$110 Companion Ticket Valid for COACH class only - Effective August 1st, 2012
Jul 10, 2012, 1:56 pm
#136
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: SEA
Programs: No status anywhere :(
Posts: 867
Jul 10, 2012, 2:08 pm
#137
Join Date: Dec 2009
Programs: AS MVPG75K
Posts: 85
Hmmm...I know you said "for most of the traveling public" - but if I was solely looking at price, I would rarely be on Alaska flights.
Jul 10, 2012, 2:10 pm
#138
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: Seattle, WA
Programs: Alaska 100K - MM, defender of shoes on the carpeted bulkhead 4ever, AA LT PLT, Hyatt Glob, HH Dia
Posts: 7,447
my 2011 cert expires on July 18th, You think I'll actually see my 2012 cert in my wallet/cert area by July 30th?
We'll probably cancel our cards. Although, buying one 800 buck ticket to DC and the other for 110 is still better than a poke in the eye.
For our Hawaii trips, we'll probably fly via BLI, unless they figure out how to embargo fliers from less than 85 miles away from using that airport for some lame reason.
I would even be happy paying up to 400 bucks a year for that companion cert that books into F.
We'll probably cancel our cards. Although, buying one 800 buck ticket to DC and the other for 110 is still better than a poke in the eye.
For our Hawaii trips, we'll probably fly via BLI, unless they figure out how to embargo fliers from less than 85 miles away from using that airport for some lame reason.
I would even be happy paying up to 400 bucks a year for that companion cert that books into F.
Jul 10, 2012, 2:34 pm
#139
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
I wrote "Jane Doe" back and asked her to explain the enhanced lounge benefit. If and when I get an answer, I will share it here.
Jul 10, 2012, 2:55 pm
#140
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Anchorage, AK
Programs: AS MVPG, SPG Gold, ICH P Club Plat, Hertz#1 5Star, Marriott Gold
Posts: 227
They are going to waive 50 dollars of the initiation fee for the BR, rather than 25 for non MVPG.
Let the celebrations begin
Jul 10, 2012, 3:07 pm
#141
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: portland, oregon
Programs: alaska, united, air france, lufthansa,delta, starwood
Posts: 382
regardless of status, companion certificate is for coach travel only
This is OK if you're willing to try your luck in the upgrade crapshoot that takes place in the days and hours just before your flight -- maybe the 75Ks will do well. But if you want to get seats in F right off the bat using a companion cert then you have to hope that they will make U space available. Not holding my breath on that.
The cynic in me wonders whether they are thinking they'll effectively issue a challenge to some marginal elites this way: You can no longer use the 50% F mileage bonus on companion fare tickets to get over the top to renew your status so you have to fly more or spend more than in the past to qualify.
Edited to add: The above quote from AKLifetimeFlyer is something he got from the AS FB page. I didn't mean to make it look as if he were defending AS.
The cynic in me wonders whether they are thinking they'll effectively issue a challenge to some marginal elites this way: You can no longer use the 50% F mileage bonus on companion fare tickets to get over the top to renew your status so you have to fly more or spend more than in the past to qualify.
Edited to add: The above quote from AKLifetimeFlyer is something he got from the AS FB page. I didn't mean to make it look as if he were defending AS.
Jul 10, 2012, 3:11 pm
#142
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: PDX
Programs: AS MVP Gold 100K
Posts: 2,994
Wirelessly posted (Mozilla/5.0 (iPhone; CPU iPhone OS 5_1_1 like Mac OS X) AppleWebKit/534.46 (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/5.1 Mobile/9B206 Safari/7534.48.3)
Mr. Tilden being an accountant has next to nothing to do with it. I've known several chief executives with accounting backgrounds who have successfully grown large companies without slashing customer benefits.
These decisions have likely been in the works for a very long time. It wasn't some overnight decision.
It sucks for us, but there is still some decent value, in particular for those that are AK-based, or in some of the smaller PNW markets that have limited/expensive service.
Originally Posted by tusphotog
That's what you get when you have an accountant running the place....
These decisions have likely been in the works for a very long time. It wasn't some overnight decision.
It sucks for us, but there is still some decent value, in particular for those that are AK-based, or in some of the smaller PNW markets that have limited/expensive service.
Jul 10, 2012, 3:35 pm
#143
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 1999
Location: Over the Bay Bridge, CA
Programs: Jumbo mas
Posts: 38,654
Jul 10, 2012, 3:58 pm
#144
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Seattle WA, USA
Programs: Hilton Diamond, Marriott LT Plat, AS Lounge
Posts: 3,478
I just spoke to Customer Care who reports that regardless of status, MVP, MVP Gold or 75k, you can still only use the companion certificate to book into coach and therefore this post is completely correct. Unless you have 75k status, you only have some chance of getting an upgrade.
Fortunately my card doesn't come up for renewal until the fall so I can wait a while to make a decision.
Jul 10, 2012, 4:24 pm
#145
Moderator, OneWorld
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: SEA
Programs: RAA RIP; AA ExEXP
Posts: 11,803
ETA - has anyone phoned B of A and asked to have their certificate date accelerated to July (mine is in December) in order to grandfather in one last trip? Outcome? I plan to do so tomorrow, under threat of immediate cancellation. Not sure if B of A can even do it, but asking is free.
