Kudos to Alaska Partner Desk
 

I have been trying to get tickets for PDX-GUM so we could spend the winter in the tropics. I had spoken with about 4 or 5 other agents previous to the gentleman I spoke with last night and was less than impressed with they're demeanor and flight results (or lack thereof). However, the gentleman I reached last night was really great. He didn't seem rushed, he took the time, found out what I wanted, noted our fairly extreme flexibility and he made it happen. While seemingly 2 coach class awards are nothing special, he took the time and found the connections and my wife and I are really grateful.

I bring this up just because I think the partner desk as a whole continues to deserve recognition for helping all of us find awards when some of the partners themselves are (in my opinion) very stingy with award space.

Somehow I didn't even catch his name, but it was much appreciated and if any supervisors from the Partner Desk happen to look, please know we're thankful. I am often quick to criticize when I think we experience a devaluation in Mileage Plan (still feel like an MVPG even though I'm not any longer) but when I get good service as I was provided last night, that makes me want to keep providing business to Alaska.

Thanks again.

New Gold Upgrade tool online
 

My first post, and it's not a question, so not sure what the best forum is for this. On the AS website, the RC upgrades have gone electronic as of today. Paper ones can be used till end of this year. What's cool about the tool is that you can now search for upgradeable fares, whether you use paper or electronic, online. There is a new filter - "guest upgrades" - that in addition to the traditional green and gold "U" now shows a black "U". You still have to call to book the paper upgrades, but now you can find the qualifying flights before you call.

Nice first post, thanks for the heads up wasian! Please follow the discussion here:

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/alask...ades-here.html

MCO to Hawaii using $99 Visa companion
 

Hi There!

New to the AS board. I've been reading some posts related to my question but would like to check on something.

We are looking to fly from MCO-HNL and staying in HNL for 3 nights. Then flying HNL-KOA and return home ITO-MCO. The flights will be in Feb of next year

We'd usually book using miles with Delta (Silver Medallion) but just used most all of miles to book trip to Ireland. Was pointed in direction of getting $99 companion cert with the Alaska Airlines Signature Visa (already applied for and approved) and then booking one First Class ticket and using companion for my wife.

So, here's my question(s)

(1) - Going from MCO-SEA-HNL requires an overnight stay in SEA. Since we've never been and have friends in the area, would we be allowed to stay an extra day (Fly in Sat night and out on Mon)

(2) - Can I even book this flight with the extra night in Seattle and the change of airports on the big island using the companion voucher?

(3) - If I book with AS, would the first class include all of the Hawaiian inter-island flights (HNL-KOA and ITO-HNL)?

(4) - Can I use this flight to get miles on DL? (will we both get the miles even if only paying the $99? (I think I know the answer to this one but since I'm already asking the others, I figured I'd throw it in)

Thanks for the help!!!!

Welcome!

1. Yes, most (all?) AS fares allow free stopovers in SEA (and PDX, if applicable).
2. Yes, on the stopover; no, on the other.
3. No, the companion discount code only applies to AS/QX metal, and they don't serve inter-island routes (and ITO not at all). Your best option might be to fly open-jaw into HNL and out of KOA and buy a separate HNL-KOA/ITO ticket.
4. Yes.

Thanks.

So would this work? I could book a RT ticket in first on AS for MCO-HNL with the SEA stopover and use the companion ticket voucher. Then I'll book a separate reservation on HA for my inter-island flights and pay cash. When I price it out, it comes out to be $10 more expensive for the 2 bookings (booking fees?). But this way I can also book a coach ticket on the HA flights (which would save me $440) for a 20 min flight I think that's worth it.

I'd take the KOA-SEA-MCO home but I run into the same problem, I'd have to stay overnight in Seattle. With the island hopper on HA ITO-HNL, I make it in time for the red eye to SEA and also the connecting flight to MCO.

Thanks for helping me understand how the companion fare works.

Yes, that sounds reasonable. Just keep in mind the usual caveats when booking tight connections on separate reservations.

(The $10 difference is likely additional taxes/fees. With a stopover, your ticket is probably priced as MCO-SEA + SEA-HNL instead of simply MCO-HNL.)

Award flight availability will open up soon for my I-90 roadtrip next year. I'm probably going to use AA miles for a saver award on Alaska. I probably will take the 7:55 AM Eastern departure out of EWR to SEA, arriving at 10:55 AM Pacific. I will then ride the light rail to downtown and take a Ducks tour.

I've never flown Alaska before. How would you describe the experience? How is the general on time performance? How is the inflight service and entertainment in coach? What have you seen as the significant differences with other airlines in general and American in particular?

The flight should be on time since the aircraft remains on the ground overnight and the crew staffing the flight should have arrived in EWR around 5pm the evening prior.

Check-in and gate agents in EWR are from Delta.

The plane is a pretty standard seat pitch 737-800, relatively new with leather seats. Alaska has no built-in IFE; instead they rent DigEPlayers (I think it is $12 now, so pretty pricey for a dated product.) There is Gogo inflight WiFi available.

There will be 3 drink services and buy on board opportunity, credit card only. Flight attendants are generally friendly, probably less formal than AA.

PS: The light rail downtown works great. Head across the skybridge to the garage and follow the signs.

For EWR-SEA, the digEplayers are $14 if rented onboard, or $12 if reserved ahead of time. You can reserve players anytime from booking until 24 hours before departure.

Internet is available on the digEplayers, a smartphone or iPod Touch for an additional $7.95 charge, or on your laptop or iPad for $12.95.

Internet access is free on your smartphone through September.

True, but OP is planning for a trip which will occur in 2012:

I have a simple question but I am new to Alaska Air. I received these "Board Room" passes and I was wondering about them:

1. Can I use these if I am not flying Alaska Air at the time?
2. Do they have any value?
3. Are there extra charges after one gets admitted to the "Board Room."
4. What is actually in the board room, and is WiFi available and if so, is it free?

Thanks for bringing me up to speed.
bb

1. Can I use these if I am not flying Alaska Air at the time?

Yes

2. Do they have any value?

They are not to be sold, bartered or traded, but how AS would know that is a mystery

3. Are there extra charges after one gets admitted to the "Board Room."

Premium drinks are extra. 3 well drinks and the food options are no charge. This could include pancakes, oatmeal, soup, veggies, chips & salsa, etc. depending on the time of day and location

4. What is actually in the board room, and is WiFi available and if so, is it free?

Chairs, some tables, newspapers, airline magazines, usually a very nice view of the airport activities. Wireless internet is free of charge.

The passes can only be used at Alaska's own BoardRooms, not any partner lounges. Alaska has BoardRooms in LAX, SFO, PDX, SEA and ANC, all behind security. The LAX BR could also be accessed if you are flying VX or B6. The SFO concourse is also used by some of SW's flights. The SEA BR is near the front of the terminal and since all gates are accessible without reclearing security you can use this one regardless of which carrier you are flying.