Does Alaska suck now?
Jun 15, 2018, 9:55 am
#61
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2001
Programs: DL 1 million, AA 1 mil, HH lapsed Diamond, Marriott Plat
Posts: 28,190
The problem with redeeming on QF (and this is something I know a little about, as I have lifetime status with QF so obviously I make that trip with some cadence) is their (AS) partner redemption windows are shorter than the competition. I can only book out AS rewards for QF F 330 days out. I can do the same 365 days out via any other QF partner.
Jun 15, 2018, 9:56 am
#62
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
Catering 4 Hazelnut Espresso Vodkas per flight is not enough, especially when others are enjoying this as well.
Jun 15, 2018, 10:06 am
#63
Join Date: Mar 2014
Posts: 1,684
The problem with redeeming on QF (and this is something I know a little about, as I have lifetime status with QF so obviously I make that trip with some cadence) is their (AS) partner redemption windows are shorter than the competition. I can only book out AS rewards for QF F 330 days out. I can do the same 365 days out via any other QF partner. So by the time you've got a window to book QF F....all the partner redemption seats have been sold. It just never works, and I will never - not once ever - fly in coach to SYD, even on an airline I love as much as QF.
We're in this weird boat where we're sitting on a crap-tonne of AS miles and really don't know how we're going to begin to spend them. AS is down to something like 17 partners (they had over 30 a few years ago, I think), and with the AF/KL partnership ending, no viable way into Europe anymore (because I'm not going to fly garbage like Condor or pay BA's extortion petrol surcharge). QF is out for reasons just stated. CX is a tough redemption. EK's award chart got shot to hell. KE and JL might be fair game, but they don't go to our favourite places.
It's really amazing to look at just how far and how fast the programme has fallen. DL really boxed AS into a corner when they became enemies and DL went after not only AS, but its family, too.
We're in this weird boat where we're sitting on a crap-tonne of AS miles and really don't know how we're going to begin to spend them. AS is down to something like 17 partners (they had over 30 a few years ago, I think), and with the AF/KL partnership ending, no viable way into Europe anymore (because I'm not going to fly garbage like Condor or pay BA's extortion petrol surcharge). QF is out for reasons just stated. CX is a tough redemption. EK's award chart got shot to hell. KE and JL might be fair game, but they don't go to our favourite places.
It's really amazing to look at just how far and how fast the programme has fallen. DL really boxed AS into a corner when they became enemies and DL went after not only AS, but its family, too.
The problem is that I can spend a hour checking through fares to find that there's 0 available on Qantas. I want to be able to search, without mixed itineraries, on one of their partners for a fare. That's not possible.
There are things entirely in their control and they just don't fix them.
Jun 15, 2018, 10:09 am
#64
Join Date: Mar 2014
Posts: 1,684
About a decade ago, I complained to them on how I can't modify my ticket online when, like almost every business traveler, it gets booked through an agent. Can this be done now?
I see a whole lot of holes in their systems and things that they can control that they don't bother to deal with.
That's of course ignoring the strategic mess of buying Virgin with essentially no useful strategic plan for the acquisition.
I see a whole lot of holes in their systems and things that they can control that they don't bother to deal with.
That's of course ignoring the strategic mess of buying Virgin with essentially no useful strategic plan for the acquisition.
Jun 15, 2018, 10:55 am
#65
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: Pacific Wonderland
Programs: ʙᴏɴᴠo̱ʏ Au, IHG Au, HH Dia, Nexus, Pilot FlyingJ Preferred
Posts: 5,336
Other than that, why would your company want you to make changes to the booked itinerary outside of their process? There's a reason (discounts/kickbacks from preferred airlines, policy controls, accountability) that they're steering employees through a TA rather than having them book direct.
Jun 15, 2018, 11:29 am
#66
Join Date: Jan 2017
Programs: alaska
Posts: 108
This is a really good original post sort of tracking what's going on. I've been loyal to Alaska for 10+ years and I'll say that overall, the last 2-3 years I've noticed a drop in service as well as some of the negatives you mentioned. The award redemption stinginess in particular has been frustrating. SOME of this is just due to the merger and issues with VX planes/re routes, etc. SOME of it however is concerning and I do think they've dropped off a bit.
So to answer: No, they don't suck, but if they keep dropping things that made us happy, they could suck soon.
And finally, HOW HARD IS IT TO STACK ENOUGH FRUIT AND CHEESE TRAYS SO THEY DON'T RUN OUT BY ROW 21?!?! They're always running out of the damn things, so stack MORE. For ....'s sake.
So to answer: No, they don't suck, but if they keep dropping things that made us happy, they could suck soon.
And finally, HOW HARD IS IT TO STACK ENOUGH FRUIT AND CHEESE TRAYS SO THEY DON'T RUN OUT BY ROW 21?!?! They're always running out of the damn things, so stack MORE. For ....'s sake.
