AS / VX Dysfunction
Apr 13, 2018, 12:53 pm
#31
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: SJC / DPS
Programs: AS G75K, UA Silver
Posts: 1,757
If so:
Apr 13, 2018, 2:08 pm
#32
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: San Francisco
Programs: Alaska 75K (RIP VX), Hyatt Globalist, BonVoy Plat, National Exec
Posts: 197
Man, this transition is KILLING me as a (former) Elevate Gold since 2012 based out of SFO.
Every flight is a roll of the dice in terms of upgrades, experience, and available amenities these days.
Now no more food/snacks in MCS?
None of my MC to MCS upgrades have been processing in the last month plus.
Flew 4 AS/VX segments this week (two RT's from SFO to DEN: VX1865 & VX 1868))... All four flights were all over the place in terms of experience and available amenities. 2 MC segments weren't upgraded, two flights I bought MCS outright since no upgrades have been processing lately, but discovered they've now removed food/snacks service and IFE ordering. Two flights no wifi.
I have SIX more AS/VX segments coming up in the next 18 days and am seriously considering rebooking elsewhere and abandoning this nonsense at Alaska. Will all this actually improve after April 25th?
Has anyone else seen the new message when you press the "EAT" button on the IFE?
"Please enjoy a totally new sensory experience with the flavors of the world, a delightful choice of entrees, tapas sized appetizers and desserts on select flights. The in-flight team will let you know the offerings on this flight"
However, the crew did not have any food/snacks to offer MCS. Beverage orders were taken verbally, including complimentary beer/wine/spirits for MCS.
Has anyone else experienced the no wifi and no MCS food/snacks lately?
Please reassure me things are going to get better
Thanks.
Every flight is a roll of the dice in terms of upgrades, experience, and available amenities these days.
Now no more food/snacks in MCS?
None of my MC to MCS upgrades have been processing in the last month plus.
Flew 4 AS/VX segments this week (two RT's from SFO to DEN: VX1865 & VX 1868))... All four flights were all over the place in terms of experience and available amenities. 2 MC segments weren't upgraded, two flights I bought MCS outright since no upgrades have been processing lately, but discovered they've now removed food/snacks service and IFE ordering. Two flights no wifi.
I have SIX more AS/VX segments coming up in the next 18 days and am seriously considering rebooking elsewhere and abandoning this nonsense at Alaska. Will all this actually improve after April 25th?
Has anyone else seen the new message when you press the "EAT" button on the IFE?
"Please enjoy a totally new sensory experience with the flavors of the world, a delightful choice of entrees, tapas sized appetizers and desserts on select flights. The in-flight team will let you know the offerings on this flight"
However, the crew did not have any food/snacks to offer MCS. Beverage orders were taken verbally, including complimentary beer/wine/spirits for MCS.
Has anyone else experienced the no wifi and no MCS food/snacks lately?
Please reassure me things are going to get better
Thanks.
Apr 13, 2018, 2:13 pm
#33
Join Date: May 2003
Location: SFO, mostly
Posts: 2,204
Apr 13, 2018, 2:20 pm
#34
Join Date: Apr 2003
Programs: B6 Mosaic, Bonvoy LT Titanium (x SPG LT), IHG Spire, UA Silver
Posts: 5,848
Man, this transition is KILLING me as a (former) Elevate Gold since 2012 based out of SFO.
Every flight is a roll of the dice in terms of upgrades, experience, and available amenities these days.
Now no more food/snacks in MCS?
Has anyone else experienced the no wifi and no MCS food/snacks lately?
Please reassure me things are going to get better
Thanks.
Every flight is a roll of the dice in terms of upgrades, experience, and available amenities these days.
Now no more food/snacks in MCS?
Has anyone else experienced the no wifi and no MCS food/snacks lately?
Please reassure me things are going to get better
Thanks.
Last edited by sfozrhfco; Apr 13, 2018 at 2:54 pm
Apr 13, 2018, 2:36 pm
#35
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
Apr 13, 2018, 3:26 pm
#36
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: MIA
Programs: AA EXP, Marriott Lifetime Plat
Posts: 493
I know need to figure out the specifics here... I hope it is co-terminal for OAK/SFO/SJC, EWR/JFK, BWI/DCA/IAD. Anyone know how this is going to go? Definitely would make AS more competitive with carriers that have more frequency.
