Jan 1, 2018, 3:17 pm
Last edit by: Baze
Welcome to the Alaska Airlines Flame-Free Q&A Thread for 2018!
Anyone is welcome to ask anything, even the most basic questions, in this thread without having to fear a snarky response. In this thread, there's no such thing as a dumb question--we were all new to Alaska Airlines, FlyerTalk, and even the whole idea of mileage programs once and needed some help navigating the ropes. We're here to help you do just that!
That said, if you want to do a little reading to see if your question has been previously discussed, links to some of the most common and extensive topics in this forum are listed in our FAQ thread -- click here to check it out.
Special care will be given in this thread to trying to provide answers in a clear manner with minimal use of acronyms and jargon.
If you need to contact someone for help, here's a current list of our forum's team:
Ambassadors (Our Greeters--members who have specifically volunteered to welcome and mentor newbies and monitor this thread):
ANC RED-EYE
baliktad
beckoa
golfingboy
Moderators (Our Janitors--members who have volunteered to do housekeeping/keep the forum in order)
ryandc99
jackal
You are welcome to send a private message to any of these individuals for assistance, but you'll generally get a faster response and broader palette of answers if you simply post your inquiry here in this thread.
Note to FlyerTalk members who enjoy the ability to take advantage of loopholes--if someone posts something that exposes information you'd rather not be public, please remember this is a Flame-Free thread, and harsh or snarky posts are not permitted. Although FlyerTalk itself does not censor posts that share information, members are free to edit their own posts to remove information. If you wish to request any poster to remove information they have shared publicly, please do so politely and respectfully.
Welcome, and we look forward to providing any assistance we can!
~the Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan forum team~
For the 2016 version of this thread, please click here
For the 2017 version of this thread, please click here
Anyone is welcome to ask anything, even the most basic questions, in this thread without having to fear a snarky response. In this thread, there's no such thing as a dumb question--we were all new to Alaska Airlines, FlyerTalk, and even the whole idea of mileage programs once and needed some help navigating the ropes. We're here to help you do just that!
That said, if you want to do a little reading to see if your question has been previously discussed, links to some of the most common and extensive topics in this forum are listed in our FAQ thread -- click here to check it out.
Special care will be given in this thread to trying to provide answers in a clear manner with minimal use of acronyms and jargon.
If you need to contact someone for help, here's a current list of our forum's team:
Ambassadors (Our Greeters--members who have specifically volunteered to welcome and mentor newbies and monitor this thread):
ANC RED-EYE
baliktad
beckoa
golfingboy
Moderators (Our Janitors--members who have volunteered to do housekeeping/keep the forum in order)
ryandc99
jackal
You are welcome to send a private message to any of these individuals for assistance, but you'll generally get a faster response and broader palette of answers if you simply post your inquiry here in this thread.
Note to FlyerTalk members who enjoy the ability to take advantage of loopholes--if someone posts something that exposes information you'd rather not be public, please remember this is a Flame-Free thread, and harsh or snarky posts are not permitted. Although FlyerTalk itself does not censor posts that share information, members are free to edit their own posts to remove information. If you wish to request any poster to remove information they have shared publicly, please do so politely and respectfully.
Welcome, and we look forward to providing any assistance we can!
~the Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan forum team~
For the 2016 version of this thread, please click here
For the 2017 version of this thread, please click here
2018 Alaska Airlines *FLAME-FREE* Q&A thread: all welcome, new and old!
Jan 19, 2018, 10:09 am
#106
Join Date: Jul 2016
Location: MSP
Posts: 165
Seatguru https://www.seatguru.com/airlines/Al..._737-800_E.php shows them all as equal, except 10A which doesn't have a window.
Also question about upgrading to first class - it looks like if there are any seats available they will open up 24 hour to departure? How often does this actually happen or do they tend to be already gone by that time?
Jan 19, 2018, 11:48 am
#107
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: Pacific Wonderland
Programs: ʙᴏɴᴠo̱ʏ Au, IHG Au, HH Dia, Nexus, Pilot FlyingJ Preferred
Posts: 5,336
Thanks, I did check there but wanted to ask here as well.
Also question about upgrading to first class - it looks like if there are any seats available they will open up 24 hour to departure? How often does this actually happen or do they tend to be already gone by that time?
