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!
Aug 26, 2017, 7:31 pm
#1201
Join Date: Apr 2016
Posts: 306
I noticed today that there's been a 2-hour schedule change on one of my reservations. I'm thinking I could use that to ask for a less direct routing with extra mileage, just to be safe.
Aug 26, 2017, 9:47 pm
#1202
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: British Columbia
Programs: AS MVPG100K, Marriott Marriott Titanium Elite, Hilton Gold
Posts: 7,263
Thanks -- it's helpful to know that irregularities aren't common, and that AS may offer a bit of leeway around the 50k threshold.
I noticed today that there's been a 2-hour schedule change on one of my reservations. I'm thinking I could use that to ask for a less direct routing with extra mileage, just to be safe.
I noticed today that there's been a 2-hour schedule change on one of my reservations. I'm thinking I could use that to ask for a less direct routing with extra mileage, just to be safe.
If you did this a few times you would attain MVPG sooner and the flights you have booked for later in the year will get 100% bonus RDM and a better chance of upgrades.
Cheers
Aug 27, 2017, 2:51 pm
#1203
Join Date: Apr 2016
Posts: 306
Not sure where you are located or where your itineraries will take you but if you have a free day you could do a cheap short haul hop and back. For example you could do LAX-LAS for as little as $42 each way. Remember minimum 500 miles per flight. Think of it as a cheap $84 insurance policy with 1000 EQM. 😁
If you did this a few times you would attain MVPG sooner and the flights you have booked for later in the year will get 100% bonus RDM and a better chance of upgrades.
Cheers
If you did this a few times you would attain MVPG sooner and the flights you have booked for later in the year will get 100% bonus RDM and a better chance of upgrades.
Cheers
Aug 27, 2017, 8:57 pm
#1204
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: NY
Programs: AA, KLM, United, Amex, Chase, Hilton
Posts: 265
Does the companion fare remain in your Alaska account (through the companion fare's expiration date) even if you cancel the card? The annual fee is coming up and I am planning on cancelling the card.
Aug 27, 2017, 9:04 pm
#1205
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: 36,026
Is this possible? Any problems or warnings?
Let's say I need to fly DEN-SEA-OAK and return.
For status-chasing (and as I calculate what I need for MVPG) it would be helpful to have one or two legs in F. The whole itinerary in F is too pricey for me.
Is it possible book the four segments separately as a multi-city itinerary lookup and pick and choose with one or two of the segments in Y and one or two in F?
Thanks!
Let's say I need to fly DEN-SEA-OAK and return.
For status-chasing (and as I calculate what I need for MVPG) it would be helpful to have one or two legs in F. The whole itinerary in F is too pricey for me.
Is it possible book the four segments separately as a multi-city itinerary lookup and pick and choose with one or two of the segments in Y and one or two in F?
Thanks!
Aug 27, 2017, 9:28 pm
#1206
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: British Columbia
Programs: AS MVPG100K, Marriott Marriott Titanium Elite, Hilton Gold
Posts: 7,263
I don't churn credit cards if they continue to be viable after the AF. I place a lot of value on the companion certificate so have never closed any of my accounts. If I can save in excess of $1000 on a reservation the $75 AF is pretty insignificant even if you only hold it for the annual companion certificate. I opened my first account in 2009 and have subsequently added 4 more acoounts opening my last one this month. If you have MVPG or MVGG75K status you can get really creative with them and find yourself sitting up front more often than in the back.
Aug 27, 2017, 9:51 pm
#1207
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: Pacific Wonderland
Programs: ʙᴏɴᴠo̱ʏ Au, IHG Au, HH Dia, Nexus, Pilot FlyingJ Preferred
Posts: 5,336
Is this possible? Any problems or warnings?
Let's say I need to fly DEN-SEA-OAK and return.
For status-chasing (and as I calculate what I need for MVPG) it would be helpful to have one or two legs in F. The whole itinerary in F is too pricey for me.
