No VIP checked baggage handling on Alaska
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2017
Posts: 487
No VIP checked baggage handling on Alaska
Anyone else thing it's a little lame Alaska doesn't have VIP baggage handling for gold/75k/ first class? United has the orange "VIP" flag they attach to the checked bag sticker/tag. I think in general this helps them prioritize getting those bags off first, although any experienced UAL traveler knows that's not always the case. Maybe Alaska thinks their 20 minute bag guarantee is sufficient across the board? Thoughts?
#2
Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: Seattle, WA
Programs: SQ Gold, UA Silver, DL Plat, AS MVP, Bonvoy Titanium, Hilton Gold
Posts: 76
I thought about that but the only time I see value in the priority tags are for large planes on international flights. On Domestic Delta & United flights the majority of bags are tagged priority (probably because many of the people that get a free checked bag are elites) and thus there is no benefit. Since Alaska isn't flying wide-bodies I just don't see a benefit in the tag. The bags come out quickly enough as is.
#5
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: Seattle, WA
Posts: 5,946
Anyone else thing it's a little lame Alaska doesn't have VIP baggage handling for gold/75k/ first class? United has the orange "VIP" flag they attach to the checked bag sticker/tag. I think in general this helps them prioritize getting those bags off first, although any experienced UAL traveler knows that's not always the case. Maybe Alaska thinks their 20 minute bag guarantee is sufficient across the board? Thoughts?
#6
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: SFO
Programs: AS, UA, WN, IHG Diamond Elite, Hyatt Globalist, Hilton Gold, CET 7*
Posts: 3,284
With AS, it's either 17-18 minutes, or lately 24-28, which I don't mind either.
#7
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: 42,942
Sometimes bags are super quick; usually under 20 minutes (some outstations are consistently over 20 however).
I'll take the BSG ^
I'll take the BSG ^
#8
Maybe Alaska thinks their 20 minute bag guarantee is sufficient across the board?
Of course that means as an elite member you might still be standing around at the carousel at minute 20 as the last bag comes down the chute and it's yours.
I hate it too, but Alaska doesn't seem to understand that when you are a frequent traveler you want every minute you can back in your travels. VIP tags would help, even with the 20 minute guarantee.
Neil
#9
Join Date: May 2013
Location: SEA
Programs: AS MVP Gold 100K
Posts: 2,021
My experience has been that by the time I get off the plane, stop in a rest room, and make my way to baggage claim my bag is either already there or will be within 5 minutes. Putting VIP tags on the bags will just slow everything down.
#10
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: British Columbia
Programs: AS MVPG100K, Marriott Marriott Titanium Elite, Hilton Gold
Posts: 7,263
I've complained to Alaska before about lack of VIP bag treatment and it's exactly this. They will tell you that with the 20 minute bag guarantee everyone's bags come out fast so there's no need for VIP service.
Of course that means as an elite member you might still be standing around at the carousel at minute 20 as the last bag comes down the chute and it's yours.
I hate it too, but Alaska doesn't seem to understand that when you are a frequent traveler you want every minute you can back in your travels. VIP tags would help, even with the 20 minute guarantee.
Neil
Of course that means as an elite member you might still be standing around at the carousel at minute 20 as the last bag comes down the chute and it's yours.
I hate it too, but Alaska doesn't seem to understand that when you are a frequent traveler you want every minute you can back in your travels. VIP tags would help, even with the 20 minute guarantee.
Neil
24 claims for late luggage over a year is a free trip to Australia in J.
James
#12
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2017
Posts: 487
I think you guys have convinced me its not really needed. Alaskas 20 minute bag guarantee is pretty solid, and the rather generous compensation for missing the guarantee is also pretty solid. Hopefully its around for the long haul, and not at risk of cost cutting from the bean counters.
#13
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: NYC
Programs: AA ExecPlat; AF Gold; UA GS; Hyatt L. Globalist; Marriott Plat; Hilton Diamond; National EE
Posts: 6,133
We were amazed how quickly the bags came off on our early morning ORD-SFO flight a few months ago. Granted the plane was not full and that we didn't stick around to see, but it looked like there were only 4 checked bags on the plane and they all came off as soon as we got to baggage claim.
#14
Why would it slow things down? You make sure the VIP bags are loaded on the plane last. They get loaded off the plane first onto a baggage cart. Then unload that cart onto the carousel first. As long as you load them (as best you can) last, the time spent managing it is at loading time, not at offloading time.
#15
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: British Columbia
Programs: AS MVPG100K, Marriott Marriott Titanium Elite, Hilton Gold
Posts: 7,263
Why would it slow things down? You make sure the VIP bags are loaded on the plane last. They get loaded off the plane first onto a baggage cart. Then unload that cart onto the carousel first. As long as you load them (as best you can) last, the time spent managing it is at loading time, not at offloading time.
James