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!
Oct 19, 2018, 7:29 am
#1351
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: SEA/YVR/BLI
Programs: UA "Lifetime" Gold, AS MVPG100K, OW Emerald, HH Lifetime Diamond, IC Plat, Marriott Gold, Hertz Gold
Posts: 9,489
i would not put all your faith on AS to achieve your end goal. afterall, the partner airline is the one who hold the reins in opening up the seat on the new date, not AS.
if you have another alternative that appeals to you equally, maybe consider grabbing it now, and then get full miles refund from AS.
if you have another alternative that appeals to you equally, maybe consider grabbing it now, and then get full miles refund from AS.
Oct 19, 2018, 11:52 pm
#1352
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: PDX/SFO/BCN/TPE
Programs: Alaska Airlines MVP, United Platinum
Posts: 2
Noob here, long time lurker, second time posting. Questions for the long time Alaska Flyers- has the service and delays been particularly bad in 2018? Background- I was Gold on Virgin America with a ton of miles and a regular flyer on their sfo-pdx route every couple of weeks as well as semi-regular to Chicago and NYC. With the merge of the FF first they removed my status completely then they gave me only MVP instead of MVP Gold which is what I think I should have gotten. In the last 6 months every single Alaska flight I've flown, almost all of them in Virgin planes has been late, several had mechanical issues and once we we re-routed for "lack of fuel". In 6 years of Virgin America I was late 4 times. As the gate agent's temperament has drastically changed from the VA's usually cheerful if not always able to help attitude. My work has started flying me United because of the delays and I've gotten Platinum in just a few months from having nothing. I'm only a few miles away from keeping my MVP on Alaska but thinking of just abandoning them completely. The plus for Alaska is they do seem to give out complimentary upgrades more often than United with half of my flights having been upgraded to premium or first but the delays are killing it for me and they have so many flights right now SFO-PDX. So is this just bumps in the merger or is this how Alaska always is?
Oct 20, 2018, 8:21 am
#1353
Join Date: Nov 2014
Posts: 120
Thanks again for the advice.
Oct 20, 2018, 9:52 am
#1354
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Ocean Beach
Programs: Alaska MPVG75, AAdvantage PlatPro, Hyatt Platinum, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 535
In our case the partner has just canceled the flight on the day ticketed but no alternative was offered.
We called Monday right after getting the email from AS and the agent said they would request a flight from the partner for the following day.
We called back yesterday at the agent's suggestion. Yesterday's agent said an email had been sent to the partner but they'd heard nothing back and that there's "a lot of time" until our flight in early January. It was probably meant to be reassuring but it came across as a little casual.
We've seen one alternative already dry up. I don't know if partner airlines of AS feel any obligation in this kind of situation. I'd welcome a sense of what we can realistically and reasonably expect from AS, so as to know whether we need to look seriously at anything we can find to get us where we want to be in 2 1/2 months.
We called Monday right after getting the email from AS and the agent said they would request a flight from the partner for the following day.
We called back yesterday at the agent's suggestion. Yesterday's agent said an email had been sent to the partner but they'd heard nothing back and that there's "a lot of time" until our flight in early January. It was probably meant to be reassuring but it came across as a little casual.
We've seen one alternative already dry up. I don't know if partner airlines of AS feel any obligation in this kind of situation. I'd welcome a sense of what we can realistically and reasonably expect from AS, so as to know whether we need to look seriously at anything we can find to get us where we want to be in 2 1/2 months.
i would not put all your faith on AS to achieve your end goal. afterall, the partner airline is the one who hold the reins in opening up the seat on the new date, not AS.
if you have another alternative that appeals to you equally, maybe consider grabbing it now, and then get full miles refund from AS.
if you have another alternative that appeals to you equally, maybe consider grabbing it now, and then get full miles refund from AS.
I think the right agent and the partner desk can be helpful. But I agree if you see an acceptable alternative, grab it. Don't rely on AS.
Oct 20, 2018, 12:57 pm
#1355
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: SEA/YVR/BLI
Programs: UA "Lifetime" Gold, AS MVPG100K, OW Emerald, HH Lifetime Diamond, IC Plat, Marriott Gold, Hertz Gold
Posts: 9,489
We've yet to run across a rude AS employee and that sounds like a poor situation for you in a couple of ways, even though you finally got what you requested. Yes, given the advice we were planning to book an alternative that included an extra hotel night and a paid intra-Asia flight.
