Jan 4, 2017, 7:30 pm
Last edit by: Calchas
Welcome to the Alaska Airlines Flame-Free Q&A Thread for 2017!
Anyone is welcome to ask anything, even the most basic questions, in this thread without having to fear a snarky response. In this thread, there's no such thing as a dumb question--we were all new to Alaska Airlines, FlyerTalk, and even the whole idea of mileage programs once and needed some help navigating the ropes. We're here to help you do just that!
That said, if you want to do a little reading to see if your question has been previously discussed, links to some of the most common and extensive topics in this forum are listed in our FAQ thread -- click here to check it out.
Special care will be given in this thread to trying to provide answers in a clear manner with minimal use of acronyms and jargon.
If you need to contact someone for help, here's a current list of our forum's team:
Ambassadors (Our Greeters--members who have specifically volunteered to welcome and mentor newbies and monitor this thread):
ANC RED-EYE
baliktad
beckoa
golfingboy
Moderators (Our Janitors--members who have volunteered to do housekeeping/keep the forum in order)
ryandc99
jackal
You are welcome to send a private message to any of these individuals for assistance, but you'll generally get a faster response and broader palette of answers if you simply post your inquiry here in this thread.
Note to FlyerTalk members who enjoy the ability to take advantage of loopholes--if someone posts something that exposes information you'd rather not be public, please remember this is a Flame-Free thread, and harsh or snarky posts are not permitted. Although FlyerTalk itself does not censor posts that share information, members are free to edit their own posts to remove information. If you wish to request any poster to remove information they have shared publicly, please do so politely and respectfully.
Welcome, and we look forward to providing any assistance we can!
~the Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan forum team~
For the 2016 version of this thread, please click here
Anyone is welcome to ask anything, even the most basic questions, in this thread without having to fear a snarky response. In this thread, there's no such thing as a dumb question--we were all new to Alaska Airlines, FlyerTalk, and even the whole idea of mileage programs once and needed some help navigating the ropes. We're here to help you do just that!
That said, if you want to do a little reading to see if your question has been previously discussed, links to some of the most common and extensive topics in this forum are listed in our FAQ thread -- click here to check it out.
Special care will be given in this thread to trying to provide answers in a clear manner with minimal use of acronyms and jargon.
If you need to contact someone for help, here's a current list of our forum's team:
Ambassadors (Our Greeters--members who have specifically volunteered to welcome and mentor newbies and monitor this thread):
ANC RED-EYE
baliktad
beckoa
golfingboy
Moderators (Our Janitors--members who have volunteered to do housekeeping/keep the forum in order)
ryandc99
jackal
You are welcome to send a private message to any of these individuals for assistance, but you'll generally get a faster response and broader palette of answers if you simply post your inquiry here in this thread.
Note to FlyerTalk members who enjoy the ability to take advantage of loopholes--if someone posts something that exposes information you'd rather not be public, please remember this is a Flame-Free thread, and harsh or snarky posts are not permitted. Although FlyerTalk itself does not censor posts that share information, members are free to edit their own posts to remove information. If you wish to request any poster to remove information they have shared publicly, please do so politely and respectfully.
Welcome, and we look forward to providing any assistance we can!
~the Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan forum team~
For the 2016 version of this thread, please click here
2017 Alaska Airlines *FLAME-FREE* Q&A thread: all welcome, new and old!
Apr 11, 2017, 12:59 pm
#617
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: Pacific Wonderland
Programs: ʙᴏɴᴠo̱ʏ Au, IHG Au, HH Dia, Nexus, Pilot FlyingJ Preferred
Posts: 5,336
Apr 11, 2017, 7:20 pm
#618
Moderator Hilton Honors, Travel News, West, The Suggestion Box, Smoking Lounge & DiningBuzz
Join Date: Jun 2000
Programs: Honors Diamond, Hertz Presidents Circle, National Exec Elite
Posts: 36,027
I think I know the answer to this, but just want to confirm: If I buy an itin and choose non-Premium seats, can I go in later and purchase them after the ticket has been issued?
Apr 11, 2017, 9:22 pm
#619
Join Date: Apr 2017
Location: Anchorage AK
Programs: AS MVPG
Posts: 99
Do we have any idea when Alaska Air will adjust fares for routes like ANC-SEA to match Delta and Jet Blue's summer rates? I finally got MVP for the first time last year so I'd like to stick with Alaska but if they are going to charge almost twice I'd have to go with Jet Blue.
Apr 11, 2017, 11:48 pm
#620
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: TYO
Programs: Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 1,744
Is there any work around to use a My Wallet cert on VX metal?
I read you can book a similar flight AS and then change the flight within 24 hours, in this case the VX fare is less than AS, so would I get refunded in cash or as another certificate?
I read you can book a similar flight AS and then change the flight within 24 hours, in this case the VX fare is less than AS, so would I get refunded in cash or as another certificate?
Apr 12, 2017, 9:18 am
#621
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: Pacific Wonderland
Programs: ʙᴏɴᴠo̱ʏ Au, IHG Au, HH Dia, Nexus, Pilot FlyingJ Preferred
Posts: 5,336
From the few routes I fly enough to see fares regularly along with plugging in destinations for mileage run fun trips, my feeling is that Alaska's pricing has been up over the last year. I wish it was the other way.
