Partnership with Aeromexico is ending on December 31st, 2017
Sep 8, 2017, 6:00 pm
#31
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: ANC
Programs: Alaska 100k
Posts: 1,012
As stated above, the redemptions haven't been available for ~2 years now. It's unfortunate, because prior to that, there was very good availability Y & J on nearly every route. I feel like I remember hearing that one of the reasons they took it redemptions offline initially was because it was a glitch to have so many seats available for awards and called it "technical difficulties".
Sep 9, 2017, 12:36 am
#32
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: US West Coast
Programs: Alaska 100K, Hyatt Gl, Marriott Ti/LTP
Posts: 353
As stated above, the redemptions haven't been available for ~2 years now. It's unfortunate, because prior to that, there was very good availability Y & J on nearly every route. I feel like I remember hearing that one of the reasons they took it redemptions offline initially was because it was a glitch to have so many seats available for awards and called it "technical difficulties".
Sep 9, 2017, 12:42 am
#33
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: US West Coast
Programs: Alaska 100K, Hyatt Gl, Marriott Ti/LTP
Posts: 353
Another possibility that I've heard wished for is for them to find another partner in Mexico, like Interjet. I love this idea, as Interjet provides a fine (if low-frills) experience for a great price. Alaska just added Condor as a partner, so they're clearly not afraid to hook up with decent-quality budget carriers.
Sep 9, 2017, 7:24 am
#34
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: YYZ, HKG, MFM
Programs: AC35K, AS MVP, WS Gold, ITA EP, Marriott Plat, Hyatt-Explorist, IHG Diamond
Posts: 2,019
Too bad AS is slowly losing the SkyTeam partners. I hope they don't lose AF/KLM and KE because I do fly them once awhile (maybe once per two years), and don't want to collect Skypeso 
Sep 10, 2017, 12:58 am
#35
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: SEA
Programs: AS G100K, DL PM, IHG Gold, HHonors Diamond
Posts: 843
I don't like skypeso, too, but I am afraid losing valuable partners is a trend rather than occasional strategic adjustments. My biggest problem is losing coverage to domestic secondary cities beyond the west coast due to losing DL and AA partnerships. If we lose KE, my TPAC flights will probably all have to go to DL. CX doesn't serve SEA. I should be able to renew 75K this year, but I am also going for DL silver this year. I will probably slowly ramp up my DL flights next year to get beyond the silver level if the AS partnership situations continue to deteriorate.
Sep 10, 2017, 1:34 pm
#36
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 1999
Location: Over the Bay Bridge, CA
Programs: Jumbo mas
Posts: 38,638
I recently enrolled in DL, and received a status match (to PM). While I'll never meet the full match, hopefully I'll be able to start next year with at least low tier DL status. I should also keep 75K for 2018, but afterward, it is too soon to tell. With flying patterns of the past few years, MVPG might be it.
Sep 10, 2017, 2:10 pm
#37
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: Pacific Wonderland
Programs: ʙᴏɴᴠo̱ʏ Au, IHG Au, HH Dia, Nexus, Pilot FlyingJ Preferred
Posts: 5,336
I recently enrolled in DL, and received a status match (to PM). While I'll never meet the full match, hopefully I'll be able to start next year with at least low tier DL status. I should also keep 75K for 2018, but afterward, it is too soon to tell. With flying patterns of the past few years, MVPG might be it.
Sep 10, 2017, 7:29 pm
#38
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: SEA
Programs: AS G100K, DL PM, IHG Gold, HHonors Diamond
Posts: 843
I recently enrolled in DL, and received a status match (to PM). While I'll never meet the full match, hopefully I'll be able to start next year with at least low tier DL status. I should also keep 75K for 2018, but afterward, it is too soon to tell. With flying patterns of the past few years, MVPG might be it.
Sep 10, 2017, 9:22 pm
#39
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 1999
Location: Over the Bay Bridge, CA
Programs: Jumbo mas
Posts: 38,638
Sep 11, 2017, 8:04 am
#40
Join Date: May 2013
Location: west coast best coast
Programs: TINDER GOLD, STARBUCKS GOLD, COSTCO EXECUTIVE!!
Posts: 3,989
May be I should look into status match from DL, too. We all love AS but they are trying to act like playing in the big league in front of their loyal flyers while they are not at that level yet. They really need to focus on strengthening the quality of their products on hand before they venture into the majors territory. They were not ready at that time when they wanted to cut ties with DL. I don't think they are ready even now.
The lounges at PDX/LAX are also a joke; there's still no lounge at SFO; and no lounge access for elites on international itineraries. Instead, we get low quality overcrowded lounges that Alaska doubles as revenue from the Priority Pass crowd.
jetBlue might not have lounges, but their product is so much more clear and consistent, and at times, feels like a more cohesive airline and brand than Alaska does.
Alaska doesn't need to start buying A380s or joining airline alliances, nor should they. But they really need to step up.
Sep 11, 2017, 11:45 am
#41
Join Date: Apr 2014
Programs: Coffee Shop Buy 10 Get 1 Free
Posts: 295
With AM loss and semi-divorce with AA it is almost impossible to use or collect miles flying to or around South America. LATAM has a bunch of restrictions on collecting miles (found out when I got no credit LIM-CUZ), and AA dropped a bunch of US to South America routes you can use Mileage Plan miles, you are pretty much SOL getting to/from South America with Alaska. Be nice if they'd add someone else, seems like there are a bunch of options to Asia and Europe now
Sep 11, 2017, 11:57 am
#42
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 1999
Location: Over the Bay Bridge, CA
Programs: Jumbo mas
Posts: 38,638
With AM loss and semi-divorce with AA it is almost impossible to use or collect miles flying to or around South America. LATAM has a bunch of restrictions on collecting miles (found out when I got no credit LIM-CUZ), and AA dropped a bunch of US to South America routes you can use Mileage Plan miles, you are pretty much SOL getting to/from South America with Alaska. Be nice if they'd add someone else, seems like there are a bunch of options to Asia and Europe now
Sep 11, 2017, 1:29 pm
#43
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: BOS/ORH
Programs: AS 75K
Posts: 18,323
I recently enrolled in DL, and received a status match (to PM). While I'll never meet the full match, hopefully I'll be able to start next year with at least low tier DL status. I should also keep 75K for 2018, but afterward, it is too soon to tell. With flying patterns of the past few years, MVPG might be it.
Sep 11, 2017, 10:12 pm
#44
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: SEA
Programs: AS G100K, DL PM, IHG Gold, HHonors Diamond
Posts: 843
Sep 11, 2017, 10:21 pm
#45
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: SEA
Programs: Hilton/Marriott Gold, Accor Silver
Posts: 2,036
I've heard various stories of what happened behind the scenes in the DL split, but not a single one of them has involved AS saying "nah, we just don't like you anymore."