2020 Alaska Airlines *FLAME-FREE* Q&A Thread: All Welcome, New and Old!
Dec 9, 2020, 4:35 pm
#512
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: Seattle
Programs: AS
Posts: 2,293
Companion Fare expiring 12/31/2020
Good morning... looking for some advice here.
We have a companion fare that expires on Dec 31, 2020. I’m optimistic about returning to more regular travel in Spring/Summer of 2021. We would likely use the Companion Fare for SAN-BOS in August to visit family, but I don’t have specific dates in mind. However, we might just pick dates and make everyone rearrange schedules to meet our travel plans.
It may be relevant to know that we also have plenty of travel funds (~$2000 - some of it is work-related funds) expiring on July 5, 2021. Also, I am MVPG, my companion has no status.
I think I understand that the companion fare will be lost if I don’t book by Dec 31. Also, that no changes can be made to the itinerary. Also, that if the itinerary is canceled after Dec 31, the companion fare will not be returned. Is that all correct?
Does it matter if I use cash to pay the $121 with the companion fare, or can I use travel wallet funds?
If I make the booking and then end up canceling it, will the $121 be returned, or will it be forfeited?
If I use expiring travel funds, would I have to cancel by the expiration date in order to get those funds back and reuse them before the deadline?
Is there a good reason not to book the trip in hopes of it happening as planned? In other words, am I only at risk of losing the companion fare code if something changes (a code that I’ll lose anyway if I don’t book by Dec 31)??
Any help is greatly appreciated!!
Good morning... looking for some advice here.
We have a companion fare that expires on Dec 31, 2020. I’m optimistic about returning to more regular travel in Spring/Summer of 2021. We would likely use the Companion Fare for SAN-BOS in August to visit family, but I don’t have specific dates in mind. However, we might just pick dates and make everyone rearrange schedules to meet our travel plans.
It may be relevant to know that we also have plenty of travel funds (~$2000 - some of it is work-related funds) expiring on July 5, 2021. Also, I am MVPG, my companion has no status.
I think I understand that the companion fare will be lost if I don’t book by Dec 31. Also, that no changes can be made to the itinerary. Also, that if the itinerary is canceled after Dec 31, the companion fare will not be returned. Is that all correct?
Does it matter if I use cash to pay the $121 with the companion fare, or can I use travel wallet funds?
If I make the booking and then end up canceling it, will the $121 be returned, or will it be forfeited?
If I use expiring travel funds, would I have to cancel by the expiration date in order to get those funds back and reuse them before the deadline?
Is there a good reason not to book the trip in hopes of it happening as planned? In other words, am I only at risk of losing the companion fare code if something changes (a code that I’ll lose anyway if I don’t book by Dec 31)??
Any help is greatly appreciated!!
You are able to make changes later to itinerary, even changing destination and date . If you cancel, you will lose your companion code . Funds would go back to Wallet.
When you make final plans, You would have no change fees but change in fare would apply. It has been reported that using Wallet Funds is possible when making payment. Not sure paying cash would work.
I would ask for more info on expiration of Wallet Funds and if date would change if funds are returned due to cancellation. Perhaps Flying For Fun, (James) or others would have more information on the expiry date of new wallet funds.
Bottom line, it would be a good idea to secure your Companion Code at end of December with some kind of booking.
Dec 9, 2020, 4:37 pm
#513
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: Seattle
Programs: AS
Posts: 2,293
Same question about expiry (mine will originally expire Jan 2021). Does "We're extending your elite status through the end of 2021. Read extension details" mean those miles and inactivity is safe until December 31, 2021 (General member)? Or should I gear up and buy some AS Shopping Portal stuff right now?
Dec 10, 2020, 10:13 am
#514
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: LAX
Programs: AS MVPG, IHG Diamond Elite
Posts: 1,445
Didn't think this was worthy of a new thread, but I noticed they've processed the elite extension onto the membership card and deposited GGUs for 2021.