First, this morning (Saturday) Mrs. Fredd called AS and was put through to a very friendly supervisor at the partner desk. After a very long wait on hold, she told us the partner had just confirmed the substitute flight we'd requested Monday, and she herself processed it, including domestic connections.
That's quite a relief, as we've pre-paid some hotel rooms along the way and our return SQ flight AMD-SIN-EWR is paid.
This is the first international partner flight we've booked on AS points. We've now learned some of the limitations and will plan some escape hatches (e.g. our UA points) the next time.
Oct 20, 2018, 1:21 pm
#1356
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: British Columbia
Programs: AS MVPG100K, Marriott Marriott Titanium Elite, Hilton Gold
Posts: 7,263
Not a big deal, we will both be in J together and both confirmed in JL F from TYO for the return home.
James
[/QUOTE]
Oct 21, 2018, 12:43 am
#1357
Join Date: Feb 2018
Posts: 1
OGG boarding & cutting it close
Aloha flyers, I've been gratefully lurking here for years. Good times.
I'm flying OGG--PDX later this week and have a class (and a quiz) that I'll need to leave early in order to catch my flight. I'm wondering just how early I need to leave.
I was denied boarding on AS a few years back at ORD after a security delay (don't try to take a vitamix in your carry-on) when I arrived at the gate 12 min before scheduled departure. I had to come back the next day, and I learned my lesson.
However, I fly AS out of OGG 5-6 times a year and have noticed they seem to regularly begin the boarding process "late" out of OGG.
Do anyone else have experience with this or have any advice regarding the latest I could safely arrive at the gate for a 12:05 pm flight? I know the obvious answer is 30-40 minutes but in this specific situation, an extra 10-15 minutes would be really valuable. I'm just a little gun shy after the Chicago mishap. I have TSA pre-check and will check my luggage earlier that morning so I'm figuring 20 minutes to get from the curb to the gate considering its a tiny airport and I'll just have a small personal item.
I'm flying OGG--PDX later this week and have a class (and a quiz) that I'll need to leave early in order to catch my flight. I'm wondering just how early I need to leave.
I was denied boarding on AS a few years back at ORD after a security delay (don't try to take a vitamix in your carry-on) when I arrived at the gate 12 min before scheduled departure. I had to come back the next day, and I learned my lesson.
However, I fly AS out of OGG 5-6 times a year and have noticed they seem to regularly begin the boarding process "late" out of OGG.
Do anyone else have experience with this or have any advice regarding the latest I could safely arrive at the gate for a 12:05 pm flight? I know the obvious answer is 30-40 minutes but in this specific situation, an extra 10-15 minutes would be really valuable. I'm just a little gun shy after the Chicago mishap. I have TSA pre-check and will check my luggage earlier that morning so I'm figuring 20 minutes to get from the curb to the gate considering its a tiny airport and I'll just have a small personal item.
Oct 26, 2018, 2:19 pm
#1358
Join Date: Feb 2017
Posts: 20
I've been around FT for a while, but mostly lurking and not too much posting. I’m a recent Delta convert, I have been doing quite a bit of reading and think I have this down, but I’m just looking for some confirmation that I am understanding Alaska’s booking/upgrade policy correctly.
In this example, I am running through a few scenarios using the Fare Type filter… If I were to book flights 3464 & 686 directly into F, I’d pay $510. If I were to book using the 75K upgrade fare, I’d pay $415 and would be confirmed into F instantly? If I were to book the same flights using the Gold Guest upgrade fare I’d pay $325, and would need to use one of my upgrade codes but would be instantly booked into F as well? Likely to have some follow up questions, but thank you so much!
Oct 26, 2018, 2:38 pm
#1359
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: British Columbia
Programs: AS MVPG100K, Marriott Marriott Titanium Elite, Hilton Gold
Posts: 7,263
I've been around FT for a while, but mostly lurking and not too much posting. Im a recent Delta convert, I have been doing quite a bit of reading and think I have this down, but Im just looking for some confirmation that I am understanding Alaskas booking/upgrade policy correctly.
