May 10, 2018, 11:53 pm
Last edit by: Tokyoite
from the first post.
https://www.alaskaair.com/content/tr...es/fee-changes
Same day confirmed changes will be effective for travel that takes place on or after June 5, 2018, not ticketed by June 5.
https://www.alaskaair.com/content/mi...charts/changes
Edit: There're changes with AS award chart too.
Effective for bookings on or after June 25, 2018, you’ll see some changes to award pricing on Alaska Airlines flights, including:
Same day confirmed changes will be effective for travel that takes place on or after June 5, 2018, not ticketed by June 5.
https://www.alaskaair.com/content/mi...charts/changes
Edit: There're changes with AS award chart too.
Effective for bookings on or after June 25, 2018, you’ll see some changes to award pricing on Alaska Airlines flights, including:
- Reduced lowest award level on short-distance First Class flights
- Reduced refundable award level pricing on First Class flights shorter than 1,400 miles within the contiguous US and Alaska, and on First Class flights shorter than 2,100 miles from the US to Mexico
- A new lowest award level of just 10,000 miles on Main Cabin flights from California to select destinations in Mexico (flights shorter than 1,400 miles)
- Hawaii awards starting as low as 15,000 miles one-way
SDC Fees Increase to $50, Free 60-Day Change Eliminated, and Award Changes (6/5/2018)
May 9, 2018, 10:41 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2016
Location: DFW/DAL
Programs: AS MVP Gold 75k, Marriott Platinum, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 132
SDC Fees Increase to $50, Free 60-Day Change Eliminated, and Award Changes (6/5/2018)
https://www.alaskaair.com/content/tr...es/fee-changes
Same day confirmed changes will be effective for travel that takes place on or after June 5, 2018, not ticketed by June 5.
https://www.alaskaair.com/content/mi...charts/changes
Edit: There're changes with AS award chart too.
Effective for bookings on or after June 25, 2018, you’ll see some changes to award pricing on Alaska Airlines flights, including:
Same day confirmed changes will be effective for travel that takes place on or after June 5, 2018, not ticketed by June 5.
https://www.alaskaair.com/content/mi...charts/changes
Edit: There're changes with AS award chart too.
Effective for bookings on or after June 25, 2018, you’ll see some changes to award pricing on Alaska Airlines flights, including:
- Reduced lowest award level on short-distance First Class flights
- Reduced refundable award level pricing on First Class flights shorter than 1,400 miles within the contiguous US and Alaska, and on First Class flights shorter than 2,100 miles from the US to Mexico
- A new lowest award level of just 10,000 miles on Main Cabin flights from California to select destinations in Mexico (flights shorter than 1,400 miles)
- Hawaii awards starting as low as 15,000 miles one-way
Last edited by The ITDA; May 9, 2018 at 2:03 pm
May 9, 2018, 10:59 am
#2
Join Date: Aug 2017
Posts: 1,610
Ugh - I'm MVP Gold (for this year), and this still discourages me now to book on alaska fares (often the same route is cheaper on jetblue or delta etc, specially when booked far-out). The reason is that my spouse is not mvp gold, and even if i'm getting the free change waiver, my spouse isn't.
The 60-day free changes were literally the best thing alaska airlines had going for itself.
The 60-day free changes were literally the best thing alaska airlines had going for itself.
May 9, 2018, 11:01 am
#3
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
while I never benefited from the 60-day waiver when booking tix for my wife and/or son, I can see how this is a significant devaluation for many ... but $125 still beats $200 on DL, UA, AA
I didn't see any mention of the redeye waiver (0001-0359 departure can SDC to previous night 2200-2359) -- also curious if this ever worked the other way (2200-2359 departure SDC to next day 0001-0359)
I didn't see any mention of the redeye waiver (0001-0359 departure can SDC to previous night 2200-2359) -- also curious if this ever worked the other way (2200-2359 departure SDC to next day 0001-0359)
May 9, 2018, 11:02 am
#4
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 116
https://www.alaskaair.com/content/tr...es/fee-changes
Same day confirmed changes will be effective for travel that takes place on or after June 5, 2018, not ticketed by June 5.
Same day confirmed changes will be effective for travel that takes place on or after June 5, 2018, not ticketed by June 5.
