Jan 10, 2017, 12:11 am
Last edit by: ryandc99
~Moderator note:~
We're lucky to have missydarlin as a long-standing member of our community. For those who don't know, Missy works for Alaska and has been gracious enough to serve as an unofficial liaison between us and her employer. (She's also an all-around sweetheart.) She's kindly offered to help clear up any confusion and answer any questions that we have in regards to the December 19th announcements from Alaska and associated changes to Mileage Plan.
In order to help her manage finding and answering your questions and keeping things readable around here, let's refrain from engaging in discussion in this thread. Please post only your questions and any directly-related follow up for Missy. If you have other commentary or responses to things posted here, let's keep those for other threads. (This one's a good one to post your comments in.)
We will be deleting any off topic discussion as we see it, so please only post questions to this thread.
Thanks,
jackal and ryandc99
Co-Moderators, Alaska Airlines forum
~End Moderator Note~
We're lucky to have missydarlin as a long-standing member of our community. For those who don't know, Missy works for Alaska and has been gracious enough to serve as an unofficial liaison between us and her employer. (She's also an all-around sweetheart.) She's kindly offered to help clear up any confusion and answer any questions that we have in regards to the December 19th announcements from Alaska and associated changes to Mileage Plan.
In order to help her manage finding and answering your questions and keeping things readable around here, let's refrain from engaging in discussion in this thread. Please post only your questions and any directly-related follow up for Missy. If you have other commentary or responses to things posted here, let's keep those for other threads. (This one's a good one to post your comments in.)
We will be deleting any off topic discussion as we see it, so please only post questions to this thread.
Thanks,
jackal and ryandc99
Co-Moderators, Alaska Airlines forum
~End Moderator Note~
Consolidated questions for Missy
Jan 9, 2017, 12:29 am
#256
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: SEA
Programs: Hilton/Marriott Gold, Accor Silver
Posts: 2,036
How often do you think the new SFO- and LAX-based elites are going to be connecting in SEA, given that instead of taking a two-hour jaunt northward each way they can just take the nonstop transcons they've already been flying--especially since AS is already adding SFO routes after the acquisition? If you're flying SEA-SFO and SEA-LAX, yeah, you'll end up with VX elites on your flights, but you'll see plenty of AS elites on the VX flights on those routes too--it should come to a wash after reciprocal elite benefits get figured out.
Last edited by jinglish; Jan 9, 2017 at 12:37 am
Jan 9, 2017, 1:57 am
#258
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: SF
Programs: UA MM, AA 2MM, Bonvoy LTP, HH Dia
Posts: 1,132
How often do you think the new SFO- and LAX-based elites are going to be connecting in SEA, given that instead of taking a two-hour jaunt northward each way they can just take the nonstop transcons they've already been flying--especially since AS is already adding SFO routes after the acquisition? If you're flying SEA-SFO and SEA-LAX, yeah, you'll end up with VX elites on your flights, but you'll see plenty of AS elites on the VX flights on those routes too--it should come to a wash after reciprocal elite benefits get figured out.
Can't imagine connecting in SEA en route anywhere if that makes you feel better, LaneW. Fully agree that VX elites got the better end of the stick so far, but honestly, I don't anticipate using the GGU's, unless AS adds a few interesting SFO routes this year (maybe they're already planning on it?).
One part where AS flyers definitely win is the MM program. Apparently nothing at all transfers from prior VX flying?
Jan 9, 2017, 2:11 am
#259
Suspended
Join Date: Dec 2016
Posts: 252
I had an Elevate and MP account, they were linked, didn't get the 10k. How come Missy?
Jan 9, 2017, 4:19 am
#260
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: SEA, but up and down the coast a lot
Programs: Oceanic Airlines Gold Elite
Posts: 20,389
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Loaded_question
Knock yourself out getting an answer to that.
Jan 9, 2017, 6:30 am
#261
Join Date: May 2016
Location: Seattle, WA
Programs: AS 75K
Posts: 10
I'm a little disappointed that people who have status with both VX and AS aren't receiving any kind of recognition in the merger. (Or perhaps they are — see threads about unexplained GGUs and BR passes — but in a highly inconsistent manner.)
I requalified for VX Silver and AS Gold last year, so the VX -> AS status match nets me nothing. In fact, with VX extending elite status earned in 2015 through the end of 2017, requalifying for VX Silver was a totally useless endeavor. Furthermore, all of the rollover EQPs — part of the benefits for the VX Premium Visa — on VX are meaningless, too.
I'm thrilled that the merger closed, and I appreciate that the integration of the programs is happening extremely quickly. (When compared to the United/Continental merger, this seems nearly instant.) I suppose I wish that 1) the new AS+VX reached out with a gesture of appreciation to people who were loyal to both airlines, and 2) the random peppering of GGUs and BR passes was a bit more transparent and equitable.
I requalified for VX Silver and AS Gold last year, so the VX -> AS status match nets me nothing. In fact, with VX extending elite status earned in 2015 through the end of 2017, requalifying for VX Silver was a totally useless endeavor. Furthermore, all of the rollover EQPs — part of the benefits for the VX Premium Visa — on VX are meaningless, too.
I'm thrilled that the merger closed, and I appreciate that the integration of the programs is happening extremely quickly. (When compared to the United/Continental merger, this seems nearly instant.) I suppose I wish that 1) the new AS+VX reached out with a gesture of appreciation to people who were loyal to both airlines, and 2) the random peppering of GGUs and BR passes was a bit more transparent and equitable.
