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!
Jul 23, 2017, 3:42 pm
#1036
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: SEA
Programs: HH Silver
Posts: 2,400
Keep checking after T-24, right up until you get on the plane. Often people upgrade or move at check in, and better seats open up. It is not even unusual for me to change my seat right as I am leaving home, then 45 minutes later when I arrive at the airport, change it again at the kiosk.
Jul 24, 2017, 2:43 pm
#1039
Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: YVR/LAX/PVG/TPE
Posts: 760
I have a series of question, hope someone can help me out here. I am new to AS, so I am thinking about status-matching from AA EXP to AS 75k, and I have a few flights with AM at the end of Sep and beginning of Oct.
1. how long will the status match take? is it difficult or is it rather hassle-free?
2. I know last year you can status match in October and you will get the next year full status, is it still true this year?
3. If I retroactively credit my AM flights to AS once I get my status, do I get the bonus miles for being MVP75k? For how long after the flight with AM am I allowed to credit it to AS? (1 week? 3 weeks?)
4. my flight on AM earns 50% with AS, so the MVP bonus 125% is applied which way? aka, if the flight is 10000 miles, I get 10000*(50%+125%)=17500 miles or 10000*50%*225%=12500 miles?
best case scenario I can think of is matching on Oct 1st and gain MVP75k quickly, and credit my flights with AM to AS retro-actively as soon as I get MVP75k to get more miles, but maybe that is just my fantasy?
Thanks in advance!
1. how long will the status match take? is it difficult or is it rather hassle-free?
2. I know last year you can status match in October and you will get the next year full status, is it still true this year?
3. If I retroactively credit my AM flights to AS once I get my status, do I get the bonus miles for being MVP75k? For how long after the flight with AM am I allowed to credit it to AS? (1 week? 3 weeks?)
4. my flight on AM earns 50% with AS, so the MVP bonus 125% is applied which way? aka, if the flight is 10000 miles, I get 10000*(50%+125%)=17500 miles or 10000*50%*225%=12500 miles?
best case scenario I can think of is matching on Oct 1st and gain MVP75k quickly, and credit my flights with AM to AS retro-actively as soon as I get MVP75k to get more miles, but maybe that is just my fantasy?
Thanks in advance!
Jul 24, 2017, 3:07 pm
#1040
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2015
Location: BOS, YVR, ZRH
Programs: *G
Posts: 17,405
I have a series of question, hope someone can help me out here. I am new to AS, so I am thinking about status-matching from AA EXP to AS 75k, and I have a few flights with AM at the end of Sep and beginning of Oct.
1. how long will the status match take? is it difficult or is it rather hassle-free?
2. I know last year you can status match in October and you will get the next year full status, is it still true this year?
3. If I retroactively credit my AM flights to AS once I get my status, do I get the bonus miles for being MVP75k? For how long after the flight with AM am I allowed to credit it to AS? (1 week? 3 weeks?)
4. my flight on AM earns 50% with AS, so the MVP bonus 125% is applied which way? aka, if the flight is 10000 miles, I get 10000*(50%+125%)=17500 miles or 10000*50%*225%=12500 miles?
best case scenario I can think of is matching on Oct 1st and gain MVP75k quickly, and credit my flights with AM to AS retro-actively as soon as I get MVP75k to get more miles, but maybe that is just my fantasy?
Thanks in advance!
1. how long will the status match take? is it difficult or is it rather hassle-free?
2. I know last year you can status match in October and you will get the next year full status, is it still true this year?
3. If I retroactively credit my AM flights to AS once I get my status, do I get the bonus miles for being MVP75k? For how long after the flight with AM am I allowed to credit it to AS? (1 week? 3 weeks?)
4. my flight on AM earns 50% with AS, so the MVP bonus 125% is applied which way? aka, if the flight is 10000 miles, I get 10000*(50%+125%)=17500 miles or 10000*50%*225%=12500 miles?
best case scenario I can think of is matching on Oct 1st and gain MVP75k quickly, and credit my flights with AM to AS retro-actively as soon as I get MVP75k to get more miles, but maybe that is just my fantasy?
Thanks in advance!