Jun 15, 2018, 12:08 pm
#67
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 116
This is a really good original post sort of tracking what's going on. I've been loyal to Alaska for 10+ years and I'll say that overall, the last 2-3 years I've noticed a drop in service as well as some of the negatives you mentioned. The award redemption stinginess in particular has been frustrating. SOME of this is just due to the merger and issues with VX planes/re routes, etc. SOME of it however is concerning and I do think they've dropped off a bit.
So to answer: No, they don't suck, but if they keep dropping things that made us happy, they could suck soon.
And finally, HOW HARD IS IT TO STACK ENOUGH FRUIT AND CHEESE TRAYS SO THEY DON'T RUN OUT BY ROW 21?!?! They're always running out of the damn things, so stack MORE. For ....'s sake.
So to answer: No, they don't suck, but if they keep dropping things that made us happy, they could suck soon.
And finally, HOW HARD IS IT TO STACK ENOUGH FRUIT AND CHEESE TRAYS SO THEY DON'T RUN OUT BY ROW 21?!?! They're always running out of the damn things, so stack MORE. For ....'s sake.
Jun 15, 2018, 2:05 pm
#68
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: British Columbia
Programs: AS MVPG100K, Marriott Marriott Titanium Elite, Hilton Gold
Posts: 7,263
Qf8 f award @ t-153!
Now, back to my title. If anyone is looking for a QF8 F award DFW-SYD for a Southern Hemisphere late spring there is one available for November 15th. Hope someone can use it.
They do exist!
lol
Jun 15, 2018, 3:17 pm
#69
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: BOS/ORH
Programs: AS 75K
Posts: 18,323
There is one for December as well. DFW seems to have the best availability out of all the QF routes. I flew it back in May also booked about 5 months out. Try finding something after Feb though. There is some sort of withholding going on because QF used to be bookable at 331 days and that's when I've booked all my QF in the past.
Jun 15, 2018, 3:25 pm
#70
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: British Columbia
Programs: AS MVPG100K, Marriott Marriott Titanium Elite, Hilton Gold
Posts: 7,263
There is one for December as well. DFW seems to have the best availability out of all the QF routes. I flew it back in May also booked about 5 months out. Try finding something after Feb though. There is some sort of withholding going on because QF used to be bookable at 331 days and that's when I've booked all my QF in the past.
James
James
Jun 16, 2018, 12:43 am
#71
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
There is one for December as well. DFW seems to have the best availability out of all the QF routes. I flew it back in May also booked about 5 months out. Try finding something after Feb though. There is some sort of withholding going on because QF used to be bookable at 331 days and that's when I've booked all my QF in the past.
And I have no idea about business travel and changing travel agent tickets online. Work doesn't cover any of my travel
It's all for fun 
Jun 16, 2018, 9:31 am
#72
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Bay Area, CA
Programs: UA Plat 2MM; AS MVP Gold 75K
Posts: 35,068
Calling them a regional airline when their only hubs were SEA and PDX in the US48 was fair. Now, not so much. They're West Coast focused for sure, but hardly regional.
Jun 16, 2018, 9:53 am
#73
Join Date: May 2003
Location: SFO, mostly
Posts: 2,204
I am pleased with having free streaming entertainment and an increased number of extra legroom seats with the addition of premium class and increased F legroom. Those are two positive changes in the past two years. Not saying it makes up for the other stuff, but the F seat pitch pre-2016 was truly worst in class.
Jun 18, 2018, 4:28 pm
#74
Join Date: Jun 2018
Location: Bainbridge Island, WA
Programs: Alaska MVP Gold
Posts: 1
The diminishing friendliness of the Alaska employees after the VX merger is making me eye DL instead. Alaska's route matches my business travel needs extremely well (fly every other week from SEA, usually down to BUR/LAX, but occasionally to ABQ, SFO/OAK/SJC, DEN, and PSC in the winter). But the service has gone downhill. I've never seen outright nastiness from an FA or GA until this year (FAs while we were on the ground in BUR and our flight was eventually cancelled due to weather; GAs a couple weeks ago with the new baggage size rules).
It's basically a toss up now between AS and DL for me.
It's basically a toss up now between AS and DL for me.
Jun 18, 2018, 5:35 pm
#75
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: FAT
Programs: AA mm, Hilton Dime, Hyatt Xpl.& PC Plat, Miracle Fruit-su club
Posts: 1,694
Just flew a mid-day transcon on Saturday - 6 hr. JFK-LAX on a Virgin Airbus. 1 drink service, 0 snacks. No biscoff, nothing. nada. zilch. Only food for purchase on the IFE. At least hard product hadn't been converted yet & I got a late baggage delivery voucher.
Also, overheard the FA's talking about VX flight attendants who quit for "obvious reasons." when one asked the other why, the reply was, "would you want to work for us after working for Virgin?"
So for me, the answer is yes.
Also, overheard the FA's talking about VX flight attendants who quit for "obvious reasons." when one asked the other why, the reply was, "would you want to work for us after working for Virgin?"
So for me, the answer is yes.
Last edited by jumpdogjump; Jun 18, 2018 at 5:41 pm