Is it possible book the four segments separately as a multi-city itinerary lookup and pick and choose with one or two of the segments in Y and one or two in F?
Thanks!
Let's say I need to fly DEN-SEA-OAK and return.
For status-chasing (and as I calculate what I need for MVPG) it would be helpful to have one or two legs in F. The whole itinerary in F is too pricey for me.
Is it possible book the four segments separately as a multi-city itinerary lookup and pick and choose with one or two of the segments in Y and one or two in F?
Thanks!
Another option would be to just make it a simple RT and select coach on the outbound and F on the inbound (or v.v.) when selecting flights.
Can confirm that it did for my wife, although the AF already posted when she called and eventually ended up cancelling. BofA seems to have reversed the AF fee on account closure too (after it was paid).
Aug 27, 2017, 10:46 pm
#1208
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: British Columbia
Programs: AS MVPG100K, Marriott Marriott Titanium Elite, Hilton Gold
Posts: 7,263
Is this possible? Any problems or warnings?
Let's say I need to fly DEN-SEA-OAK and return.
For status-chasing (and as I calculate what I need for MVPG) it would be helpful to have one or two legs in F. The whole itinerary in F is too pricey for me.
Is it possible book the four segments separately as a multi-city itinerary lookup and pick and choose with one or two of the segments in Y and one or two in F?
Thanks!
Let's say I need to fly DEN-SEA-OAK and return.
For status-chasing (and as I calculate what I need for MVPG) it would be helpful to have one or two legs in F. The whole itinerary in F is too pricey for me.
Is it possible book the four segments separately as a multi-city itinerary lookup and pick and choose with one or two of the segments in Y and one or two in F?
Thanks!
With the multi-city
Aug 28, 2017, 12:02 am
#1209
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: British Columbia
Programs: AS MVPG100K, Marriott Marriott Titanium Elite, Hilton Gold
Posts: 7,263
Is this possible? Any problems or warnings?
Let's say I need to fly DEN-SEA-OAK and return.
For status-chasing (and as I calculate what I need for MVPG) it would be helpful to have one or two legs in F. The whole itinerary in F is too pricey for me.
Is it possible book the four segments separately as a multi-city itinerary lookup and pick and choose with one or two of the segments in Y and one or two in F?
Thanks!
Let's say I need to fly DEN-SEA-OAK and return.
For status-chasing (and as I calculate what I need for MVPG) it would be helpful to have one or two legs in F. The whole itinerary in F is too pricey for me.
Is it possible book the four segments separately as a multi-city itinerary lookup and pick and choose with one or two of the segments in Y and one or two in F?
Thanks!
I just looked at a one-way from SEA-OAK on Noveber 4th. Lowest price $118.40. DEN-SEA 1021 miles, SEA-OAK 671 miles. Total EQM 1692 miles. If I break it up with the multi-city as DEN-SEA and SEA-OAK I can purchase F on the first leg and Y on the second. Price jumps to $310.49. DEN-SEA 1021 miles + 766 COS bonus, SEA-OAK 671 miles. Total EQM 2458 miles. Essentially you are paying a $190.09 premium for 766 EQM or 24.8 Cents per qualifying mile. Ouch.
Now, lets look at throwing in another city, Spokane. DEN-GEG as the first segment and GEG-OAK as the second. For the same date the lowest fare is $233.00. DEN-SEA 1021 miles, SEA-GEG 500 miles, GEG-SEA, 500 miles and SEA-OAK 671 miles. Total EQM 2692 miles. Leave earlier out of DEN, arrive in OAK at the same time. $77.10 cheaper than option one and generates more EQM.
Similarly, DEN-GEG, GEG-BLI, BLI-OAK would be $369.79 and total EQM 3692.
Last October I did a mileage run, fly everywhere, go nowhere day to reach MVPG. Left my home airport at 6:00 am returned at midnight. Flew YLW-SEA-LAX-PDX-SFO-SEA-YLW. As an MVP at the time 3/4 segments with F were upgraded. With a lot of multi-city searches I was able to put it all together for $277.00 + taxes.
