rahulgarciapatel

Just got matched to MVP 75K. Anyone know how to view the Gold Upgrade Passes? I see the lounge passes, but not the gold passes.

be_rettSEA

Left hand side of full site (not app or mobile version):

rahulgarciapatel

Thanks! I Surprisingly this wasn't on the website earlier, but it is now.

currid7

Hey guys, I had scoped out EWR-MIA-LIM & UIO-MIA-CUN in Biz on AA metal, booked as 2 OW's, through last week there was TONS of space in June, July, and August for all these segments. I had one final piece of our trip that I needed to sort out, which I did yesterday. I went to book and poof there is NO business space....at all. LIM has no seats for the entire year and UIO only has a few up through May. The "business" option on the LIM-MIA is not even choosable, whereas it was last week. Does that indicate AA did something on their end? Maybe AA dropped all saver space, but that seems weird for the whole year.

Any insights from booking pros?

WillTravel4Food

It could be any number of things. Doug Parker sticking it to AS at the last minute? Possible but not probable. AA with their occasional trimming of sAAver fares? Highly probable. Prepping for the AS transition next week? Not sure if it's probable or necessary, but maybe. Since we don't know what the new agreement will have, this is difficult to know. Maybe inventory needs restructuring, but I honestly don't know. Something else I can't think of? Most likely.

I suggest wait until the dust has settled after the OW transition and see what's what.

currid7

Thanks. I've been digging deeper and there are also lots of plane changes on these routes, involving 737 Max, Airbus's and Dreamliner. Thinking that may also be playing into it. I really want to try a phone agent looking for different routes for me, but of course technical difficulties with phone, chat, and text.

mtofell

So, what do you veteran flyers do once you reach 75K status? Start using miles to book flights? Switch to another airline to build status? I never dreamed I'd fly enough to face this question but some life changes have made it a reality. At the rate I'm going I'll be MVP 75K part way through the summer and am wondering, "what now?" And yes, I know there is talk of 100K but with all the uncertainty about rollout dates, etc. I'm not worrying about that right now.

currid7

I've never flown enough paid tickets to get status, but I imagine if I did, the first step would be to start matching that to other statuses.

tom911

No easy answer. Sometimes the Alaska fares are so attractive after reaching 75K, I just keep accruing. If I can fly to the east coast for $300 or less, I'm going to buy the ticket before I give up 25,000 miles. Would prefer to save those miles for international awards when I can. When I flew with AA I did 125-150K many years, but that was because international accrued based on distance. Not now. Hard to resist $500-600 winter fares to Europe and Asia.

As to switching to another carrier, see my comments in the next part of this post below:

The problem there, particularly if you are a leisure flyer, is that other carriers award miles based on dollars spent. For example, a RT SFO-JFK for a 75K will bring in 11,000 miles. Fly the same itinerary with AA or UA as a top tier flyer on a $300 fare and you'll earn less than 3,000 miles (11X per pre-tax dollar). You'll also need to meet the carriers spending requirement to retain status. AA requires $12,000 spend (that's why I'm not there now). I've lost track of how UA deals with top tier. It used to be dollars but looks like they're using a different formula now involving points.

On the other hand, if your tickets are a mix of paid first, business and full-fare economy, it may very well be a good idea, as those fares are higher priced and will accrue more miles. A top tier AA/UA flyer paying $2,000RT SFO-JFK will bring in slightly less than 22,000 miles (11 miles per pre-tax dollar). A similar ticket on Alaska in domestic first for a 75K would bring in 325% miles or around 16,250 miles. If you're flying this mix of fares, you just about have to get a spreadsheet out to figure where the miles accrued work out the best, and then look at the award charts for your favorite destinations and see what the awards price out. You may earn more miles at UA and AA, but you may spend more miles on international flights in first or business.

Let me also add that as long as I've been on FT the topic of one-time status matches has been a topic. I don't know if there's a definitive answer as to whether you can get comped status more than once, so might be best to ask for the comped status when you really need it if it is a one-time deal. I've done status matches from UA to AA to Alaska over the years, but moved the bulk of my flying each time I made the move.

​​Another issue to consider is some carriers charge more for award routes. For Qantas to Australia in business, AA charges 80K. Alaska charges 55K and allows a free stopover in and out of Australia, something AA doesn't allow (add on around 30K for two extra segments). I have lifetime status with AA and UA and still fly them occasionally, mostly international, when the paid fares are good, but hardly accrue any miles on the fares I buy (a $600 Europe fare might bring in 4,000 miles at 8X per dollar spent- going to take a long time to buy that Australia ticket when the miles come in so slowly).

There's no single answer. You have to spend time looking at your fares and the miles they'd accrue among different carriers, where you want to go with awards (and in what class), and, in addition to those, which carrier is most convenient to you.

currid7

Again, I almost never pay cash for tickets and when I do it's the lowest-earning tier so take my thinking with that in mind, but I would leverage that 75k into status with other airlines, hotels, and car rentals as appropriate for any upcoming trips.

Alaska Airlines Status Match | StatusMatcher

yerffej201

do awards using alaska miles have free changes and cancellations now? or is that only until mar 31?

quemalo

I need to fly to LA this weekend, are AS requiring that passengers fill out the LA County travel form before boarding?

ctporter

Ive heard that announcement at the gate (was flying to a different destination at a gate adjacent to a flight heading to LAX). The form provides your contact information, I assume for any needed contact tracing. If you travel to LA for essential work you must avoid interactions with others not associated with your work and self quarantine for 10 days. You also have to follow their COVID policies (masks, stay outdoors, etc.)

ISTFlyer

Airlines are not checking the LA county form, plus there is no one checking them upon arrival at LAX. Although, it's mandatory by local laws, if you don't fill it, nothing would happen.

pcoll

peace of mind waiver has been extended to April 30, 2021. It includes Award travel purchased by April 30, 2021. See AS site for complete
Peace of Mind waiver ( in yellow box).