Alaska Keeps Failing To Deliver Bags Late
Jan 12, 2017, 8:44 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: The Internet
Programs: Alaska Mileage Plan
Posts: 714
Alaska Keeps Failing To Deliver Bags Late
I really like getting 2,500 mile vouchers for late bags, so I always check a bag rather than fight for overhead bin space. And then I stand at the baggage carousel looking at my watch. I used to get a ton of these, but in the past few months, Alaska keeps getting me my bags on time and I'm getting fewer bonus miles.
Who's still playing the bag bonus game? Are there any times or cities where Alaska is most likely to miss, or have they really upped their game this much? In the past few months I have had a late bag in Vancouver and one that got misrouted at LAX, but all my other flights (even to the previously notorious Dulles) have managed to meet the 20 minute deadline.
To be clear, I don't raise a stink or do anything more than claim the guarantee if Alaska actually fails to meet it. So please don't upbraid me for "abuse" or anything, I'm just playing by the rules as Alaska has written them.
Who's still playing the bag bonus game? Are there any times or cities where Alaska is most likely to miss, or have they really upped their game this much? In the past few months I have had a late bag in Vancouver and one that got misrouted at LAX, but all my other flights (even to the previously notorious Dulles) have managed to meet the 20 minute deadline.
To be clear, I don't raise a stink or do anything more than claim the guarantee if Alaska actually fails to meet it. So please don't upbraid me for "abuse" or anything, I'm just playing by the rules as Alaska has written them.
Jan 12, 2017, 9:00 pm
#3
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: SEA
Programs: Hilton/Marriott Gold, Accor Silver
Posts: 2,036
Admittedly I'm an MVP who usually ends up with more partner than AS miles, but so far the only time I've gotten to take advantage of it was when my bags didn't make their way from customs in SEA quickly enough and they had to send them down on the next plane. Got an extra voucher out of that too.
Jan 12, 2017, 10:06 pm
#7
Suspended
Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: PDX
Programs: AS DL
Posts: 9,038
I have to admit that I've played the game a few times. Usually, it's on the return flight when I am less pressed for time. I secretly hope that the bag comes out 35 minutes afterwards.
So far, I've only checked bags in 3 times, one was late. It was so late that it came the next day and I got a bigger reward. Inside was merely dirty underwear and some junk.
Most of the time, I still don't check in luggage.
So far, I've only checked bags in 3 times, one was late. It was so late that it came the next day and I got a bigger reward. Inside was merely dirty underwear and some junk.
Most of the time, I still don't check in luggage.
Jan 12, 2017, 10:33 pm
#8
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: 16,847
Jan 13, 2017, 9:21 am
#9
Join Date: May 2013
Location: SEA
Programs: AS MVP Gold 100K
Posts: 2,030
Jan 13, 2017, 9:39 am
#10
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Queens!
Programs: Alaska Mileage Plan, Marriott Bonvoy, NEXUS
Posts: 334
IIRC, 3/4 times I've checked bags SEA>JFK they've been late. (Two vouchers. There was one time I wasn't able to get the voucher because my SO wasn't feeling well after the redeye and wanted to get home ASAP.)
Jan 13, 2017, 10:30 am
#11
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Seattle
Programs: AS MVPG, Alaska Lounge, HHonors Silver, Bonvoy Gold, National Executive
Posts: 455
Jan 13, 2017, 10:50 pm
#12
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend, Moderator, Information Desk, Ambassador, Alaska Airlines
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: FAI
Programs: AS MVP Gold100K, AS 1MM, Maika`i Card, AGR, HH Gold, Hertz PC, Marriott Titanium LTG, CO, 7H, BA, 8E
Posts: 42,953
Jan 14, 2017, 9:54 am
#14
Join Date: Aug 2016
Posts: 237
I'm MVP 75k two years running and I've never gotten a voucher in Seattle. I've gotten vouchers in Atlanta, Austin, DC, and probably a few more that I can't think of, but never Seattle. They've gotten reeeeeeeally close a few times (any bag after mine was certainly after 20 minutes), but I guess I've just been "lucky" in Seattle.