2020 Alaska Airlines *FLAME-FREE* Q&A Thread: All Welcome, New and Old!
#16
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: SFO
Programs: AC SE MM, BA Gold, SQ Silver, Bonvoy Tit LTG, Hyatt Glob, HH Diamond
Posts: 45,024
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?
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#17
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: LAX
Programs: AS MVPG, IHG Diamond Elite
Posts: 1,449
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.
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#18
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: Pacific Wonderland
Programs: ʙᴏɴᴠo̱ʏ Au, IHG Au, HH Dia, Nexus, Pilot FlyingJ Preferred
Posts: 5,336
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.
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#19
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: British Columbia
Programs: AS MVPG100K, Marriott Marriott Titanium Elite, Hilton Gold
Posts: 7,264
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
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#20
Join Date: Apr 2015
Posts: 18
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?
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?
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#21
Join Date: Apr 2010
Posts: 317
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.
I ask because I'm Gold now but foresee falling to MVP, and know that MVP does not give upgrades to companions.
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#22
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: Pacific Wonderland
Programs: ʙᴏɴᴠo̱ʏ Au, IHG Au, HH Dia, Nexus, Pilot FlyingJ Preferred
Posts: 5,336
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.
I ask because I'm Gold now but foresee falling to MVP, and know that MVP does not give upgrades to companions.
You can select Preferred seating for you and your companion if they're on the same reservation.
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#23
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: British Columbia
Programs: AS MVPG100K, Marriott Marriott Titanium Elite, Hilton Gold
Posts: 7,264
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
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#24
Join Date: Dec 2009
Programs: Curr Noob, Ex Road Warrior
Posts: 492
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.
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#25
Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: Between SFO and STS
Programs: Alaska MVP Gold, United Serf, Delta Gold
Posts: 731
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.
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#26
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Pacific Northwest
Programs: UA Gold 1MM, AS 75k, AA ExPlat, Bonvoyed Gold, Honors Dia, Hyatt Explorer, IHG Plat, ...
Posts: 17,608
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)
(perhaps so I can surprise her with a trip as a gift? Seems odd, though)
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#27
Join Date: Sep 2008
Posts: 7,878
what does the app 'your flight is now boarding' mean?
'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?
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#28
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: SEA
Programs: UA AS DL Hyatt SPG/Bonvoy HHonors
Posts: 2,008
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?
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#29
Join Date: Aug 2019
Location: London, UK
Programs: AS MVP Gold 75K, Marriot Platinum
Posts: 622
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.
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#30
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: Pacific Wonderland
Programs: ʙᴏɴᴠo̱ʏ Au, IHG Au, HH Dia, Nexus, Pilot FlyingJ Preferred
Posts: 5,336
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.
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