Upgrade Processor Glitches
Mar 1, 2018, 12:22 pm
#166
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Kirkland, WA
Programs: AS 75K,UA Gold 1.6MM, Hilton Dia, Marriott LT Plat, Hyatt Glb, Natl Exec, Hertz 5*
Posts: 3,657
Mar 1, 2018, 5:33 pm
#167
Join Date: Sep 2001
Programs: Alaska Tanzanite 100K
Posts: 3,858
On my recent PDX-ANC flight, the guy at the window is a Gold and was livid that he kept getting pushed down on the list; he even had a heated argument with Alaska. He went on to say how he pays to fly, not some company, etc etc. Cry me a river. I told him I was 75K for years and missed it due to the American/Delta cutbacks (would do a LOT of "A" class of service flying up and down the east coast which meant lots of EQMs). Just surprised he wasn't aware how the upgrade lists work. I told him as a 75K I've been #20 on a list before, of 65.
Lots of us at FlyerTalk are informed, but the masses, are not. I don't feel bad for "spilling the beans" on our not-so-secret-but-was method of cutting the upgrade list. Alaska has known about this for at least a year, and they even passed up using Virgin America's AirRM (Revenue Management - changes fare classes & buckets based on whatever calculations and algorithms you program it to do) system which could be setup to zero out U inventory on day of departure to manage inventory. Instead, Alaska chose a different system. I firmly believe that U and W classes are "protected" - which means when a customer who is booked in that class of service changes, that seat goes BACK into that specific bucket, regardless of how full or empty the flight is.
Lots of us at FlyerTalk are informed, but the masses, are not. I don't feel bad for "spilling the beans" on our not-so-secret-but-was method of cutting the upgrade list. Alaska has known about this for at least a year, and they even passed up using Virgin America's AirRM (Revenue Management - changes fare classes & buckets based on whatever calculations and algorithms you program it to do) system which could be setup to zero out U inventory on day of departure to manage inventory. Instead, Alaska chose a different system. I firmly believe that U and W classes are "protected" - which means when a customer who is booked in that class of service changes, that seat goes BACK into that specific bucket, regardless of how full or empty the flight is.
Mar 1, 2018, 9:50 pm
#168
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Seattle, Wa
Programs: AS 75K & BR Member- HHonors Diamond - Hertz PC - Marriott Titanium - IHG Ambassador
Posts: 2,379
oI'm not sure of that. I cancelled a recent airfare that was UG'd already and tried to immediately rebook using a birthday discount code. Guess what, I ended up flying P instead because U didn't come back within several Days, maybe longer. My intent, obviously was to rebuy for cheaper and maintain the UG. Instead, I paid more and got CoS bonus but rode with my friends upfront.
Last edited by flyupfrnt; Mar 1, 2018 at 9:56 pm
Mar 1, 2018, 10:28 pm
#169
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
On my recent PDX-ANC flight, the guy at the window is a Gold and was livid that he kept getting pushed down on the list; he even had a heated argument with Alaska. He went on to say how he pays to fly, not some company, etc etc. Cry me a river. I told him I was 75K for years and missed it due to the American/Delta cutbacks (would do a LOT of "A" class of service flying up and down the east coast which meant lots of EQMs). Just surprised he wasn't aware how the upgrade lists work. I told him as a 75K I've been #20 on a list before, of 65.
Lots of us at FlyerTalk are informed, but the masses, are not. I don't feel bad for "spilling the beans" on our not-so-secret-but-was method of cutting the upgrade list. Alaska has known about this for at least a year, and they even passed up using Virgin America's AirRM (Revenue Management - changes fare classes & buckets based on whatever calculations and algorithms you program it to do) system which could be setup to zero out U inventory on day of departure to manage inventory. Instead, Alaska chose a different system. I firmly believe that U and W classes are "protected" - which means when a customer who is booked in that class of service changes, that seat goes BACK into that specific bucket, regardless of how full or empty the flight is.
Lots of us at FlyerTalk are informed, but the masses, are not. I don't feel bad for "spilling the beans" on our not-so-secret-but-was method of cutting the upgrade list. Alaska has known about this for at least a year, and they even passed up using Virgin America's AirRM (Revenue Management - changes fare classes & buckets based on whatever calculations and algorithms you program it to do) system which could be setup to zero out U inventory on day of departure to manage inventory. Instead, Alaska chose a different system. I firmly believe that U and W classes are "protected" - which means when a customer who is booked in that class of service changes, that seat goes BACK into that specific bucket, regardless of how full or empty the flight is.
