Upfaring to First Class
Jun 22, 2018, 11:00 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: YYC, Canada
Programs: AC 35k
Posts: 1,898
Upfaring to First Class
Is it possible to buy a regular main cabin fare and then change the fare to First within the first 24 hours? I'm not talking an upgrade, I'm talking an actual purchase and changing fare purchased. I need a receipt to say Main Cabin and self-upgrading to First but I want it to be paid first so there's mileage bonus, access to Alaska lounge etc
Jun 22, 2018, 11:12 am
#2
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: LAX
Programs: AS MVPG, IHG Diamond Elite
Posts: 1,445
Is it possible to buy a regular main cabin fare and then change the fare to First within the first 24 hours? I'm not talking an upgrade, I'm talking an actual purchase and changing fare purchased. I need a receipt to say Main Cabin and self-upgrading to First but I want it to be paid first so there's mileage bonus, access to Alaska lounge etc
Jun 22, 2018, 11:25 am
#3
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: Pacific Wonderland
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Posts: 5,336
Yes, you can either call in or do it yourself via the change flight option on the website. I've done this for work purchased tickets similar to what the OP described, as well as for a family member who paid for the main cabin fare themselves.
The change fee policy does apply to upfaring so after 24 hours, without Gold or 75K status, the website will charge you for that. In the past, a live agent may waive it at their discretion. I haven't done it since the policy changed so no idea if they can still do it. Also, the 24 hour free change doesn't apply to ticket purchased less than 24 hours prior to flight.
The change fee policy does apply to upfaring so after 24 hours, without Gold or 75K status, the website will charge you for that. In the past, a live agent may waive it at their discretion. I haven't done it since the policy changed so no idea if they can still do it. Also, the 24 hour free change doesn't apply to ticket purchased less than 24 hours prior to flight.
Jun 22, 2018, 12:13 pm
#4
Moderator Communications Coordinator, Signatures
Join Date: Apr 2001
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The change fee policy does apply to upfaring so after 24 hours, without Gold or 75K status, the website will charge you for that. In the past, a live agent may waive it at their discretion. I haven't done it since the policy changed so no idea if they can still do it. Also, the 24 hour free change doesn't apply to ticket purchased less than 24 hours prior to flight.
Jun 23, 2018, 10:42 am
#5
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: San Jose, CA USA
Posts: 1,791
Well, let me ask: If somebody with a non-refundable then pays up to the full refundable F fare, and later, wants to ditch the flight, is that a valid method to get a refund on the original payment amount?
Jun 23, 2018, 11:07 am
#6
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: Pacific Wonderland
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Code:
IN ALL CASES FOR CHANGES MADE THRU ALASKAAIR.COM OR ALASKA RESERVATIONS OR TRAVEL AGENCY 1/CHARGE APPLICABLE CHANGE FEE PLUS ANY ADDITIONAL INCREASE IN FARE LEVEL. EXCEPTION - FARES MAY BE UPGRADED TO ANY F- TYPE FARE WITHOUT COLLECTING THE CHANGE FEE. PASSENGER MUST PAY ADDITIONAL COLLECTION BETWEEN ORIGINAL FARE AND FIRST CLASS FARE. THE NEW TICKET MAY BE REFUNDED TO A CREIDT CERTIFICATE ONLY. NON-REF MUST BE SHOWN IN THE ENDORSEMENT BOX OF REISSUED TICKET
Jun 23, 2018, 11:32 am
#7
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: YVR, HNL
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https://www.alaskaair.com/content/le...rriage/rule-17
Under H(5) Voluntary Refunds:
Note: Any refund will be subject to fare rules of the original Ticket. A Credit certificate may be given for any Ticket that is non-refundable according to its fare rules
Jun 25, 2018, 12:46 pm
#8
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Is it possible to buy a regular main cabin fare and then change the fare to First within the first 24 hours? I'm not talking an upgrade, I'm talking an actual purchase and changing fare purchased. I need a receipt to say Main Cabin and self-upgrading to First but I want it to be paid first so there's mileage bonus, access to Alaska lounge etc
Same reason: I can only expense Y, but often my upfare to P is around $100, which is about the same as a later upgrade (without lounge, EQM bonus, etc.) would be.
For a 3-4 hour flight, it's worth it to me. As a base MVP there's some low probability I could get the seat for free, but not enough to deter me from just buying it.
Jun 25, 2018, 3:25 pm
#9
Moderator Communications Coordinator, Signatures
Join Date: Apr 2001
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Apr 10, 2019, 2:32 pm
#10
Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: SBA
Programs: UA Gold 1MM, Marriott Gold, IHG Plat, Hertz PC
Posts: 941
Paid Upfare to First
Hi Everyone - this is one of my first Alaska flights, I'm a big UA flyer but going to Seattle and it didn't make sense to change in SFO.
I'm booked in Main cabin - does Alaska allow you to "upfare" into First? Looking at their website, it only says within 24 hours if seats are available. UA generally allows you to upfare at any time, paying the difference in fare and no change fee.
Curious on Alaska's policy, particular if they'll try to charge be a change fee?
TIA!
I'm booked in Main cabin - does Alaska allow you to "upfare" into First? Looking at their website, it only says within 24 hours if seats are available. UA generally allows you to upfare at any time, paying the difference in fare and no change fee.
Curious on Alaska's policy, particular if they'll try to charge be a change fee?
TIA!
Apr 10, 2019, 2:41 pm
#11
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: LAX
Programs: AS MVPG, IHG Diamond Elite
Posts: 1,445
Paid upgrades (if available) are within 24 hrs, while up-fares you can do at anytime. I believe if you're up-faring to discounted first (P or I fare), a change fee applies (though you may find an agent willing to waive it for you). If up-faring to full F fare, they should waive the change fee. More detail in this thread: Does AS charge a change fee to up-fare to F?
Apr 10, 2019, 2:41 pm
#12
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: SEA (the REAL Washington); occasionally in the other Washington (DCA area)
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if you're within 24 hours of the original booking they won't impose the $125 change fee; otherwise, a non-status passenger will be at the mercy of the phone or counter agent
Apr 10, 2019, 4:38 pm
#14
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 10,904
One thing to keep in mind is that your can only make one change within 24hr.
Technically you are better off cancelling (for full refund) and rebooking so you would get a new 24 hr window. Although, the window is so short that it's not a huge difference
Technically you are better off cancelling (for full refund) and rebooking so you would get a new 24 hr window. Although, the window is so short that it's not a huge difference
Apr 10, 2019, 4:49 pm
#15
Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: SBA
Programs: UA Gold 1MM, Marriott Gold, IHG Plat, Hertz PC
Posts: 941
The issue I had was I'm traveling for work and have to book coach initially. As a quick update I was able to call in within the 24 hour window and no issues with the upfare, which was $110 for SBA-SEA. Got right through to a pleasant agent with no hold time either.
As a data point, the return fare is UA SEA-SFO-SBA, and they're almost double the upfare charge (passed on that).
Thanks again,
- Tom
As a data point, the return fare is UA SEA-SFO-SBA, and they're almost double the upfare charge (passed on that).
Thanks again,
- Tom