2011 MVPG Guest UG certs
Dec 6, 2010, 9:59 pm
#16
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: ANC
Programs: AS 100K
Posts: 119
My experience has been that if you're not a Gold yourself, the certs usually get collected. I've only been Gold for a couple of years and prior to that would occasionally get some certs from friends, but they were typically collected. YMMV
Dec 7, 2010, 8:43 am
#17
Join Date: Nov 2010
Posts: 106
Possibly so, but I wonder if they will even bother to spend the time, effort, energy, and money to retrain and reprogram their systems to handle physical certificate collection when it's just going to go electronic anyway.
I've been asked for exactly 0 certificates this year. I still have the two I was gifted in August.
I've been asked for exactly 0 certificates this year. I still have the two I was gifted in August.
Dec 7, 2010, 1:44 pm
#18
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: BOS/ORH
Programs: AS 75K
Posts: 18,323
My experience has been similar, but with a twist. When traveling without luggage, checking in and gathering my boarding pass at the kiosk (not allowed to print them at home - told to check with agent at airport), I'm never asked for my certs; however, when traveling with luggage, I was asked every time (since I had to interact with an agent).
Jan 4, 2011, 5:19 pm
#19
Join Date: Mar 2007
Programs: BA GGL/CCR
Posts: 384
Newbie Question
Forgive my relative inexperience, but living in England - Alaska airlines will be a new experience for my wife and I when we fly with them from PVR to LAX in March. I have no status on Alaskan and we will be flying coach. If I could get hold of two First Upgrade certificates, would I be eligible to use them? What is the best way of getting hold of them? Could I simply pay for an upgrade at Check-in? Many thanks.
Jan 4, 2011, 5:27 pm
#20
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: SEA, SoCal
Programs: AS 75K, DL Plat, AA, WN, Hertz, HHonors, Marriott
Posts: 1,306
If 'U' class space is available for your flight, then you can use the certs. You don't personally need any status. Just call Alaska and tell them you'd like to use two of them. If U inventory is available then they'll confirm you in F and you'll be asked to present the certs upon check-in at the airport.
Paid upgrades at the airport are possible, but unlikely.
Paid upgrades at the airport are possible, but unlikely.
Jan 4, 2011, 5:32 pm
#21
Join Date: Mar 2007
Programs: BA GGL/CCR
Posts: 384
If 'U' class space is available for your flight, then you can use the certs. You don't personally need any status. Just call Alaska and tell them you'd like to use two of them. If U inventory is available then they'll confirm you in F and you'll be asked to present the certs upon check-in at the airport.
Jan 4, 2011, 5:38 pm
#22
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: SEA, SoCal
Programs: AS 75K, DL Plat, AA, WN, Hertz, HHonors, Marriott
Posts: 1,306
I don't have any certificates yet - but the impression I'm getting is that I can 'phone Alaskan now and ask if U inventory is available, if so, get wait listed, and then I just need to get hold of the certificates between now and march. If no inventory available, I don't need to go hunting for the certificates. Is this right?
You're mostly right. You can't "wait list" with the certs. U space has to be available at the time you request it, and if it is you can confirm it right away. If not, it might open up as the date draws nearer.
Jan 4, 2011, 5:46 pm
#23
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: SEA, SoCal
Programs: AS 75K, DL Plat, AA, WN, Hertz, HHonors, Marriott
Posts: 1,306
Oh, and another thing about the certs. They're only given away to Alaska Gold level members. They're fully transferable, but aren't supposed to be sold, or bartered. That being said, they do pop up from time to time on Coupon Connection, but typically towards the end of the year as their expiration date draws near.
Jan 4, 2011, 5:50 pm
#24
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Seattle, WA
Programs: AS Million Miler, AS MVPG-75K, SPG Lifetime Platinum, Hyatt Diamond, HH Silver, Nat EE
Posts: 166
Did not catch it at the time and only realized what happened when I read on this board that the same thing happened to them. I believe others tried to call Gold desk to ask for 2011 certs but was not successful since they were going electronic in 2011.
Do we know yet if e-certs are official for 2011?
If no e-certs then any suggestions for how to get the ones I am due?
Mahalo
Jan 4, 2011, 8:07 pm
#25
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: BOS/ORH
Programs: AS 75K
Posts: 18,323
I have NOT received any 2011 certs yet. Made GOLD for 2011 around summer 2010 and got 4 certs then.....but turns out then only sent me 4 more for 2010.
Did not catch it at the time and only realized what happened when I read on this board that the same thing happened to them. I believe others tried to call Gold desk to ask for 2011 certs but was not successful since they were going electronic in 2011.
Do we know yet if e-certs are official for 2011?
If no e-certs then any suggestions for how to get the ones I am due?
Mahalo
Did not catch it at the time and only realized what happened when I read on this board that the same thing happened to them. I believe others tried to call Gold desk to ask for 2011 certs but was not successful since they were going electronic in 2011.
Do we know yet if e-certs are official for 2011?
If no e-certs then any suggestions for how to get the ones I am due?
Mahalo
Jan 4, 2011, 9:53 pm
#26
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: (PHL) Cape May, NJ
Programs: MVP Gold 75K, Board Room, Marriott Gold, Hertz Gold
Posts: 2,439
but the difference is, i have them ready for collection.
Jan 4, 2011, 9:56 pm
#27
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: (PHL) Cape May, NJ
Programs: MVP Gold 75K, Board Room, Marriott Gold, Hertz Gold
Posts: 2,439
BTW, mine haven't come yet, but I heard the 2011 gold cert codes are now using two letters and two real words to thwart cert fraud.
Its: I/M Lye Ing
I haven't had that much luck with it though, they just hang up on me.
Its: I/M Lye Ing
I haven't had that much luck with it though, they just hang up on me.
Jan 4, 2011, 10:50 pm
#28
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: MFR
Posts: 327
My certificates arrived today. I just made MVPG in mid-December and the certs arrived with my welcome letter.
So, if I understand the system correctly, it makes more sense to purchase the cheapest fare available and call for an upgrade (and possibly relinquish the certificate), than to pay the higher fare for U space.
So, if I understand the system correctly, it makes more sense to purchase the cheapest fare available and call for an upgrade (and possibly relinquish the certificate), than to pay the higher fare for U space.
Jan 4, 2011, 10:54 pm
#29
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
My certificates arrived today. I just made MVPG in mid-December and the certs arrived with my welcome letter.
So, if I understand the system correctly, it makes more sense to purchase the cheapest fare available and call for an upgrade (and possibly relinquish the certificate), than to pay the higher fare for U space.
So, if I understand the system correctly, it makes more sense to purchase the cheapest fare available and call for an upgrade (and possibly relinquish the certificate), than to pay the higher fare for U space.
Jan 5, 2011, 12:53 am
#30
Join Date: May 2006
Location: TUS/PDX
Programs: WN CP/A-List, AS MVPG75K
Posts: 5,798
If AS goes the e-cert route, wouldn't they automatically show up in your account once the system recognized you as a gold?
I haven't received my gold packet yet, but I qualified a few days ago. I'll be sure to post an update once I get the packet.
I haven't received my gold packet yet, but I qualified a few days ago. I'll be sure to post an update once I get the packet.