Mar 1, 2018, 10:32 pm
#170
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: YVR, HNL
Programs: AS 75k, UA peon, BA Bronze, AC E50k, Marriott Plat, HH Diamond, Fairmont Plat (RIP)
Posts: 7,832
Mar 2, 2018, 8:27 am
#171
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: LAX
Programs: AS MVPG, IHG Diamond Elite
Posts: 1,445
o
I'm not sure of that. I cancelled a recent airfare that was UG'd already and tried to immediately rebook using a birthday discount code. Guess what, I ended up flying P instead because U didn't come back within several Days, maybe longer. My intent, obviously was to rebuy for cheaper and maintain the UG. Instead, I paid more and got CoS bonus but rode with my friends upfront.
I'm not sure of that. I cancelled a recent airfare that was UG'd already and tried to immediately rebook using a birthday discount code. Guess what, I ended up flying P instead because U didn't come back within several Days, maybe longer. My intent, obviously was to rebuy for cheaper and maintain the UG. Instead, I paid more and got CoS bonus but rode with my friends upfront.
Mar 2, 2018, 3:35 pm
#172
Join Date: Nov 2009
Posts: 103
another data point. At check-in (~3 hours before departure) I was offered an upgrade for $53 (1 U was available on AS website). 75k sitting at #3 on the upgrade list. I ended up purchasing the upgrade as an exercise to see how AS would field this scenario. Called the 75k line, agent insisted that the process was by design - ie AS does this intentionally to sell U spots & raise $$$. My first time in ~5 years as a 75k being offered a paid upgrade. Can't imagine this was by design and would bet the house it was a symptom of their flawed upgrade processor. Thoughts?
Mar 2, 2018, 4:10 pm
#173
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Northern Calif./Eastern Ida.
Programs: Amethyst Premier Plutonium Medallion
Posts: 20,640
another data point. At check-in (~3 hours before departure) I was offered an upgrade for $53 (1 U was available on AS website). 75k sitting at #3 on the upgrade list. I ended up purchasing the upgrade as an exercise to see how AS would field this scenario. Called the 75k line, agent insisted that the process was by design - ie AS does this intentionally to sell U spots & raise $$$. My first time in ~5 years as a 75k being offered a paid upgrade. Can't imagine this was by design and would bet the house it was a symptom of their flawed upgrade processor. Thoughts?
Mar 2, 2018, 7:57 pm
#175
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
Please ask AS for a refund.
An AS elite should not be charged for an upgrade.
This is a fault of the upgrade processor.
An AS elite should not be charged for an upgrade.
This is a fault of the upgrade processor.
Mar 2, 2018, 8:32 pm
#176
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: SEA
Programs: AS 100K, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 876
I dealt with that scenario out of Boston. Tried to charge me for the upgrade. Called MVP line and by the time they figured it out the system had kicked me out and I lost out on my upgrade. Agent told me next time just pay and they would refund me.
Mar 3, 2018, 8:24 am
#177
Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: PDX
Programs: AS MVPG75; Bonvoy, National Exec, United Silver
Posts: 121
Yep. See my experience in December
https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/29186100-post486.htmlAS Twitter said the same thing. AS phone rep and @missydarlin both confirmed that the fee was a glitchPS edit: I was trying to link to the thread at post 486 not post 486 as a stand alone comment. Any help would be appreciated. Mods feel free to delete this PS edit
Mar 3, 2018, 8:31 am
#178
Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: PDX
Programs: AS MVPG75; Bonvoy, National Exec, United Silver
Posts: 121
Yep. See my experience in December
https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/29186100-post486.htmlAS Twitter said the same thing. AS phone rep and @missydarlin both confirmed that the fee was a glitchPS edit: I was trying to link to the thread at post 486 not post 486 as a stand alone comment. Any help would be appreciated. Mods feel free to delete this PS edit
Mar 8, 2018, 1:21 pm
#180
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Northern Calif./Eastern Ida.
Programs: Amethyst Premier Plutonium Medallion
Posts: 20,640