How Complimentary Upgrades Work
Dec 17, 2017, 9:51 pm
#496
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: BLI
Programs: Alaska Million Mile Flyer, Marriott Lifetime Titanium Elite
Posts: 3,194
It's Fizzbin (Star Trek fans may follow the reference.)
Dec 17, 2017, 9:55 pm
#497
Moderator Communications Coordinator, Signatures
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: deep within the Eskimo lair
Programs: TubWorld, Bar Alliance, Borratxo Legendarium
Posts: 16,968
The agent was *partially* correct.
if U space is available, anyone can purchase a paid upgrade.
But what they didnt' mention is that U,space should not become available for said paid upgrades until the waitlust is cleared.
As Beckoa stated above, sometimes they do slip through, usually related to last minute cancellations.
if U space is available, anyone can purchase a paid upgrade.
But what they didnt' mention is that U,space should not become available for said paid upgrades until the waitlust is cleared.
As Beckoa stated above, sometimes they do slip through, usually related to last minute cancellations.
Dec 17, 2017, 10:29 pm
#498
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Portland, OR
Programs: AS 75K, UA Plt
Posts: 226
Also looks like the term “complimentary” and the time frames prior to flight (48, 72, 128) are all gone from the elite status page.
Dec 17, 2017, 10:51 pm
#499
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 1999
Location: Ewa Beach, Hawaii
Posts: 10,909
Scheduled for OGG-PDX-SFO on 12/26. Have a full Y fare on the OGG-PDX leg. Still waiting for my upgrade to clear. Upgrade already cleared on PDX-SFO leg. Best I can tell still selling 3 seats.
Dec 18, 2017, 9:01 am
#500
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: PDX
Programs: AS (MVP), UA (silver), AA, DL, Hilton (Gold)
Posts: 231
If you are MVP or higher you should be able to call and have them move you into the space, if U is available. If you try and buy a ticket now and select the MVG upgrade filter does it show it as available? if so, give reservations a call and kindly ask they move you up.
Dec 18, 2017, 9:10 am
#501
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Denver, CO USA
Programs: UA GS 3Million, Marriott/SPG LIFETIME Platinum - current Titanium, HHonors Diamond
Posts: 633
Sadly, AS' IT systems are so (so) very far behind the rest of the industry. They are full of bugs, there a tricks and tips that "insiders" know which can game the system. AS needs to go to (at least for a small part) a basic confirm at purchase - any fare - UG that high mileage fliers can use without ripping off their employers (e.g., buying a higher fare class). I would bet that more than 50% of everyone using an UG on an AS flight purchased a higher fare class than the lowest available. For those who are flying on their company's or client's nickel - if this ever gets audited. Whoa Nelly...
Dec 18, 2017, 12:01 pm
#502
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: PDX
Programs: AS MVPG
Posts: 608
I had the exact same situation happen to me on OAK-PDX last night. Was offered $53 upgrade at checkin via app (I'm MVP). I declined, and the app showed me as 2/2 on the waitlist from then until boarding. Fortunately, I got a battlefield UG after I boarded, but something was clearly amiss. I figured I could have called and gotten it earlier, but honestly didn't want to waste the time for such a short flight. Still, it's irritating that the system didn't work as it should.
Dec 18, 2017, 12:44 pm
#503
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Northern Calif./Eastern Ida.
Programs: Amethyst Premier Plutonium Medallion
Posts: 20,639
i'd rather see them completely lock down window upgrades if they can't fix the bug. lock out U at T-6 days (which gives people the opportunity to get instant or GGU upgrades) then give out remaining complimentary upgrades from the waitlist at the gate an hour before departure, and sell what is left thereafter. this nonsense has been going on for years and it is ridiculous and a real amateur hour display from the IT team. AS' only saving grace is that historically UA has had the exact same problem, but if I were AS I certainly wouldn't want my IT bucketed in the same conversation as UA's.
