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
Aug 27, 2017, 10:29 am
#91
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: Pacific Wonderland
Programs: ʙᴏɴᴠo̱ʏ Au, IHG Au, HH Dia, Nexus, Pilot FlyingJ Preferred
Posts: 5,336
Two things I noticed when checking in just now for my flight tomorrow morning:
1) It still wants to charge me $39 for SFO-SAN MCE. Maybe I'm misunderstanding how these seats are released at check-in for elites?
2) It does recognize my status, as my BP now says MVP GOLD 75K on the both top next to the PreCheck logo, and again where they print the ffp.
1) It still wants to charge me $39 for SFO-SAN MCE. Maybe I'm misunderstanding how these seats are released at check-in for elites?
2) It does recognize my status, as my BP now says MVP GOLD 75K on the both top next to the PreCheck logo, and again where they print the ffp.
Aug 27, 2017, 3:00 pm
#92
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 had to call in my MCS request to VX directly at T-24 and I was placed on hold for 25 minutes to process the request. They did not know how to waive the charge. Unbelievable... any training done yet??
Aug 27, 2017, 3:05 pm
#93
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: PDX
Programs: AS 75K, BW Plat, Marriott Gold, IHG Plat, Hilton Gold
Posts: 10,724
The VX call center is notoriously awful....I avoid that all costs. I know I have been able to get seat assignments from their Twitter team...perhaps try that route for the MCS upgrades next time?
Aug 28, 2017, 7:25 am
#94
Join Date: May 2007
Location: WAS
Programs: UA 1K, AA EXP, WN A+, Hyatt Glob, Marriott Amb, Hertz PC
Posts: 1,126
Alaska MVP who flies VX each week...
Was finally able to select any seat, except for MCS for free with the update last week. I was too lazy to call VX to inquire about MCS within 24 hours. However, I went up to the gate at DCA and asked if it'd be possible to get a MCS seat (only if it wouldn't be a middle) as an Alaska MVP. The agent put me on the list as a VX Silver (took 10 seconds) and told me I'd clear around 30 minutes prior to departure (but after boarding since that begins 35-40 minutes before scheduled departure, which is really annoying).
I was paged about 10 minutes prior to boarding and handed a new boarding pass for MCS aisle.
Overall, worked out well with minimal effort. I'm just glad I can select seats in advance without having to pay.
Was finally able to select any seat, except for MCS for free with the update last week. I was too lazy to call VX to inquire about MCS within 24 hours. However, I went up to the gate at DCA and asked if it'd be possible to get a MCS seat (only if it wouldn't be a middle) as an Alaska MVP. The agent put me on the list as a VX Silver (took 10 seconds) and told me I'd clear around 30 minutes prior to departure (but after boarding since that begins 35-40 minutes before scheduled departure, which is really annoying).
I was paged about 10 minutes prior to boarding and handed a new boarding pass for MCS aisle.
Overall, worked out well with minimal effort. I'm just glad I can select seats in advance without having to pay.
Aug 28, 2017, 4:46 pm
#95
Join Date: Sep 2001
Programs: Alaska Tanzanite 100K
Posts: 3,858
its also nice not having to pay for alcohol on VX 
Although I do like the unlimited food / beverage offerings on VX compared to our G75 benefit in Y on AS. I've been mixing the margarita mix with sprite & tequila with lime..
Although I do like the unlimited food / beverage offerings on VX compared to our G75 benefit in Y on AS. I've been mixing the margarita mix with sprite & tequila with lime..
Aug 28, 2017, 5:41 pm
#96
Join Date: Sep 2001
Programs: Alaska Tanzanite 100K
Posts: 3,858
... and my upgrade for MCS tomorrow just cleared. Was able to select a window in row 3. I had to go to virginamerica.com, though, to select my seat.
It also seems we have the same PNRs now, ie - they've synchronized between Alaska & Virgin.
It also seems we have the same PNRs now, ie - they've synchronized between Alaska & Virgin.
Aug 28, 2017, 6:47 pm
#97
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: PDX
Programs: AS 75K, BW Plat, Marriott Gold, IHG Plat, Hilton Gold
Posts: 10,724
So when the upgrade clears it doesn't automatically assign a seat? I thought that was the negative of being automatically cleared--the potential for a middle.
Aug 29, 2017, 10:45 am
#98
Join Date: Oct 1999
Location: Denver, Colorado, USA
Programs: AS MVP 100K, UA PremEx-MM
Posts: 3,335
DEN-SFO-DEN Update
Regarding my VX flights DEN-SFO-DEN today: nothing seemed to change at the 24-hour mark; on the VX site it indicated no upgrades available to MCS or F. I called AS and the agent was friendly but misinformed about the VX seats; she did not know that rows 3 and 10 are MCS; she could only offer me rows 4-9 or 11 and up. I already had rows 5 and 6 so I said "thanks" but changed nothing.
This morning I called VX and the also very friendly agent was able to put me in MCS (aisles in row 10, my preference as I dislike bulkhead seats) DEN-SFO and SFO-DEN. I inquired about an upgrade to F and took the offer of $110 SFO-DEN and an aisle seat in row 2. A fair price, I'd say, for a nice seat and dinner. The call took five or six minutes.
So I'll get to try the MCS/F combo. I'll report back.
This morning I called VX and the also very friendly agent was able to put me in MCS (aisles in row 10, my preference as I dislike bulkhead seats) DEN-SFO and SFO-DEN. I inquired about an upgrade to F and took the offer of $110 SFO-DEN and an aisle seat in row 2. A fair price, I'd say, for a nice seat and dinner. The call took five or six minutes.
So I'll get to try the MCS/F combo. I'll report back.
Aug 29, 2017, 4:37 pm
#99
Join Date: Jan 2017
Location: Denver
Programs: AS, AA, UA, Hilton, Marriott, Caesars DE
Posts: 2,070
So I called VX asking to be put on the upgrade list and they said because it was booked with AS it would have to be done on there side, they also wanted an elevate number and I told them that I didn't have one. I'm guessing just HUCA and try a different agent, or am I missing something else?
Aug 29, 2017, 11:22 pm
#103
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
Aug 30, 2017, 10:55 am
#104
Join Date: Aug 2016
Location: SEA
Programs: AS MVPG
Posts: 153
Has anyone tried to select preferred seating when traveling with a non-elite (MVPG and non- on same PNR)? I wasn't able to do it online (I could select free of charge, but VX wanted to charge non-elite passenger). Called in to Alaska and they cleared it up, assigned us both preferred seating without charge.
Aug 30, 2017, 11:33 am
#105
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: Pacific Wonderland
Programs: ʙᴏɴᴠo̱ʏ Au, IHG Au, HH Dia, Nexus, Pilot FlyingJ Preferred
Posts: 5,336