Premium Class on Legacy Airbus Aircraft
Jun 3, 2018, 3:46 am
#31
In Memoriam, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: Benicia CA
Programs: Alaska MVP Gold 75K, AA 3.8MM, UA 1.1MM, enjoying the retired life
Posts: 31,849
From August 30, 2017:
Alaska Mileage Plan MVP, MVP Gold and Gold 75K members now receive enhanced elite benefits on Virgin America flights, putting Alaska flyers on par with its Elevate elite-level flyers.
New benefits include complimentary access to preferred main cabin seating, complimentary Main Cabin Select upgrades and access to advance purchase First Class upgrades. Mileage Plan Gold and Gold 75K members also receive waived changed fees when traveling on Virgin America flights.
New benefits include complimentary access to preferred main cabin seating, complimentary Main Cabin Select upgrades and access to advance purchase First Class upgrades. Mileage Plan Gold and Gold 75K members also receive waived changed fees when traveling on Virgin America flights.
Jun 3, 2018, 5:01 am
#32
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: British Columbia
Programs: AS MVPG100K, Marriott Marriott Titanium Elite, Hilton Gold
Posts: 7,263
If you were paying for Main Cabin Select then you were paying a premium. Therefore your snacks were not "FREE" they were prepaid!
I don't see the logic in thinking that if someone pays a little more then everything is free. It may be of better value for some but certainly it is not FREE.
James
I don't see the logic in thinking that if someone pays a little more then everything is free. It may be of better value for some but certainly it is not FREE.
James
Jun 3, 2018, 9:03 am
#33
Join Date: Aug 2013
Programs: Alaska MVP Gold
Posts: 917
As for your claim that more people are not taking the VX aircraft I invite you to take a look at SEA-SFO, SEA-LAX, SEA-LAS routes and see if more people are putting themselves on VX flights because they are. Putting the MCS issue aside for a moment, it’s obviously a much nicer experience to have a PTV at your seat, regardless of where you end up. Also isn’t the average pitch on a VX plane slightly better anyway to begin with?
I invite you to prove your counter-claim. If you’ve got numbers to support your assertion, that would be genuinely interesting.
Also, what you call “obvious” is just your opinion. For example, I prefer to work or bring my own entertainment rather than use a PTV, to not have the person behind me poking my seat back, and to not have the glow at night when trying to sleep. And yes, I own an eye mask just for such an occasion, but prefer not to wear it.
I’m taking a VX plane to Vegas in a few weeks and I’m in exMCS (row 3) so I’ll let you know if they did in fact discontinue the free snacks.
Jun 3, 2018, 9:26 am
#34
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: Los Angeles
Posts: 12,594
It's an example of how long it can take airlines to sort out mergers. And service quality was not the same on UA and CO aircraft for several years after the merger, despite the on-board service starting out more similar than AS and VX. Look through some old threads on the UA forum - people were picking flights to get their preferred crew type. There are no end of comments, mostly pmUA flyers complaining about pmCO crews. It does take time to change on board service and training, and compared to UA/CO and DL/NW, AS is doing pretty well on the transition.
The exMCS rows aren’t cheaper than premium economy, it’s the same price. Also 75K’s do not pay to sit in row 3 or 10 (MCS) in advance since April. And before I was always upgraded to MCS without ever paying for it.
As for your claim that more people are not taking the VX aircraft I invite you to take a look at SEA-SFO, SEA-LAX, SEA-LAS routes and see if more people are putting themselves on VX flights because they are. Putting the MCS issue aside for a moment, it’s obviously a much nicer experience to have a PTV at your seat, regardless of where you end up. Also isn’t the average pitch on a VX plane slightly better anyway to begin with?
I honestly dislike seatback screens. I rarely watch them and they're always turning on on their own, particularly when I want to sleep, and if I do want to watch something, seatbacks get outdated quickly compared to whatever screen I have in my bag or pocket. The average pitch of VX is higher than on AS, but AS configurations generally have several more rows of pc seats that have a lot more legroom, and more rows of first to upgrade into. I fly mostly transcons for work and always took UA over VX because my chances of E+ and its legroom were nearly 100% (exceptions if I booked a couple hours before flying), while I'd have to pay out of pocket for MCS, if it were even open. The VX planes have Red and the things that go with it, but only exit and bulkhead rows in back with more legroom.
