Automatic Upgrades Still Broken
#31
Join Date: Feb 2013
Posts: 61
Yep, saw this early this morning on 222 to SFO from PDX. 27 people on the waitlist for first. At a few minutes before boarding, the gate agent asks if anyone would like to purchase an upgrade as there were 2 open slots. I walked up to the agent and politely asked if any of the 27 people on the waitlist, including 75k's and Gold's (my situation) had been upgraded to those seats and her reply was "when they open up paid upgrades at 30 minutes before boarding, anyone can purchase an upgrade." I asked her how long this had been going on and she said for as long as she could remember.
Flying to SFO wasn't a big deal to get upgraded on so I dropped the conversation but I could see a lot of people asking the same question once I left. Needless to say this doesn't sit well with top flyers and as such, I'm one to vote for changing this or at least taking it out of control of the gate agent so it automatically processes up to that 30 minute window.
Flying to SFO wasn't a big deal to get upgraded on so I dropped the conversation but I could see a lot of people asking the same question once I left. Needless to say this doesn't sit well with top flyers and as such, I'm one to vote for changing this or at least taking it out of control of the gate agent so it automatically processes up to that 30 minute window.
That's incorrect, upgrades are processed before they start selling. This should be happening, you should tell Alaska so your gate agent can be retrained.
Also, if that had happened to me I probably would have dialed the gold desk while standing in front of the agent to get my upgrade.
#32
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend, Moderator, Information Desk, Ambassador, Alaska Airlines
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: FAI
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I think they were upgraded already.
I'd forward AS the agent for some additional training.
I think they were upgraded already.
I'd forward AS the agent for some additional training.
#34
Suspended
Join Date: Mar 2014
Posts: 1,684
Hi All,
Sorry if this is covered in another thread, but wanted to share my experience here.
I have read some rumbles of auto-upgrades at t-120/t-24 out not working properly, and until recently had not experienced it myself. I fly SEA->OAK and back most weeks, and am almost always upgraded as a 75k. The past two weeks upgrades hadn't been clearing until I checked Expert Flyer to confirm upgrades were available, then call into Customer Service to have them upgrade me manually once they confirm I am at top of list.
These were all reservations booked months ago, with no changes to itinerary, when I was already MVPG75k. The customer service team was just as confused about this as I was, and when they email me with a write up of why it was happening I will share with the thread.
Just wanted to keep everyone here updated.
Best,
Dan
Sorry if this is covered in another thread, but wanted to share my experience here.
I have read some rumbles of auto-upgrades at t-120/t-24 out not working properly, and until recently had not experienced it myself. I fly SEA->OAK and back most weeks, and am almost always upgraded as a 75k. The past two weeks upgrades hadn't been clearing until I checked Expert Flyer to confirm upgrades were available, then call into Customer Service to have them upgrade me manually once they confirm I am at top of list.
These were all reservations booked months ago, with no changes to itinerary, when I was already MVPG75k. The customer service team was just as confused about this as I was, and when they email me with a write up of why it was happening I will share with the thread.
Just wanted to keep everyone here updated.
Best,
Dan
#35
Moderator Communications Coordinator, Signatures
Join Date: Apr 2001
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There is an issue on the GDS (Sabre) side causing the processor to stop at some point. I don't have any more detail than that, and that they know about it and are working on it.
#36
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Sorry for the late reply. It took me a couple of days to track this down, and I've also been out of the office.
There is an issue on the GDS (Sabre) side causing the processor to stop at some point. I don't have any more detail than that, and that they know about it and are working on it.
Thanks for the update!
Originally Posted by missydarlin
There is an issue on the GDS (Sabre) side causing the processor to stop at some point. I don't have any more detail than that, and that they know about it and are working on it.
#37
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: PDX
Programs: AS 75K, BW Plat, Marriott Gold, IHG Plat, Hilton Gold
Posts: 10,724
Sorry for the late reply. It took me a couple of days to track this down, and I've also been out of the office.
There is an issue on the GDS (Sabre) side causing the processor to stop at some point. I don't have any more detail than that, and that they know about it and are working on it.
There is an issue on the GDS (Sabre) side causing the processor to stop at some point. I don't have any more detail than that, and that they know about it and are working on it.
#38
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Northern Calif./Eastern Ida.
Programs: Amethyst Premier Plutonium Medallion
Posts: 20,642
Sorry for the late reply. It took me a couple of days to track this down, and I've also been out of the office.
