Aug 31, 2017, 10:10 am
Last edit by: dmodemd
Formal announcement from Alaska Airlines:
https://blog.alaskaair.com/alaska-ai...enefits-on-vx/
...details on how to get them are in the updated FAQ:
https://www.alaskaair.com/content/tr...nefit-schedule
1-877-FLY-VIRGIN now goes to Alaska reps. They need to coordinate with an AS team member who has VX systems access to do the work they need. Calling through your MVP priority call line will get you faster pick up.
Call ins are needed for AS booked flights on VX for:
- Making changes and getting change fee waived
- FC Upgrade purchases*
* FAQ says: "You can purchase available First Class upgrades in advance online", but it doesn't work yet for AS booked VX flights.
Online at VirginAmerica.com you can:
- Add yourself to MCS upgrade list (link should show in Manage function)
[WARNING: There is a report of this not actually working... recommend tweet to VX instead]
- Select preferred seating before clearing MCS
- Select MCS seat after clearing at your window (can also do with VX app)
Reports are that Twitter DMs to Virgin America are the fastest way to get assistance.
You may get referred to the VX phone line (which leads to Alaska Air) if your reservation has additional complications that may not be apparent to you.
Companions: If you have any companions on your reservation (regardless of status), you will need to call in your upgrade request when your clearance window opens.
https://blog.alaskaair.com/alaska-ai...enefits-on-vx/
...details on how to get them are in the updated FAQ:
https://www.alaskaair.com/content/tr...nefit-schedule
1-877-FLY-VIRGIN now goes to Alaska reps. They need to coordinate with an AS team member who has VX systems access to do the work they need. Calling through your MVP priority call line will get you faster pick up.
Call ins are needed for AS booked flights on VX for:
- Making changes and getting change fee waived
- FC Upgrade purchases*
* FAQ says: "You can purchase available First Class upgrades in advance online", but it doesn't work yet for AS booked VX flights.
Online at VirginAmerica.com you can:
- Add yourself to MCS upgrade list (link should show in Manage function)
[WARNING: There is a report of this not actually working... recommend tweet to VX instead]
- Select preferred seating before clearing MCS
- Select MCS seat after clearing at your window (can also do with VX app)
Reports are that Twitter DMs to Virgin America are the fastest way to get assistance.
You may get referred to the VX phone line (which leads to Alaska Air) if your reservation has additional complications that may not be apparent to you.
Companions: If you have any companions on your reservation (regardless of status), you will need to call in your upgrade request when your clearance window opens.
VX Preferred Seats and Main Cabin Select (MCS) Upgrades Now Available for AS Elites
Nov 8, 2017, 2:00 pm
#301
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Programs: AA Gold, DL Silver, Starwood Gold, Marriott Silver, HH Gold, Hyatt Platinum
Posts: 135
Did I miss something here? Maybe it's my 75K status, but for me upgrading into MCS from a normal coach seat (booked as part of an Alaska R fare) was as simple as calling Virgin America. The call was transferred to Alaska but the AS agent contacted Virgin and handled things for me just fine.
I'm flying in late November.
I'm flying in late November.
SOOOOOO glad that the opt-in option is on the web now, not that it'll work for me but at least no more lazy or confused agents.
Nov 8, 2017, 5:51 pm
#302
Join Date: Nov 2016
Programs: Alaska Airlines MVP Gold 75K, United 1K
Posts: 33
Did I miss something here? Maybe it's my 75K status, but for me upgrading into MCS from a normal coach seat (booked as part of an Alaska R fare) was as simple as calling Virgin America. The call was transferred to Alaska but the AS agent contacted Virgin and handled things for me just fine.
I'm flying in late November.
I'm flying in late November.
Nov 8, 2017, 11:33 pm
#304
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
Nov 9, 2017, 8:11 am
#305
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
It would be nice if the policy could be aligned with AS premium seating (allowing earlier selection). I don't see why it cannot be....
It might help that if everyone calling in for this ask for the immediate upgrade pointing out the AS premium seating policy. Even if denied at least they will get the feedback we notice and wish this was aligned.
Nov 9, 2017, 10:55 am
#306
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 1999
Location: Ewa Beach, Hawaii
Posts: 10,909
I have some VX flights coming up, first one this coming Monday. I tweeted VX to get on the MCS list. They replied back that there is now a link to do the request in the reservation on the VX site. Booked as AS flights on AS ticket stock. Went to the VX site and looked up the reservation using the VX confirmation number. Had already selected my seats using the hyperlink from the AS site earlier. Sure enough, there was a link to request to be put on the MCS upgrade list. I clicked on it and the page refreshed and the link went away. Is there any way to tell if the link actually did anything and I am on the list? Don't see anything in the reservation saying MCS wailtlisted.
