I miss free MVPG changes, can I match back as a DL Plat?
Jul 7, 2019, 6:51 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: SFO/SJC/OAK/STS
Programs: Alaska MVPG, Delta PM, AA EXP, Wannabe SkyWest 1K
Posts: 644
I miss free MVPG changes, can I match back as a DL Plat?
I'm about to make DL Plat due to credit card MQMs and have been a paid F free agent the last two years since I let my MVPG status lapse.
I just had to reschedule a trip twice due to a friend who has health issues, and am happy to accommodate his schedule. However, I'm getting killed by change fees and refundable tickets on other airlines are too $$$. On top of that, my int'l flying to the UK, Australia, and Japan is about to increase, and I would love to earn EQMs to SYD and NRT/HND out of SFO, without having to fly down/up to LAX or SEA.
As long as the free change benefit is ok, I don't care about upgrades, think I'll come back to MVPG. Will they match me back if I'm DL Plat?
I just had to reschedule a trip twice due to a friend who has health issues, and am happy to accommodate his schedule. However, I'm getting killed by change fees and refundable tickets on other airlines are too $$$. On top of that, my int'l flying to the UK, Australia, and Japan is about to increase, and I would love to earn EQMs to SYD and NRT/HND out of SFO, without having to fly down/up to LAX or SEA.
As long as the free change benefit is ok, I don't care about upgrades, think I'll come back to MVPG. Will they match me back if I'm DL Plat?
Jul 7, 2019, 7:16 pm
#2
Join Date: Aug 2018
Location: PDX
Programs: AS MVP Gold 100K
Posts: 2,329
DL plat matches to AS MVP Gold 75K.
You mention getting to plat with card spend. The T&C for AS status match states: "A status match is only offered to members who have achieved elite status through actual flight miles or segments in another program. Status granted based on credit card activity, transferred points, or any other promotional offer is not eligible for a status match."
Read more here:
https://www.alaskaair.com/content/de...s-from-heading
You mention getting to plat with card spend. The T&C for AS status match states: "A status match is only offered to members who have achieved elite status through actual flight miles or segments in another program. Status granted based on credit card activity, transferred points, or any other promotional offer is not eligible for a status match."
Read more here:
https://www.alaskaair.com/content/de...s-from-heading
Jul 7, 2019, 7:51 pm
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: SFO/SJC/OAK/STS
Programs: Alaska MVPG, Delta PM, AA EXP, Wannabe SkyWest 1K
Posts: 644
Thanks for the response. I actually don’t want to be 75K or DL Diamond because I fly a lot of paid F and would rather not be a slave to one airline. I’d rather fly Virgin Atlantic to LHR and credit Delta, Qantas to SYD and credit Alaska. Same with JAL to TYO. I’ll fly up to MVPG next year and keep my DL Plat.
Jul 8, 2019, 12:38 pm
#5
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Seattle, WA
Programs: AS MVPG, 1MM
Posts: 377
Thanks for the response. I actually don’t want to be 75K or DL Diamond because I fly a lot of paid F and would rather not be a slave to one airline. I’d rather fly Virgin Atlantic to LHR and credit Delta, Qantas to SYD and credit Alaska. Same with JAL to TYO. I’ll fly up to MVPG next year and keep my DL Plat.
Jul 8, 2019, 12:39 pm
#6
Join Date: Aug 2018
Location: PDX
Programs: AS MVP Gold 100K
Posts: 2,329
Jul 8, 2019, 12:45 pm
#7
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 10,904
On AS, for first class tickets, only F is refundable. I and P are not refundable and are subject to change fees. This is pretty common across airlines -- only full fare is refundable with no change fees.
Jul 8, 2019, 12:52 pm
#8
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Minneapolis: DL DM charter 2.3MM
Programs: A3*Gold, SPG Plat, HyattDiamond, MarriottPP, LHW exAccess, ICI, Raffles Amb, NW PE MM, TWA Gold MM
Posts: 100,404
DL has had *some* P fares that were refundable and some nonrefundable, sometimes in the same market, but now DL uses G A P for PS (premium economy) so that the domestic FC fares are Z I D C and J (traditionally used for international business class) to add confusion.
Jul 8, 2019, 12:56 pm
#9
Join Date: Sep 2008
Posts: 7,875
Almost all first-class fares aren't refundable. The vast majority of fares aren't refundable. Refundable economy is usually more expensive than a regular first fare.
Jul 8, 2019, 1:03 pm
#10
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 10,904
DL has had *some* P fares that were refundable and some nonrefundable, sometimes in the same market, but now DL uses G A P for PS (premium economy) so that the domestic FC fares are Z I D C and J (traditionally used for international business class) to add confusion.
Jul 10, 2019, 1:15 pm
#11
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Salem, OR
Programs: Alaska MVP Gold75k, WN A-List, AA, FI, DY, UA, Marriott Lifetime Silver, Hilton Diamond, Amtrak
Posts: 129
My absolute favorite aspect of AS as my carrier is the refundability and flexibility of MVPG member tickets combined with upgrade opportunities. For someone like me who needs the flexibility to move flights to different dates as my paramount concern, you can't beat any other US airline in terms of cost (no change fees!!!) and quality (the ability to get some kind of premium class upgrade or service that is much better on long haul flights when compared to WN, the only other flexible ticket airline).
Jul 10, 2019, 4:36 pm
#12
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 10,904
My absolute favorite aspect of AS as my carrier is the refundability and flexibility of MVPG member tickets combined with upgrade opportunities. For someone like me who needs the flexibility to move flights to different dates as my paramount concern, you can't beat any other US airline in terms of cost (no change fees!!!) and quality (the ability to get some kind of premium class upgrade or service that is much better on long haul flights when compared to WN, the only other flexible ticket airline).