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!
May 13, 2018, 7:02 am
#736
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: Pacific Wonderland
Programs: ʙᴏɴᴠo̱ʏ Au, IHG Au, HH Dia, Nexus, Pilot FlyingJ Preferred
Posts: 5,336
1) not sure since I signed up before there was a minimum spend
2) see #1 but I assume after the statement cuts when the 1K spend is met
Miles and initial companion code will both post following the statement close as answer for #2 .
3) the sign up bonus does not count towards elite status
. Unfortunately I already had the card so had to requal the BIS way.
May 13, 2018, 9:01 am
#737
Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: Between SFO and STS
Programs: Alaska MVP Gold, United Serf, Delta Gold
Posts: 731
Gold is always 4 flights away: SFO/LAX-DXB-AKL r/t in EK F!
May 13, 2018, 10:41 am
#738
Join Date: May 2018
Posts: 2
Thank you for the replies. I tried to quote and ask more questions but I guess I don't have that privilege yet?
So am I better off saving and building on the 30k miles for a family trip next year?
So am I better off saving and building on the 30k miles for a family trip next year?
May 13, 2018, 7:21 pm
#739
Join Date: May 2018
Location: Probably on a flight.
Programs: WoH Glob, HH Diamond, Bonvoy Titanium
Posts: 197
Pretty sure the answer is going to be no, BUT
I have a trip with 3 different PNR
AS MSY-SFO (F)
SQ SFO-HKG (F)
SQ HKG-SIN, SIN-BKK (F)
Any chance the check in at MSY will let me through check to BKK? I expect my bag will be overweight for AS and have to pay $75 but I will not be anywhere near my weight allowance for the rest of the journey on SQ
I have a trip with 3 different PNR
AS MSY-SFO (F)
SQ SFO-HKG (F)
SQ HKG-SIN, SIN-BKK (F)
Any chance the check in at MSY will let me through check to BKK? I expect my bag will be overweight for AS and have to pay $75 but I will not be anywhere near my weight allowance for the rest of the journey on SQ
May 13, 2018, 7:32 pm
#740
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: SEA
Programs: Hilton/Marriott Gold, Accor Silver
Posts: 2,036
Pretty sure the answer is going to be no, BUT
I have a trip with 3 different PNR
AS MSY-SFO (F)
SQ SFO-HKG (F)
SQ HKG-SIN, SIN-BKK (F)
Any chance the check in at MSY will let me through check to BKK? I expect my bag will be overweight for AS and have to pay $75 but I will not be anywhere near my weight allowance for the rest of the journey on SQ
I have a trip with 3 different PNR
AS MSY-SFO (F)
SQ SFO-HKG (F)
SQ HKG-SIN, SIN-BKK (F)
Any chance the check in at MSY will let me through check to BKK? I expect my bag will be overweight for AS and have to pay $75 but I will not be anywhere near my weight allowance for the rest of the journey on SQ
May 13, 2018, 11:05 pm
#741
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: SF Bay Area
Programs: AA LT PLT 3 MM+, BA (very) Blue, CO nobody
Posts: 2,640
Can I upgrade a paid domestic ticket from Y to J using miles? If so, how many miles for an SFO-DCA ticket upgrade?
Can this be done (with both tickets) on the promo companion ticket for $99 (through Alaska Visa card)?
TIA
Can this be done (with both tickets) on the promo companion ticket for $99 (through Alaska Visa card)?
TIA
Last edited by Paulchili; May 13, 2018 at 11:12 pm
May 14, 2018, 4:36 am
#742
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: BOS/ORH
Programs: AS 75K
Posts: 18,323
when you search for flights select miles from upgrade option to get a fare that is eligible (usually its close to full flex fare) Look for the blue box with an F to see if space is available for upgrade. 2 people on an 8 seat former vx plane is probably not likely. Upgrade space may never show up. It's 15k points per person each way.
https://www.alaskaair.com/content/mileage-plan/use-miles/first-class-upgrades
May 14, 2018, 10:02 am
#743
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: YVR, HNL
Programs: AS 75k, UA peon, BA Bronze, AC E50k, Marriott Plat, HH Diamond, Fairmont Plat (RIP)
Posts: 7,828
when you search for flights select miles from upgrade option to get a fare that is eligible (usually its close to full flex fare) Look for the blue box with an F to see if space is available for upgrade. 2 people on an 8 seat former vx plane is probably not likely. Upgrade space may never show up. It's 15k points per person each way.
