How Complimentary Upgrades Work
#811
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: LAX
Programs: AS MVPG, IHG Diamond Elite
Posts: 1,445
Yes, but do monitor for upgrade space (set an ExpertFlyer alert for U if you have a pro account). Since the main and GGU price are the same, you're already in a GGU-eligible fare class. If you see U become available, as I mentioned you can call in and have a GGU applied and confirm yourself without worrying about waitlists or last minute F purchases.
#812
Join Date: Apr 2018
Location: In the clouds
Programs: AS MVP Gold, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 42
Yes, but do monitor for upgrade space (set an ExpertFlyer alert for U if you have a pro account). Since the main and GGU price are the same, you're already in a GGU-eligible fare class. If you see U become available, as I mentioned you can call in and have a GGU applied and confirm yourself without worrying about waitlists or last minute F purchases.
#813
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: LAX
Programs: AS MVPG, IHG Diamond Elite
Posts: 1,445
At T-120 (or for 72/48 for Gold/MVP), there's no need to use a GGU, and you *should* automatically clear, but occasionally the upgrade processor will fail and U will remain open. If you've not been upgraded by that point and see U available, call in and have them manually process the upgrade (complimentary - no need to use a GGU). Theoretically anyone else could use a GGU and grab the space before elites within their window are upgraded, but generally things work like they're supposed to.
Last edited by be_rettSEA; Aug 15, 2019 at 2:07 pm Reason: clarification about GGU use
#814
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: British Columbia
Programs: AS MVPG100K, Marriott Marriott Titanium Elite, Hilton Gold
Posts: 7,263
James
#815
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: British Columbia
Programs: AS MVPG100K, Marriott Marriott Titanium Elite, Hilton Gold
Posts: 7,263
Yes it will fail. That screen is just asking if you want to a) be on the waitlist, b) use the GGU, or opt out.
The only benefit for going to a MVPGold filter as a 75K is moving up the fare class ladder. I wouldn't do that since you are paying more to compete against other 75Ks and that seems unnecessary nor cost effective.
The only benefit for going to a MVPGold filter as a 75K is moving up the fare class ladder. I wouldn't do that since you are paying more to compete against other 75Ks and that seems unnecessary nor cost effective.
Since an eligible fare is moved directly to the upgrade waitlist rather than the upgrade request queue, you won't be competing with 75Ks who have purchased ineligible fares and will be moved from the request queue to the waitlist at T-120.
The GGU is an upgrade instrument that anyone can use (they can be gifted to non-elites) and allows the holder to purchase a GGU eligible fare (K class or higher) for an immediate upgrade but since you cannot waitlist a GGU, U space must be available at the time of application.
James
#817
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: Pacific Wonderland
Programs: ʙᴏɴᴠo̱ʏ Au, IHG Au, HH Dia, Nexus, Pilot FlyingJ Preferred
Posts: 5,336
The other benefit to using the MVPG filter is to grab the lowest main cabin fare with a CoS bonus vs H which doesn't. The best use for this, imo, is with a companion fare where the discount cuts the price difference in half on a per person basis.
#818
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: British Columbia
Programs: AS MVPG100K, Marriott Marriott Titanium Elite, Hilton Gold
Posts: 7,263
James
Last edited by Flying for Fun; Aug 15, 2019 at 10:46 pm
#821
Join Date: Sep 2019
Location: SAN
Programs: AS Mileage Plan 100k, Bonvoy Titanium
Posts: 991
- Alaska does not guarantee allocation of any particular space in the aircraft. Seat assignments, regardless of class of service, are not guaranteed and are subject to change without notice. Alaska reserves the right to reseat a Passenger for any reason, including from a seat for which an additional fee has been paid, and if a Passenger is improperly or erroneously upgraded to a different class of service. If a Passenger is removed from a seat for which a fee has been paid, and the Passenger is not re-accommodated in the same class of seat or a seat of equal or greater value, or if a Passenger is downgraded from a class of service and is not re-accommodated in a seat of an equal or greater class of service for which a fee has been paid, the Passenger may be eligible for a refund in accordance with Rule 17.
#822
Join Date: Aug 2018
Programs: AA Exec Plat, Bonvoy Platinum, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 621
If I'm MVP and my traveling partner on the same itinerary has no status then what happens? They won't get upgraded to even Premium with me, right? Could I get put into Premium or first while they get left behind in the original seats--do I need to decline both upgrade lists if I want to make sure I sit with them?
#823
Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 4,972
From the contract of carriage, Rule 5:
- Alaska does not guarantee allocation of any particular space in the aircraft. Seat assignments, regardless of class of service, are not guaranteed and are subject to change without notice. Alaska reserves the right to reseat a Passenger for any reason, including from a seat for which an additional fee has been paid, and if a Passenger is improperly or erroneously upgraded to a different class of service. If a Passenger is removed from a seat for which a fee has been paid, and the Passenger is not re-accommodated in the same class of seat or a seat of equal or greater value, or if a Passenger is downgraded from a class of service and is not re-accommodated in a seat of an equal or greater class of service for which a fee has been paid, the Passenger may be eligible for a refund in accordance with Rule 17.
#824
Join Date: Sep 2019
Location: SAN
Programs: AS Mileage Plan 100k, Bonvoy Titanium
Posts: 991
If I'm MVP and my traveling partner on the same itinerary has no status then what happens? They won't get upgraded to even Premium with me, right? Could I get put into Premium or first while they get left behind in the original seats--do I need to decline both upgrade lists if I want to make sure I sit with them?
MVP® Gold and Gold 75K members may upgrade one companion traveling with them on the same flight, in the same reservation and in the same class of service. If a reservation includes more than one companion, it will not be eligible for complimentary upgrades. MVP® members receive upgrades for themselves only - no companions.
#825
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: Seattle, WA
Programs: Alaska Airlines
Posts: 659
If I'm MVP and my traveling partner on the same itinerary has no status then what happens? They won't get upgraded to even Premium with me, right? Could I get put into Premium or first while they get left behind in the original seats--do I need to decline both upgrade lists if I want to make sure I sit with them?
GA's made still be able to split you up if you want though.... When I was MVP I was traveling with a friend and the gate agent started selling FC seats so I went up and told them I was an MVP and hadn't been upgraded, but they were selling seats. They confirmed it was because my companion couldn't be upgraded, so I told them I'd leave him in coach I'm not sure if they officially split our ticket or just moved me... but it was like my 2nd upgrade ever so I took it