At no time since the official merger were 75k’s asked to pay to sit in row 10 or row 3 where very decent and delicious snacks and booze was being served for free.
I didn't think so. But you asked "Then why on earth would I ever fly and pay for an AS Boeing upgrade?". AS is generous with upgrades and I don't imagine most MVP and above pay for many upgrades.
Jun 3, 2018, 9:59 am
#35
Join Date: Jun 2016
Programs: DL DM, Marriott Titanium, Hyatt Explorist
Posts: 150
If you were paying for Main Cabin Select then you were paying a premium. Therefore your snacks were not "FREE" they were prepaid!
I don't see the logic in thinking that if someone pays a little more then everything is free. It may be of better value for some but certainly it is not FREE.
James
I don't see the logic in thinking that if someone pays a little more then everything is free. It may be of better value for some but certainly it is not FREE.
James
Jun 3, 2018, 10:22 am
#36
Join Date: Feb 2015
Posts: 182
If you don't like the seats/service/etc. simply vote with your feet and fly another airline.
It seems to be quite a popular activity to Alaska bash for former Virgin flyers. It makes me think of a group of elderly people sitting around musing about the "good old days" and how much better things used to be.
It seems to be quite a popular activity to Alaska bash for former Virgin flyers. It makes me think of a group of elderly people sitting around musing about the "good old days" and how much better things used to be.
Jun 3, 2018, 12:32 pm
#37
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 1999
Location: Ewa Beach, Hawaii
Posts: 10,909
I used to fly VS all the time in Main Cabin Select, and thought it would be similar on AS post-merger. OOPS.
It's now called Premium Class, and AS decided to TAKE AWAY:
1) access to the priority security lane
2) free snacks (though drinks are still free)
But they decided to keep the following perks:
1) required use of the bathroom in the BACK of the plane, even though you're in row 3
2) no storage under seat (personal item goes in the overhead)
Yay merger
It's now called Premium Class, and AS decided to TAKE AWAY:
1) access to the priority security lane
2) free snacks (though drinks are still free)
But they decided to keep the following perks:
1) required use of the bathroom in the BACK of the plane, even though you're in row 3
2) no storage under seat (personal item goes in the overhead)
Yay merger
And as a note, every VX (Virgin America) flight I took they announce rows 3 and higher had to use the bathroom at the back. But they, like AS will let the front rows use the F bathroom if the cart is blocking the aisle.
And the planes haven't changed VX ALWAYS announced rows 1 and 3 had to put everything in the overhead.
So, sounds to me like you are just disgruntled the VX (not VS) got bought. Things change, don't like it, go elsewhere. If you do stay, it's on you to adapt to the AS way of things. And continuing to gripe that AS destroyed VX (not VS) won't change anything.
Jun 3, 2018, 1:17 pm
#38
Join Date: Sep 2001
Programs: Alaska Tanzanite 100K
Posts: 3,858
After the #VXFarewell , I am learning that some on the VX side will never be happy. The airline had a lot of VERY nice perks that set VX apart. However, life would have been a bit more challenging had B6 got them... We would probably be hearing a bit more to be honest.
Im hearing 2 sets of debates... 1 is how Alaska is doing things (slow, gradual death) vs an instant changeover. Im not sure which is better.
Alaska isn't perfect, but nor is any airline. Hopefully we can keep pressure on AS to make the new AS a step above everyone else, instead of the "5% better" they are aiming for.
Im hearing 2 sets of debates... 1 is how Alaska is doing things (slow, gradual death) vs an instant changeover. Im not sure which is better.
Alaska isn't perfect, but nor is any airline. Hopefully we can keep pressure on AS to make the new AS a step above everyone else, instead of the "5% better" they are aiming for.
Jun 3, 2018, 3:11 pm
#39
Join Date: Jun 2018
Posts: 54
If you were paying for Main Cabin Select then you were paying a premium. Therefore your snacks were not "FREE" they were prepaid!
