PaperGlider

Thanks. I will try the re-checkng in. I too have had the verbal assurance that the phone agent says they "see me on the upgrade list" when I don't see myself on the app. I have had the successful experience of an agent uncheck me in and have me check in again.

I have presumed innocence and imagined that there is something like an administrative hold as a control against disruptions from people doing frequent SDC's or SDC's as a way to somehow game the system.

Bellerina

Has anyone been denied an SDC for SEA/PAE anytime in the past couple months? I think there was some denial right when PAE opened, but everything I've seen recently seems to show that if you SDC via a call, you can switch to PAE.

I've got a flight that is scheduled to leave SEA, but I'd really like to take the PAE flight earlier in the day. But it will cost an extra $150+ to switch to PAE currently. Really want to try and do an SDC if I can. It's not the end of the world if I can't, so I'm thinking it might be worth the risk.

NoLaGent

Depending upon how many hours earlier, what's the actual risk? I'd do it.

beckoa

They will charge any applicable taxes if you add segments, but may get a refund if connections are decreased. (mywallet funds)

Just did another SDC into PAE. Its awesome ^

barcelona_xavi

My current itinerary is SFO-SEA-FAI, connecting through Seattle for 14 hours, though both SFO-SEA and SEA-FAI depart on the same day.

I'm MVP Gold, and I want to change the second leg, SEA-FAI, to an earlier flight. I saw that the SDC rule allows me to make the request during online check-in. Does that mean that I'll be able to request changing the second leg 24 hours before the first leg? That would then be 38 hours before the flight I want to change...

On a related matter, am I automatically waitlisted for complimentary upgrade after I do SDC? Thanks!!

PaperGlider

Yes if on the same reservation. You are checking in for the reservation which starts as early as 24 hours from the first leg of the trip.

Second question, you SHOULD be automatically waitlisted. I don't often do same day changes (SDC's), but in my experience, it may take a while before you show up and it may take a phone call to get it done.

MonThruThurs

Quick question to you all.

Tried to change my flight from LAX - SEA today at the airport to an earlier one. Flight was about to start boarding, and I asked the gate agent to put me on the waitlist. Answer from her was a rude no. Explained that I’d like to exercise my gold perk and would like to change flights and she took my name but obviously wasn’t doing anything. Told her I’d wait while she added me to the standby list and got a “I can multi task.”

Okay. I step aside and wait a couple of mins, name still isn’t showing on the list. Ask her again and she said she still hasn’t put it in. I’ve had enough at this point and just wait. She never puts it on the list and the flight closes.

Was Alaska process violated here?

NoLaGent

Yes. Write in and report it with flight details and agent info. (if available).

MonThruThurs

Already done. Thanks for the validation.

DrAlex

I would suggest to have called the gold line while you were waiting. They likely could have gotten you on the list just as easily. Could report the lackluster agent at the same time and multi task yourself...

beckoa

Several agents have mentioned that when performing a SDC, *DO NOT* checkin for your flight immediately afterwards. This is a recipe for some reason to not get waitlisted. In fact, one should wait 15+ minutes. I'd give it at least a half hour, and then try checking in. And make sure your name appears on the app; I've lost out on upgrades this year due to this bug.

Or even go find another agent at another podium to add you to the waitlist. There are several opportunities here, and yes the agent was probably insanely busy. Make it easier for them to multi task. Yes, they should be able to help you; but others can too who might have a minute longer to do this action. Good luck next time ^

jrl767

yeah, that bit me last week ... IAD-LAX landed ~0925; I was booked on LAX-SEA at 1110 but was hoping to make the 0950 so I could get to at least part of the Sounders celebration parade ... texted as soon as we cleared the runway and got “someone will be with you in less than 5 minutes” ... I was in 1A; grabbed my backpack out of the bin and hustled up the 65B jetway without waiting for anyone, got to 64A at 0940 as the GA was still typing something, asked “Room for one more?” ... she spent about another 10-15 seconds typing before she looked at me blankly ... I asked again, she said, “Oh. Uh, no, there were a few seats, but it’s closed.”

MonThruThurs

The gate agent deliberately didn’t put me on the standby list. Not sure I agree with your sentiment, but agree I could’ve found a workaround from a rogue supervisor.

PaperGlider

Thanks for mentioning this. I'll try waiting 15 minutes before checking in for the new flight the next time I do a SDC.

jjmadison

Excellent advice.

I recently (accidentally) tested this. Here are my findings:

1. I SDCed a flight and then proceeded with the check-in process (the app makes you check in before selecting a seat less than T24, so I bet a lot of people do this after an SDC). Immediately after hitting the check-in button, I remembered that this could break the upgrader. Sure enough, I was missing from the waitlist.

2. I called in and asked an agent to get me on the waitlist. After 15 min of attempts, I still wasn't showing up, despite the agent assuring me I was on there. I've learned from multiple previous lost upgrades that when you're not showing in the app, the upgrader won't work--even if the phone agent says you are on the waitlist. I thank the agent for trying and hang up.

3. I decide to run my own "ticket reset" in the app by SDCing back to the original flight and then again SDCing to the flight I want. This time, I wait 15 min after SDCing.

Result: I was showing as #3 on the waitlist, and upgraded at the gate.

Conclusion: if you do check in immediately after SDCing and are missing from the waitlist, run your own ticket reset in the app, then wait 15 min, and check-in. All should be fixed.