Apr 12, 2017, 10:28 am
#622
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: PDX
Programs: UA 1K, Marriott Plat
Posts: 11,500
Is anyone having issues with Alaska reward searches.
Example:
Search for LHR-PDX and don't see any results in C.
Search for LHR-SLC and get a result in C.
Search SLC-PDX and get a result in C.
No issues with connection times or terminals. Seeing the same things on DL rewards and BA ones.
Example:
Search for LHR-PDX and don't see any results in C.
Search for LHR-SLC and get a result in C.
Search SLC-PDX and get a result in C.
No issues with connection times or terminals. Seeing the same things on DL rewards and BA ones.
Apr 12, 2017, 1:06 pm
#623
Moderator Hilton Honors, Travel News, West, The Suggestion Box, Smoking Lounge & DiningBuzz
Join Date: Jun 2000
Programs: Honors Diamond, Hertz Presidents Circle, National Exec Elite
Posts: 36,027
I believe it's P.
You may be able to change it online too. If so you can do it without fee within 24 hours of booking, up to 60 days prior to departure, or if you're MVP Gold or higher. Change fee is waived for upfares to First but the website is a little dumb and will apply a change fee (if applicable) as if it was a flight change or similar.
I've done it through the website and it's worked and I've also had the website balk at a upfare to a MVP instant upgrade fare class so YMMV.
You may be able to change it online too. If so you can do it without fee within 24 hours of booking, up to 60 days prior to departure, or if you're MVP Gold or higher. Change fee is waived for upfares to First but the website is a little dumb and will apply a change fee (if applicable) as if it was a flight change or similar.
I've done it through the website and it's worked and I've also had the website balk at a upfare to a MVP instant upgrade fare class so YMMV.
That allows entrance into the AS Boardroom, no?
Apr 12, 2017, 1:11 pm
#624
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: BOS/ORH
Programs: AS 75K
Posts: 18,323
Apr 12, 2017, 7:36 pm
#625
Join Date: Apr 2017
Location: Anchorage AK
Programs: AS MVPG
Posts: 99
When (if) revenue management sees yields going down and feels they need to change pricing.
From the few routes I fly enough to see fares regularly along with plugging in destinations for mileage run fun trips, my feeling is that Alaska's pricing has been up over the last year. I wish it was the other way.
From the few routes I fly enough to see fares regularly along with plugging in destinations for mileage run fun trips, my feeling is that Alaska's pricing has been up over the last year. I wish it was the other way.
Apr 13, 2017, 9:30 am
#626
Join Date: Jul 2012
Programs: Delta Gold, Alaska Gold 75K, LATAM Black
Posts: 3,393
After adding my MVP Gold # to my Delta reservation for later today I checked in online and it said I have Gold Medallion status and also said my first checked bag is free (I took a pic). I realize I'm not entitled to the free bag, but when I go to JFK will I be able to print the bag tag without any assistance?
This is for a flight to the Caribbean. Oh and I'm #1 on the upgrade list with 10 empty business class seats remaining - wish me luck  28519;
This is for a flight to the Caribbean. Oh and I'm #1 on the upgrade list with 10 empty business class seats remaining - wish me luck  28519;
Apr 13, 2017, 1:38 pm
#627
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Northern Calif./Eastern Ida.
Programs: Amethyst Premier Plutonium Medallion
Posts: 20,642
After adding my MVP Gold # to my Delta reservation for later today I checked in online and it said I have Gold Medallion status and also said my first checked bag is free (I took a pic). I realize I'm not entitled to the free bag, but when I go to JFK will I be able to print the bag tag without any assistance?
This is for a flight to the Caribbean. Oh and I'm #1 on the upgrade list with 10 empty business class seats remaining - wish me luck  28519;
This is for a flight to the Caribbean. Oh and I'm #1 on the upgrade list with 10 empty business class seats remaining - wish me luck  28519;
Indeed DL reservations w/ MVPG/75K FF# attached to them do show gold medallion/ST Elite +, but the benefits don't convey for the most part. One loophole I have seen them convey on is SDC, but this isn't a stated benefit and it's possible I have just gotten lucky a few times.
Good luck on the upgrade, I'd say your chances are good if they don't sell them all for $129.
Apr 13, 2017, 1:40 pm
#628
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Northern Calif./Eastern Ida.
Programs: Amethyst Premier Plutonium Medallion
Posts: 20,642
Is anyone having issues with Alaska reward searches.
Example:
Search for LHR-PDX and don't see any results in C.
Search for LHR-SLC and get a result in C.
Search SLC-PDX and get a result in C.
No issues with connection times or terminals. Seeing the same things on DL rewards and BA ones.
Example:
Search for LHR-PDX and don't see any results in C.
Search for LHR-SLC and get a result in C.
Search SLC-PDX and get a result in C.
No issues with connection times or terminals. Seeing the same things on DL rewards and BA ones.
Apr 13, 2017, 6:22 pm
#630
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 1999
Location: Ewa Beach, Hawaii
Posts: 10,909