May 14, 2013, 10:28 pm
Last edit by: beckoa
Welcome to the Newbie Lounge Thread!
Anyone is welcome to ask anything, even the most basic questions, in this thread without having to fear a snarky response. In this thread, there's no such thing as a dumb question--we were all new to Alaska Airlines, FlyerTalk, and even the whole idea of mileage programs once and needed some help navigating the ropes. We're here to help you do just that!
That said, if you want to do a little reading to see if your question has been previously discussed, links to some of the most common and extensive topics in this forum are listed in our FAQ thread--click here to check it out.
Special care will be given in this thread to trying to provide answers in a clear manner with minimal use of acronyms and jargon.
If you need to contact someone for help, here's a current list of our forum's team:
Ambassadors (Our Greeters--members who have specifically volunteered to welcome and mentor newbies and monitor this thread):
ANC RED-EYE
baliktad
beckoa
golfingboy
Moderators (Our Janitors--members who have volunteered to do housekeeping/keep the forum in order)
Cholula
jackal
You are welcome to send a private message to any of these individuals for assistance, but you'll generally get a faster response and broader palette of answers if you simply post your inquiry here in this thread.
Welcome, and we look forward to providing any assistance we can!
~the Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan forum team~
Anyone is welcome to ask anything, even the most basic questions, in this thread without having to fear a snarky response. In this thread, there's no such thing as a dumb question--we were all new to Alaska Airlines, FlyerTalk, and even the whole idea of mileage programs once and needed some help navigating the ropes. We're here to help you do just that!
That said, if you want to do a little reading to see if your question has been previously discussed, links to some of the most common and extensive topics in this forum are listed in our FAQ thread--click here to check it out.
Special care will be given in this thread to trying to provide answers in a clear manner with minimal use of acronyms and jargon.
If you need to contact someone for help, here's a current list of our forum's team:
Ambassadors (Our Greeters--members who have specifically volunteered to welcome and mentor newbies and monitor this thread):
ANC RED-EYE
baliktad
beckoa
golfingboy
Moderators (Our Janitors--members who have volunteered to do housekeeping/keep the forum in order)
Cholula
jackal
You are welcome to send a private message to any of these individuals for assistance, but you'll generally get a faster response and broader palette of answers if you simply post your inquiry here in this thread.
Welcome, and we look forward to providing any assistance we can!
~the Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan forum team~
[Alaska Airlines NEWBIE LOUNGE] Ask Your Questions Here (flame free) (2010-2014)
Nov 23, 2014, 2:46 pm
#3976
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Northern Calif./Eastern Ida.
Programs: Amethyst Premier Plutonium Medallion
Posts: 20,654
i need to book some tickets to Maui and the last day or two the price shot way up on the return trip. the plane is booked about 1/3 full by the seat map, so i think it will come back down. the flight is still 5 months out.
my question is whether there is any reason as an MVPG to wait on purchasing. originally i had planned to use MVPG certs on this trip to ensure F, now the return flight is pricing as an MVPG instant up but U=0.
i guess at this point it is best to just buy it at the instant up price and if it does back down to claim the refund then apply the MVPG certs to the reissued ticket. since i also plan to use MVPG certs for the outbound i guess i should book it as two one ways so i don't lose the upgrade on the outbound if i have to reissue the ticket on a low price refund claim.
stupid me, two days ago it was a price that was palatable and the U was open on both. at least it is still far enough away and we are not married to SMF versus OAK but we are married to our travel dates as much as possible.
my question is whether there is any reason as an MVPG to wait on purchasing. originally i had planned to use MVPG certs on this trip to ensure F, now the return flight is pricing as an MVPG instant up but U=0.
i guess at this point it is best to just buy it at the instant up price and if it does back down to claim the refund then apply the MVPG certs to the reissued ticket. since i also plan to use MVPG certs for the outbound i guess i should book it as two one ways so i don't lose the upgrade on the outbound if i have to reissue the ticket on a low price refund claim.
stupid me, two days ago it was a price that was palatable and the U was open on both. at least it is still far enough away and we are not married to SMF versus OAK but we are married to our travel dates as much as possible.
Nov 23, 2014, 5:23 pm
#3977
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: SEA
Programs: UA AS DL Hyatt SPG/Bonvoy HHonors
Posts: 2,008
+1 is about 900 miles short of requalifying for MVPG
She'll do a short MR in December. I have one booked, but she'd prefer to do the shortest possible flight.
If we book SEA-PDX-SEA, will the 500 mile minimum each way count as EQMs?
