Does Alaska suck now?
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2018
Posts: 170
Does Alaska suck now?
More of a rant piece, but seeing devaluations after devaluations I'm wondering if Alaska has the right mindset.
This is more toward the FF crowd, not the "I find the cheapest fare on Google then buy it" crowd.
Just scanning through the recent FT posts, I can think of several things AS is known for:
What was good about Alaska:
Generous FF program, with good international redemptions, albeit lower availability than other programs
60-day free changes (gone)
Price protection guarantee
Good earn rates (mileage-based) - it was often the best choice to credit to Alaska on most of its partners
Post VX merger, all the VX routes
Service is second to none
Fast call center times
Companion fare?
What wasn't great about Alaska:
Lounge is usually subpar compared to other airlines
First class is just okay
Good things within the recent year:
New partnerships with Singapore and Aer Lingus (but still no redemptions)
Earnings on post-VX routes
Bad things within the recent year:
SDC fee change
No more free 60-day change
Draconian enforcement of lowered baggage sizes
Many VX routes reduced in frequency or completely going away
F award pricing is higher, harder to find awards at saver level
Loss of DL partnership, KLM, AF, Aeromexico
Devaluation of AA, LATAM
Award space for Qantas dropped even further, JL is hard to book (nit)
Sure, AS still provides incredible value, the changes are still more generous than what other airlines have, etc. but the writing looks like it's on the wall - we're in for a bumpy ride.
This is more toward the FF crowd, not the "I find the cheapest fare on Google then buy it" crowd.
Just scanning through the recent FT posts, I can think of several things AS is known for:
What was good about Alaska:
Generous FF program, with good international redemptions, albeit lower availability than other programs
60-day free changes (gone)
Price protection guarantee
Good earn rates (mileage-based) - it was often the best choice to credit to Alaska on most of its partners
Post VX merger, all the VX routes
Service is second to none
Fast call center times
Companion fare?
What wasn't great about Alaska:
Lounge is usually subpar compared to other airlines
First class is just okay
Good things within the recent year:
New partnerships with Singapore and Aer Lingus (but still no redemptions)
Earnings on post-VX routes
Bad things within the recent year:
SDC fee change
No more free 60-day change
Draconian enforcement of lowered baggage sizes
Many VX routes reduced in frequency or completely going away
F award pricing is higher, harder to find awards at saver level
Loss of DL partnership, KLM, AF, Aeromexico
Devaluation of AA, LATAM
Award space for Qantas dropped even further, JL is hard to book (nit)
Sure, AS still provides incredible value, the changes are still more generous than what other airlines have, etc. but the writing looks like it's on the wall - we're in for a bumpy ride.
Last edited by vji; Jun 6, 2018 at 5:58 pm Reason: diversions not recent
#4
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Northern Calif./Eastern Ida.
Programs: Amethyst Premier Plutonium Medallion
Posts: 20,566
it has been a rough ride since the merger announcement, and i fear there is more to come. i'm sitting on too high a mileage balance, but one that fortunately is not continuing to grow at a rapid pace..., but also don't have "time" to burn it down (not to do the searching to find good award flights, but rather the time to take a worthwhile trip). that said, i'm going to need to use them up soon based on the aforementioned "writing on the wall".
#5
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: SEA
Programs: Hilton/Marriott Gold, Accor Silver
Posts: 2,036
I don't know about sucks, but the recent changes are making me have fewer concerns over my impending switch to DL. I'm burning my Mileage Plan balance down to nil this year while the CX chart is still such a good value.
#6
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: SJC / DPS
Programs: AS G75K, UA Silver
Posts: 1,752
it has been a rough ride since the merger announcement, and i fear there is more to come. i'm sitting on too high a mileage balance, but one that fortunately is not continuing to grow at a rapid pace..., but also don't have "time" to burn it down (not to do the searching to find good award flights, but rather the time to take a worthwhile trip). that said, i'm going to need to use them up soon based on the aforementioned "writing on the wall".