Also question about upgrading to first class - it looks like if there are any seats available they will open up 24 hour to departure? How often does this actually happen or do they tend to be already gone by that time?
In order to get an offer at OLCI, U needs to be 1 or higher, not just an unsold First seat. If there's empty F seats with no one on the upgrade list, it's possible that the gate agent will offer (or on request) or they may just decide to send the flight out with an empty seat. OLCI right at T-24, see if it offers! You can alway abort the check-in and try again later.
Jan 19, 2018, 1:18 pm
#108
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: MCI
Programs: AA Gold 1MM, AS MVP, UA Silver, WN A-List, Marriott LT Titanium, HH Diamond
Posts: 52,570
Sometimes those midcons have paid F at $125-ish above the coach fare. If you're willing to OLCI-upgrade, you might look for a flight where this is the case and book it outright instead of hoping for a U seat. Nice mileage/EQM posting, better choice of seats, and access to the lounge.
Ex-MCI to PDX or SEA, I can often buy F in the $100-125 range. (Say, $200 for Y and $325 for F.)
Ex-MCI to PDX or SEA, I can often buy F in the $100-125 range. (Say, $200 for Y and $325 for F.)
Jan 19, 2018, 2:16 pm
#109
Join Date: Jul 2016
Location: MSP
Posts: 165
Sorry but what does "U needs to be 1 or higher" mean?
I feel like I need some sort of flyer talk dictionary haha
I feel like I need some sort of flyer talk dictionary haha
Jan 19, 2018, 2:27 pm
#110
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: SEA
Programs: Hilton/Marriott Gold, Accor Silver
Posts: 2,036
And this is AS-specific terminology. I'm sure other airlines use U for their upgrade space too, but my CX business class award booked into their U bucket.
Jan 19, 2018, 4:49 pm
#111
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Seattle, WA, USA
Programs: AS MVP Gold 75K, Marriott Lifetime Titanium
Posts: 1,598
I did some dummy reservations and I'm running into what you are.
5/9/18 has FCO-JFK-LAX all in Business
If i try 5/30 JFK-LAX i get space but when i try to combine with the 5/9 space FCO-JFK i get no luck.
I wonder if award rules with AA changed with the partnership update 1/1. For instance AA doesn't allow their own members to have stop-over on any award, perhaps AA is pushing the same restriction on those booked with AS points.
My only other guess is the search itself is pulling the seat from inventory, i know on the American website if you get so far in the booking process, the inventory is temporarily reduced
5/9/18 has FCO-JFK-LAX all in Business
If i try 5/30 JFK-LAX i get space but when i try to combine with the 5/9 space FCO-JFK i get no luck.
I wonder if award rules with AA changed with the partnership update 1/1. For instance AA doesn't allow their own members to have stop-over on any award, perhaps AA is pushing the same restriction on those booked with AS points.
My only other guess is the search itself is pulling the seat from inventory, i know on the American website if you get so far in the booking process, the inventory is temporarily reduced
Jan 19, 2018, 9:00 pm
#112
Join Date: Aug 2017
Posts: 1,610
I had an excellent experience with an in-flight agent - is there a link to show our appreciation?
Jan 19, 2018, 9:06 pm
#113
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: YVR, HNL
Programs: AS 75k, UA peon, BA Bronze, AC E50k, Marriott Plat, HH Diamond, Fairmont Plat (RIP)
Posts: 7,832
Or you can access the survey here: https://survey.alaskalistens.com/#/survey1
Jan 19, 2018, 10:50 pm
#114
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
Just got the following in my inbox today:
<snip>
Additionally, thank you for your kudo for our crew member, <redacted>. I am pleased to share your compliment with his supervisor so that he may be recognized for the outstanding service provided to you.
</snip>
Additionally, thank you for your kudo for our crew member, <redacted>. I am pleased to share your compliment with his supervisor so that he may be recognized for the outstanding service provided to you.
</snip>
Jan 20, 2018, 9:19 am
#115
Join Date: Oct 2017
Programs: AS MVP, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 191
U is the fare bucket AS uses for first class upgrades. It's entirely possible that AS could have three F fares open and three U for a given flight, or three F and zero U. Sometimes they have F and P inventory but hold out on opening up U space to try to get more paid fares, and in that case you can't upgrade, whether by paying (except by upfaring your reservation to a first-class ticket), using a GGU, or through status.