2. Still applies
3. No, you'll get the miles according to the status you had at the time of flying. As long as you had at least an MP number at the time of travel, you can retroactively claim up to 11 months after travel. see: https://www.alaskaair.com/MileagePlan/retrocredit
4. MVPG (and MVP&75k) bonus is applied to base miles, so you get 10000*0.5 + 10000*0.5*1.25 = 11250 RDM.
What you have in mind is definitely fantasty, you won't be able to status-match in October and apply the status bonus to a flight in September, as you won't have had the status eligible for the bonus at the time of flying.
Jul 24, 2017, 3:18 pm
#1041
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: ANC
Programs: AS 100K, UA 1K, Hilton Diamond, Hyatt Globalist, Marriott Silver
Posts: 322
Experience with AS to HU itineraries
I have a connection to Hainan this fall from an AS flight, which was an award booking. AS customer service told me that the HU website doesn't recognize their PNR or e-ticket numbers, so have to call for seats etc.
This got me thinking about day of flight - I would have expected to get my boarding pass from AS in Anchorage and have bags checked all the way through, but now I am wondering if there are also issues between the two airlines in that respect. Does anyone have any experience with these two airlines on the same itinerary?
This got me thinking about day of flight - I would have expected to get my boarding pass from AS in Anchorage and have bags checked all the way through, but now I am wondering if there are also issues between the two airlines in that respect. Does anyone have any experience with these two airlines on the same itinerary?
Jul 24, 2017, 3:34 pm
#1042
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: BOS/ORH
Programs: AS 75K
Posts: 18,323
I have a connection to Hainan this fall from an AS flight, which was an award booking. AS customer service told me that the HU website doesn't recognize their PNR or e-ticket numbers, so have to call for seats etc.
This got me thinking about day of flight - I would have expected to get my boarding pass from AS in Anchorage and have bags checked all the way through, but now I am wondering if there are also issues between the two airlines in that respect. Does anyone have any experience with these two airlines on the same itinerary?
This got me thinking about day of flight - I would have expected to get my boarding pass from AS in Anchorage and have bags checked all the way through, but now I am wondering if there are also issues between the two airlines in that respect. Does anyone have any experience with these two airlines on the same itinerary?
Jul 24, 2017, 4:56 pm
#1043
Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: YVR/LAX/PVG/TPE
Posts: 760
1. Hassle-free, see 2nd.
2. Still applies
3. No, you'll get the miles according to the status you had at the time of flying. As long as you had at least an MP number at the time of travel, you can retroactively claim up to 11 months after travel. see: https://www.alaskaair.com/MileagePlan/retrocredit
4. MVPG (and MVP&75k) bonus is applied to base miles, so you get 10000*0.5 + 10000*0.5*1.25 = 11250 RDM.
What you have in mind is definitely fantasty, you won't be able to status-match in October and apply the status bonus to a flight in September, as you won't have had the status eligible for the bonus at the time of flying.
2. Still applies
3. No, you'll get the miles according to the status you had at the time of flying. As long as you had at least an MP number at the time of travel, you can retroactively claim up to 11 months after travel. see: https://www.alaskaair.com/MileagePlan/retrocredit
4. MVPG (and MVP&75k) bonus is applied to base miles, so you get 10000*0.5 + 10000*0.5*1.25 = 11250 RDM.
What you have in mind is definitely fantasty, you won't be able to status-match in October and apply the status bonus to a flight in September, as you won't have had the status eligible for the bonus at the time of flying.
Jul 24, 2017, 5:24 pm
#1044
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2015
Location: BOS, YVR, ZRH
Programs: *G
Posts: 17,405
Jul 26, 2017, 4:53 pm
#1045
Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: YVR/LAX/PVG/TPE
Posts: 760
Jul 26, 2017, 6:36 pm
#1046
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Chicago
Programs: AA UA Delta. HH Diamond, PC Platinum, Club Carlson Gold, Hyatt Diamond
Posts: 809
discount codes and airfare credits
I have the following:
$75 discount codes from Bank of america credit card spending promotion
$25 from customer service
$50 credit from airfare guaranteed
Questions:
Can those be combined?
Can I use them for someone else?
Thank you!