In this example, I am running through a few scenarios using the Fare Type filter If I were to book flights 3464 & 686 directly into F, Id pay $510. If I were to book using the 75K upgrade fare, Id pay $415 and would be confirmed into F instantly? If I were to book the same flights using the Gold Guest upgrade fare Id pay $325, and would need to use one of my upgrade codes but would be instantly booked into F as well? Likely to have some follow up questions, but thank you so much!
If you determine there are 2 U, enter you companion certificate number and the fare for the companion will also be listed below it with fees & taxes included. You will need a GGU for your companion as well. In this case both legs will be upgraded because the connection time between BOI-SEA & SEA-ORD is less than 4 hours.
James
Last edited by Flying for Fun; Oct 26, 2018 at 3:05 pm
Oct 26, 2018, 2:45 pm
#1360
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: British Columbia
Programs: AS MVPG100K, Marriott Marriott Titanium Elite, Hilton Gold
Posts: 7,263
EDIT: Yes you would be upgraded into F immediately. You will make your purchase first and then AS will give you the option to apply the GGU after purchase. Once applied, you can select your seat.
I covered the use of a companion certificate as that is usually what I am going and initially thought you were doing as well.. Sorry to add any confusion if it isn't applicable.
I covered the use of a companion certificate as that is usually what I am going and initially thought you were doing as well.. Sorry to add any confusion if it isn't applicable.
Last edited by Flying for Fun; Oct 26, 2018 at 3:08 pm
Oct 26, 2018, 3:48 pm
#1361
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: SFO/SEA
Programs: Amex Biz Cent, Marriott LTP, Avis PC, Hilton Owners Diamond, AS MVP
Posts: 3,380
You need to check for 2 pax in your search. In this example, there may only be 1 U available. Run the query again with 2 pax. If there is 2 U (blue background) then as a MVPG+ you can upgrade the other party in the reservation either by paying the MVPG75K (or as appropriate for your Elite Status) fare each or using the companion certificate. When applying the certificate the primary passenger pays the Gold upgrade fare (in this case $325) & the companion fare will be $99.00 (or no fee if your certificate has the "free" promotion) plus fees & taxes.
If you determine there are 2 U, enter you companion certificate number and the fare for the companion will also be listed below it with fees & taxes included. You will need a GGU for your companion as well. In this case both legs will be upgraded because the connection time between BOI-SEA & SEA-ORD is less than 4 hours.
James
If you determine there are 2 U, enter you companion certificate number and the fare for the companion will also be listed below it with fees & taxes included. You will need a GGU for your companion as well. In this case both legs will be upgraded because the connection time between BOI-SEA & SEA-ORD is less than 4 hours.
James
Oct 26, 2018, 3:55 pm
#1362
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: SEA
Programs: Hilton/Marriott Gold, Accor Silver
Posts: 2,036
Wait, since when can companion certificates can be used for F? I thought they are for coach fares only these days. I've never had an AS Visa till this year but I seem to recall reading that years ago you could use the companion certs on F fares as well. "new eligible Alaska Airlines VisaŽ cardholders will qualify to buy one round trip coach ticket on Alaska Airlines and receive the second for a $0 base fare, plus applicable taxes and fees from $22 based on your flight itinerary"
Oct 26, 2018, 3:59 pm
#1363
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: Pacific Wonderland
Programs: ʙᴏɴᴠo̱ʏ Au, IHG Au, HH Dia, Nexus, Pilot FlyingJ Preferred
Posts: 5,336
That's technically correct. You can't use it for an F or P fare. You are still eligible for complimentary upgrades into U (GGUs, instant upgrade fare classes, mileage, & upgrade window/gate upgrades) from a purchased coach fare.
Oct 26, 2018, 4:36 pm
#1364
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: British Columbia
Programs: AS MVPG100K, Marriott Marriott Titanium Elite, Hilton Gold
Posts: 7,263
Oct 27, 2018, 12:08 am
#1365
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: Seattle
Programs: AS
Posts: 2,293
What is the current situation with using Companion certificate and full Y when booking . Do both passengers get COS on miles?
(watching longest World Series game in history...still 2-2)
(watching longest World Series game in history...still 2-2)
Last edited by pcoll; Oct 27, 2018 at 12:16 am