Dec 18, 2017, 3:14 pm
#504
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: Seattle, WA
Programs: AS - MVPG; DL - SM; Marriott, Hilton, SPG - Gold
Posts: 194
I think the main issue here, as I see it, is that Alaska Air representatives are quoting inaccurate upgrade benefits and procedures. Whether or not an IT glitch is allowing cash upgrades to be sold when complimentary elite upgrades have yet to be processed isn't really the main problem here. The fact that reps, via phone, chat, or Twiter, are telling people that cash upgrades *will* and *should* be sold before elite complimentary upgrades are processed is where some intervention is needed.
The concept of selling upgrades before processing them free of charge for elites goes against Alaska's published and marketed policies. If this has changed, it needs to be communicated to all those affected. If the policy has not changed, then some additional CSR training is definitely in order.
The concept of selling upgrades before processing them free of charge for elites goes against Alaska's published and marketed policies. If this has changed, it needs to be communicated to all those affected. If the policy has not changed, then some additional CSR training is definitely in order.
Dec 18, 2017, 4:19 pm
#505
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 1999
Location: Ewa Beach, Hawaii
Posts: 10,909
75k. Just checked. No U space available and someone must have cancelled or changed as 4 seats available now. But still no U.
Dec 18, 2017, 5:14 pm
#506
Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: PDX
Programs: AS MVPG75; Bonvoy, National Exec, United Silver
Posts: 121
I think the main issue here, as I see it, is that Alaska Air representatives are quoting inaccurate upgrade benefits and procedures. Whether or not an IT glitch is allowing cash upgrades to be sold when complimentary elite upgrades have yet to be processed isn't really the main problem here. The fact that reps, via phone, chat, or Twiter, are telling people that cash upgrades *will* and *should* be sold before elite complimentary upgrades are processed is where some intervention is needed.
The concept of selling upgrades before processing them free of charge for elites goes against Alaska's published and marketed policies. If this has changed, it needs to be communicated to all those affected. If the policy has not changed, then some additional CSR training is definitely in order.
The concept of selling upgrades before processing them free of charge for elites goes against Alaska's published and marketed policies. If this has changed, it needs to be communicated to all those affected. If the policy has not changed, then some additional CSR training is definitely in order.
Dec 18, 2017, 5:20 pm
#507
Join Date: Jul 2017
Programs: AS MVPG; Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 145
Has anyone ever had luck getting an F upgrade on a "guaranteed fare class" after you get status? I booked M/B class tickets a month before I attained Gold and just tried to call and see if I could ensure upgrades. The CSR was nice, but wouldn't budge.
Dec 18, 2017, 5:46 pm
#508
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Northern Calif./Eastern Ida.
Programs: Amethyst Premier Plutonium Medallion
Posts: 20,639
ask them to remove your FF#, then go back and re-add it. If u is open you'll clear.
Dec 18, 2017, 5:56 pm
#510
Moderator Communications Coordinator, Signatures
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: deep within the Eskimo lair
Programs: TubWorld, Bar Alliance, Borratxo Legendarium
Posts: 16,968
I think the main issue here, as I see it, is that Alaska Air representatives are quoting inaccurate upgrade benefits and procedures. Whether or not an IT glitch is allowing cash upgrades to be sold when complimentary elite upgrades have yet to be processed isn't really the main problem here. The fact that reps, via phone, chat, or Twiter, are telling people that cash upgrades *will* and *should* be sold before elite complimentary upgrades are processed is where some intervention is needed.
The concept of selling upgrades before processing them free of charge for elites goes against Alaska's published and marketed policies. If this has changed, it needs to be communicated to all those affected. If the policy has not changed, then some additional CSR training is definitely in order.
The concept of selling upgrades before processing them free of charge for elites goes against Alaska's published and marketed policies. If this has changed, it needs to be communicated to all those affected. If the policy has not changed, then some additional CSR training is definitely in order.