2019 Alaska Airlines *FLAME-FREE* Q&A Thread: All Welcome, New and Old!
#661
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
I regularly change flights that I have booked using a discount code. The discount code absolutely carries over to the new booking so it is not lost.
The only time I have ever had to full-on cancel (rather than just change) was about a month ago. I had to call in to cancel as I couldn’t do it online. It was under difficult circumstances and I had to change and cancel a few flights. The agent proactively asked Customer Care to issue me a new code to replace the one I had used on one of the flights. It was very nice of her and she offered it proactively. I did not ask and ai got the impression that it wasn’t the usual MO.
I believe if you just preserve the e-ticket for future use it protects the discount code but if you refund to your wallet, you lose the code. But I may be wrong as I so rarely outright cancel.
The only time I have ever had to full-on cancel (rather than just change) was about a month ago. I had to call in to cancel as I couldn’t do it online. It was under difficult circumstances and I had to change and cancel a few flights. The agent proactively asked Customer Care to issue me a new code to replace the one I had used on one of the flights. It was very nice of her and she offered it proactively. I did not ask and ai got the impression that it wasn’t the usual MO.
I believe if you just preserve the e-ticket for future use it protects the discount code but if you refund to your wallet, you lose the code. But I may be wrong as I so rarely outright cancel.
#662
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: LAX
Programs: AS MVPG, IHG Diamond Elite
Posts: 1,445
This has been my experience too. The discounted pricing continues to show when making changes to the flight. Cancel/redeposit to wallet will lose the discount code, and I've had agents deny requests for a discount code reissue in the past.
#663
Moderator Hilton Honors, Travel News, West, The Suggestion Box, Smoking Lounge & DiningBuzz
Join Date: Jun 2000
Programs: Honors Diamond, Hertz Presidents Circle, National Exec Elite
Posts: 36,025
I have several flights this summer that were bought on the AS website that include an AA segment (booked as a codeshare).
I know that I will get 500 miles per "partner segment," but given my flying patterns those will be useless in terms of helping achieve status requalification.
What would happen if I simply took the AA boarding pass (which shows my AS #) to the gate agent and asked them to change it to my AA #?
a) Would that work? (I could use the 500 AA RDM to come closer to hitting a threshold)
b) Or would it populate to the AS segment too, causing me to receive no miles from either carrier for that segment.
c) Would it make a difference whether the AA segment was the initial one of a two segment itinerary vs. the second one?
I know there have been lots of questions about this, but I honestly am not sure I ever figured out a consensus answer.
I know that I will get 500 miles per "partner segment," but given my flying patterns those will be useless in terms of helping achieve status requalification.
What would happen if I simply took the AA boarding pass (which shows my AS #) to the gate agent and asked them to change it to my AA #?
a) Would that work? (I could use the 500 AA RDM to come closer to hitting a threshold)
b) Or would it populate to the AS segment too, causing me to receive no miles from either carrier for that segment.
c) Would it make a difference whether the AA segment was the initial one of a two segment itinerary vs. the second one?
I know there have been lots of questions about this, but I honestly am not sure I ever figured out a consensus answer.
#664
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: YVR
Programs: I'm a nobody everywhere
Posts: 424
Currently booked on AS1137 (Econ) SAN-SEA as a married segment coming in from TYO on JL (Biz).
Econ was all they had and it was the last seat on JL so I booked the trip.
I was under impression that I could change things as long as origin and end stay the same (booked on AAdvantage), but apparently not the case but thats another story. Its my first transpac award booking.
Long story short, my only chance of flying AS in J is on this flight specifically now. Question, does AS release F seats close to departure? If so, how close do they release so I'll know to be at my computer incessantly.
Econ was all they had and it was the last seat on JL so I booked the trip.
I was under impression that I could change things as long as origin and end stay the same (booked on AAdvantage), but apparently not the case but thats another story. Its my first transpac award booking.
Long story short, my only chance of flying AS in J is on this flight specifically now. Question, does AS release F seats close to departure? If so, how close do they release so I'll know to be at my computer incessantly.
#665
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: British Columbia
Programs: AS MVPG100K, Marriott Marriott Titanium Elite, Hilton Gold
Posts: 7,263
Typically, mileage requirement for an AS First award will increase as you get closer to departure. "A" space may never open up while U space for Mileage Plan members may open. Waitlisted members (flying on eligible fares) would be upgraded in waitlist order as part of their Elite Benefits. If no Members are on the waitlist, Members can purchase an eligible fare or apply an upgrade instrument on a lower fare class for an immediate upgrade. Starting at 5 days before departure, depending on status tier, AS Elites receive complimentary upgrades. If all AS Elites are upgraded and there is still F space available, paid upgrades are available to anyone and offered at check-in or at the gate. No takers? The F seat goes out empty.