Apr 13, 2018, 3:35 pm
#37
Join Date: Apr 2014
Posts: 1,639
It would be nice to have but it is not an actual benefit. I could be wrong but I haven't heard anything to indicate this is coming.
Apr 14, 2018, 12:02 pm
#38
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: NYC
Posts: 280
The thing is it's still existing now pre 4/26. They're charging for it.
It kind of grinds me that I paid $250.00 to upgrade to F from MCS but the product was already stripped down to the new Alaska service/catering last month. I get the meals aren't going to be as good, but at the very least they could've kept the PDB and bag of chips around until it becomes a comp upgrade.
It kind of grinds me that I paid $250.00 to upgrade to F from MCS but the product was already stripped down to the new Alaska service/catering last month. I get the meals aren't going to be as good, but at the very least they could've kept the PDB and bag of chips around until it becomes a comp upgrade.
Not sure what you are expecting. In a couple weeks MCS will not exist hence obviously the amenities will not exist either. Red is going away soon as well so no seat back entertainment will be there. SFO-DEN flights are gone too so you don't have to worry about taking another flight on AS/VX to Denver. Things will gradually transition to AS configuration/food offerings/amenities. If that works for you, great. If not, time to check out other options. VX is dead so embrace AS or select another airline.
Apr 14, 2018, 12:31 pm
#39
Join Date: Sep 2001
Programs: Alaska Tanzanite 100K
Posts: 3,858
A friend at Alaska "in the know" said there are a few planes with broken RED systems, and they had to disable online ordering (that may have been the part that wasn't working). Coupled with the A321 NEO juggling/issues, and they haven't had time to get things fixed.
I've had a handful of flights where my order never went thru, only to find out 30 mins later, they were completely out of food (no good on a transcon. That incident was a few months ago. I don't think I've had a flight where everything went according to plan.
I've had a handful of flights where my order never went thru, only to find out 30 mins later, they were completely out of food (no good on a transcon. That incident was a few months ago. I don't think I've had a flight where everything went according to plan.
Apr 14, 2018, 1:01 pm
#40
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: PDX
Programs: AS 75K, BW Plat, Marriott Gold, IHG Plat, Hilton Gold
Posts: 10,724
Flying SAN-SFO today in F. Finish work early, so I call VX to change to an earlier flight. Call auto-transferred to AS. Rep says yes, there are seats available, confirms $25 fee for the change, says he has to do this manually, puts me on hold. Comes back five minutes later, says his "lead" insists I have to pay an upfare of $240. I say "I'm pretty sure same day change should be into any seat for $25." Puts me back on hold, comes back ten minutes later, says "yes, you're right, we can do that. I'm on hold with Virgin to process the change, I'm going to have to put you back on hold."
35 minutes later (50 mins total now) . . . I've walked to my hotel, used the restroom, retrieved my bag, and ubered to the airport . . . still on hold. Get to the VX check-in counter and figure might as well hang up because they can process it here, right? VX check-in agent resists, says "they're still working on your ticket, I don't want to touch it." I kind of lose it, tell him I've been on hold for 35 minutes and I'm not going to just stand off to the side waiting for this to fix itself. I'm seriously ready to go buy a walk-up ticket on UA. Dude fiddles with his keyboard for about 60 seconds, hands me a BP in F for the earlier flight (which goes out with 2 empty F seats).
Anyone else running into this sort of dysfunction dealing with VX flights as they "integrate" with AS?
35 minutes later (50 mins total now) . . . I've walked to my hotel, used the restroom, retrieved my bag, and ubered to the airport . . . still on hold. Get to the VX check-in counter and figure might as well hang up because they can process it here, right? VX check-in agent resists, says "they're still working on your ticket, I don't want to touch it." I kind of lose it, tell him I've been on hold for 35 minutes and I'm not going to just stand off to the side waiting for this to fix itself. I'm seriously ready to go buy a walk-up ticket on UA. Dude fiddles with his keyboard for about 60 seconds, hands me a BP in F for the earlier flight (which goes out with 2 empty F seats).