I've seen sub-500 mile flights (and SEA-PDX is around 129 miles per gcmap) post as 128 miles and 372 bonus miles (or 872 bonus miles for Gold.)
They don't really provide an accounting for how EQMs accumulate, so I'm not sure whether the 500 min counts for EQMs or only the actual distance flown... in which chase she'd better stick with a SEA-CA RT flight
I would appreciate your insight and wisdom
She'll do a short MR in December. I have one booked, but she'd prefer to do the shortest possible flight.
If we book SEA-PDX-SEA, will the 500 mile minimum each way count as EQMs?
I've seen sub-500 mile flights (and SEA-PDX is around 129 miles per gcmap) post as 128 miles and 372 bonus miles (or 872 bonus miles for Gold.)
They don't really provide an accounting for how EQMs accumulate, so I'm not sure whether the 500 min counts for EQMs or only the actual distance flown... in which chase she'd better stick with a SEA-CA RT flight
I would appreciate your insight and wisdom
Nov 23, 2014, 5:55 pm
#3978
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Sunny Seattle
Programs: AS MVPG 75K, HH Diamond
Posts: 539
Nov 25, 2014, 7:29 am
#3979
Moderator Hilton Honors, Travel News, West, The Suggestion Box, Smoking Lounge & DiningBuzz
Join Date: Jun 2000
Programs: Honors Diamond, Hertz Presidents Circle, National Exec Elite
Posts: 36,035
I have an end-of-December flight for which I'm on the upgrade waitlist as MVPG. Am more familiar with UA's upgrade scheme, and am simply wondering do those sort of complimentary upgrades ever clear far in advance of the flight?
Nov 25, 2014, 7:35 am
#3980
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Northern Calif./Eastern Ida.
Programs: Amethyst Premier Plutonium Medallion
Posts: 20,654
You can monitor U with dummy bookings or ExpertFlyer.
If you purchased an expensive ticket that is eligible for Instant upgrades it should clear when U opens no matter the date. Instant up are YBSMH fares IIRC.
Here is some more information: http://www.alaskaair.com/content/mil...-upgrades.aspx
Last edited by PV_Premier; Nov 25, 2014 at 8:03 am
Nov 25, 2014, 7:54 am
#3981
Moderator Hilton Honors, Travel News, West, The Suggestion Box, Smoking Lounge & DiningBuzz
Join Date: Jun 2000
Programs: Honors Diamond, Hertz Presidents Circle, National Exec Elite
Posts: 36,035
Most helpful. Thank you.
Nov 25, 2014, 10:02 am
#3982
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: BOS/ORH
Programs: AS 75K
Posts: 18,323
Nov 25, 2014, 11:11 am
#3983
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: PDX
Posts: 469
I booked an Alaska award with Avios and to my shock yesterday when I went to print out a BP at the airport kiosk for my flight, there was a message regarding requesting a complimentary upgrade. I assumed I'd be sitting in the exit row since it was an award ticket. But I clicked it, and immediately confirmed me in first class! Is this standard? Because I've read many times that award tickets aren't eligible for an upgrade on AS. First class was wide open on this flight and all elites were upgraded and there were still 4-5 open seats, and the plane departed with a seat or two not filled in first class. Maybe that had something to do with it. Still, I'm curious.
Nov 25, 2014, 2:03 pm
#3984
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Northern Calif./Eastern Ida.
Programs: Amethyst Premier Plutonium Medallion
Posts: 20,654
I booked an Alaska award with Avios and to my shock yesterday when I went to print out a BP at the airport kiosk for my flight, there was a message regarding requesting a complimentary upgrade. I assumed I'd be sitting in the exit row since it was an award ticket. But I clicked it, and immediately confirmed me in first class! Is this standard? Because I've read many times that award tickets aren't eligible for an upgrade on AS. First class was wide open on this flight and all elites were upgraded and there were still 4-5 open seats, and the plane departed with a seat or two not filled in first class. Maybe that had something to do with it. Still, I'm curious.
Nov 25, 2014, 2:10 pm
#3985
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: BOS/ORH
Programs: AS 75K
Posts: 18,323
I booked an Alaska award with Avios and to my shock yesterday when I went to print out a BP at the airport kiosk for my flight, there was a message regarding requesting a complimentary upgrade. I assumed I'd be sitting in the exit row since it was an award ticket. But I clicked it, and immediately confirmed me in first class! Is this standard? Because I've read many times that award tickets aren't eligible for an upgrade on AS. First class was wide open on this flight and all elites were upgraded and there were still 4-5 open seats, and the plane departed with a seat or two not filled in first class. Maybe that had something to do with it. Still, I'm curious.
