Time to raise elite thresholds?
Nov 15, 2018, 8:47 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: WA State
Programs: Alaska MVP Gold, Hilton Gold, Red Lion Gold
Posts: 177
Time to raise elite thresholds?
Curioua what others think....I'd really like to see Alaska raise the MVP mark to 25K and Gold to 50K.
I almost never ever get upgrades anymore and I find myself being like #10 on the list or even lower. Whether it’s from matches or more people earning status, premium class is pretty much the best I’m ever seeing anymore.
I almost never ever get upgrades anymore and I find myself being like #10 on the list or even lower. Whether it’s from matches or more people earning status, premium class is pretty much the best I’m ever seeing anymore.
Nov 15, 2018, 9:23 pm
#3
Moderator: Alaska Mileage Plan
Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 12,316
My opinion is that AS needs another year to see how elites rank shake out after the combination of the AS/VX programs. There also seems to have been a lot of status matches from AA in the last two years. Reassessing in January, 2020 may yield a more meaningful analysis.
If it is decided that elite thresholds should be raised, my suggestion would be to first increase the elite-qualifying partner miles levels (e.g., 30K, 55K, 100K).
If it is decided that elite thresholds should be raised, my suggestion would be to first increase the elite-qualifying partner miles levels (e.g., 30K, 55K, 100K).
Nov 15, 2018, 9:29 pm
#5
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: US West Coast
Programs: Alaska 100K, Hyatt Gl, Marriott Ti/LTP
Posts: 353
I suspect if they make status “harder” in any way, it’ll be by introducing a 100k tier (possibly requiring 120k or 125k with partners, to match DL Diamond). A few small additions would be added at the top, but mostly, benefits would move up-tier or stay the same. I worry about this a lot. (I fly ~90-95k with AS each year, but rarely pass 100k without partners.)
My advice would be to never hope that they make status harder to get (but just hard enough so you keep what you have, and it’s harder for others!). They’ll wind up passing you, too, eventually. If you want more consistent upgrades, hope the program stays exactly as it is as long as possible, and do some mileage runs to get to the next tier up.
My advice would be to never hope that they make status harder to get (but just hard enough so you keep what you have, and it’s harder for others!). They’ll wind up passing you, too, eventually. If you want more consistent upgrades, hope the program stays exactly as it is as long as possible, and do some mileage runs to get to the next tier up.
Nov 15, 2018, 9:33 pm
#6
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: SEA
Programs: Hilton/Marriott Gold, Accor Silver
Posts: 2,036
Given that earnings on cheap economy fares on most partners are pretty dismal, that's not exactly easy at this point anyway, unless you're flying a bunch of premium cabins.
Nov 15, 2018, 9:41 pm
#7
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: MEL CHC
Posts: 21,017
My opinion is that AS needs another year to see how elites rank shake out after the combination of the AS/VX programs. There also seems to have been a lot of status matches from AA in the last two years. Reassessing in January, 2020 may yield a more meaningful analysis.
If it is decided that elite thresholds should be raised, my suggestion would be to first increase the elite-qualifying partner miles levels (e.g., 30K, 55K, 100K).
If it is decided that elite thresholds should be raised, my suggestion would be to first increase the elite-qualifying partner miles levels (e.g., 30K, 55K, 100K).
But most flyers are not that interested in ffp's. How many will change airlines is debatable. We are the 1% 2% 3% ?% who are interested in the fine details of ffp's and use them.
Nov 15, 2018, 9:45 pm
#8
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: SFO
Programs: AS MVP Gold / Marriott Bonvoy(age) Titanium Elite, IHG Platinum, WN A+/CP, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 337
I have noticed the end of the year tougher to get upgrades...plenty of new people qualify while others that are surfing towards a downgrade in January....i would like to gauge this in January when everyone that didnt requalify shake out of the system.
Nov 15, 2018, 10:01 pm
#9
Join Date: Jan 2001
Posts: 2,837
Alaska is monetizing the first class cabin more than ever. Routes that can't sell F are selling P. Status upgrades have decreased overall as a result. My upgrade success as a 75K is lower than it's ever been, and I typically buy at least a month out. So now I'm buying the seat if I really want to sit up front. Higher thresholds won't solve that dynamic. And I doubt Alaska wants to raise thresholds right as we enter a recession...
Nov 15, 2018, 10:04 pm
#10
Join Date: Jan 2009
Posts: 1,621
Hi -
Another reason upgrades are harder late in the year is people topping off their accounts to hit/retain status. I am seeing more and more planes that are full in F and 1/3-1/2 full in Y.
The reality is that MVPs can get upgraded sometimes up and down the coast; anything else is a gift. Golds get west coast UGs most of the time, but mid con/transcon you have to have luck or fly on off-peak days. The only way to get upgraded consistently these days is to be 75K. And even that can fail on heavy business travel days.
Another reason upgrades are harder late in the year is people topping off their accounts to hit/retain status. I am seeing more and more planes that are full in F and 1/3-1/2 full in Y.
The reality is that MVPs can get upgraded sometimes up and down the coast; anything else is a gift. Golds get west coast UGs most of the time, but mid con/transcon you have to have luck or fly on off-peak days. The only way to get upgraded consistently these days is to be 75K. And even that can fail on heavy business travel days.
Nov 15, 2018, 11:03 pm
#11
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
Hi -
Another reason upgrades are harder late in the year is people topping off their accounts to hit/retain status. I am seeing more and more planes that are full in F and 1/3-1/2 full in Y.
The reality is that MVPs can get upgraded sometimes up and down the coast; anything else is a gift. Golds get west coast UGs most of the time, but mid con/transcon you have to have luck or fly on off-peak days. The only way to get upgraded consistently these days is to be 75K. And even that can fail on heavy business travel days.
Another reason upgrades are harder late in the year is people topping off their accounts to hit/retain status. I am seeing more and more planes that are full in F and 1/3-1/2 full in Y.
The reality is that MVPs can get upgraded sometimes up and down the coast; anything else is a gift. Golds get west coast UGs most of the time, but mid con/transcon you have to have luck or fly on off-peak days. The only way to get upgraded consistently these days is to be 75K. And even that can fail on heavy business travel days.
Yeah, those are decreasing.
I've been hitting 100K+ on AS for a couple years now, so I could see a new tier. As a MM'er however, I'm not sure we want another level.
Nov 16, 2018, 12:25 am
#13
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: SEA
Programs: AS G100K, DL PM, IHG Gold, HHonors Diamond
Posts: 843
AS has been messing with their upgrade process during their second half of this year, basically shutting the door on elite upgrade days ahead of departure. So I don't think upping the elite levels will increase chances of upgrade for the top tier members. For example I am 75K, and in the last 6 weeks I flew four segments to HI, 2 segments transcon, and 2 segments mid-con+. I got upgraded 4 out of these 8 segments, and 0 for 4 this month. Granted this is a small set of data, and upgrades chances also depends on your routes, but I see this as a new trend, especially the 120-hour upgrade window for 75K was basically gone even before October.
Nov 16, 2018, 1:09 am
#14
Join Date: Feb 2017
Location: BLI
Programs: Alaska MVPG
Posts: 206
The change from 16 to 12 F seats on most planes has reduced the number of upgrades significantly. However when saver fares roll out the number of upgrades should increase since a percentage of elites will take the savings and be ineligible.
As for raising the requirements I'd say that would be bad. If anything maybe add a tier above 75k.
As for raising the requirements I'd say that would be bad. If anything maybe add a tier above 75k.