And this is AS-specific terminology. I'm sure other airlines use U for their upgrade space too, but my CX business class award booked into their U bucket.
And this is AS-specific terminology. I'm sure other airlines use U for their upgrade space too, but my CX business class award booked into their U bucket.
Jan 20, 2018, 10:04 am
#116
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: Pacific Wonderland
Programs: ʙᴏɴᴠo̱ʏ Au, IHG Au, HH Dia, Nexus, Pilot FlyingJ Preferred
Posts: 5,336
Either a subscription tool like ExpertFlyer or select any Upgrade Type on the search box on alaskaair.com on a dummy booking (doesn't matter which type, just want to get U to display) and look for solid blue box with a white F by the flight. If you search for one person and a blue F box, there's at least U1. Search for two seats and a blue F box, at least U2. White box with blue F means U=0.
In the example below U is not available for AS36, but it is for AS37. Since I was just searching for 1 seat, it's U1 or higher for AS37.
ETA: Can't use MVP in the Upgrade type for more than one seat, and use Gold Guest Upgrade for three or more seats. The website logic won't allow MVP as the upgrade type when searching for two seats and such due to assumptions that you actually want those type of upgrades, rather than just the fare classes and searching.
In the example below U is not available for AS36, but it is for AS37. Since I was just searching for 1 seat, it's U1 or higher for AS37.
ETA: Can't use MVP in the Upgrade type for more than one seat, and use Gold Guest Upgrade for three or more seats. The website logic won't allow MVP as the upgrade type when searching for two seats and such due to assumptions that you actually want those type of upgrades, rather than just the fare classes and searching.
Jan 20, 2018, 2:38 pm
#117
Join Date: Oct 2017
Programs: AS MVP, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 191
Thanks, very helpful! And selecting MVP just shows the price for a ticket that is eligible for instant upgrade, correct?
Jan 20, 2018, 3:55 pm
#118
Join Date: Oct 2012
Programs: AS MVP, BA
Posts: 300
Does Cathay Pacific open up J seats closer to the Departure date similar to JAL?
Also, anybody have any insight on how comfortable CX premium economy is?
Also, anybody have any insight on how comfortable CX premium economy is?
Jan 20, 2018, 10:03 pm
#119
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: SEA
Programs: Hilton/Marriott Gold, Accor Silver
Posts: 2,036
Last edited by jinglish; Jan 20, 2018 at 10:29 pm
Jan 22, 2018, 9:55 am
#120
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: MSP
Programs: Marriott Platinum, DL Silver
Posts: 20
I'm brand new to AS, and recently got my UA Gold matched to AS MVP Gold. I received 4 Gold Guest Upgrades as part of the match.
I have a work trip coming up (it's a prize trip to Cabo with some work functions sprinkled in). We are supposed to book through Concur to take advantage of negotiated rates/fares. Obviously the company won't shell out for first class, but I'd like to make the trip fun for the wife and I by upgrading using our Gold Guest Upgrades. The current fares showing up on Concur are in the G/R/T range, which are obviously not conducive to using a Guest Upgrade. Has anyone had success booking a G/R/T fare, then "buying up" a fare class to get to a Guest Upgrade-eligible one? If I was using the AS site to book, I'd obviously select the option to automatically choose the applicable fare class, but Concur won't let me do that (probably for good reason). The flights in question have plenty of upgrade space per ExpertFlyer.
I have a work trip coming up (it's a prize trip to Cabo with some work functions sprinkled in). We are supposed to book through Concur to take advantage of negotiated rates/fares. Obviously the company won't shell out for first class, but I'd like to make the trip fun for the wife and I by upgrading using our Gold Guest Upgrades. The current fares showing up on Concur are in the G/R/T range, which are obviously not conducive to using a Guest Upgrade. Has anyone had success booking a G/R/T fare, then "buying up" a fare class to get to a Guest Upgrade-eligible one? If I was using the AS site to book, I'd obviously select the option to automatically choose the applicable fare class, but Concur won't let me do that (probably for good reason). The flights in question have plenty of upgrade space per ExpertFlyer.