Nov 25, 2014, 2:12 pm
#3986
Join Date: May 2009
Location: EUG
Programs: AS MVP, AA MM, HH Diamond, MR Gold
Posts: 8,229
Lucky you! Maybe a free upgrade is a perk of Avios?
Nov 25, 2014, 11:47 pm
#3987
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: 42,957
Wirelessly posted (beckoa's BB: Mozilla/5.0 (BlackBerry; U; BlackBerry 9810; en-US) AppleWebKit/534.11+ (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/7.1.0.694 Mobile Safari/534.11+)
I haven't done any flights where I was on award and F was wide open. I did get the upgrade thing once but it wanted to charge me $50.
That's my experience- its always tried to charge. This is one area AS lags with...no complimentary upgrades for elites on awards 
Originally Posted by CDKing
I booked an Alaska award with Avios and to my shock yesterday when I went to print out a BP at the airport kiosk for my flight, there was a message regarding requesting a complimentary upgrade. I assumed I'd be sitting in the exit row since it was an award ticket. But I clicked it, and immediately confirmed me in first class! Is this standard? Because I've read many times that award tickets aren't eligible for an upgrade on AS. First class was wide open on this flight and all elites were upgraded and there were still 4-5 open seats, and the plane departed with a seat or two not filled in first class. Maybe that had something to do with it. Still, I'm curious.
Nov 26, 2014, 2:09 pm
#3988
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: ORD/MDW
Programs: AA EXP, DL-Plat, WN-CP | Hotels: Choice-Gld, IHG-Plt, Rad-Gld, HH-Dia, Hyatt-Glob, Marriott-LtPlt
Posts: 2,889
In practice have folks earned Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan miles for flights (1) falling in the eligible DL flight number range (shown http://www.alaskaair.com/content/mil...ers/delta.aspx ) (2) marketed by Delta, even if (3) the flight is operated by a partner (Virgin Atlantic - VS - in my particular case)?
I do understand that the webpage explicitly states "To qualify for mileage accrual, please note that your flights must fall within the eligible flight number range below and your flight must be marketed and operated by Delta." However, I'm curious whether folks experiences are to the contrary.
I tried searching but didn't find much too helpful, so, I'd be happy with a mere point in the right direction if I've missed the road to the answer.
I do understand that the webpage explicitly states "To qualify for mileage accrual, please note that your flights must fall within the eligible flight number range below and your flight must be marketed and operated by Delta." However, I'm curious whether folks experiences are to the contrary.
I tried searching but didn't find much too helpful, so, I'd be happy with a mere point in the right direction if I've missed the road to the answer.
Last edited by FindAWay; Nov 26, 2014 at 2:15 pm
Nov 26, 2014, 3:00 pm
#3989
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: SDF
Programs: AS MVPG, Hyatt Plat, SPG Gold
Posts: 290
In practice have folks earned Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan miles for flights (1) falling in the eligible DL flight number range (shown http://www.alaskaair.com/content/mil...ers/delta.aspx ) (2) marketed by Delta, even if (3) the flight is operated by a partner (Virgin Atlantic - VS - in my particular case)?
I do understand that the webpage explicitly states "To qualify for mileage accrual, please note that your flights must fall within the eligible flight number range below and your flight must be marketed and operated by Delta." However, I'm curious whether folks experiences are to the contrary.
I tried searching but didn't find much too helpful, so, I'd be happy with a mere point in the right direction if I've missed the road to the answer.
I do understand that the webpage explicitly states "To qualify for mileage accrual, please note that your flights must fall within the eligible flight number range below and your flight must be marketed and operated by Delta." However, I'm curious whether folks experiences are to the contrary.
I tried searching but didn't find much too helpful, so, I'd be happy with a mere point in the right direction if I've missed the road to the answer.
Nov 26, 2014, 4:23 pm
#3990
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: 42,957
Wirelessly posted (beckoa's BB: Mozilla/5.0 (BlackBerry; U; BlackBerry 9810; en-US) AppleWebKit/534.11+ (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/7.1.0.694 Mobile Safari/534.11+)
Don't think you'll have luck as VS and AS do not partner. Other codeshares with partners like DL and KL sometimes work, but these do both partner.
Don't think you'll have luck as VS and AS do not partner. Other codeshares with partners like DL and KL sometimes work, but these do both partner.