LukeRB

be_rettSEA

I wouldn't count on being able to use a GGU. At that point, if any U opens, it will be snagged almost instantaneously by folks' upgrades clearing from the waitlist. You're not able to use GGUs to waitlist, so you'd need a route where there's very few elites and lots of open seats left. If you see the option to buy an upgrade at check-in (unlikely, but possible), I'd jump on the phone and ask to use a GGU asap.

PV_Premier

jjmadison

This is helpful info, be_rettSEA. When you've seen U space on exVX metal months in advance, were any of those transcon flights? Personally, I've never seen GGU eligible flights on ex VX metal. It's my white whale.

be_rettSEA

dmodemd

Experts may be well aware of this but I don't see it mentioned on this thread yet. I have been struggling to work around an online glitch/bug with respect to applying GGUs on one segment of the itinerary.

During booking:
If you search for and click on a GGU column fare you will be told you can apply the GGU at the completion of your booking. You will also get the FC and Premium comp upgrade checkboxes. Unfortunately it is one selection for all flights on the itinerary (outbound and return).
Once you book, you get a screen to apply the GGU. Eligible and available segments will have an open checkbox. However, when I apply the GGU I get a technical error message and told to call in.

After booking:
If I wait until it tickets and go back to the reservation and click on the GGU link, it says "this reservation is not eligible" even though fare classes are allowed and there is U availability on my return flight.

If I call in:
Some agents tell me "you can only apply GGUs online..." but clearly they can do it manually. However it is a pain for them because they have a hard time looking up your GGU codes, be prepared to provide it to them.

After discussing this with a few agents (who checked with their supervisors), the problem is this:
If you are on the complimentary FC upgrade list, the GGU upgrade will not process. It is not smart enough to take you off the comp list before applying the GGU. How convenient! :P
If it sees you on the FC upgrade list on all segments, it will say the reservation is not eligible for GGU.
So you have to call in to get taken OFF the comp FC waitlist. Then you can apply your GGU online. BEWARE: when the call center agent takes you off the upgrade list, you may get taken off all segments of the itinerary. Keep them on the line and have them re-check or put you on FC upgrade lists after you apply your GGU. Then verify online (it can take 30 seconds to show up online).
The bad thing is if U space opens up weeks after you make the booking, for the other segments you lose your place in line for your level

Has anyone found an easier way to do this? Agents are also annoyed with this and encourage us to send in Alaska Listens responses complaining about this.

beckoa

To avoid, I'd opt out of upgrades during ticketing.

Then you can choose which segments you want after ticketing.

And then, select which segments you want waitlisted. The complimentary upgrade waitlist may not immediately appear, but it should within an hour or so.

dmodemd

Ok, on my next reservation I did this:
Purchased GGU qualifying fares for both outbound and return
Opted out of ALL upgrades
After purchasing it still prompted me to apply GGU (because I had selected from the FC column with GGU filter selected).
I stopped short of applying GGU and waited for email confirming ticketing
I went back and applied GGU with no problems on return flight only.
I tried to apply complimentary request on first flight (no option to opt out of premium ).
"Technical error" was returned. So I had to call in the FC comp list request, premium opt out (since I already had an exit row seat I wanted to keep.

jfolliard

Need help on figuring out how to combine upgrade certificates and companion certificates for two of us. Can it be done? I'm gold so that's another avenue. Appreciate any advice.

Thanks.

Jack

be_rettSEA

Companion fares are booked using the Discount Code saved in your account. From there, you'll filter upgrade type by "Gold Guest" to see fares/availability to use GGUs. You'll only be able to use them if there is U space available for both passengers (the F symbol will be filled in dark blue if available for that flight). Once you go through with purchasing, you'll have the option to apply GGU codes (pulled from your account if there or added manually by code number if you got from someone else). You'll need one GGU for each passenger for each direction of travel, so long as you have layovers < 4 hrs. If a layover is more than 4 hours, you'll need a GGU for each passenger for each segment.

Reports lately indicate U space is difficult to find (though seems like it's opening up a bit for future flights?) so you may have issue finding flights with it available. If you purchase the GGU fare, and 2+ U space opens at a future date, you can apply the GGU codes to upgrade at that time, but they cannot be used to waitlist. Both passengers must fly in the same cabin on a companion fare, so you'll need 2 U to upgrade. Good luck!

jfolliard

wow! thanks so much for your quick reply!

Jack

dmodemd

I don't remember if the case above was one of these flights. But I see the little footnote on this Skywest flight saying no first class... but it is an E175! Certainly DOES have first class. I am not sure if this is what is preventing me from applying a comp upgrade since the error is not descriptive and agents didn't have a problem applying it. I sent this in as a potential bug.

spgaston

I'm a little confused. I purchased Gold Guest upgradeable fare, no U space available. Can I waitlist for complimentary upgrade while I wait for U space to come available via Expertflyer Alert? Then if U comes available sometime between now and comp upgrade window I then apply certs? I'm Gold75K.

eponymous_coward

Yes, but it's going to involve you calling into the Gold line to do that, since you won't be able to apply certs. The CS reps will take you off the waitlist, then apply your GGUs.

IMO there is a very low chance that U will open before your upgrade window at 120 hours given current practice (where on many routes it opens merely a handful of hours before), but I suppose there's no harm in it. At present time buying GGU-upgradeable fares instead of lowest fare is a waste of money on a lot of routes, since there's hardly any advance U space, and it doesn't open up before upgrade windows anyway...

What's Up With Limited "U" Availability?

What to do with all those GGU's?

spgaston

So there are two of us traveling together SJC-JFK, EWR-SJC Thurs-Sun in March....just booked Gold Guest upgradeable fares (using companion cert too). Would it be best to cancel and rebook cheapest fare and then just upfare if/when U comes available? Currently scheduled on legacy AS 739s. Will I get my companion cert back?