If you have access to a subscription service such as ExpertFlyer, you can set up an alert to be notified if "A" space opens up. If it does, you would need to call AAdvantage and see if that space is available to them and if they can accommodate the cabin change. Of course, you are bound by the T&Cs of AAdvantage. The likelyhood of last minute Saver A space is low. If it is quite some time before the flight, your chances improve.
James
Last edited by Flying for Fun; Jun 11, 2019 at 1:29 am
#666
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: YVR
Programs: I'm a nobody everywhere
Posts: 424
Thanks James for the detailed reply. From what I gather, looks like my chances are slim as the flight is in less than 10 days. I guess it won't hurt to check back once in a while.
#667
Join Date: Sep 2018
Programs: Alaska
Posts: 2,188
EK codeshare QF flight
Will I get AS miles with EK codeshare QF operated flight? The flight is SYD-SIN, EK5003
don’t want to start a new thread just for this.
Thanks.
don’t want to start a new thread just for this.
Thanks.
#668
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
https://www.alaskaair.com/content/mi...er-overview:EK
Qualify for mileage accrual
Flights must fall within the eligible flight number range below, and your flight must be marketed and operated by Emirate. Ticket has to be on Emirates ticket stock to qualify.
Eligible flight numbers
001–978
The rules are the same for QF:
Flights must fall within the eligible flight number range below, and your flight must be marketed and operated by Qantas.
#669
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: British Columbia
Programs: AS MVPG100K, Marriott Marriott Titanium Elite, Hilton Gold
Posts: 7,263
Technically, according to the rules, no. Is it possible? YMMV. For both QF and EK, the flights must be marketed and operated by the same carrier. This is from the partner earning page:
https://www.alaskaair.com/content/mi...er-overview:EK
Qualify for mileage accrual
Flights must fall within the eligible flight number range below, and your flight must be marketed and operated by Emirate. Ticket has to be on Emirates ticket stock to qualify.
Eligible flight numbers
001–978
The rules are the same for QF:
Flights must fall within the eligible flight number range below, and your flight must be marketed and operated by Qantas.
https://www.alaskaair.com/content/mi...er-overview:EK
Qualify for mileage accrual
Flights must fall within the eligible flight number range below, and your flight must be marketed and operated by Emirate. Ticket has to be on Emirates ticket stock to qualify.
Eligible flight numbers
001–978
The rules are the same for QF:
Flights must fall within the eligible flight number range below, and your flight must be marketed and operated by Qantas.
In practice, however, I have flown 4 native EK J flights on ticket stock other than EK and the flights posted automatically.
Codeshares add another layer of complexity as the flight numbers don't fall within the specified flight number range for accrual. In the poster's scenario the EK ticket stock hurdle wouldn't be an issue.
It would be interesting to know if AS would treat the EK codeshare with QF as it does other partner codeshares upon a manual request.
I wouldn't chance not getting EQM for the flight if I was still earning towards status. Now that I have requalified, I would give it a go to see how it played out.
James
#670
Join Date: Aug 2018
Programs: AA Exec Plat, Bonvoy Platinum, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 621
I can tell you the answer is not what you want to hear. Here's the most recent thread on the subject: AS Companion Fare + UR Points. Cliff Notes say that you will not be able to cancel and credit to your wallet - loophole seems closed
[edit] Wait, reading your link a second time, more closely...I can't do the change through Alaska, but should be able to do it through the UR portal???
[edit 2] Checked the UR portal (which I wouldn't have even thought to do before coming in here, I always think to just go to the airline for flight changes), I clicked through to changing the reservation and found this:
Alaska Airlines will charge you a $125 fee per ticket to change your flight.
Eurynom0s : Adult $125
Subtotal $125
How to change your flight:
Fare price difference - In addition to change fees, the difference in price of new tickets determines the final cost.
You can only change this flight on the same airline for the same traveler.
Reference itinerary #XYZ123 when you call customer support at 1-888-511-5323.
Eurynom0s : Adult $125
Subtotal $125
How to change your flight:
Fare price difference - In addition to change fees, the difference in price of new tickets determines the final cost.
You can only change this flight on the same airline for the same traveler.
Reference itinerary #XYZ123 when you call customer support at 1-888-511-5323.
Last edited by Eurynom0s; Jun 12, 2019 at 1:17 pm
#671
Join Date: Apr 2017
Programs: AS 100k, DL PM, New Sagaya
Posts: 1,291
I'm also getting the "This reservation is not eligible for online changes. Please call us at 1-800-252-7522 for assistance" message on a flight I booked via the UR portal using UR points. I'm looking to actually do a flight change, not just cancel the flight. If new flight + change fee is greater than what I originally paid, I'm assuming there's no problem? But if new flight + change fee is less than what I originally paid, am I SOL on the leftover money?