#8
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: Seattle
Programs: AS
Posts: 2,292
The view of the new landscape is concerning.
glad we were able to get Award travel booked now.
SEA/Lax/SYD First/ Business on Qantas ( I know, a true miracle) and then HKG/ SEA Business on Emirates. Worth the miles / 40 day trip.
booked SEA/ LHR/ BCN First BA. return BCN/ LHR (1 week layover ) LHR/ SEA First BA. worth the fees for direct flights.
hopefully, a trip,or two should take care of the balance.
glad we were able to get Award travel booked now.
SEA/Lax/SYD First/ Business on Qantas ( I know, a true miracle) and then HKG/ SEA Business on Emirates. Worth the miles / 40 day trip.
booked SEA/ LHR/ BCN First BA. return BCN/ LHR (1 week layover ) LHR/ SEA First BA. worth the fees for direct flights.
hopefully, a trip,or two should take care of the balance.
#9
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: SEA
Programs: AS G100K, DL PM, IHG Gold, HHonors Diamond
Posts: 843
Right now the only MP advantages left that counts are mileage based earning (not revenue based), and MVPG/75K still can make changes/cancellations without penalties. If these benefits are going away, I think most of its loyal FF like us will be done with them.
#10
Join Date: Jul 2017
Posts: 168
No. But concerns abound.
There are still some benefits unique to Alaska. But management seems oddly eager to erode these qualites, one by one, even when they are competitive differentiators from the actual big 4. United, Delta, and Southwest arent standing still, and each - in their own unique way - is attempting to get better. If and when the competitors routes are better, policies are roughly similar, redemption options are more complete, and service is within a reasonable margin, Alaska will be in trouble outside the PNW. That may not ever happen for you. Or, it might happen really soon, or even be already true, depending on your own particular flying habits and prefs. Service with Alaska legacy crews and the mileage plan are the key remaining differentiators. For now.
Last edited by BayAreaTrvler; Jun 6, 2018 at 10:27 pm
#11
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: SEA
Programs: Hilton/Marriott Gold, Accor Silver
Posts: 2,036
AS's customer service has been a huge differentiator for me, particularly from phone reps--they have always been very helpful, and I've even received a few unannounced, preemptive upgrades when I've called in to fix a ticket after a schedule change--but I've heard a lot of complaints from others around here recently about a decline in service quality as AS has hired more amid the digestion of VX. And I've experienced some of that too; when I had a partner award schedule change a couple of years ago, I had to call in again to actually accomplish anything, because the first agent just read off my new flight numbers and departure times and failed to reissue the ticket. Meanwhile, while I was trying to book an award on AF last month but wasn't able to do so on their site, a DL twitter rep actually called me to confirm some details before confirming the booking. So the grass is a little less green on this side, and apparently not totally parched on the other.
#12
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Bay Area, CA
Programs: AS 75K, Marriott Gold, SPG Gold, Hilton Gold
Posts: 80
If you fly frequently on Alaska there is still great benefits to being Gold or 75k. If your miles come from partners in coach then maybe not. The reality is that it depends on your situation. I don't see how any of this has to do with Alaska "sucking". At least they still offer 100% miles on AS metal.
#13
Join Date: Apr 2014
Posts: 539
If you fly frequently on Alaska there is still great benefits to being Gold or 75k. If your miles come from partners in coach then maybe not. The reality is that it depends on your situation. I don't see how any of this has to do with Alaska "sucking". At least they still offer 100% miles on AS metal.
#14
Join Date: Aug 2017
Posts: 1,608
I agree with this. I would also add that as a 75K there have been numerous times where agents have bent over backwards to forgive fees, make changes, and just be helpful. The ability to book in advance because I know there is a price guarantee and that I can cancel up to a minute before my flight without losing a dime is invaluable to me.
#15
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Northern Calif./Eastern Ida.
Programs: Amethyst Premier Plutonium Medallion
Posts: 20,566
with recent negative changes to AS program/flight experience, WN is now the most customer friendly airline across the board, IMO. or maybe B6.