There is an issue on the GDS (Sabre) side causing the processor to stop at some point. I don't have any more detail than that, and that they know about it and are working on it.
There is an issue on the GDS (Sabre) side causing the processor to stop at some point. I don't have any more detail than that, and that they know about it and are working on it.
#39
Suspended
Join Date: Mar 2014
Posts: 1,684
Sorry for the late reply. It took me a couple of days to track this down, and I've also been out of the office.
There is an issue on the GDS (Sabre) side causing the processor to stop at some point. I don't have any more detail than that, and that they know about it and are working on it.
There is an issue on the GDS (Sabre) side causing the processor to stop at some point. I don't have any more detail than that, and that they know about it and are working on it.
#40
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: PDX
Programs: AS 75K, BW Plat, Marriott Gold, IHG Plat, Hilton Gold
Posts: 10,724
Well, I heard back from Customer Care today and here is what they said:
"I appreciated receiving your email regarding our upgrade process. Our sincere apologies for not meeting or exceeding your expectations. Please know we are working at providing more customer transparency to the upgrade process to ensure you receive the benefits that you expect from us. Your comments are appreciated and have been shared with our management team."
So, based on Missy's comments above, they know about the problem, but the person who emailed me obviously missed the point of my email which was not about upgrade transparency....it was about the automatic upgrade processor not working...I tried to be as clear and specific as possible, but I guess they probably read so many emails that when they see the word "upgrade", they automatically think they know what it's about....oh well, I tried
"I appreciated receiving your email regarding our upgrade process. Our sincere apologies for not meeting or exceeding your expectations. Please know we are working at providing more customer transparency to the upgrade process to ensure you receive the benefits that you expect from us. Your comments are appreciated and have been shared with our management team."
So, based on Missy's comments above, they know about the problem, but the person who emailed me obviously missed the point of my email which was not about upgrade transparency....it was about the automatic upgrade processor not working...I tried to be as clear and specific as possible, but I guess they probably read so many emails that when they see the word "upgrade", they automatically think they know what it's about....oh well, I tried
#42
Suspended
Join Date: Mar 2014
Posts: 1,684
Well, I heard back from Customer Care today and here is what they said:
"I appreciated receiving your email regarding our upgrade process. Our sincere apologies for not meeting or exceeding your expectations. Please know we are working at providing more customer transparency to the upgrade process to ensure you receive the benefits that you expect from us. Your comments are appreciated and have been shared with our management team."
So, based on Missy's comments above, they know about the problem, but the person who emailed me obviously missed the point of my email which was not about upgrade transparency....it was about the automatic upgrade processor not working...I tried to be as clear and specific as possible, but I guess they probably read so many emails that when they see the word "upgrade", they automatically think they know what it's about....oh well, I tried
"I appreciated receiving your email regarding our upgrade process. Our sincere apologies for not meeting or exceeding your expectations. Please know we are working at providing more customer transparency to the upgrade process to ensure you receive the benefits that you expect from us. Your comments are appreciated and have been shared with our management team."
So, based on Missy's comments above, they know about the problem, but the person who emailed me obviously missed the point of my email which was not about upgrade transparency....it was about the automatic upgrade processor not working...I tried to be as clear and specific as possible, but I guess they probably read so many emails that when they see the word "upgrade", they automatically think they know what it's about....oh well, I tried
Once upon a time they had a lot of people like Missy who would figure out the problem and try to change it. Now I get the distinct feeling that their management team are just sitting around waiting for DL to give them a good enough offer.
What are you asking for and why would comp be offered?
You'd think that if AS had a clue they'd care about the kinds of people who's company will spend more money to book a direct. Apparently not.
#43
Suspended
Join Date: Mar 2014
Posts: 1,684
Here's the more frustrating part, especially for the 75k folks posting here. I called today and talked to a line support staff and her supervisor. They were both adamant that there were no issues with the Sabre booking system.
#45
Join Date: May 2009
Location: EUG
Programs: AS MVP, AA MM, HH Diamond, MR Gold
Posts: 8,220
Remember about a year ago when they told us we HAD to call in and reconfirm all our reservations? And all that did was set us back (way back) on the upgrade list because they "didn't have the mechanism to place everyone back where they were, it was at the time we reconfirmed".
And now this?
There HAS to be some integrity to the upgrade system or it is worthless.
And now this?
There HAS to be some integrity to the upgrade system or it is worthless.