No 25K award seats on AS in First to ANC?
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2012
Programs: BA Executive Club, AS Airlines Mileage Plan
Posts: 981
No 25K award seats on AS in First to ANC?
We will be returning to Alaska for vacation next August (2015) and this time would like to fly in First, from SEA to ANC. Looking at availability right now, which extends only up to July 16, I see no lower-cost award seats (25K miles each way) on Alaska, only on Delta. Or if we want to make a stop in Juneau on the way ( we do not). The higher-cost seats are 60K miles each way, or 120K RT. That is twice as many as we needed to go from MEL to HKG to LAX on Cathay Pacific!!!
So if this is the norm, it means we would have to fly Delta if we want to travel in First. Can I expect this pattern to continue for August 2015 seats? Why is it so high for travel to ANC?
So if this is the norm, it means we would have to fly Delta if we want to travel in First. Can I expect this pattern to continue for August 2015 seats? Why is it so high for travel to ANC?
#2
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: LON
Programs: AS MVPG, Marriott Titanium, UA Silver
Posts: 1,350
We will be returning to Alaska for vacation next August (2015) and this time would like to fly in First, from SEA to ANC. Looking at availability right now, which extends only up to July 16, I see no lower-cost award seats (25K miles each way) on Alaska, only on Delta. Or if we want to make a stop in Juneau on the way ( we do not). The higher-cost seats are 60K miles each way, or 120K RT. That is twice as many as we needed to go from MEL to HKG to LAX on Cathay Pacific!!!
So if this is the norm, it means we would have to fly Delta if we want to travel in First. Can I expect this pattern to continue for August 2015 seats? Why is it so high for travel to ANC?
So if this is the norm, it means we would have to fly Delta if we want to travel in First. Can I expect this pattern to continue for August 2015 seats? Why is it so high for travel to ANC?
Considering you can't even book Aug, '15 flights yet, I don't see any reason to start worrying yet.
#4
Moderator Communications Coordinator, Signatures
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: deep within the Eskimo lair
Programs: TubWorld, Bar Alliance, Borratxo Legendarium
Posts: 16,968
How many is "we"?
July/August is right in the middle of tourist, cruise and fishing season. I don't know that those seats will be easy to come by.
July/August is right in the middle of tourist, cruise and fishing season. I don't know that those seats will be easy to come by.
#5
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: GEG
Programs: Marriott Lifetime Platinum, Hilton Diamond, Lifetime SkyClub, AS MVP
Posts: 2,409
So use your AS miles to get the free F seats on their partner, Delta.
I'm not getting the problem. Sure, you'll slum a bit by flying Delta (perhaps) but a free F ticket is a free F ticket.
If AS can sell the F seats, the more power to them.
Apparently Delta's revenue department has concluded that for July 2015 they won't be able to sell all of their F seats and they're willing to let some go at low award levels.
What is the problem with Delta? You're still able to use your AS miles.
I'm not getting the problem. Sure, you'll slum a bit by flying Delta (perhaps) but a free F ticket is a free F ticket.
If AS can sell the F seats, the more power to them.
Apparently Delta's revenue department has concluded that for July 2015 they won't be able to sell all of their F seats and they're willing to let some go at low award levels.
What is the problem with Delta? You're still able to use your AS miles.
#6
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Treasure Coast, FL
Programs: DL Diamond, Marriott LT Plat, HH Diamond, Avis Preferred Plus, National Executive
Posts: 4,578
So use your AS miles to get the free F seats on their partner, Delta.
I'm not getting the problem. Sure, you'll slum a bit by flying Delta (perhaps) but a free F ticket is a free F ticket.
If AS can sell the F seats, the more power to them.
Apparently Delta's revenue department has concluded that for July 2015 they won't be able to sell all of their F seats and they're willing to let some go at low award levels.
What is the problem with Delta? You're still able to use your AS miles.
I'm not getting the problem. Sure, you'll slum a bit by flying Delta (perhaps) but a free F ticket is a free F ticket.
If AS can sell the F seats, the more power to them.
Apparently Delta's revenue department has concluded that for July 2015 they won't be able to sell all of their F seats and they're willing to let some go at low award levels.
What is the problem with Delta? You're still able to use your AS miles.
#8
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2012
Programs: BA Executive Club, AS Airlines Mileage Plan
Posts: 981
So use your AS miles to get the free F seats on their partner, Delta.
I'm not getting the problem. Sure, you'll slum a bit by flying Delta (perhaps) but a free F ticket is a free F ticket.
If AS can sell the F seats, the more power to them.
Apparently Delta's revenue department has concluded that for July 2015 they won't be able to sell all of their F seats and they're willing to let some go at low award levels.
What is the problem with Delta? You're still able to use your AS miles.
I'm not getting the problem. Sure, you'll slum a bit by flying Delta (perhaps) but a free F ticket is a free F ticket.
If AS can sell the F seats, the more power to them.
Apparently Delta's revenue department has concluded that for July 2015 they won't be able to sell all of their F seats and they're willing to let some go at low award levels.
What is the problem with Delta? You're still able to use your AS miles.
We have firm dates in August so no flexibility. I am looking now, at July, just to see if there is a pattern that is likely to continue. There are lots of award seats on AS in economy at the Saver level, but none in First. It just seems odd to me, compared to other routes I have looked at.
Last edited by enzian; Aug 19, 2014 at 5:58 pm Reason: Type correction
#9
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2012
Programs: BA Executive Club, AS Airlines Mileage Plan
Posts: 981
The flights through Juneau are actually on AS, not Delta. But I would rather just go in Y than make a stop in Juneau, which adds significant time and a bit of uncertainty to the flight ( chance of weather cancellations, which I have seen happen quite a bit).
#10
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 1999
Location: Juneau, Alaska.
Programs: AS 75K;BA Silver;AA G;HH Dia;HY Glob
Posts: 15,812
http://www.faa.gov/nextgen/snapshots/stories/?slide=10
#11
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: BOS/ORH
Programs: AS 75K
Posts: 18,323
I was thinking mixed metal DL+ AS I found saver AS metal JNU-ANC pretty easily this year. Of course that doesn't mean next year JNU-ANC will be so easy
#12
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: PDX
Programs: AS 75K, BW Plat, Marriott Gold, IHG Plat, Hilton Gold
Posts: 10,724
I would take the stop in Juneau...beautiful place to stop...even if you only have a few hours, you can rent a car and drive over to the glacier. Also, if you can confirm F, you'll actually get fed on the SEA-JNU and then again (although more like a snack) on JNU-ANC....that would seal the deal for a foodie like me
#13
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: GEG
Programs: Marriott Lifetime Platinum, Hilton Diamond, Lifetime SkyClub, AS MVP
Posts: 2,409
#14
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2012
Programs: BA Executive Club, AS Airlines Mileage Plan
Posts: 981
Thanks for the heads up on the mixed cabin on the Juneau flights. I had not noticed that. Turns out it is coach To Juneau, then First from there to ANC. Not at all what we are looking for.
#15
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 1999
Location: Juneau, Alaska.
Programs: AS 75K;BA Silver;AA G;HH Dia;HY Glob
Posts: 15,812
It will depend upon which flights are selected. To get the mixed cabin you are probably getting the combi for the SEA-JNU flight which does not have F seats. There are some options that do not include the combi for a SEA-(JNU)-ANC, so F all the way.