Dec 10, 2020, 10:42 am
#515
formerly Sleepy_Sentry
Join Date: Jul 2011
Posts: 614
I have an Iberia ticket booked through British Airways (R class). The flight is operated by Iberia and has Iberia flight numbers. Can I credit this to Alaska since it is sold by BA and has a BA fare class?
Dec 10, 2020, 10:55 am
#516
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: British Columbia
Programs: AS MVPG100K, Marriott Marriott Titanium Elite, Hilton Gold
Posts: 7,263
James
Dec 10, 2020, 11:13 am
#517
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Seattle, WA, USA
Programs: AS MVP Gold 75K, Marriott Lifetime Titanium
Posts: 1,597
No. To be eligible for credit, the flight must be marketed & operated by BA. IB is not an AS partner. AS used to allow credit where the marketing carrier and operating carrier with both AS partners. That required a manual request. Unfortunately, that is no longer possible. It is unknown how that will look when ASA becomes a full oneworld member on March 31st.
James
James
Dec 10, 2020, 12:08 pm
#518
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: British Columbia
Programs: AS MVPG100K, Marriott Marriott Titanium Elite, Hilton Gold
Posts: 7,263
QR - Qualify for mileage accrual
Flights must fall within the eligible flight number range below, and your flight must be marketed and operated by Qatar Airways. Codeshare flights marketed by Qatar Airways and operated by another carrier are not eligible to earn miles. When available Qatar Airways award flights booked into the fare classes above are not eligible to earn miles or elite qualifying miles or segments.
Eligible flight numbers
1-29493000-3149
5000-6599
To ensure flight credit, the two-letter airline code (QR) must precede the flight number (for example, QR XXXX) on your ticket receipt or boarding pass.
James
Dec 12, 2020, 10:50 am
#519
Join Date: Jul 2018
Programs: Alaska, United, American, Singapore
Posts: 30
We booked 4 business class Award tickets on cathay pacific in January 2020 for travel on December 30th, 2020, cancelled the ticket several months later due to covid and paid $750 in cancellation fees. What are the odds I can call in and try and get the cancellation fees refunded because we still wouldn't have been able to travel due to covid currently? Thoughts?
Dec 12, 2020, 4:32 pm
#520
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: USA
Programs: Alaska MVP Gold 100K/ One World Emerald
Posts: 257
We booked 4 business class Award tickets on cathay pacific in January 2020 for travel on December 30th, 2020, cancelled the ticket several months later due to covid and paid $750 in cancellation fees. What are the odds I can call in and try and get the cancellation fees refunded because we still wouldn't have been able to travel due to covid currently? Thoughts?
Was your orginal flight for December 30, 2020 cancelled? Or are you saying you couldn't go because of the COVID travel restrictions with the country you were going to?
Dec 12, 2020, 4:35 pm
#521
Join Date: Jul 2018
Programs: Alaska, United, American, Singapore
Posts: 30
It's current covid travel restrictions.
Last edited by anthonyparkersd; Dec 12, 2020 at 4:36 pm Reason: typo
Dec 12, 2020, 5:15 pm
#522
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: SEA
Programs: UA AS DL Hyatt SPG/Bonvoy HHonors
Posts: 2,008
Two questions regarding traveling on an AS award ticket:
Flying SNA-SFO-ORD in coach (Class W) on AS
Flying ORD-DXB-BKK in Business (Class D) on EK
All on the same ticket
- What's the luggage allowance per passenger at check-in in SNA provided the main portion is in business?
- Lounge access provided at airports? (granted that some lounges are closed now and services are curtailed at others)
Thank you!
Flying SNA-SFO-ORD in coach (Class W) on AS
Flying ORD-DXB-BKK in Business (Class D) on EK
All on the same ticket
- What's the luggage allowance per passenger at check-in in SNA provided the main portion is in business?
- Lounge access provided at airports? (granted that some lounges are closed now and services are curtailed at others)
Thank you!
