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
Mar 6, 2018, 8:31 am
#466
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
Have the right seats in row 3 to myself currently on AS1107. Not too bad- room to stretch out. Agree the bulkhead is tight- have row 10 next flight to compare. Row 10 is *empty* too. Others wanted these seats, FA offered for $179 IIRC. No takers.
Mar 6, 2018, 8:31 am
#467
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
Did you make the request less than 24 hours before departure? I did that once this year and had the same web site behavior. Didn't ask, and didn't clear, on the outgoing flight, but on the return the gate agent told me I was not on the list, he added me, and I instantly cleared.
edited to add: expect less entertainment options, too
Is the "live" Dish Network news feed gone?
edited to add: expect less entertainment options, too
Is the "live" Dish Network news feed gone?
Mar 6, 2018, 11:47 am
#468
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: BOS/ORH
Programs: AS 75K
Posts: 18,323
I’m really tired of “April 25th, all these problems will go away” talk coming from Alaska customer service reps.
the VX upgrades to MCS has been a huge mess, AS upgrade system isn’t operating as described on their own website.
i think they’re beta testing a new upgrade system and it’s not going to be good for elites.
theyre getting more leisure travelers and don’t want to miss out on any of that money. That’s fine as long as they’re not upset when a good portion of they’re business travelers head to another airline.
when the economy heads south again and the leisure travel business shrinks, AS will be in a bad place.
Penny wise, pound foolish.
Mar 6, 2018, 3:13 pm
#469
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
The difference is likely a not-insignificant amount of engineering work on a reservation system that hasn't had nonessential active development in a while and is going to be fully retired in 7 weeks. The VX system didn't have F upgrades, and implementing them would pull resources from other integration work that will continue to make a difference two months from now. I would much rather the airline put the resources into getting the currently-finicky AS upgrade processor fixed, and keep it working smoothly for the next however many years it's used, than spend one minute trying to give me free upgrades for my flights next week.
1) Be able to offer F buy-up through their web site. Set AS Gold = Elevate Gold and let all other processing work... they enabled for MCS but forgot to enable F upgrade purchase
- Easy IT change.2) Implement a comp F upgrade at the gate, old style. Don't the gate agents have any visibility into a list of passengers with status? Can they just manually work down the tiers and hand out upgrades? (whisper: it's OK if they have to make arbitrary picks within an elite level - better than nothing.) - Pure policy change, no IT needed.
Mar 7, 2018, 4:33 pm
#470
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: US West Coast
Programs: Alaska 100K, Hyatt Gl, Marriott Ti/LTP
Posts: 353
I'm OK with them not implementing comp F upgrades on the VX system. However, why couldn't they?:
1) Be able to offer F buy-up through their web site. Set AS Gold = Elevate Gold and let all other processing work... they enabled for MCS but forgot to enable F upgrade purchase - Easy IT change.
2) Implement a comp F upgrade at the gate, old style. Don't the gate agents have any visibility into a list of passengers with status? Can they just manually work down the tiers and hand out upgrades? (whisper: it's OK if they have to make arbitrary picks within an elite level - better than nothing.) - Pure policy change, no IT needed.
1) Be able to offer F buy-up through their web site. Set AS Gold = Elevate Gold and let all other processing work... they enabled for MCS but forgot to enable F upgrade purchase
- Easy IT change.2) Implement a comp F upgrade at the gate, old style. Don't the gate agents have any visibility into a list of passengers with status? Can they just manually work down the tiers and hand out upgrades? (whisper: it's OK if they have to make arbitrary picks within an elite level - better than nothing.) - Pure policy change, no IT needed.
As an aside, I'm under the impression that AS elites do actually have access to the VX upgrade window during OLCI, but only when booking directly with VX, not when booking with Alaska as a codeshare. (Since codeshared bookings never had the ability to upgrade in advance on VX's previous partners.) I didn't have a problem accessing a paid upgrade in my window when I went to the airport in person, but I'm not going to even entertain the idea that that's a reasonable solution for anyone who doesn't pass by the airport each way on their daily commute and enjoys stopping by to watch the planes sometimes like I do. So, yeah, some workarounds, but still a lame situation.
