johnp012001

Fair enough. So, how about some other number or restriction that limited it to the pre-transcon and Hawaii network.

bigbirdwithsilverwings

Alaska sets up a program and piece by piece dismantles it, making it worthless to many. You want to negotiate how bad they screw you. Those who got multiple cards did not "manipulate" anything. I played by the rules Alaska established and of the 17 companion certificates I used, only one was transcontinental and only one was to Hawaii, so 15 of my usages were for trips that were less than 2,000 nautical miles. But that's irrelevant. What is relevant is that I paid: for 17 full fare first class seats, the $75 annual fee x 4, and between consumer and business purchases, my spend was about $200k annually. 17 first class seats and $5300 in annual VISA fees and commissions, makes B of A and Alaska a lot of money, and made me a contented customer. This is a lose-lose-lose change and as soon as my new cards show up, I'm out of here.

ChugiakAk

I think that could be a solution. Make the transcons and/or Hawaii available for companions but at a higher rate. They have two levels for the AS50 Money and Miles program when you can use fewer miles (10,000 vs 20,000) and get a different discount so why not apply a similar arrangement to the companion fare? Not sure what it could be but it's certainly better than all the controversy that the current change has caused.

SFore

Me too! Thank goodness, I was checking daily for the last week and forgot to check yesterday. Was pleasantly surprised to find mine issued with the expiration of 7/31/2013. Well at least I'll have the card one more year...

Eastbay1K

Cry me a mudflat! There was no system manipulation. AS knew for years that people were taking out multiple cards. There were no deprivations of the company being able to sell the seats at full fare. There was a use of a product sold to us on the T&C that were offered. Rewarding their best flyers who fly regularly paying regular market fares? Oh yes, this goes to those paying $300 and getting an upgrade to that "deprived" F seat.

How is someone with a pair of those companion tickets, giving AS $4K in a year just on those two fares a lesser customer than a customer who spends the same amount on 13 trips, needing to serve/upgrade/handle baggage/reservations/provide more miles for awards?

As far as a 2000 mile (or similar) limitation - we also all know that distance and airfares have no rational relation to each other.

People using the companion fares for F were getting a very good value, but it isn't like any sort of "incredible" value. Look at the product provided.

This, or any other airline, is never a victim. Their decision to keep the offer for years was as calculated as their decision to get rid of it. They pushed these cards, with its benefits like a dealer passing out filled syringes and booze at the halfway house.

Eujeanie

There was always a link to refer friends and FAMILY for a card, not sure how that was manipulating the system if they encouraged it.

bigbirdwithsilverwings

Eastbay has it EXACTLY right. Alaska and B of A used to push the hell out of these cards. I have had both Alaska and B of A representatives tell me, wink wink, that I could and should have multiple cards for either me as an individual or for my business. They did it because it made them money! "Manipulation!" Yup; theirs for their business purposes.

Alaska14k

Called B of A today and canceled my Signature card. I was asked if there was a reason, my reply was "the loss of benefits made the card unsustainable for me to keep."

My renewal would have been September, so no companion certificates that can be used in F would be issued.

pdm134

Exactly correct, if you are not prepared to travel in coach you lose 100% of the benefit of the cc. Many of the heavy spenders fall in this category. Would be great if there were something for this group except a kick in the pants. Guess the million dollar spend I made in last 4 years means nothing to AS.

I hope they come to their senses, too late for me tho I have already left.

bigbirdwithsilverwings

what's 2.5% of million bucks to world beating companies like Alaska Airlines and B of A....

UFgatorgal

I did not know I could cancel and keep the certificate? Mine just posted and expect annual fee to post in next statement. So that's two of us cancelling!

The biggest reason - sure the changes to companion cert stink.....but really it's because I have never owned a cc that has had so many security breaches and cancellations by the bank (at least 6x) ...often without any notification. Many times I discovered my card was cancelled when I tried to us it on an AS flight! And this from a card I use maybe 1 or 2 x max a month and only held card for 4yrs.

I've had my Starwood AMEX since it's inception, ias my primary card I charge everything I can each month. During all those years, I've had only 1 breach, just a few months ago. I was proactively called and emailed. Immediately received replacement via fedex (not mail like BoA) card and AMEX even rolled my standing charges over to the new card without me even having to call the various companies. AMEX displayed customer service that I don't think BoA could even dream of.

Thank you BoA for making me realize how much I like AMEX and my starwood card!

AS Flyer

oh for god sakes. "world beating companies?" Being a bit dramatic, no? I hardly think Alaska is a "world beating company". In the same way that you exercised your right to open several card accounts to use them all to purchase multiple First Class tickets, Alaska exercised their right to change the benefits of the card. It clearly was a move that didn't work for you - just as offering the F class benefit no longer worked for them. "world beating company"?

bigbirdwithsilverwings

AS Flyer: as you pointed out before moving onto the discussion about "what you will be served in First Class", only 2% or less of those who used the B of A companion certificates used them for the F class benefit. Given that Alaska is about the 10th largest Airline in the Country and B of A missed out on bankruptcy by a hair and sells for about $7 a share, please understand the context of my characterizing them as "world beating companies". I appreciate that email/internet lacks tone and nuance. However, if you want to accuse me of something, go w/sarcasm as I was being sarcastic. These companies don't "beat" anybody. Just ask Jamie Dimon.

AS Flyer

duly noted and apologize for the misinterpretation. I'm confused by the comment about "what you will be served in First Class". In fact, I went back to look at that thread and I don't even see it - was it removed?

david55

Flew yesterday twice.... and on both flights the FA promoting the card offered the comp. cert for ANY fare on AS....mentioning " even first class"

This was yesterday August 1st.