Hope this gives you some ideas. I don't think upgrading a flight or two to F for the 75% COS bonus may be the most effective way to increase your EQM's to reach MVPG. Wishing you success.
Cheers
Aug 30, 2017, 3:37 pm
#1211
Join Date: Oct 2015
Posts: 65
MVPG, Had a flight booked for me via a corporate travel portal - had to call to add FF#, asked to be waitlisted, but now it doesn't say Waitlisted for First either on the app or on the website (nor is there the option to request to be added to the waitlist) - I'm assuming I'll need to call in again to ask them to waitlist me again? Or is this just a glitch of latency with adding the FF#, and it'll settle before my flights?
Aug 30, 2017, 5:48 pm
#1212
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: British Columbia
Programs: AS MVPG100K, Marriott Marriott Titanium Elite, Hilton Gold
Posts: 7,263
MVPG, Had a flight booked for me via a corporate travel portal - had to call to add FF#, asked to be waitlisted, but now it doesn't say Waitlisted for First either on the app or on the website (nor is there the option to request to be added to the waitlist) - I'm assuming I'll need to call in again to ask them to waitlist me again? Or is this just a glitch of latency with adding the FF#, and it'll settle before my flights?
I was also told it wasn't the first time that day they had seen the issue. I wouldn't wait. Give them a call. If there are issues they need to ne aware of them so they can be addressed sooner than later.
Cheers
Aug 31, 2017, 6:00 am
#1213
Join Date: Apr 2016
Posts: 12
Cathay Pacific redemption using Alaska miles
Hello FT people,
I'm trying to find out the amount of miles needed to fly in business, on cathay pacific, form MAN UK, to DPS Bali, using alaska miles.
I've looked on the Alaska site, which states 42500 for a one-way redemption Europe to Asia, presumably doubled for a return? Are their redemption's distance based?
Would this Alaska Miles cost cover the entire trip (two legs. MAN-HKG and HKG-DPS), or would the first leg cost me 85000, plus the whatever the Alaska Miles cost form HKG to DPS?
Many thanks in advance for your time/help
I'm trying to find out the amount of miles needed to fly in business, on cathay pacific, form MAN UK, to DPS Bali, using alaska miles.
I've looked on the Alaska site, which states 42500 for a one-way redemption Europe to Asia, presumably doubled for a return? Are their redemption's distance based?
Would this Alaska Miles cost cover the entire trip (two legs. MAN-HKG and HKG-DPS), or would the first leg cost me 85000, plus the whatever the Alaska Miles cost form HKG to DPS?
Many thanks in advance for your time/help
Aug 31, 2017, 8:19 am
#1214
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: BOS/ORH
Programs: AS 75K
Posts: 18,323
Hello FT people,
I'm trying to find out the amount of miles needed to fly in business, on cathay pacific, form MAN UK, to DPS Bali, using alaska miles.
I've looked on the Alaska site, which states 42500 for a one-way redemption Europe to Asia, presumably doubled for a return? Are their redemption's distance based?
Would this Alaska Miles cost cover the entire trip (two legs. MAN-HKG and HKG-DPS), or would the first leg cost me 85000, plus the whatever the Alaska Miles cost form HKG to DPS?
Many thanks in advance for your time/help
I'm trying to find out the amount of miles needed to fly in business, on cathay pacific, form MAN UK, to DPS Bali, using alaska miles.
I've looked on the Alaska site, which states 42500 for a one-way redemption Europe to Asia, presumably doubled for a return? Are their redemption's distance based?
Would this Alaska Miles cost cover the entire trip (two legs. MAN-HKG and HKG-DPS), or would the first leg cost me 85000, plus the whatever the Alaska Miles cost form HKG to DPS?
Many thanks in advance for your time/help
MAN-HKG - 45000 points
HKG-DPS - 22500 points
DPS-HKG - 22500 points
HKG-MAN - 45000 points
Total points 135,000 Round Trip