AS Mileage Plan and VX Elevate Speculation Thread [Consolidated]
Dec 16, 2016, 11:58 am
#106
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: YYF/YLW
Programs: AA, DL, AS, VA, WS Silver
Posts: 5,951
Less than 100% EQM earning on a wholly-owned subsidiary would be a first amongst US network airlines (I don't know anything about WN's elite program), and I don't think the 5th largest carrier is in a competitive position to push that envelope. I think competitive forces still incentivize them to keep Mileage Plan better than the competition. Now, Mileage Plan could get a lot worse and still be better than the competition, but less than 100% earning on regular fares (except a Basic Economy equivalent, which VX doesn't offer AFAIK) would be clearly worse than the competition. And VX is the part of ASVX's network that is most competitive -- AS probably has a lot more competitive freedom to make the frequent flyer program worse in Alaska and the Northwest than they do in California.
Dec 16, 2016, 11:59 am
#107
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: YYF/YLW
Programs: AA, DL, AS, VA, WS Silver
Posts: 5,951
Dec 16, 2016, 12:01 pm
#108
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Pacific Northwest
Programs: UA Gold 1MM, AS 75k, AA Plat, Bonvoyed Gold, Honors Dia, Hyatt Explorer, IHG Plat, ...
Posts: 16,859
I personally doubt that it would be revenue based since AS makes a big deal about Mileage Plan still awarding miles based on travel distance, not revenue.
Dec 16, 2016, 12:09 pm
#109
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 1999
Location: Ewa Beach, Hawaii
Posts: 10,909
Dec 16, 2016, 2:35 pm
#110
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: PDX
Programs: AS 75K, BW Plat, Marriott Gold, IHG Plat, Hilton Gold
Posts: 10,725
We'll find out soon (as in, next week). Is anyone making major travel decisions based on knowing these things today (vs. say Monday)?
I personally doubt that it would be revenue based since AS makes a big deal about Mileage Plan still awarding miles based on travel distance, not revenue.
I personally doubt that it would be revenue based since AS makes a big deal about Mileage Plan still awarding miles based on travel distance, not revenue.
Dec 16, 2016, 2:39 pm
#111
Join Date: Jul 2012
Programs: Delta Gold, Alaska Gold 75K, LATAM Black
Posts: 3,393
Any chance we will be able to move Alaska miles to VA or is that a dumb question
I have about 10K virgin, wouldn't mind transferring some miles over to take advantage of the Singapore rates
I have about 10K virgin, wouldn't mind transferring some miles over to take advantage of the Singapore rates
Dec 16, 2016, 2:43 pm
#112
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: PDX
Programs: AS 75K, BW Plat, Marriott Gold, IHG Plat, Hilton Gold
Posts: 10,725
Believe what you want to believe and we all hope you are right. Many airlines have partners that only give redeemable miles and no EQM's. They may not have incorporated anything into the system yet to track them and are working on it. So, like I said, until someone flies and posts they got them or there is some kind of official announcement, don't hold your breath. And they did announce that for the time being, VX is it's own entity, it is just owned by the same group that owns AS and they are still deciding what the future is. So, in theory, yes, any miles flown on VX should count towards status. But they haven't said so yet. Also, if they do, do they count towards all AS status or partner status. None of this has been announced yet. I would guess they will be making announcements to these regards over the coming weeks. But incorporating an airline does not happen overnight.
Dec 16, 2016, 2:43 pm
#113
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: PDX
Programs: AS 75K, BW Plat, Marriott Gold, IHG Plat, Hilton Gold
Posts: 10,725
That's a great option that I think a lot of VX flyers might be interested in but I doubt will happen...seems like everything is geared the other direction but you can hope.
Dec 16, 2016, 3:02 pm
#114
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: SEA
Posts: 2,021
My understanding is that you will NOT be able to move AS miles to VX Elevate. There has been nothing announced officially about transfers either way. However, Alaska elites will NOT be automatically matched to Virgin America status. I can assume that miles will also not be able to be moved in that direction.
Dec 16, 2016, 3:04 pm
#115
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: PDX
Programs: AS 75K, BW Plat, Marriott Gold, IHG Plat, Hilton Gold
Posts: 10,725
My understanding is that you will NOT be able to move AS miles to VX Elevate. There has been nothing announced officially about transfers either way. However, Alaska elites will NOT be automatically matched to Virgin America status. I can assume that miles will also not be able to be moved in that direction.
Dec 16, 2016, 4:06 pm
#118
Join Date: Apr 2003
Programs: B6 Mosaic, Bonvoy LT Titanium (x SPG LT), IHG Spire, UA Silver
Posts: 5,850
The way things are going, I could see AS mandating if you want FF credit for traveling on the airline formerly known as Virgin America, you will need to sign up for MileagePlan and use that number.
Dec 16, 2016, 4:10 pm
#119
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: SEA
Posts: 2,021
Looks like it is official. As of Monday 12/19, miles flown on Virgin America will count as Alaska miles when crediting to Mileage Plan, NOT partner.
That means 20k needed rather than 25k for MVP, 40k vs 50k for Gold and so on.
AS confirmed it on Twitter, but for some reason the link to the tweet isn't showing up...
That means 20k needed rather than 25k for MVP, 40k vs 50k for Gold and so on.
AS confirmed it on Twitter, but for some reason the link to the tweet isn't showing up...
Dec 16, 2016, 4:14 pm
#120
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: SEA
Programs: Hilton/Marriott Gold, Accor Silver
Posts: 2,036
Does anyone else find it ironic that people panicking about possibly not getting EQMs if flying VX with an AS number really want to be status-matched to VX... so they can credit flights to a separate FF program where they won't contribute one bit to their AS status?