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
Feb 15, 2018, 8:49 am
#421
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Seattle WA
Programs: AS 100K, Marriott LT Platinum
Posts: 1,828
The AS agent who said "you are automatically added to the [VX] upgrade list" is wrong. I've had good experiences in the past being very specific on the phone and asking "Can you add me to the Virgin upgrade list for Main Cabin Select?" Others here have had good luck using Twitter.
Feb 15, 2018, 10:06 pm
#423
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
Agree going from MCS>F is available by phone within the appropriate elite window. $99 LAX-SFO...umm thanks but no thanks.
Feb 18, 2018, 9:34 am
#424
Join Date: Jan 2017
Location: Denver
Programs: AS, AA, UA, Hilton, Marriott, Caesars DE
Posts: 2,070
Selected the "opt in for MCS" on VX website after booking on AS website. Go to check in 24 hours before, and again my trip is deleted out of my trips. So I have to go find my confirmation code in an email to check in, freaked out for a few minutes thinking I didn't book a return. Outside of that issue, was upgraded to MCS and selected my seat with no issues.
Feb 18, 2018, 9:46 am
#425
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2017
Programs: AS 75K, DL Silver, UA Platinum, Hilton Gold, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Platinum + LT Gold
Posts: 10,447
Feb 18, 2018, 11:03 am
#426
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
Selected the "opt in for MCS" on VX website after booking on AS website. Go to check in 24 hours before, and again my trip is deleted out of my trips. So I have to go find my confirmation code in an email to check in, freaked out for a few minutes thinking I didn't book a return. Outside of that issue, was upgraded to MCS and selected my seat with no issues.
Feb 20, 2018, 2:05 pm
#428
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Anchorage, AK
Programs: Lifetime AS 1MM & MVPG, AS MVPG100K, AA, DL, HH-G
Posts: 8,247
I am flying MCO – LAX on Sunday. If the main cabin select upgrade clears, what is the next step to see if the first class upgrade is available? Also, it appears the cost fluctuates depending on the route. What, if anyone knows, can I expect the fee for the upgrade to be?
Feb 20, 2018, 2:08 pm
#429
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: BOS/ORH
Programs: AS 75K
Posts: 18,323
It should be $240 for transcon as long as MCS upgrade clears first. otherwise it will be $399, You have to call to buy up. My understanding its last seat available so if its for sale as revenue should be upgradable. though cant remember if it still need to wait until 6 hours before departure to purchase.
Feb 20, 2018, 7:37 pm
#430
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
It should be $240 for transcon as long as MCS upgrade clears first. otherwise it will be $399, You have to call to buy up. My understanding its last seat available so if its for sale as revenue should be upgradable. though cant remember if it still need to wait until 6 hours before departure to purchase.
Feb 21, 2018, 8:33 am
#431
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Seattle WA
Programs: AS 100K, Marriott LT Platinum
Posts: 1,828
75k/Golds can do the buy-up to F starting at 24 hrs before departure. I think MVPs should be able to do it at 12 hrs before departure if they're honoring the old Elevate structure. Then open to all starting at 6 hrs.
Feb 21, 2018, 1:23 pm
#432
Join Date: Nov 2015
Location: SNA/LAX, PHL
Programs: AA Gold, AS MVP, WN A-List, Hilton Gold, Hyatt Exp, Hertz PC
Posts: 449
Feb 21, 2018, 1:24 pm
#433
Join Date: Nov 2015
Location: SNA/LAX, PHL
Programs: AA Gold, AS MVP, WN A-List, Hilton Gold, Hyatt Exp, Hertz PC
Posts: 449
It should be $240 for transcon as long as MCS upgrade clears first. otherwise it will be $399, You have to call to buy up. My understanding its last seat available so if its for sale as revenue should be upgradable. though cant remember if it still need to wait until 6 hours before departure to purchase.
Feb 24, 2018, 8:31 pm
#434
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Anchorage, AK
Programs: Lifetime AS 1MM & MVPG, AS MVPG100K, AA, DL, HH-G
Posts: 8,247
It should be $240 for transcon as long as MCS upgrade clears first. otherwise it will be $399, You have to call to buy up. My understanding its last seat available so if its for sale as revenue should be upgradable. though cant remember if it still need to wait until 6 hours before departure to purchase.
Feb 25, 2018, 12:41 am
#435
In Memoriam, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: Benicia CA
Programs: Alaska MVP Gold 75K, AA 3.8MM, UA 1.1MM, enjoying the retired life
Posts: 31,849
I cleared into 10F at the gate at BWI tonight with an open middle seat next to me. I requested the upgrade on-line on the return flight only just over 24 hours out, but the gate agent said my name was not on the list. Even called Alaska last night, when Expert Flyer showed 5 open seats between rows 3 and 10, to try and get cleared when it didn't automatically happen. Agent had to check with her supervisor and reported back to me that all those seats were occupied. I gave up at that point as I've always found EF reliable on available seats when I've moved up to MCS. I didn't request the upgrade on the entire itinerary as there were only middle seats on my first segment SFO-BWI and I don't want MCS bad enough to sit in one of those. Also, not much in terms of perks on a morning flight and I've grown tired of the turkey and sliced egg breakfast sandwich already and just bring something of my own now.
I think the Alaska agents still don't have a good handle on things, and there appears to be a glitch of some sort if you request an upgrade only on the return portion of an itinerary on-line that's not processing the request. I'll be glad when this whole MCS system is done with and the Alaska mainline upgrade system kicks in.
I think the Alaska agents still don't have a good handle on things, and there appears to be a glitch of some sort if you request an upgrade only on the return portion of an itinerary on-line that's not processing the request. I'll be glad when this whole MCS system is done with and the Alaska mainline upgrade system kicks in.
