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 7, 2017, 5:48 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Las Vegas NV
Programs: BA Gold; Marriott Gold ; Hilton Gold
Posts: 44
VX Preferred Seats and Main Cabin Select (MCS) Upgrades Now Available for AS Elites
First time on VX with an Alaska ticket. I know that VX golds can upgrade to First w/in 24 hours of flight and silvers can upgrade w/in 12 hours, all others at T-6 hours.
What is the timeframe to upgrade into VX first for Alaska elites?
What is the timeframe to upgrade into VX first for Alaska elites?
Aug 7, 2017, 5:59 pm
#2
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: Pacific Wonderland
Programs: ʙᴏɴᴠo̱ʏ Au, IHG Au, HH Dia, Nexus, Pilot FlyingJ Preferred
Posts: 5,336
ETA: timeline for benefits, "Summer 2017" for preferred seating/MCS upgrades/advance F upgrade purchase. Nothing more definitive yet. https://www.alaskaair.com/content/tr...-schedule.aspx
Aug 7, 2017, 7:26 pm
#4
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 1999
Location: Ewa Beach, Hawaii
Posts: 10,909
Aug 10, 2017, 5:16 pm
#7
Join Date: Jan 2013
Programs: United, Marriott
Posts: 57
Agreed. Alaska is taking their PNW elites for granted and hoping to convert some LAX/SFO regulars. My most recent VX experience sucked. I'll be happy to see them dead.
Aug 10, 2017, 8:57 pm
#8
Suspended
Join Date: Jul 2016
Location: NY
Programs: AA EXPLT; AS 75k; B6 Mosaic; UA Gold; Hyatt Diamond; Marriott/SPG Platinum; Hilton Gold; Hertz PC
Posts: 54
Same! I wrote about my first/second/third VX experiences as an AS 75k over in their forum here: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/virgi...trying-vx.html
I think what was most offensive to me was having my luggage removed from the first class bins (I was flying full fare first) and relocated to row 8 in Main Cabin... to make room for a "valued Elevate Silver member". (I would add, when I went to the SFO VX "Service Center" to politely complain about that, I was told "We understand that would be frustrating and we would welcome you to consider booking with another airline.")
I just accidentally made B6 Mosaic in addition to my AS 75k and my AA EXPLT... Given my experiences on VX metal, I may just shift all my non-AA loyalty next year to B5. Not as many flights to Seattle, but the Mint hard product... *swoons*
I think what was most offensive to me was having my luggage removed from the first class bins (I was flying full fare first) and relocated to row 8 in Main Cabin... to make room for a "valued Elevate Silver member". (I would add, when I went to the SFO VX "Service Center" to politely complain about that, I was told "We understand that would be frustrating and we would welcome you to consider booking with another airline.")
I just accidentally made B6 Mosaic in addition to my AS 75k and my AA EXPLT... Given my experiences on VX metal, I may just shift all my non-AA loyalty next year to B5. Not as many flights to Seattle, but the Mint hard product... *swoons*
Last edited by Erik Jacobsen; Aug 25, 2017 at 3:58 pm Reason: BEcause I always typo Jet Blue as B5 instead of B6... =P
Aug 10, 2017, 10:23 pm
#9
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Sunny Seattle
Programs: AS MVPG 75K, HH Diamond
Posts: 539
Aug 10, 2017, 11:05 pm
#11
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Hayden Lake, ID
Programs: AS MVPG 75K, DL Gold, Hilton Gold
Posts: 102
I fly out of GEG and now Delta has enough presence that I have asked for a status match with them. Done with the Eskimo.
Aug 11, 2017, 10:39 am
#12
Join Date: Jan 2013
Programs: United, Marriott
Posts: 57
I have been a totally committed AS fan for years, and 75K flyer for at least the last five years. The airline that I have happily supported for years, and that has also supported me, has crapped on me and the rest of their loyal customers to turn themselves inside out to cater to the VX imports who are apparently more important. Insulting.
I fly out of GEG and now Delta has enough presence that I have asked for a status match with them. Done with the Eskimo.
I fly out of GEG and now Delta has enough presence that I have asked for a status match with them. Done with the Eskimo.
Aug 11, 2017, 11:23 am
#13
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: SFO
Programs: BART Platinum, AA Plat Pro
Posts: 1,158
You are eligible to participate in our Status Match Challenge if you meet ALL of the following critieria:
- You have not received a Status Match or complimentary Medallion Status in the past three years...
Aug 15, 2017, 10:46 pm
#14
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Vancouver, Canada
Programs: Delta Million Miler, Hilton Diamond VIP, Starwood Platinum, Alaska Gold 75K
Posts: 52
My experience as an Alaska MVP Gold 75k flying on Virgin America has also been truly dreadful. They are are an awful airline. I will be delighted to see the Virgin America brand die.
Aug 15, 2017, 11:36 pm
#15
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: BOS
Programs: B6/Mosaic/AF/VX/AS Gold Hertz PC HH Dia. AMEX Plat SPG/Marr Gold Nat. EE FPC Plat
Posts: 833
I have a different experience. As a VX Silver and Gold for four years now, VX pre AS merger was the best domestic airline in NA and I have flown them all. > 300 flights and never an issue. Zero cancels, zero lost bags, experiencing the best flight attendants in > 35 years of international travel, mostly in J or F.
If the current VX experience is not good, it's all on Alaska's management. They own VX now.
Luckily, I am heading to BOS and will enjoy B6, which is superior to AS in every way and Mint, which is sublime.
VX brought fun back to flying. I would never consider AS fun.
If the current VX experience is not good, it's all on Alaska's management. They own VX now.
Luckily, I am heading to BOS and will enjoy B6, which is superior to AS in every way and Mint, which is sublime.
VX brought fun back to flying. I would never consider AS fun.