On #2 , I think that that is a terrible idea. Sure, from a dispassionate point of view on a hypothetical flight, it's better to give some elites something rather than none anything, but I can't imagine the ire that'll be unleashed when someone feels that they should be next on the unofficial, nonexistent list, and the agent picks someone else. Explicit upgrade lists can get contentious when it's a system they supposedly can't override. Making it a gate agent's arbitrary call is just asking for them to face verbal abuse. Imagine an agent saying to an irate, stressed out, do-you-know-how-much-money-I've-spent-with-your-airline customer "Isn't it better that we gave the upgrade to someone, even if it wasn't you?" A terrible experience for the customer, the agent, and (if they're present) the customer who got the upgrade. And what happens when one agent says they'll do one thing and then another does something else? Both completely adhering to the policy. Yeah, no.
Mar 8, 2018, 8:04 am
#471
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Seattle WA
Programs: AS 100K, Marriott LT Platinum
Posts: 1,828
As an aside, I'm under the impression that AS elites do actually have access to the VX upgrade window during OLCI, but only when booking directly with VX, not when booking with Alaska as a codeshare. (Since codeshared bookings never had the ability to upgrade in advance on VX's previous partners.)
AS elites who buy at AScom or anywhere else can call at the corresponding VX upgrade window (e.g. D-24 for 75ks and Golds) and buy up into F on the phone, taking advantage of the exclusive window and not having to wait until the airport.
This was easy as could be a year ago; may be harder now that the phones are answered by AS agents who aren't used to VX nuances.
Mar 8, 2018, 8:23 am
#472
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: SJC / DPS
Programs: AS G75K, UA Silver
Posts: 1,757
This! The only people who get *online* buy-up offers into VX F are those who bought their tickets at VXcom. It has always been that way.
AS elites who buy at AScom or anywhere else can call at the corresponding VX upgrade window (e.g. D-24 for 75ks and Golds) and buy up into F on the phone, taking advantage of the exclusive window and not having to wait until the airport.
This was easy as could be a year ago; may be harder now that the phones are answered by AS agents who aren't used to VX nuances.
AS elites who buy at AScom or anywhere else can call at the corresponding VX upgrade window (e.g. D-24 for 75ks and Golds) and buy up into F on the phone, taking advantage of the exclusive window and not having to wait until the airport.
This was easy as could be a year ago; may be harder now that the phones are answered by AS agents who aren't used to VX nuances.
Mar 9, 2018, 6:27 am
#473
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
On #2 , I think that that is a terrible idea. Sure, from a dispassionate point of view on a hypothetical flight, it's better to give some elites something rather than none anything, but I can't imagine the ire that'll be unleashed when someone feels that they should be next on the unofficial, nonexistent list, and the agent picks someone else. Explicit upgrade lists can get contentious when it's a system they supposedly can't override. Making it a gate agent's arbitrary call is just asking for them to face verbal abuse. Imagine an agent saying to an irate, stressed out, do-you-know-how-much-money-I've-spent-with-your-airline customer "Isn't it better that we gave the upgrade to someone, even if it wasn't you?" A terrible experience for the customer, the agent, and (if they're present) the customer who got the upgrade. And what happens when one agent says they'll do one thing and then another does something else? Both completely adhering to the policy. Yeah, no.
In the "old" days that I remember, every comp upgrade was an op-up and handed out willy-nilly (I got a few myself or with coupons sent to me in the mail pre FF program days). That's why some of these online articles are still touting the old "just ask" approach. Also, most people don't notice who is getting upgraded and why, it is just a quiet passing of a BP across the counter. Also, how does a complainer know they are more entitled than the one who got an upgrade? We all wonder now with watching the upgrade list and all its quirks.
May 31, 2018, 12:50 pm
#475
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: SEA, but up and down the coast a lot
Programs: Oceanic Airlines Gold Elite
Posts: 20,392
There are reports of stragglers, but I wouldn't count on it (and I'm going to ask that this thread be closed because MCS is deader than a Norwegian Blue).
https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/alas...-aircraft.html
https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/alas...-aircraft.html