Last edited by jamesreggio; Jan 9, 2017 at 10:20 am Reason: 'explained' -> 'unexplained'
Jan 9, 2017, 9:53 am
#262
Join Date: May 2003
Location: PDX USA
Programs: AS MVPG, AA, BA, SPG Gold, HHonors Gold, Hyatt Platinum, IHG, Hertz 5*
Posts: 690
I'm really trying to be thoughtful here, but my frustration just grew even more this morning hearing about the 10k bonus points many are receiving. With a large variety of data points I've read in various place, it appears to be random; no rhyme or reason.
When they announced roll-over miles as a pilot, and I got zippo - I looked the other way.
When many started reporting the additional GGU's in their accounts, and no elite Thank You gift was offered (meaning I got zippo there, as well) - I looked the other way, but felt bummed.
Now with the bonus miles being posted, it's much harder to look the other way. And now I'm frustrated.
What is my loyalty worth to AS? It's starting to feel like we're the loyal friends at the bar, but a bunch of new young fresh meat just entered and we've been dumped on for AS to go flirt with the newbies. Not a great feeling, and if that's it - then it would seem our loyalty isn't worth much.
So, the question for Missy is this:
Can you provide to us what the criteria was for folks to receive the 10k bonus points?
AS is starting to make it's loyal fliers feel less than appreciated.
When they announced roll-over miles as a pilot, and I got zippo - I looked the other way.
When many started reporting the additional GGU's in their accounts, and no elite Thank You gift was offered (meaning I got zippo there, as well) - I looked the other way, but felt bummed.
Now with the bonus miles being posted, it's much harder to look the other way. And now I'm frustrated.
What is my loyalty worth to AS? It's starting to feel like we're the loyal friends at the bar, but a bunch of new young fresh meat just entered and we've been dumped on for AS to go flirt with the newbies. Not a great feeling, and if that's it - then it would seem our loyalty isn't worth much.
So, the question for Missy is this:
Can you provide to us what the criteria was for folks to receive the 10k bonus points?
AS is starting to make it's loyal fliers feel less than appreciated.
Jan 9, 2017, 10:07 am
#263
Moderator Communications Coordinator, Signatures
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: deep within the Eskimo lair
Programs: TubWorld, Bar Alliance, Borratxo Legendarium
Posts: 16,968
Jan 9, 2017, 10:11 am
#264
Moderator Communications Coordinator, Signatures
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: deep within the Eskimo lair
Programs: TubWorld, Bar Alliance, Borratxo Legendarium
Posts: 16,968
Those segments will only count toward MVP qualification if your AS # is in the reservation.
Hi Missy,
I'm 75K and also VX Gold (not through matching but independently). I booked a number of trips (about 15 or so) through VX before the merger using my Elevate Gold member #. Will those segments be counted towards MVP Qualification automatically or do I need to somehow get my 75K number into those reservations for them to count. I haven't attempted to change my Elevate number in those reservations as I don't want to miss out on my Elevate Gold benefits when traveling. Thanks!
I'm 75K and also VX Gold (not through matching but independently). I booked a number of trips (about 15 or so) through VX before the merger using my Elevate Gold member #. Will those segments be counted towards MVP Qualification automatically or do I need to somehow get my 75K number into those reservations for them to count. I haven't attempted to change my Elevate number in those reservations as I don't want to miss out on my Elevate Gold benefits when traveling. Thanks!
Jan 9, 2017, 10:17 am
#265
Moderator Communications Coordinator, Signatures
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: deep within the Eskimo lair
Programs: TubWorld, Bar Alliance, Borratxo Legendarium
Posts: 16,968
Jan 9, 2017, 10:25 am
#266
Moderator Communications Coordinator, Signatures
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: deep within the Eskimo lair
Programs: TubWorld, Bar Alliance, Borratxo Legendarium
Posts: 16,968
I don't have an answer as to why 10K points showed up without notice for some members.
I will look into it.
But again, this thread is for program questions, and not speculation, or airing of general disgruntlement. I empathize with you, but I can't help you other than to offer the feedback link.
I try to be an organized person, but questions are getting lost under all the commentary.
I will look into it.
But again, this thread is for program questions, and not speculation, or airing of general disgruntlement. I empathize with you, but I can't help you other than to offer the feedback link.
I try to be an organized person, but questions are getting lost under all the commentary.
Jan 9, 2017, 10:34 am
#267
Join Date: May 2003
Location: PDX USA
Programs: AS MVPG, AA, BA, SPG Gold, HHonors Gold, Hyatt Platinum, IHG, Hertz 5*
Posts: 690
Just want you to know that regardless of any frustration, I still appreciate you and your work/mission here Missy. Always have, always will, even if the answer isn't one I'm hoping for. You do great things.
Thank you!
Thank you!
Jan 9, 2017, 10:58 am
#269
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: PDX
Programs: AS 75K, BW Plat, Marriott Gold, IHG Plat, Hilton Gold
Posts: 10,724
Jan 9, 2017, 11:17 am
#270
Suspended
Join Date: Dec 2016
Posts: 252
I don't have an answer as to why 10K points showed up without notice for some members.
I will look into it.
But again, this thread is for program questions, and not speculation, or airing of general disgruntlement. I empathize with you, but I can't help you other than to offer the feedback link.
I try to be an organized person, but questions are getting lost under all the commentary.
I will look into it.
But again, this thread is for program questions, and not speculation, or airing of general disgruntlement. I empathize with you, but I can't help you other than to offer the feedback link.
I try to be an organized person, but questions are getting lost under all the commentary.