If it is one ticket, I would think that you get baggage allowance based on the international segment, but you may need manual assistance.. If it is considered a domestic ticket, you would not have any free bags absent elite status.
Dec 13, 2020, 2:37 pm
#523
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: USA
Programs: Alaska MVP Gold 100K/ One World Emerald
Posts: 257
1) I have an outbound flight scheduled Jan. 10. I should be MVP Gold by that date. It looks like Alaska is blocking middle seats for Premium class but not for Main. I like the Exit row 17 for seats for my partner and I and have booked them for the flight. However, I don't like the fact that someone may be sitting with us in the exit row. Premium class is currently wide open so the chance of an upgrade is high. However, if we are in the exit row, we aren't going to be placed on the upgrade list for Premium class. We could choose regular seats but if we aren't upgraded, then we are stuck in regular seats. We have R class tickets. Is there a way at 72 hours I can manually upgrade my partner and I to a PC seat? Or is there a way to be in an exit row but request to be manually added to the Premium class wait list?
2) On the seat map- what's the difference between Alaska Elite seats and Premium Class seats? It looks like Alaska Elite seats just reserved main cabin seats towards the front of the plane- that I assume at sometime before takeoff gets opened to all passengers?
2) On the seat map- what's the difference between Alaska Elite seats and Premium Class seats? It looks like Alaska Elite seats just reserved main cabin seats towards the front of the plane- that I assume at sometime before takeoff gets opened to all passengers?
Dec 14, 2020, 10:40 am
#524
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: Seattle
Programs: AS
Posts: 2,293
1) I have an outbound flight scheduled Jan. 10. I should be MVP Gold by that date. It looks like Alaska is blocking middle seats for Premium class but not for Main. I like the Exit row 17 for seats for my partner and I and have booked them for the flight. However, I don't like the fact that someone may be sitting with us in the exit row. Premium class is currently wide open so the chance of an upgrade is high. However, if we are in the exit row, we aren't going to be placed on the upgrade list for Premium class. We could choose regular seats but if we aren't upgraded, then we are stuck in regular seats. We have R class tickets. Is there a way at 72 hours I can manually upgrade my partner and I to a PC seat? Or is there a way to be in an exit row but request to be manually added to the Premium class wait list?
2) On the seat map- what's the difference between Alaska Elite seats and Premium Class seats? It looks like Alaska Elite seats just reserved main cabin seats towards the front of the plane- that I assume at sometime before takeoff gets opened to all passengers?
2) On the seat map- what's the difference between Alaska Elite seats and Premium Class seats? It looks like Alaska Elite seats just reserved main cabin seats towards the front of the plane- that I assume at sometime before takeoff gets opened to all passengers?
Upgrade to Premium may happen but you can move yourselves to premium at check in. It may look like you will be charged but should then show $0.00 due.
2- difference between elite seats and Premium......premium have more legroom and upgraded beverage service. Exit row does have great legroom but not service benefits. Elite seats do open up after check in begins. That is also a time someone may select the middle exit row seat.
Dec 15, 2020, 10:41 am
#525
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: SNA/LAX
Programs: Hertz PC, Hilton DMD, IHG Spire Amb, Bonvoy Titanium Elite & WoH Globalist
Posts: 8,076
AS does not have any lounges in SNA or SFO, and a W fare will not grant any lounge access in any event.
If it is one ticket, I would think that you get baggage allowance based on the international segment, but you may need manual assistance.. If it is considered a domestic ticket, you would not have any free bags absent elite status.
If it is one ticket, I would think that you get baggage allowance based on the international segment, but you may need manual assistance.. If it is considered a domestic ticket, you would not have any free bags absent elite status.
You are correct, no lounges at SNA or SFO. Lounge in ORD shared jointly with other carriers is the saddest I have ever experienced.
Luggage allowance was granted based on the international segment and we were not charged for the additional luggage.
Arrived at destination, and currently quarantining at an ASQ property, Le Meridien Bangkok.