Last edited by Gardyloo; Jul 10, 2012 at 4:29 pm
Jul 10, 2012, 4:50 pm
#146
Join Date: Jan 2008
Programs: AS MVPG, CO, NW(now DL), Flying Blue
Posts: 6,554
Dear Mr. dave1013,
We appreciate that you took the time to contact Caroline Boren with regard to our upcoming changes to our Alaska Airlines Bank of America credit cards. Caroline has asked that I respond to you on her behalf.
The changes to the credit card program benefits were aimed at maintaining the program's viability while also protecting what we felt were the most important components of the value that it offers to cardholders like yourself.
It has been many years since we have made significant changes to our credit card benefits and we were finding it increasingly challenging to not modify the features and benefits in today’s economy, and with the growth of our airline into markets across the country and across the Pacific to Hawaii.
I know you mentioned canceling your Bank of America card. (Note: nowhere in my email did I mention canceling my card - which leads me to believe (1) this is a canned response and (2) unlike the baggage fee for upgraders reconsideration, there's no turning back on this change) I wanted to share with you that we still offer unsurpassed value among comparable airline and travel rewards cards, including: top mileage earn rates for everyday purchases and Alaska Airlines purchases; a companion certificate that can used everywhere we fly, including Hawaii and Mexico; an enhanced lounge benefit for both new and existing premium cardholders; and the ability to redeem miles on Alaska Airlines and our 15 airline partners.
Mr. dave1013, thank you again for taking the time to share your feedback. We value your business and thank you for being a Mileage Plan and Gold member with us since 1987. We look forward to the privilege of welcoming you on board an Alaska Airlines flight in the near future.
Warm Regards,
"Jane Doe"
Customer Care Manager
We appreciate that you took the time to contact Caroline Boren with regard to our upcoming changes to our Alaska Airlines Bank of America credit cards. Caroline has asked that I respond to you on her behalf.
The changes to the credit card program benefits were aimed at maintaining the program's viability while also protecting what we felt were the most important components of the value that it offers to cardholders like yourself.
It has been many years since we have made significant changes to our credit card benefits and we were finding it increasingly challenging to not modify the features and benefits in today’s economy, and with the growth of our airline into markets across the country and across the Pacific to Hawaii.
I know you mentioned canceling your Bank of America card. (Note: nowhere in my email did I mention canceling my card - which leads me to believe (1) this is a canned response and (2) unlike the baggage fee for upgraders reconsideration, there's no turning back on this change) I wanted to share with you that we still offer unsurpassed value among comparable airline and travel rewards cards, including: top mileage earn rates for everyday purchases and Alaska Airlines purchases; a companion certificate that can used everywhere we fly, including Hawaii and Mexico; an enhanced lounge benefit for both new and existing premium cardholders; and the ability to redeem miles on Alaska Airlines and our 15 airline partners.
Mr. dave1013, thank you again for taking the time to share your feedback. We value your business and thank you for being a Mileage Plan and Gold member with us since 1987. We look forward to the privilege of welcoming you on board an Alaska Airlines flight in the near future.
Warm Regards,
"Jane Doe"
Customer Care Manager
Jul 10, 2012, 5:02 pm
#147
Join Date: Jan 2008
Programs: AS MVPG, CO, NW(now DL), Flying Blue
Posts: 6,554
Jul 10, 2012, 5:04 pm
#148
Join Date: Jan 2008
Programs: AS MVPG, CO, NW(now DL), Flying Blue
Posts: 6,554
Honestly mine show up usually a week or 2 before that actual official renewal date so.......sounds like
keep us updated
Jul 10, 2012, 5:12 pm
#149
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Portland, OR
Programs: Alaska Mileage Plan, United Mileage Plus, Northwest Worldperks, Delta, US Airways, Southwest
Posts: 2
Viable alternatives?
Like a lot of you, I've had this feeling for a long time that Alaska just hasn't learned from the past.
The BofA marriage was fraught with danger from the get-go. BofA is ranked near the bottom in customer service and.... who needs to go into the mortgage debacle? My 90-something parents were double-dipped by BofA via an automatic withdrawal they didn't authorize and it took another bank and constant harassment to get them to rescind the resulting fees. Alaska's comment? "No Comment."
While it doesn't solve the need for quick travel, it's my recommendation that we business travelers start looking at Amtrak as a viable alternative, especially in well-traveled corridors (PDX/SEA, for example). Until the greedy corporate types get some pushback from the travelers, it's just going to continue.
And by the way--- BA now stands for... Boycott Alaska.
The BofA marriage was fraught with danger from the get-go. BofA is ranked near the bottom in customer service and.... who needs to go into the mortgage debacle? My 90-something parents were double-dipped by BofA via an automatic withdrawal they didn't authorize and it took another bank and constant harassment to get them to rescind the resulting fees. Alaska's comment? "No Comment."
While it doesn't solve the need for quick travel, it's my recommendation that we business travelers start looking at Amtrak as a viable alternative, especially in well-traveled corridors (PDX/SEA, for example). Until the greedy corporate types get some pushback from the travelers, it's just going to continue.
And by the way--- BA now stands for... Boycott Alaska.
Jul 10, 2012, 5:15 pm
#150
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: SEA
Programs: No status anywhere :(
Posts: 867