Gold Upgrade Certs
Jul 4, 2010, 9:30 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Anchorage, AK
Programs: AS MVPG, SPG Gold, ICH P Club Plat, Hertz#1 5Star, Marriott Gold
Posts: 227
Gold Upgrade Certs
Long time listener, first time caller.
The unthinkable has started happening. The CSRs have actually started collecting these certs! (I've used them a number of times in the past, always pleasantly surprised at not being asked for them).
I'd like to pick up 4 more for 2010. Do people sell them, and if they do, is it legal, and if not, is there any consequence to it. I've never been asked for a cert number at the time I made a reservation, but wondering if this will change too.
The unthinkable has started happening. The CSRs have actually started collecting these certs! (I've used them a number of times in the past, always pleasantly surprised at not being asked for them).
I'd like to pick up 4 more for 2010. Do people sell them, and if they do, is it legal, and if not, is there any consequence to it. I've never been asked for a cert number at the time I made a reservation, but wondering if this will change too.
Jul 4, 2010, 10:22 pm
#2
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: RSW
Programs: Delta - Silver; UA - Silver; HHonors - Diamond; IHG - Spire Ambassador; Marriott Bonvoy - Titanium
Posts: 14,185
Towards the end of the year, people who realize they aren't likely to use (all of) theirs will offer them here as a goodwill gesture.
It's my understanding that next year they're switching to an e-cert system (similar to AA's) where the certs are deducted from your account at check-in.
It's my understanding that next year they're switching to an e-cert system (similar to AA's) where the certs are deducted from your account at check-in.
Jul 4, 2010, 10:35 pm
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Anchorage, AK
Programs: AS MVPG, SPG Gold, ICH P Club Plat, Hertz#1 5Star, Marriott Gold
Posts: 227
Towards the end of the year, people who realize they aren't likely to use (all of) theirs will offer them here as a goodwill gesture.
It's my understanding that next year they're switching to an e-cert system (similar to AA's) where the certs are deducted from your account at check-in.
It's my understanding that next year they're switching to an e-cert system (similar to AA's) where the certs are deducted from your account at check-in.
Jul 4, 2010, 11:52 pm
#4
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: SEA
Programs: AS MVP, Hhonors Gold, National Executive, Identity Gold, MLife Gold
Posts: 2,687
I was asked for a cert # mayby 10% of the time when making a reservation with a cert. No idea if they actually did anything with that info.
Jul 5, 2010, 12:25 am
#5
Ambassador: Alaska Airlines
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: BWI
Posts: 7,390
Nice having a "tangible" perk
Last edited by jackal; Jul 5, 2010 at 2:41 am Reason: Edit out non-public code
Jul 5, 2010, 12:26 am
#6
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend, Moderator, Information Desk, Ambassador, Alaska Airlines
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: FAI
Programs: AS MVP Gold100K, AS 1MM, Maika`i Card, AGR, HH Gold, Hertz PC, Marriott Titanium LTG, CO, 7H, BA, 8E
Posts: 42,953
nice tease at lest
Last edited by beckoa; Jul 5, 2010 at 2:35 am Reason: Edit out non-public code in quote
Jul 5, 2010, 1:01 am
#7
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: RSW
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I dislike having to remember to bring the certs with me and would prefer an e-cert instead! Is it possible that they might start electronic certs anyway, with issued paper ones as mementos?
Jul 5, 2010, 1:07 am
#8
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend, Moderator, Information Desk, Ambassador, Alaska Airlines
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: FAI
Programs: AS MVP Gold100K, AS 1MM, Maika`i Card, AGR, HH Gold, Hertz PC, Marriott Titanium LTG, CO, 7H, BA, 8E
Posts: 42,953
Understand the efficiency of electronic ones... but its the same for both parties involved... so I prefer paper
Jul 5, 2010, 8:51 am
#9
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: JNU
Programs: HH D, AS MM/MVPG for life/AL, Awesome Wipes VIP Club, NEXUS, Hertz 5-Star Gold
Posts: 2,893
Jul 5, 2010, 12:10 pm
#10
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: PIT
Programs: AS MVPG 75K, DL GM, DL SkyClub
Posts: 279
I also got the 2011 paper certs. I found it interesting that they actually finally changed the design on the front. It was the first time since I've been receiving them. However, by changing the design on the front, somehow the text on the back reverted to 2003...or at least the reference code used for the certs did. It's always been funny to me how each year the codes on the front and back of the certs are different from each other. I know it's a small thing, but it is somewhat important since that's really all that matters when you're calling up to redeem them.
Jul 5, 2010, 1:29 pm
#11
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Anchorage, AK
Programs: AS MVPG, SPG Gold, ICH P Club Plat, Hertz#1 5Star, Marriott Gold
Posts: 227
The big advantage for me was, until now they never ever asked for the cert! I've been Gold since 2001. Oh well, all good things must end.
Jul 5, 2010, 3:10 pm
#12
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: SEA
Programs: AS MVPG
Posts: 731
On the times they actually asked for them, were you checked in already or did you go up to the counter to check in at the airport? What about when they didn't ask for them?
Jul 5, 2010, 5:28 pm
#13
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: BOS/ORH
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Posts: 18,323
Unless the call center rep didn't put through the upgrade correctly, you always have to check in with a person when using a cert.
Jul 5, 2010, 5:31 pm
#14
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Anchorage, AK
Programs: AS MVPG, SPG Gold, ICH P Club Plat, Hertz#1 5Star, Marriott Gold
Posts: 227
In the past I've just always gone to the counter.
Jul 5, 2010, 7:55 pm
#15
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: SEA
Programs: AS MVPG
Posts: 731
Uh, yes you can. It just gives you a BP that tells you to go to a CSA for assistance with your reservation. So while it may not give you a valid BP, you can at least do it to confirm seats and all the other usual check in stuff.