[edit] Wait, reading your link a second time, more closely...I can't do the change through Alaska, but should be able to do it through the UR portal???
[edit 2] Checked the UR portal (which I wouldn't have even thought to do before coming in here, I always think to just go to the airline for flight changes), I clicked through to changing the reservation and found this:
So okay, it closes the old loophole of how to turn UR into My Wallet funds if you're Gold/75K, but at least the funds aren't completely dead, which is what I was worried about there for a moment. Since I'm only regular MVP I can't provide a datapoint on whether the change fee is waived for Gold/75K when you're calling Expedia/UR to make a change to a UR portal booking.
[edit] Wait, reading your link a second time, more closely...I can't do the change through Alaska, but should be able to do it through the UR portal???
[edit 2] Checked the UR portal (which I wouldn't have even thought to do before coming in here, I always think to just go to the airline for flight changes), I clicked through to changing the reservation and found this:
So okay, it closes the old loophole of how to turn UR into My Wallet funds if you're Gold/75K, but at least the funds aren't completely dead, which is what I was worried about there for a moment. Since I'm only regular MVP I can't provide a datapoint on whether the change fee is waived for Gold/75K when you're calling Expedia/UR to make a change to a UR portal booking.
#672
Moderator Hilton Honors, Travel News, West, The Suggestion Box, Smoking Lounge & DiningBuzz
Join Date: Jun 2000
Programs: Honors Diamond, Hertz Presidents Circle, National Exec Elite
Posts: 36,025
Have I stumped the band twice in a week?
I have several flights this summer that were bought on the AS website that include an AA segment (booked as a codeshare).
I know that I will get 500 miles per "partner segment," but given my flying patterns those will be useless in terms of helping achieve status requalification.
What would happen if I simply took the AA boarding pass (which shows my AS #) to the gate agent and asked them to change it to my AA #?
a) Would that work? (I could use the 500 AA RDM to come closer to hitting a threshold)
b) Or would it populate to the AS segment too, causing me to receive no miles from either carrier for that segment.
c) Would it make a difference whether the AA segment was the initial one of a two segment itinerary vs. the second one?
I know there have been lots of questions about this, but I honestly am not sure I ever figured out a consensus answer.
I know that I will get 500 miles per "partner segment," but given my flying patterns those will be useless in terms of helping achieve status requalification.
What would happen if I simply took the AA boarding pass (which shows my AS #) to the gate agent and asked them to change it to my AA #?
a) Would that work? (I could use the 500 AA RDM to come closer to hitting a threshold)
b) Or would it populate to the AS segment too, causing me to receive no miles from either carrier for that segment.
c) Would it make a difference whether the AA segment was the initial one of a two segment itinerary vs. the second one?
I know there have been lots of questions about this, but I honestly am not sure I ever figured out a consensus answer.
#673
Join Date: Jan 2012
Programs: AY+ Plat, Marriott Plat, Hyatt Discoverist
Posts: 2,846
If the AA-operated flight is marketed as an AS flight (i.e., has an AS flight number), it won't earn any AAdvantage miles.
Asking an agent to switch your AS Mileage Plan number with your AAdvantage number will probably affect all the segments in your itinerary. Probably the best way to credit to different programs with flights on the same itinerary is to NOT have a frequent flyer number at all in the booking and then retroactively claim credit for individual flights afterwards.
It doesn't matter if the AA-operated flight is first, last, or in the middle.
Asking an agent to switch your AS Mileage Plan number with your AAdvantage number will probably affect all the segments in your itinerary. Probably the best way to credit to different programs with flights on the same itinerary is to NOT have a frequent flyer number at all in the booking and then retroactively claim credit for individual flights afterwards.
It doesn't matter if the AA-operated flight is first, last, or in the middle.
#674
Moderator Hilton Honors, Travel News, West, The Suggestion Box, Smoking Lounge & DiningBuzz
Join Date: Jun 2000
Programs: Honors Diamond, Hertz Presidents Circle, National Exec Elite
Posts: 36,025
Trouble with not putting in my AS MVPG number is that I can't get decent seats and no shot at upgrade. Guess it will just be the cost of doing business.
#675
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: British Columbia
Programs: AS MVPG100K, Marriott Marriott Titanium Elite, Hilton Gold
Posts: 7,263
The issue I had and anyone else will have is if the codeshare flight is a standalone or the first flight on a multi-segment itinerary, the bagage fee waiver for AS Elites doesn't extend to AA. I had to change my FF# from AS to AA for my AAdvantage CC benefits to kick in. After ckeck-in I had the gate agent change it back.
James