I don't see the logic in thinking that if someone pays a little more then everything is free. It may be of better value for some but certainly it is not FREE.
James
I don't see the logic in thinking that if someone pays a little more then everything is free. It may be of better value for some but certainly it is not FREE.
James
Jun 3, 2018, 3:50 pm
#40
Join Date: Jun 2018
Posts: 54
If you don't like the seats/service/etc. simply vote with your feet and fly another airline.
It seems to be quite a popular activity to Alaska bash for former Virgin flyers. It makes me think of a group of elderly people sitting around musing about the "good old days" and how much better things used to be.
It seems to be quite a popular activity to Alaska bash for former Virgin flyers. It makes me think of a group of elderly people sitting around musing about the "good old days" and how much better things used to be.
So, sounds to me like you are just disgruntled the VX (not VS) got bought. Things change, don't like it, go elsewhere. If you do stay, it's on you to adapt to the AS way of things. And continuing to gripe that AS destroyed VX (not VS) won't change anything.
I can't say that I won't fly AS every again, but I'll definitely shop around, knowing that there doesn't seem to be anything special about the product in between 1st class and economy.
Jun 3, 2018, 5:00 pm
#43
Join Date: Sep 2001
Programs: Alaska Tanzanite 100K
Posts: 3,858
Im a Legacy Alaska flyer and I lllooovvveee the VX experience, it will be missed. However, I appreciate Alaska's product more now that we have had some nice upgrades because of VX, and I wish there were more.
Now about MCS/PE, Alaska did price Airbus MCS a bit higher than AS PE on similar flight duration because of the smorgasbord of food offerings.
Now about MCS/PE, Alaska did price Airbus MCS a bit higher than AS PE on similar flight duration because of the smorgasbord of food offerings.
Jun 3, 2018, 11:24 pm
#44
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: British Columbia
Programs: AS MVPG100K, Marriott Marriott Titanium Elite, Hilton Gold
Posts: 7,263
If you want to base your value analysis strictly on the comparison of AS Premium and former VX MCS then yes, you are probably right. However, if you look at the overall benefits as a whole then your analysis may have a different outcome. VX Elites are now AS Elites and can select premium at booking, not wait for an upgrade like they did for MCS. They are eligible for upgrades to F even on former VX metal that were never within reach. Mileage Plan is still one of the best FF programs in the Unites States and AS miles are the most valuable. (I know some would disagree, but that is a different subject) It has been great for me and my partner. We traveled around the world for two months this year on premium awards and have 6 more booked for the fall and late winter.
VX die-hards should know that the VX model was not sustainable. If there was no interest by Alaska or Jet Blue taking them over it would have eventually folded leaving all their Elites with meaningless status and worthless accounts. Would you be happier with a Jet Blue FF account? Hard to answer that objectively.
VX no longer exists!! That ship has sailed, water is already under the bridge and better than being completely defunct, it is now called AS. You can accept AS or you can spend your money elsewhere. It is your choice. If you find something that provides better "OVERALL" value for you when you look at it as a "WHOLE" then I encorage you to move in that direction. Harping on something that no longer exists is burning energy inefficiently. I think it is fruitless to compare VX to AS because VX IS AS. Let go!
James
Jun 4, 2018, 10:34 pm
#45
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Melonville
Programs: Alaska Mileage Plan MVPG, HHonors Gold, Hyatt GP Plat, SPG Gold, IHG Spire
Posts: 134
I flew a VX A320 from LAX to SEA 6/2/18, seated in row 10. Not only are there no more free snacks, FAs wanted to charge me for a beer, so I asked if an MVPG seated in a premium row had to pay, and was told, "Yes, just like everyone else." So I changed my order to a cranapple, (no to a full can and no refills, and no chocolate bar like I would have received on an AS flight). On my way out, I asked about MVPGs having to pay for their drinks, and was told that according to their list, there were no MVPGs or 75Ks on the flight, and that's what they go by. So my question is, how do I get a free beer? Showing my boarding pass with my status doesn't seem to do any good.