longdrelation

I agree, though it would be nice to have some outlet on the plane, for when I didn't get to charge my battery completely (MBP), or didn't plug it in at the BR. However, for the mainstay of AS passengers, couldn't they just install outlets in seats like WN has at all of their gates now?

eponymous_coward

It is if you're deferring a much more direct route (ANC-SEA-DCA) to pick up a boatload of miles. You're adding a considerable amount of travel time (which is often someone who's in a hurry can't afford to do).

MR refers to the practice of "inefficient" routing to pick up miles as well as trips for nothing BUT miles- though ANC-PDX-SEA-LAX-DCA ain't nothing compared to SFO-JFK/BOS-LAX...

bobsyouruncle

Did they mention if you would still be able to give the new e-certs to friends or family (without me having to book their ticket on my account)?

BLI-Flyer

Of course as a non AA elite now, you can only use them with full-fare tickets. If you're going to do that, you can often find a Y-up fare and get an instant upgrade.

hgdf

They didn't mention that specifically, but from what I gathered they will come in the form of discount codes which you can use to book tickets for anyone you want.

Currently, discount codes aren't automatically deposited into 'my account' just like unused tickets aren't automatically deposited into 'my wallet', nor do they need to be in order to be applied to a new reservation. Assuming they implement the upgrade certs in a similar fashion, I'd imagine that you'd be able to just send the code to whoever you want. If, on the other hand, they do automatically deposit them into 'my account', like the way WN does with their awards, you'd probably have to book them yourself.

AS Flyer

nostradamus. I suspect we'll see some interesting things in the summer schedule, though it's just a hunch and not based on anything I've heard from anyone that would know such information.

adcollect

Can't believe the delta/alaska upgrades doesn't restart till may.

jackal

Why are power ports strictly the domain of those in a hurry? When AS wasn't a factor, I picked carriers a couple years ago based in part on the availability of power ports, even though it was a leisure trip.

And by FT convention, a MR is something done strictly for the miles. I always have a destination (usually picked because it's a good fare--too low for me to pass up!)--I just try to pick the most creative routing to get there! Most people on FT wouldn't call that a MR. But whatever.

Well, it's about the best option we can get on AS. If AS had a midcon or east-coast hub, some better routing options might be available.

longdrelation

I found this interesting in Wiki when looking up a definition for MR.
Since the September 11, 2001 attacks, suspicion levels with air travel have been higher. As such, individuals that are traveling on itineraries with multiple stops, and short time in between the outbound and return segment, can be considered suspicious at times by airline personnel who encounter these itineraries.
So, jumping around the US for a "leisure" trip in DC may get you interrogated? Have fun with the "most creative routing".

hgdf

Hmmm, I love those statements either on Wikipedia or in the media that start with some variation of "some people say..." and then fail to cite any references, or even an anecdote.

If anyone is going to hassle you for making a MR, it's likely going to me an immigration or customs officer rather than an airline employee.

maokh

I had the route director and someone who was customer experience related at my table, and we were asked:

"Has anyone been on a .... mileage .. run?" as if she was confused about the question. All the golds at the table admitted to tagging on some extra segment or making a unnecessary weekend trip to a far destination in order to requal for gold if they were on the edge.

We all laughed over the mention that they see flows where people fly to hawaii and literally take the turn back to seattle.

We were told that they often look at flows through the system, and a select few make extremely absurd routings, which still puzzles route managers I suspect. They peak near december ... but apparently there is no question that the company financially benefits from these.

I agree -- if you forget to charge on a flight, you are hosed. I think power at least in first class and a few of the gold rows should be available. Frankly, even USB would make my day.

maokh

I don't know if this was said yet, but it was mumbled after this (and quite vague) that Alaska is giving PDX another chance as a focus city. The airport is flat, but travel is up 5% (attrition from other airlines). But, if alaska continues to fly these planes and people don't take advantage of the capacity, they are considering reallocating this capacity to someone who would actually use it -- socal was mentioned as well as the bay area.

Frankly, Alaska putting a hub or increasing the focus on either two areas could be one heck of a boom for the airline.

jackal

In most cases, though, tagging on some extra segments is not a problem if you're not turning right back around at your destination. And a trip not made for the sole purpose of earning miles, regardless of extra segments or creative routings added, is not, by definition (consistent with that WP article), a mileage run.

Indeed. Such weasel words are all too common. There are now {{fact}} tags on the paragraph in question.

Exactly.

beckoa

Ooo... so we should have a summer 2010 speculation thread @:-)

Points Scrounger

Not always ...

A few years ago I did SEA - MCO - SEA as a turn-around without leaving the MCO concourse. I was called to the podium at MCO; I forget the exact reason given, but something along the lines of "We wanted to make sure (were curious that) you were really intending to turn around and go right back."