https://www.alaskaair.com/content/mi...class-upgrades
when you search for flights select miles from upgrade option to get a fare that is eligible (usually its close to full flex fare) Look for the blue box with an F to see if space is available for upgrade. 2 people on an 8 seat former vx plane is probably not likely. Upgrade space may never show up. It's 15k points per person each way.
https://www.alaskaair.com/content/mi...class-upgrades
Not only is it unlikely that 2 x U will appear on that aircraft type, but also the cost of upfaring from presumably the lowest coach fare that you purchased to a Y, S, B, M, or H fare (the classes eligible for miles upgrade) will probably be quite high. You might get an offer to buy up to F at check in, but now that complimentary upgrades for elites are possible, even that is much less likely than in the past.
May 14, 2018, 10:17 am
#744
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: SF Bay Area
Programs: AA LT PLT 3 MM+, BA (very) Blue, CO nobody
Posts: 2,640
Thank you both for your good explanations.
Sounds like if I want to fly F, I will just have to pay for it
Sounds like if I want to fly F, I will just have to pay for it
May 14, 2018, 11:17 am
#745
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: BOS/ORH
Programs: AS 75K
Posts: 18,323
May 14, 2018, 3:49 pm
#746
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: SF Bay Area
Programs: AA LT PLT 3 MM+, BA (very) Blue, CO nobody
Posts: 2,640
BTW, I must say that this board seems the most friendly of the many boards I have visited over the years and also most prompt in helpfully replying to my inquiries - THANK YOU.
I think I will like my move from AA to AS.
May 14, 2018, 3:55 pm
#747
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: YVR, HNL
Programs: AS 75k, UA peon, BA Bronze, AC E50k, Marriott Plat, HH Diamond, Fairmont Plat (RIP)
Posts: 7,828
May 14, 2018, 8:26 pm
#748
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: British Columbia
Programs: AS MVPG100K, Marriott Marriott Titanium Elite, Hilton Gold
Posts: 7,263
May 16, 2018, 7:32 am
#749
Join Date: Nov 2014
Posts: 597
Paid First Class Upgrade Change in Policy?
I've taken advantage of the cheap paid last minute upgrade option in the past, and was in for a surprise this morning. Nothing like a $100 upgrade - when available - on a transcon.
I went to check in and upgrade on a BWI-SAN flight, and expected to find the $100 upgrade fee. Instead, half a dozen seats were available, but the fee was something like $215.
Is this something new, and have the three tier paid upgrade fees - based on distance - gone away?
Also, there had been a $59 charge to upgrade to premium class on this flight until today. Now that fee has gone up to $99.
Is there some change in policy?
I went to check in and upgrade on a BWI-SAN flight, and expected to find the $100 upgrade fee. Instead, half a dozen seats were available, but the fee was something like $215.
Is this something new, and have the three tier paid upgrade fees - based on distance - gone away?
Also, there had been a $59 charge to upgrade to premium class on this flight until today. Now that fee has gone up to $99.
Is there some change in policy?
May 16, 2018, 7:46 am
#750
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: BOS/ORH
Programs: AS 75K
Posts: 18,323
I've taken advantage of the cheap paid last minute upgrade option in the past, and was in for a surprise this morning. Nothing like a $100 upgrade - when available - on a transcon.
I went to check in and upgrade on a BWI-SAN flight, and expected to find the $100 upgrade fee. Instead, half a dozen seats were available, but the fee was something like $215.
Is this something new, and have the three tier paid upgrade fees - based on distance - gone away?
Also, there had been a $59 charge to upgrade to premium class on this flight until today. Now that fee has gone up to $99.
Is there some change in policy?
I went to check in and upgrade on a BWI-SAN flight, and expected to find the $100 upgrade fee. Instead, half a dozen seats were available, but the fee was something like $215.
Is this something new, and have the three tier paid upgrade fees - based on distance - gone away?
Also, there had been a $59 charge to upgrade to premium class on this flight until today. Now that fee has gone up to $99.
Is there some change in policy?