Thought the loss of the sixty day window hurts, esp when WN looms as an option.
May 9, 2018, 11:11 am
#5
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: YVR, HNL
Programs: AS 75k, UA peon, BA Bronze, AC E50k, Marriott Plat, HH Diamond, Fairmont Plat (RIP)
Posts: 7,832
Also, no free cancellation with 24 hours of purchase for tickets bought within 24 hours of departure.
The 24-hour free cancellation policy will now only apply to tickets booked for travel starting 24 hours or more from the time of purchase.
If travel begins within 24 hours of buying your non-refundable ticket, standard change/cancellation fees will apply immediately.
The 24-hour free cancellation policy will now only apply to tickets booked for travel starting 24 hours or more from the time of purchase.
If travel begins within 24 hours of buying your non-refundable ticket, standard change/cancellation fees will apply immediately.
May 9, 2018, 11:12 am
#6
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Pacific Northwest
Programs: UA Gold 1MM, AS 75k, AA Plat, Bonvoyed Gold, Honors Dia, Hyatt Explorer, IHG Plat, ...
Posts: 16,846
Ugh - I'm MVP Gold (for this year), and this still discourages me now to book on alaska fares (often the same route is cheaper on jetblue or delta etc, specially when booked far-out). The reason is that my spouse is not mvp gold, and even if i'm getting the free change waiver, my spouse isn't.
I assume the price guarantee is not affected by this?
May 9, 2018, 11:20 am
#7
Join Date: Aug 2017
Posts: 1,610
In Seattle/Portland/Anchorage, Alaska's competition isn't Southwest, it is Delta (and jetblue on transcon). A look on google flights on any route more than 2 months out and alaska hasn't released cheaper fare buckets compared to delta/jetblue. So why should an advance purchaser buy alaska tickets absent the free changes.
In California/Hawaii markets, there's literally no reason left to lock yourself in alaska fares due to Southwest free changes.
In California/Hawaii markets, there's literally no reason left to lock yourself in alaska fares due to Southwest free changes.
May 9, 2018, 11:24 am
#9
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: Victoria, B.C.
Programs: Hyatt Globalist, AA Gold LT
Posts: 1,940
However there is a new positive to the $50 fee,
So even general members don't have to wait until the last minute to make changes.
We're removing the 6-hour window requirement, so you can request a same-day change at any time during check-in.
So even general members don't have to wait until the last minute to make changes.
May 9, 2018, 11:25 am
#10
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: SEA, but up and down the coast a lot
Programs: Oceanic Airlines Gold Elite
Posts: 20,389
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seattl...p_destinations
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portla...tional_Airport
4/10 top markets in SEA, 7/10 top markets in PDX. WN is #2 in PDX, #3 in SEA.
AS is heavily exposed to WN throughout the network, especially with a presence in the Bay Area and Greater LA, and WN adding Hawaii service. ANC is a thin reed to lie on.
You can't use AS SDC on other airlines. The award change fees will apply unless you are MVPG+.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portla...tional_Airport
4/10 top markets in SEA, 7/10 top markets in PDX. WN is #2 in PDX, #3 in SEA.
AS is heavily exposed to WN throughout the network, especially with a presence in the Bay Area and Greater LA, and WN adding Hawaii service. ANC is a thin reed to lie on.
You can't use AS SDC on other airlines. The award change fees will apply unless you are MVPG+.
May 9, 2018, 11:40 am
#12
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: SEA
Programs: Hilton/Marriott Gold, Accor Silver
Posts: 2,036
This totally wrecks the book-each-segment-when-it-appears-on-the-schedule strategy for partner awards for MVPs and below. Good thing I'm already burning through all my AS miles this year.
May 9, 2018, 11:42 am
#13
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Pacific Northwest
Programs: UA Gold 1MM, AS 75k, AA Plat, Bonvoyed Gold, Honors Dia, Hyatt Explorer, IHG Plat, ...
Posts: 16,846
In Seattle/Portland/Anchorage, Alaska's competition isn't Southwest, it is Delta (and jetblue on transcon). A look on google flights on any route more than 2 months out and alaska hasn't released cheaper fare buckets compared to delta/jetblue. So why should an advance purchaser buy alaska tickets absent the free changes.