row with full recline seats is an MCS seat, which has its own fare category and upgrade paths for VX elites. MCS includes food, booze and movies free.

2. The 2nd exit row seats are MCExpress and do not usually have any recline, just the extra space. They can be booked by any VX elite immediately on booking and via a booking fee for others.

One of the cultural issues which differs greatly between AS and VX is how F upgrades are always a paid option on VX and free on AS most of the time.

To me having flown both a lot on both airlines this year is the value and hard/soft product of F on VX is so superior to AS that I am happy to pay for those upgrades when available. With AS I'm not so sure.

Which AS elites are getting screwed on since VX elites can select the equivalent on AS free of charge. What I get is row 24 with the ability to get on the plane early.

From SFO, where VX has the most elites, this is not going to matter much as AS has very few flights and nearly all the destinations match existing VX non stops. Doubt very much any VX elites would choose to fly AS when a VX option exists.

I wonder whether VX will be willing to provide the extra-cost economy seats to AS elites at the airport.. I've got a few transcons coming up with only middle seats left in the back, so I'm really hoping they'll be willing to do that.

From the sounds of it, they will not be doing anything special. Now what happens to those seats, it will be no different than whatever VX does for no status people.

Don't count on it...for all practical purposes, VX is basically a loosely affiliated AS partner where you can earn EQMs/RDMs, but that's really about it for AS elites. If you compared elite benefits between airlines, it would be more logical to assume that AS owned AA rather than VX....on AA at least you get preferred seating and free baggage.

While I know that I'm not entitled to anything, do you really think that VX agents aren't going to be willing to move me up if I ask nicely? I imagine that VX agents think the lack of reciprocal benefits is as ridiculous as we do, and I presume they have some discretion when it comes to seat assignments?

I know very little about how VX works, so I'm genuinely curious about what would be a "reasonable" request and what is likely to be shot down.

You have a very vivid imagination.

That seems clear.

Asking for an aisle or window seat would be reasonable. Asking for a free upgrade to MCS or F would very likely be summarily dismissed.

If I fly VX metal and credit miles to my Mileage Plan account, is the earning based on miles flown (the AS way) or based on the cost of ticket (the VX way)? I can't find a clear answer online (sorry if I'm missing something!)

If it's based on cost of ticket, it seems like it would be better to credit my miles to my Elevate account and then transfer to Mileage Plan with the 1.3x bonus. This would be especially true as a VX Gold since I earn bonus Elevate points.

Never mind. Found the answer:
"Mileage earned is based on a percentage of actual flight miles flown, with 500 minimum miles on flights shorter than 500 miles. No miles will be earned for classes of service not listed above."

I guess it would take a bit of math to figure out which is better depending on the given flight distance and $ paid.

Great, that's pretty much what I expected :)

Slight workaround that is very much YMMV..... One could always book the flight online and then call the VX call center to assign a paid non MCS seat. You would have to go to the ticket counter to pay for it but you have to go to the counter to get free checked bags anyway. After showing your AS status would be a good time to ask them to waive the seat assignment fee (since the call center usually does not take payments and instead leaves it to be paid at the airport during checkin). Worst case you get told no and get assigned the middle seat you would have been assigned at booking. This makes it easier if you get an agent who is accommodating (which most I have met are) to get you your desired seat than waiting until close to departure where some/all of the desired seats have been assigned. Again YMMV but at least gives you a fighting chance of getting the seat you want.