Waitlisted

Twice in the last few weeks my wife and I have had cross aisle seats in Y booked and got "upgraded" to a window and middle seat in Y+. In both cases I moved us back to regular coach, cross aisle as we prefer aisle seats. In those cases we were "gaps" on the upgrade list.

beckoa

Apparently that's how the upgrade logic is written

dave1013

Did you make a selection when you bought the ticket to be upgraded into PC and F, or just PC, or just F?

PV_Premier

Wow, that's a terrible public response for AS to put out there.

DL manages to separate its F and C+ waitlists transparently and DL is among the worst airlines about transparency, so hopefully this is on AS 'to do' list.

SanDiego1K

I read the thread and am still confused. I just bought my husband and a business associate tickets using a companion cert. My husband is MVP. I picked the lowest fare. Premium seats were available for $45 per segment. Do the "free" premium seats require a higher fare in order to be instantly confirmed?

Upthread, scottrick said that mvps could pick premium seats if available at time of check in. Where can I find that online? Will my husband also be on the list for a first class upgrade at the gate? What if he doesn't have a premium seat, is there an automatic list for that?

Does it matter? (Premium versus non premium seat)

Does his business associate remain in his original seat or does he follow my husband's status?

missamo80

Your husband can access the premium class seats:

1) Immediately, if the fare purchased was Y, Z, S, or B
2) At 48 hours prior to departure if Alaska upgrades him

He won't be upgraded if:

1) The only available seats in PC are middles
2) He's seated in an exit row
3) He opts out of PC upgrades

You can't just pick a seat at check-in time if one is available. You have to actually be upgraded to PC to pick a PC seat.

https://www.alaskaair.com/content/mi...class-upgrades

Neil

missamo80

More answers:

The business associate will not get upgraded. MVPs can only upgrade themselves, not other people.

Your husband can request both a first class and a PC upgrade. You do this by going into the reservation and clicking the upgrade request button (if it doesn't already show your husband as waitlisted)

Neil

SanDiego1K

The link above was very helpful. Thank you.

I've looked repeatedly at his booking. I see no upgrade request button.

missamo80

Does it say First Class Waitlisted and Premium Class Waitlisted? If not, try calling in/tweeting them.

Neil

Finkface

She said she used a companion code and (I think she said) the husband is the only MVP. To upgrade only one pax, the PNR would have to be split, which is not allowed on a companion fare booking as both parties must travel together in the same cabin. So unless the colleague also has status and they upgrade at the same time, he will not even go on the upgrade list.

SanDiego1K

My husband has now flown and I thought I'd circle around and report on what happened. It was different (and better) in certain aspects than advised on this thread.

Setting the stage:

• Used a companion certificate to purchase tickets
• Husband is MVP
• Traveling companion doesn't even have an AS account
• Initial seats were in coach and there was no indicator that flights were eligible for upgrades.

What happened:

• Check in opened at 24 hour mark. Upgrades were available both directions.
• Husband got a free upgrade both directions; companion got an upgrade for $50 outbound, $53 return

Needless to say, this was the best of all possible outcomes. One query: any idea why the $3 delta in the upgrade fee? Routing was SAN-SEA-YAK-SEA-SAN. Upgrades were SAN-SEA-SAN.

ucdtim17

The app wants to charge me (MVPG) for Premium seat this evening. I didn't pay and it got filled; if another non-middle seat opens I'll call in if it wants to charge me again.

beckoa

For some reason the DOT tax of 7.5% is being assessed on some upgrades now. Not sure why- but have seen it off and on. Glad it worked out for them.

Flying for Fun

If your husband was MVPG then the other passenger would be upgraded at no charge.

MVP Gold and Gold 75K members may upgrade one companion traveling with them on the same flight, in the same reservation and in the same class of service. If a reservation includes more than one companion, it will not be eligible for complimentary upgrades.

When I use a companion certificate I look for immediately available upgrade space and pay for the upgradable fare to first. The companion fare is still $99 + fees & taxes but since you are purchasing an economy fare the certificate is still valid. Once purchased both parties are immediately upgraded to first and you can go into the reservation and select your seats.