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 23, 2018, 3:33 pm
#136
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: 52,568
I have a single PNR, four people (including me), to Hawaii in March. Original tickets were $260 each, and I've now refared them twice on the AS website, once a couple weeks ago to $229, and today to $169 each. So in My Wallet, I have eight credits - four for $31 each and four for $60 each.
Is this $91 that I must use for each of the four named pax, or is it $364 I can use for myself on a later ticket? If I apply the funds to one of my regular work trips, will I still get a flight receipt showing the original cost of the flight for expense purposes? Is there any issue with applying 2, 4, or 8 of these credits to a single ticket?
It says I must purchase a ticket with the credits by July 2018, but I assume that means I could be buying in July for a December (or whatever) flight... Is that right?
Is this $91 that I must use for each of the four named pax, or is it $364 I can use for myself on a later ticket? If I apply the funds to one of my regular work trips, will I still get a flight receipt showing the original cost of the flight for expense purposes? Is there any issue with applying 2, 4, or 8 of these credits to a single ticket?
It says I must purchase a ticket with the credits by July 2018, but I assume that means I could be buying in July for a December (or whatever) flight... Is that right?
Jan 23, 2018, 4:44 pm
#137
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: PDX
Programs: AS MVPG
Posts: 608
I have a single PNR, four people (including me), to Hawaii in March. Original tickets were $260 each, and I've now refared them twice on the AS website, once a couple weeks ago to $229, and today to $169 each. So in My Wallet, I have eight credits - four for $31 each and four for $60 each.
Is this $91 that I must use for each of the four named pax, or is it $364 I can use for myself on a later ticket? If I apply the funds to one of my regular work trips, will I still get a flight receipt showing the original cost of the flight for expense purposes? Is there any issue with applying 2, 4, or 8 of these credits to a single ticket?
It says I must purchase a ticket with the credits by July 2018, but I assume that means I could be buying in July for a December (or whatever) flight... Is that right?
Is this $91 that I must use for each of the four named pax, or is it $364 I can use for myself on a later ticket? If I apply the funds to one of my regular work trips, will I still get a flight receipt showing the original cost of the flight for expense purposes? Is there any issue with applying 2, 4, or 8 of these credits to a single ticket?
It says I must purchase a ticket with the credits by July 2018, but I assume that means I could be buying in July for a December (or whatever) flight... Is that right?
Jan 24, 2018, 12:35 pm
#138
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: 52,568
Since they're in your wallet, they're yours to use on any ticket you buy while logged into your account. They're not tied to the original passenger like they are on other airlines. When you buy a ticket, it does show the full ticket price and then the wallet credit applied, so it's useful for using it on business travel and getting reimbursed for the full amount. I do this all the time (granted, I'm the owner, so I'm a pretty flexible!). It's a nice way of getting cash back for a wallet credit. Finally, at purchase, it just applies the balance in your wallet to the total without regard to the individual credits that made up that balance.
Jan 24, 2018, 1:48 pm
#139
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: NYC
Programs: Hilton Diamond, Hyatt Explorist, Jetblue Mosaic, Alaska MVP Gold, National Executive Elite
Posts: 78
For mileage running purposes, could you book a direct flight and then Same Day Confirm to a flight with connections to earn the extra miles from the itinerary? Thanks!
Jan 24, 2018, 1:54 pm
#140
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: SEA
Programs: Hilton/Marriott Gold, Accor Silver
Posts: 2,036
Jan 24, 2018, 9:10 pm
#141
Join Date: Jan 2018
Posts: 12
First Class Upgrade on Virgin Flight
Flying VA transcon next week, matched to MVP Gold in 2018 from VA Elevate Gold - Anyone know if First Class upgrades are/will carry over to VA A321s in current configuration. Or are benefits the same on VA for the time being?