Anyone else running into this sort of dysfunction dealing with VX flights as they "integrate" with AS?
Apr 14, 2018, 1:58 pm
#41
Join Date: Oct 1999
Location: New York
Posts: 7,347
I agree that the changes are coming but as of now, VX is still charging for upgrades and all these items. I feel like that AS is already streamlining MCS to be more like "Premium Class" on AS, which costs only a fraction of MCS. I think passengers have a right to complain because they are not promised the same product as the former Virgin America, while still paying the Virgin America's price. It is a ripoff.
This transition in the cabin product has been disappointing because Alaska has done a pretty good job in keeping everyone informed about the changes of Mileage Plan/Elevate, but when it comes to the actual service, like catering and entertainment, Alaska has kept passengers in the dark. Things just popped up and the bad customer experiences results not from the actual product but not fulfilling the expectation, especially from former Virgin America frequent guests.
Carfield
This transition in the cabin product has been disappointing because Alaska has done a pretty good job in keeping everyone informed about the changes of Mileage Plan/Elevate, but when it comes to the actual service, like catering and entertainment, Alaska has kept passengers in the dark. Things just popped up and the bad customer experiences results not from the actual product but not fulfilling the expectation, especially from former Virgin America frequent guests.
Carfield
Apr 14, 2018, 3:00 pm
#42
Join Date: Apr 2003
Programs: B6 Mosaic, Bonvoy LT Titanium (x SPG LT), IHG Spire, UA Silver
Posts: 5,848
I think passengers have a right to complain because they are not promised the same product as the former Virgin America, while still paying the Virgin America's price. It is a ripoff.
This transition in the cabin product has been disappointing because Alaska has done a pretty good job in keeping everyone informed about the changes of Mileage Plan/Elevate, but when it comes to the actual service, like catering and entertainment, Alaska has kept passengers in the dark. Things just popped up and the bad customer experiences results not from the actual product but not fulfilling the expectation, especially from former Virgin America frequent guests.
Carfield
This transition in the cabin product has been disappointing because Alaska has done a pretty good job in keeping everyone informed about the changes of Mileage Plan/Elevate, but when it comes to the actual service, like catering and entertainment, Alaska has kept passengers in the dark. Things just popped up and the bad customer experiences results not from the actual product but not fulfilling the expectation, especially from former Virgin America frequent guests.
Carfield
Apr 14, 2018, 3:24 pm
#43
Join Date: May 2003
Location: SFO, mostly
Posts: 2,204
It would be helpful if AS could communicate what the “interim” VX metal product will be until AS actually starts reconfiguring these birds with new seats. The fact that AS has dialed back the VX product I’m not hugely surprised by, given that they have had a SOC since Jan 11, but I agree that it makes me reluctant to pay for MCS or First on VX metal without a clear idea of the product I will be getting.
Apr 14, 2018, 4:24 pm
#44
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Bay Area, CA
Programs: UA Plat 2MM; AS MVP Gold 75K
Posts: 35,068
It would be helpful if AS could communicate what the “interim” VX metal product will be until AS actually starts reconfiguring these birds with new seats. The fact that AS has dialed back the VX product I’m not hugely surprised by, given that they have had a SOC since Jan 11, but I agree that it makes me reluctant to pay for MCS or First on VX metal without a clear idea of the product I will be getting.
Apr 15, 2018, 12:04 am
#45
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: BOS
Programs: B6/Mosaic/AF/VX/AS Gold Hertz PC HH Dia. AMEX Plat SPG/Marr Gold Nat. EE FPC Plat
Posts: 833
Here is an interesting think exercise: Which airline merger has been beneficial for fliers?
AS management has made a mess of this merger, with all the goodwill VX fliers had at the beginning. I'm just lucky I was able to go home to BOS and enjoy B6.
AS management has made a mess of this merger, with all the goodwill VX fliers had at the beginning. I'm just lucky I was able to go home to BOS and enjoy B6.