Not Happy with Alaska (But Satisfied with Resolution)
Jan 7, 2023, 11:56 am
#31
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Pacific Northwest
Programs: UA Gold 1MM, AS 75k, AA Plat, Bonvoyed Gold, Honors Dia, Hyatt Explorer, IHG Plat, ...
Posts: 16,856
Jan 7, 2023, 12:05 pm
#33
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Pacific Northwest
Programs: UA Gold 1MM, AS 75k, AA Plat, Bonvoyed Gold, Honors Dia, Hyatt Explorer, IHG Plat, ...
Posts: 16,856
But you might very well have ended up in middle seats in the back if you hadn’t been proactive.
Jan 7, 2023, 12:26 pm
#34
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2018
Posts: 77
yeah didn’t want to take that chance
Jan 7, 2023, 12:32 pm
#35
Join Date: Jan 2022
Location: Reno/Tahoe
Programs: Alaska 75k/One World Emerald
Posts: 413
I didn't miss it. In my personal experience more often than not these things are resolved because someone decides they want to volunteer, cancels flights, changes flights, etc. In this case, the OP themselves decided to volunteer for alternative plans and decent compensation.
Jan 7, 2023, 12:49 pm
#36
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Pacific Northwest
Programs: UA Gold 1MM, AS 75k, AA Plat, Bonvoyed Gold, Honors Dia, Hyatt Explorer, IHG Plat, ...
Posts: 16,856
Jan 7, 2023, 12:58 pm
#37
Join Date: Jan 2022
Location: Reno/Tahoe
Programs: Alaska 75k/One World Emerald
Posts: 413
That's a fair question! I have never been in that exact position. I was drawing from countless other occasions where volunteers were asked to switch flights and invariably someone did. In this case it was the OP who made that choice. It sounds to me like they came out on top of things! That being said, my reply probably came across a bit crabby and I'll own it.
Jan 7, 2023, 1:08 pm
#38
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Manhattan Beach, California
Programs: BMI Diamond Club Gold forever
Posts: 6,367
Good lesson and great outcome for OP. I think when you get signs there is a risk you might not fly in the cabin you purchased, it is a really good idea to be proactive. If you wait until nearer to travel date, there may be no good options left to move to. I think the airlines who try to solicit volunteers tend to be in “let’s make a deal” mode and as OP found out, willing to both give you assurance by putting you on another flight and putting some $$ in your pocket.
Jan 7, 2023, 1:21 pm
#39
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: Los Angeles
Programs: UA Plat 2MM. DL Plat, AS MVP
Posts: 12,752
Update - I called back with flight info that would work for us to take HA from LIH to HNL and then take the nonstop on AK to PDX. She put me on hold for a long time to see if she could do it and then said she could. Adds an hour to our trip but a layover in HNL instead of SEA is better anyway. Ended up getting $700 each credit for future travel.
oh and I asked again why we were being asked to move. She gave me the line about a different plane. I know when I booked it a. 737-800 and she said that’s what it will be so I’m guessing some VIP (why not just charter a plane?) or maybe employees.
oh and I asked again why we were being asked to move. She gave me the line about a different plane. I know when I booked it a. 737-800 and she said that’s what it will be so I’m guessing some VIP (why not just charter a plane?) or maybe employees.
It’s unfortunate… So often people begin a thread with complaints about the big bad airline. I hope the OP can get a moderator to update the thread title to: “ thank you, Alaska! You came though in an incredible way.”
Jan 7, 2023, 1:39 pm
#40
Join Date: May 2009
Location: EUG
Programs: AS MVP, AA MM, HH Diamond, MR Gold
Posts: 8,220
I've gotten those e-mails but usually a day or two before - not a month before. That's what I find so strange. This had to be such an unusual situation of having to get a bunch of "somebodies" to Hawaii that day.
I'm also happy it worked out for you and that you didn't take my advice to do nothing!
I'm also happy it worked out for you and that you didn't take my advice to do nothing!
Jan 7, 2023, 2:44 pm
#42
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Pacific Northwest
Programs: UA Gold 1MM, AS 75k, AA Plat, Bonvoyed Gold, Honors Dia, Hyatt Explorer, IHG Plat, ...
Posts: 16,856
I think the fact that this topic doesn’t come up very often here speaks for itself.
Jan 7, 2023, 2:52 pm
#43
Join Date: Jan 2019
Posts: 352
True, but the only time I actually saw it happening was when I was flying Alaska. We were all already seated, and the flight attendant asked for a volunteer. No one volunteered, so someone was moved to economy according to some rules. And actually, this topic does come often. I remembered reading about this here just before that flight and thinking it must be rare, but then I had my own experience and threads like this keep showing up.