Jan 24, 2018, 10:11 pm
#142
Join Date: Jan 2017
Location: Denver
Programs: AS, AA, UA, Hilton, Marriott, Caesars DE
Posts: 2,070
https://www.alaskaair.com/content/travel-info/alaska-virgin/elite-benefit-schedule
https://www.alaskaair.com/content/mileage-plan/membership-benefits/elite-partner-benefits#virgin-america
Last edited by safari ari; Jan 24, 2018 at 10:17 pm
Jan 24, 2018, 10:18 pm
#143
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: Pacific Wonderland
Programs: ʙᴏɴᴠo̱ʏ Au, IHG Au, HH Dia, Nexus, Pilot FlyingJ Preferred
Posts: 5,336
Benefits are the same on VX as Elevate Gold had- you can request a complimentary MCS upgrade (if you booked into the main cabin) similar to how that previously worked, and then pay for the MCS->F upgrade fee. More in the VX Preferred Seats and Main Cabin Select (MCS) Upgrades Now Available for AS Elites thread.
Complimentary upgrades to First on the VX Airbus are not expected until the VX flight numbers go away in April and those all become native AS flight numbers. AS has not yet announced that complimentary upgrades will be available but there has been U (upgrade fare class) released on those flights and if available, can be upgraded now with either GGUs or an instant upgrade fare class.
Jan 25, 2018, 4:26 am
#144
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: UK
Programs: I go wherever the content takes me.
Posts: 5,698
Hi all,
I’m planning to take Alaska SFO-MSP in First Class, in the summer this year. I’ve got a couple of questions.
1) This flight departs at 11:45 and is operated by an Embraer 175. What will the food be like? Will I get a hot meal in First?
2) Am I right in understanding there’s no lounge at all in SFO? I see there’s a partner lounge operated by CX but this is in the international terminal which I assume I can’t access. Doubt it’s relevant but I’m also OneWorld Emerald with BA. Don’t think I can get in the Admirals Club either?
I’m planning to take Alaska SFO-MSP in First Class, in the summer this year. I’ve got a couple of questions.
1) This flight departs at 11:45 and is operated by an Embraer 175. What will the food be like? Will I get a hot meal in First?
2) Am I right in understanding there’s no lounge at all in SFO? I see there’s a partner lounge operated by CX but this is in the international terminal which I assume I can’t access. Doubt it’s relevant but I’m also OneWorld Emerald with BA. Don’t think I can get in the Admirals Club either?
Jan 25, 2018, 6:23 am
#145
Join Date: Jul 2012
Programs: Delta Gold, Alaska Gold 75K, LATAM Black
Posts: 3,393
Hi all,
I’m planning to take Alaska SFO-MSP in First Class, in the summer this year. I’ve got a couple of questions.
1) This flight departs at 11:45 and is operated by an Embraer 175. What will the food be like? Will I get a hot meal in First?
2) Am I right in understanding there’s no lounge at all in SFO? I see there’s a partner lounge operated by CX but this is in the international terminal which I assume I can’t access. Doubt it’s relevant but I’m also OneWorld Emerald with BA. Don’t think I can get in the Admirals Club either?
I’m planning to take Alaska SFO-MSP in First Class, in the summer this year. I’ve got a couple of questions.
1) This flight departs at 11:45 and is operated by an Embraer 175. What will the food be like? Will I get a hot meal in First?
2) Am I right in understanding there’s no lounge at all in SFO? I see there’s a partner lounge operated by CX but this is in the international terminal which I assume I can’t access. Doubt it’s relevant but I’m also OneWorld Emerald with BA. Don’t think I can get in the Admirals Club either?
No idea about AS SFO lounge but you would not have access to any Oneworld lounge. You would have Alaska lounge access if you purchased F or redeemed miles for F but not if you received a complimentary upgrade.
MB
Jan 25, 2018, 8:11 am
#146
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: BOS/ORH
Programs: AS 75K
Posts: 18,323
For example my flight on 4/27, I grabbed the former Main Cabin Select Seat and i'm waitlisted for First (though Friday evening i'm sure I'll still be in row 3)
Jan 25, 2018, 8:57 am
#147
Join Date: Jan 2017
Location: Denver
Programs: AS, AA, UA, Hilton, Marriott, Caesars DE
Posts: 2,070
Hi all,
I’m planning to take Alaska SFO-MSP in First Class, in the summer this year. I’ve got a couple of questions.
1) This flight departs at 11:45 and is operated by an Embraer 175. What will the food be like? Will I get a hot meal in First?
2) Am I right in understanding there’s no lounge at all in SFO? I see there’s a partner lounge operated by CX but this is in the international terminal which I assume I can’t access. Doubt it’s relevant but I’m also OneWorld Emerald with BA. Don’t think I can get in the Admirals Club either?