$75 discount codes from Bank of america credit card spending promotion
$25 from customer service
$50 credit from airfare guaranteed
Questions:
Can those be combined?
Can I use them for someone else?
Thank you!
Jul 26, 2017, 8:02 pm
#1047
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: Pacific Wonderland
Programs: ʙᴏɴᴠo̱ʏ Au, IHG Au, HH Dia, Nexus, Pilot FlyingJ Preferred
Posts: 5,336
I know that the regular Companion Fare discount code either must have the cardholder as one of the travelers or on the credit card used to pay for the tickets (although it seems to be just matching last names at least for the payment). I took a look at one my customer service discount codes and it says this:
Passengers: The recipient of this discount code must be one of the travelers . Discount is valid for up to 7 people traveling together and booked and ticketed at the same time in the same reservation and at the same fare.
....
Transferability: Discount Codes are issued in the name of the traveler and are not transferable. Discount Codes may not be sold, bought, bartered, auctioned or collected in bulk. Any deemed by Alaska Airlines to have been distributed or acquired improperly will not be honored and traveler will be responsible for payment of full fare.
....
Transferability: Discount Codes are issued in the name of the traveler and are not transferable. Discount Codes may not be sold, bought, bartered, auctioned or collected in bulk. Any deemed by Alaska Airlines to have been distributed or acquired improperly will not be honored and traveler will be responsible for payment of full fare.
Jul 26, 2017, 9:33 pm
#1048
Join Date: Jun 2017
Programs: Alaska Airlines
Posts: 9
New to Frequent Flying
I will be starting to commute on AS in September. AS has the best flights for my commute, so it seems to be the way to go. Is the AS Sig card the best way to go if I want to lower the cost of my overall commute in the long run, or should I use a cash back card or some other card that has higher miles/$? (AMEX?)
The AS Sig card seems like a good deal for what I need, but there are so many programs and although I have spent many hours here reading various threads it is hard to get a handle on what is best for me.
Any other commuters out there who are just trying to lower commute cost and not necessarily bank miles for International travel have any advice for me?
The AS Sig card seems like a good deal for what I need, but there are so many programs and although I have spent many hours here reading various threads it is hard to get a handle on what is best for me.
Any other commuters out there who are just trying to lower commute cost and not necessarily bank miles for International travel have any advice for me?
Jul 27, 2017, 1:25 pm
#1049
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Alexandria, VA - DCA
Programs: BA Gold, American Airlines, Marriott Plat, Hilton Diamond, IHG Diamond
Posts: 5,075
I have two Alaska Airlines Lounge passes showing Valid in My Account (expire 12/31/17).
Each pass shows with a long AW6O-xxxx-xxxx-xxxx-xxxx-xxxx code.
Are these 'code passes' transferable?
If so, can I give the code to a family/friend who is NOT flying AS but will transit SEA soon? Or do they have to have a same-day AS ticket to use?
Thanks in advance! ^
Each pass shows with a long AW6O-xxxx-xxxx-xxxx-xxxx-xxxx code.
Are these 'code passes' transferable?
If so, can I give the code to a family/friend who is NOT flying AS but will transit SEA soon? Or do they have to have a same-day AS ticket to use?
Thanks in advance! ^
Last edited by geo1005; Jul 27, 2017 at 1:36 pm
Jul 27, 2017, 2:34 pm
#1050
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Northern Calif./Eastern Ida.
Programs: Amethyst Premier Plutonium Medallion
Posts: 20,646
I have two Alaska Airlines Lounge passes showing Valid in My Account (expire 12/31/17).
Each pass shows with a long AW6O-xxxx-xxxx-xxxx-xxxx-xxxx code.
Are these 'code passes' transferable?
If so, can I give the code to a family/friend who is NOT flying AS but will transit SEA soon? Or do they have to have a same-day AS ticket to use?
Thanks in advance! ^
Each pass shows with a long AW6O-xxxx-xxxx-xxxx-xxxx-xxxx code.
Are these 'code passes' transferable?
If so, can I give the code to a family/friend who is NOT flying AS but will transit SEA soon? Or do they have to have a same-day AS ticket to use?
Thanks in advance! ^
The person using the pass doesn't need to be flying AS.