Nov 9, 2017, 11:39 am
#307
Join Date: May 2001
Location: Portland, OR, USA
Programs: UA 1K 3 Million/ex-many year GS, AA PLT/2 Mil, AS MVPG, HH Dia, Starwood Life Plat, Hertz PC
Posts: 1,401
I have some VX flights coming up, first one this coming Monday. I tweeted VX to get on the MCS list. They replied back that there is now a link to do the request in the reservation on the VX site. Booked as AS flights on AS ticket stock. Went to the VX site and looked up the reservation using the VX confirmation number. Had already selected my seats using the hyperlink from the AS site earlier. Sure enough, there was a link to request to be put on the MCS upgrade list. I clicked on it and the page refreshed and the link went away. Is there any way to tell if the link actually did anything and I am on the list? Don't see anything in the reservation saying MCS wailtlisted.
Nov 9, 2017, 11:46 am
#308
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: BOS/ORH
Programs: AS 75K
Posts: 18,323
I have some VX flights coming up, first one this coming Monday. I tweeted VX to get on the MCS list. They replied back that there is now a link to do the request in the reservation on the VX site. Booked as AS flights on AS ticket stock. Went to the VX site and looked up the reservation using the VX confirmation number. Had already selected my seats using the hyperlink from the AS site earlier. Sure enough, there was a link to request to be put on the MCS upgrade list. I clicked on it and the page refreshed and the link went away. Is there any way to tell if the link actually did anything and I am on the list? Don't see anything in the reservation saying MCS wailtlisted.
Nov 9, 2017, 3:54 pm
#309
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 1999
Location: Ewa Beach, Hawaii
Posts: 10,909
Nov 11, 2017, 1:09 am
#310
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: SEA town
Programs: Alaska LTG, HHonors-Gld, IHG-Dia, LT MR Ti
Posts: 627
Have a flight in a few weeks SEA-LAX-FLL, of course LAX-FLL is VX. I booked on as.com
Link to VX site worked well, selected a decent cargo seat closer to front, put myself on MSC upgrade list.
It might be worth a pd upgrade to FC. I read it's cheaper to UG from MCS than cargo. Any ideas on LAX-FLL upgrade price from MCS to FC??
Link to VX site worked well, selected a decent cargo seat closer to front, put myself on MSC upgrade list.
It might be worth a pd upgrade to FC. I read it's cheaper to UG from MCS than cargo. Any ideas on LAX-FLL upgrade price from MCS to FC??
Nov 11, 2017, 9:50 am
#312
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: SEA town
Programs: Alaska LTG, HHonors-Gld, IHG-Dia, LT MR Ti
Posts: 627
Nov 11, 2017, 11:35 am
#313
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
I then walk past a mostly empty F cabin. I guess they don't want money...
Only way I know how to do it (on an AS booked flight) is to call it in...
Nov 11, 2017, 12:01 pm
#314
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 1999
Location: Ewa Beach, Hawaii
Posts: 10,909
Or ask at check in desk or at gate. From what I have read, to do it online, don't check in at T-24 as the F buy up won't be there. Go at T-6 and it should be available. Never looked as T-6 is always 2-4 AM and I am not getting up that early to do a buy up to F.
Nov 13, 2017, 3:33 pm
#315
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
Tried online under T-6 and FC upgrade was still grayed out. No seats taken.
That was after they fixed my reservation. Apparently, this time when I got upgraded to MCS, it kept my Main Cabin reservation as well so I had two records showing when I tried to check in on VX. I called in and the AS agent had to send me to VX where she killed the Main Cabin reservation.
Previously, whenever I auto upgraded to MCS at T-24, the Alaska reservation would disappear from their system and I would only have the MCS reservation in VX. Maybe they have tried to fix the behavior that removes the AS reservation but it is leaving a duplicate behind when VX sees it?
I will see what happens next time but my next VX flight isn't until mid-December. Hopefully more glitches are resolved by then.
That was after they fixed my reservation. Apparently, this time when I got upgraded to MCS, it kept my Main Cabin reservation as well so I had two records showing when I tried to check in on VX. I called in and the AS agent had to send me to VX where she killed the Main Cabin reservation.
Previously, whenever I auto upgraded to MCS at T-24, the Alaska reservation would disappear from their system and I would only have the MCS reservation in VX. Maybe they have tried to fix the behavior that removes the AS reservation but it is leaving a duplicate behind when VX sees it?
I will see what happens next time but my next VX flight isn't until mid-December. Hopefully more glitches are resolved by then.