I’m planning to take Alaska SFO-MSP in First Class, in the summer this year. I’ve got a couple of questions.
1) This flight departs at 11:45 and is operated by an Embraer 175. What will the food be like? Will I get a hot meal in First?
2) Am I right in understanding there’s no lounge at all in SFO? I see there’s a partner lounge operated by CX but this is in the international terminal which I assume I can’t access. Doubt it’s relevant but I’m also OneWorld Emerald with BA. Don’t think I can get in the Admirals Club either?
"Passengers traveling on a paid First Class or a First Class award ticket (e.g., A, D, F or P class of service) on flights operated by Alaska Airlines have access to Alaska Lounge locations only on their day of flight. These fares do not include entrance agreements into other airline clubrooms. To access the Alaska Lounge, passengers must show their same-day First Class boarding pass to the Alaska Lounge concierge. Passengers traveling on an upgraded ticket booked in U class do not have complementary access to the Alaska Lounge. "
If you have a priority pass you can get access to the KLM/AF lounge in the A terminal (until 12pm I believe), which I believe for your flight you should be leaving out of, but always double check. If you have TSA Pre I have done numerous Centurion lounge visits and walked over to T2 in ~10 minutes. So going from A to T2 isn't the worst trek if you have a lot of time to kill.
Jan 26, 2018, 6:37 am
#148
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: UK
Programs: I go wherever the content takes me.
Posts: 5,698
You won't have access to a lounge via your F ticket.
"Passengers traveling on a paid First Class or a First Class award ticket (e.g., A, D, F or P class of service) on flights operated by Alaska Airlines have access to Alaska Lounge locations only on their day of flight. These fares do not include entrance agreements into other airline clubrooms. To access the Alaska Lounge, passengers must show their same-day First Class boarding pass to the Alaska Lounge concierge. Passengers traveling on an upgraded ticket booked in U class do not have complementary access to the Alaska Lounge. "
If you have a priority pass you can get access to the KLM/AF lounge in the A terminal (until 12pm I believe), which I believe for your flight you should be leaving out of, but always double check. If you have TSA Pre I have done numerous Centurion lounge visits and walked over to T2 in ~10 minutes. So going from A to T2 isn't the worst trek if you have a lot of time to kill.
"Passengers traveling on a paid First Class or a First Class award ticket (e.g., A, D, F or P class of service) on flights operated by Alaska Airlines have access to Alaska Lounge locations only on their day of flight. These fares do not include entrance agreements into other airline clubrooms. To access the Alaska Lounge, passengers must show their same-day First Class boarding pass to the Alaska Lounge concierge. Passengers traveling on an upgraded ticket booked in U class do not have complementary access to the Alaska Lounge. "
If you have a priority pass you can get access to the KLM/AF lounge in the A terminal (until 12pm I believe), which I believe for your flight you should be leaving out of, but always double check. If you have TSA Pre I have done numerous Centurion lounge visits and walked over to T2 in ~10 minutes. So going from A to T2 isn't the worst trek if you have a lot of time to kill.
I am a British citizen and resident so I don’t have TSA Pre unfortunately.
Jan 26, 2018, 8:33 am
#149
Join Date: Jan 2017
Location: Denver
Programs: AS, AA, UA, Hilton, Marriott, Caesars DE
Posts: 2,070
Virgin America, (which Alaska bought) flies out of T2, and a few months ago Alaska moved their Seattle flights to T2, but beforehand all Alaska flights were flying out of the International A gates. Looking at the last few flights on that route of SFO-MSP, it seems they have been departing from the A international terminal. So at this time, you will have a lounge in the A terminal where your flight is currently departing from, but since you do not fly until Summer the departing terminal may change, so just be aware beforehand.
Jan 26, 2018, 8:37 am
#150
Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: Between SFO and STS
Programs: Alaska MVP Gold, United Serf, Delta Gold
Posts: 731
AS exclusively operated out of the international terminal pre-merger. There are a few hold overs that still depart from there - usually flights to Mexico and for some reason the flight to MSP. But, definitely check the day of travel. Maybe someone crafty thinks MSP is in the artic tundra (which it is)!?