canadiancow

Doubt I'll be there in time, but I'm departing SFO in I-class on Friday. No memberships. Do I have access to any lounge?

be_rettSEA

Sadly, access for paid first class fares is only to Alaska Lounge locations, not partner lounges. No SFO lounge access on paid first fares until AS opens their SFO lounge, which I believe is sometime this year if no delays.

rustykettel

It's treated as 75K for upgrades. After the last upgrade changes several years ago, I seem to recall that elite members appeared on the visible upgrade list at their own status, but were actually/supposed to be underneath the highest status traveler. I can't remember if that was fixed or not.

For instant upgrades, only need the 75K level (H or higher). However you can still choose the MVPG level (M or higher) when doing an instant upgrade as a 75K. Depending on the price difference, it might be worth the cost for CoS bonus.

Flying for Fun

Correct for an instant upgrade without a GGU. An MVP is also eligible on Y & S class fares. The OP was asking about using GGUs for instant upgrades with U availability. K class fares are the lowest fares that a GGU can be applied to for an instant upgrade.

The cheapest fare that is available for an instant upgrade (it could be higher than K if the K class bucket is already sold out) will be shown by selecting the Gold Guest Upgrade option in the upgrade type drop down list on the primary search or selecting the Gold Guest Upgrade radio button on the left side of the search results. GGUs are not tied to Elite Status (for application) and can be used by anyone with GGU codes. There would need to be 2 U seats available and 2 GGUs required to upgrade both passengers.

James

MSP2HND

I looking at taking advantage of the award sale on flights via Fiji Airways and am trying to book an additional separate one way within the Oceania region on Fiji that takes me from one of the smaller non-Fiji countries they service to another one. I can find availability for both segments, but when I try to book as one flight the Alaska site comes back with no availability.

For example, I am looking at a flight from Nuku'Alofa, Tonga to Port Vila, Vanuatu on August 22nd. I can find availability from Nuku to Nadi and from Nadi to Port Vila and there is only an 8 hour layover in Nadi, but it won't show any availability for Nuku to Port Vila on a single ticket. When I try to do the same with other destinations (Tarawa, Apia, Honaria, Kirimati) that have availability I get the same issue where availability will show on separate legs, but not on a combined ticket.

Is there something I'm missing with Alaska's routing rules that prevent me from doing this? Or would I be able to book if I called in?

godlovesugly

If I have MVP status and book a fare that qualifies for Premium Class on booking, does that apply to a companion? If I book with someone else, would only I be able to book a better seat, or neither? Also, as a matter of course, would we be able to both book preferred seats, e.g. exit row?

I ask because I'm Gold now but foresee falling to MVP, and know that MVP does not give upgrades to companions.

rustykettel

That's correct for both First and Premium upgrades, no companion upgrades regardless of the fare class purchased. You can either buy Premium seats for both, or split the reservation and buy it only for the non-status companion.

You can select Preferred seating for you and your companion if they're on the same reservation.

Flying for Fun

For an MVP traveling on a single PNR, the lowest fare class that would qualify for an immediate upgrade to Premium would be B class (Y, Z*, S or B)

Unless you were looking for a fare class with a Class of Service bonus (COS), the fare difference between between a discounted main fare and B class or higher would be more than the cost of purchasing a Premium Seat upgrade at booking.

James

ikonos

What is the best way to earn AS miles through CC spend? I have the old SPG card and since the transition to Marriot Bonvoy card the conversion ratio decreased to 1 mile for every $1.2 spent and I am looking for alternatives that give better rate with some ability to transfer to other airlines. Appreciate your suggestions.

DrAlex

There aren't a lot of great options left other than the Alaska Airlines Visa (personal or business). But, that's not earning great returns, even on AS purchases (3x versus say 5x on Amex Plat or Citi Prestige). There really aren't any alternatives that can also transfer to other airlines other than the Marriott card. The best way to earn AS miles continues to be flying AS.

notquiteaff

If I book a trip for my wife from my AS account and her ticket has her MP number attached (so AS knows who she is), why does the trip not automatically appear in her “My Trips” list when she logs in? Or in her mobile app?

(perhaps so I can surprise her with a trip as a gift? Seems odd, though)

s0ssos

'Your flight is now boarding' used to be accurate, but now it pops up and there is no boarding. Does it just go off at some set time, some GA pushes a button?

seacarl

My 75K welcome packet came in the mail today. It has a description of the benefits and two personalized luggage tags, but no Mileage Plan card. The envelope was also torn. Should there be a new mileage plan card in there and mine is lost? Or is the card only in the app now?

Bellerina

I've definitely had boarding notification pop up correctly (even when boarding started late or early), but I've rarely had it pop up early or late. I don't think it's automatic.

rustykettel

I think there's a trigger from something the GA's do to start the boarding process for preboarding. In a smaller QX station like EUG, where the GA has a number of hats and isn't at the podium the entire time, it shows up shortly after they've come back to the podium and start typing, but before they take preboards.