Alaska loses me as elite
Jan 15, 2018, 3:56 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2007
Programs: ac, as
Posts: 166
Alaska loses me as elite
I've been pretty loyal to AK for many yrs but since my company buys my tickets I'm normally stuck on Delta or American. That wasn't so bad when I could still earn AK miles but I find this will be virtually impossible this yr. I've given up my AK credit card. I have been on three first class trips this past quarter and I find that I have never been greeted or offered a drink until well after take-off. I actually kept track and it was 50 minutes before I was spoken to. Last weekend I flew home from BWI with minimal conversation or service. I just wonder if others have noticed a loss of interest from AK flight personnel? I realize I'm not the highest ranking elite but I do 17 r/t a yr which to me is a lot. When Delta would upgrade me I was very surprised at the drifference. I'm sorry to hear of disgruntled AK workers but I've experienced it greatly in the past few months.
Jan 15, 2018, 4:24 pm
#2
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: SEA (the REAL Washington); occasionally in the other Washington (DCA area)
Programs: DL PM 1.57MM; AS MVPG 100K
Posts: 21,371
AS (note that “AK” is the abbreviation for the state) has seldom if ever offered FC pre-departure beverage service beyond a single bottle of water
there are many recent threads here on the AS board about the decline in inflight service, and many posts from disgruntled and disappointed AS elites about their perceived decline in overall corporate attitude toward elites
there are many recent threads here on the AS board about the decline in inflight service, and many posts from disgruntled and disappointed AS elites about their perceived decline in overall corporate attitude toward elites
Jan 15, 2018, 4:31 pm
#3
Join Date: May 2006
Location: TUS/PDX
Programs: WN CP/A-List, AS MVPG75K
Posts: 5,798
The FAs are really the only thing keeping me on Alaska and make me hesitate switching fully to AA. I've already begun giving WN more of me business this year.
Jan 15, 2018, 6:20 pm
#4
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: PDX
Programs: AS 75K, BW Plat, Marriott Gold, IHG Plat, Hilton Gold
Posts: 10,724
They offered PDBs back when I first started flying them in 1991. They went away sometime around 2002 if I recall.
The FAs are really the only thing keeping me on Alaska and make me hesitate switching fully to AA. I've already begun giving WN more of me business this year.
The FAs are really the only thing keeping me on Alaska and make me hesitate switching fully to AA. I've already begun giving WN more of me business this year.
Jan 15, 2018, 7:34 pm
#5
Join Date: May 2003
Location: SFO, mostly
Posts: 2,204
Point being, the best part of flying AS to me was always the quality of customer service on the ground and in the air. That, Mileage Plan and the free upgrades to F, which used to be quite plentiful.
Last edited by sltlyamusd; Jan 15, 2018 at 8:41 pm
Jan 15, 2018, 10:07 pm
#7
Join Date: Nov 2016
Location: SFO
Programs: Hilton Diamond, Marriott Gold, IHG Plat
Posts: 756
Been flying a lot on AS lately and I see the premium seats always full, while I get a seat in row 11 or 12 right behind premium with an empty middle seat sometimes, where I then decline the upgrade.
Plus a power outlet in every seat, free texting over wifi, and two rounds of drinks on longer flights. On par with DL, but a step up from United and AA.
Plus a power outlet in every seat, free texting over wifi, and two rounds of drinks on longer flights. On par with DL, but a step up from United and AA.
Jan 16, 2018, 3:08 am
#8
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: SEA, but up and down the coast a lot
Programs: Oceanic Airlines Gold Elite
Posts: 20,388
Jan 16, 2018, 2:50 pm
#9
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: East Ester, Alaska
Programs: Alaska Million Miler, United Million Miler, Wyndham Rewards Diamond, Choice Hotels Diamond
Posts: 12,148
^ As a Gold 75K, I find the upgrades are still fairly plentiful. I'm unlikely to make 75K this year (Gold for life though...), so it'll be interesting to see just how much that drops off. Short of major negative changes to its Mileage Plan program, I can't imagine any reason why I'd abandon Alaska for another airline. This would hold true even if I weren't a Million Miler and didn't live in Alaska. I'm in it for the miles and no airline rewards me better.
Jan 19, 2018, 8:41 pm
#10
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: SEATTLE, WA USA
Programs: UAL, AA, AS, CX
Posts: 1,973
What a joke.... when I lost MVP this year only to get a challenge offer yesterday to fly 5,000 miles to regain it! But why? I got one upgrade all year...., cuz I was MVP if my FF# was on the record I never saw buyuup options at OLCI, and all E+ seats were always booked up so I never got those either.
I flew F class more often thru OLCI buy up offers without status than when I had it and seems easier to pay for E+ at booking without status. Oh and there is enough buy miles 40% promos that void butt in seat bonus miles with status.
What’s their value proposition for loyalty again?
I flew F class more often thru OLCI buy up offers without status than when I had it and seems easier to pay for E+ at booking without status. Oh and there is enough buy miles 40% promos that void butt in seat bonus miles with status.
What’s their value proposition for loyalty again?
Jan 19, 2018, 10:37 pm
#11
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
What a joke.... when I lost MVP this year only to get a challenge offer yesterday to fly 5,000 miles to regain it! But why? I got one upgrade all year...., cuz I was MVP if my FF# was on the record I never saw buyuup options at OLCI, and all E+ seats were always booked up so I never got those either.
I flew F class more often thru OLCI buy up offers without status than when I had it and seems easier to pay for E+ at booking without status. Oh and there is enough buy miles 40% promos that void butt in seat bonus miles with status.
I flew F class more often thru OLCI buy up offers without status than when I had it and seems easier to pay for E+ at booking without status. Oh and there is enough buy miles 40% promos that void butt in seat bonus miles with status.
Jan 21, 2018, 11:28 am
#12
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: BLI
Programs: AS MVP Gold, HH Gold, Hertz PC
Posts: 17
I have to say, that as a run-of-the-mill Gold, I'm surprised at how often I get upgraded. Especially considering that my corporate travel department always goes for the lowest priced fare code. Last year it wasn't until June that I actually flew in the main cabin (disclaimer to that, my company travel policy buys me a F ticket if the flight is over 4 hours. So I've never had to try to get an upgrade on a long flight, which I'm sure are much harder to get if you're not 75K). I've also learned that some routes are much more likely for upgrades. For example, I almost always get upgraded between SFO and SEA, but I've never been upgraded between OAK and SEA.