Need 25K miles by 12/31 to get MVPG , suggestions please
#61
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: Seattle, WA
Programs: Alaska 100K - MM, defender of shoes on the carpeted bulkhead 4ever, AA LT PLT, Hyatt Glob, HH Dia
Posts: 7,432
I will admit with aging parents, I have had to cancel or move a few trips, but not that many.
#62
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: SEA (the REAL Washington); occasionally in the other Washington (DCA area)
Programs: DL PM 1.57MM; AS MVPG 100K
Posts: 21,309
granted, we FTers aren't representative of the vast majority of the traveling public (or probably, for that matter, the majority of the AS Mileage Plan MVPG/75K community), but it's not so much the abuse as it is the gloating about it here that could easily turn into the last straw
#63
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: SFO
Programs: BART Platinum, AA Plat Pro
Posts: 1,157
There may well be. But my suggestion was a tongue-in-cheek comment on the frequently invoked FT fallacy that the value of a perk or mileage redemption is the retail price of the flight taken or fee avoided. It is not.
#64
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2007
Posts: 123
this
granted, we FTers aren't representative of the vast majority of the traveling public (or probably, for that matter, the majority of the AS Mileage Plan MVPG/75K community), but it's not so much the abuse as it is the gloating about it here that could easily turn into the last straw
granted, we FTers aren't representative of the vast majority of the traveling public (or probably, for that matter, the majority of the AS Mileage Plan MVPG/75K community), but it's not so much the abuse as it is the gloating about it here that could easily turn into the last straw
I doubt Alaska is going to take the comments of a few people on a message board and say "time to do away with this perk"
The change fee is similar to a baggage fee. What once was free is now monetized just like every other aspect of air travel. I guarantee you the bean counters keep a watchful eye on every so called perk and when the investors call for ever more cost cutting to increase share price, they will find another dollar to squeeze out of passenger. It's how its always worked. Soon it will be no change fees for 75K only and it won't be because 10 FlyerTalk members changed their tickets 100 times in a one year. It will be because their analytics software identified another incremental increase to their bottom line. 5 years ago there were no change fees for MVP's.
#66
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2007
Posts: 123
No way, really? Good thing they factor that into their cost structure. I'm guessing they are absolutely loving that $125 change fee plus the new fare revenue they charge to the majority of people changing their flights. Given the man power probably costs them $15 for the call, they are making a healthy profit on each change.
#67
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: Seattle, WA
Programs: Alaska 100K - MM, defender of shoes on the carpeted bulkhead 4ever, AA LT PLT, Hyatt Glob, HH Dia
Posts: 7,432
#68
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2007
Posts: 123
#70
Join Date: Jan 2010
Programs: MVP Gold, Marriott Gold, SPG Gold
Posts: 168
I have zero issue changing my flights as many times as I want, and use that benefit often for both awards and purchased tickets. Traveling as much as I do, I really value the flexibility. Additionally, and perhaps most importantly, If there was more award availability, I wouldn't need to change as often as I do. IMO, its one of the few differentiators between them and Delta, and one of the key reasons I have kept my business with them after all the devaluations.
#71
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2007
Posts: 123
I'm just guessing based on all sorts of assumed metrics. Salaries, benefits, training, infrastructure costs, IT etc etc. They must amortize all that stuff. Probably costs more like $5 but it for sure cost something. But honestly I don't care what it costs, its a perk offered at my level of status and I will use it as many times as I find necessary given my travel plans. Nothing wrong with that
#73
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: British Columbia
Programs: AS MVPG100K, Marriott Marriott Titanium Elite, Hilton Gold
Posts: 7,263