Alaska Airlines *FLAME-FREE* Q&A Thread: All Welcome, New and Old! (2023-2024)
Jan 18, 2023, 8:13 pm
#17
Join Date: Jan 2016
Posts: 61
How Does American Prioritize Upgrades?
MVP 100k here, about to take my first flights on American next week. I assume the following regarding upgrades, can anyone tell me if incorrect?:
1) American does not rank 100k over 75k, to them both levels are mixed together/the same on the upgrade list
2) The American ranking is similar to Alaska: Fare class, date booked, etc.
3) The soonest I’d see an upgrade at my level is 72 hours out.
Thanks for setting me correct if any of the above are not accurate!
1) American does not rank 100k over 75k, to them both levels are mixed together/the same on the upgrade list
2) The American ranking is similar to Alaska: Fare class, date booked, etc.
3) The soonest I’d see an upgrade at my level is 72 hours out.
Thanks for setting me correct if any of the above are not accurate!
Jan 19, 2023, 6:49 am
#18
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: NYC
Programs: AS MVPG, DL KM, Bee Six, Bonvoy Plat, Avis PC, Natl Exec, Greyhound Road Rewards Z"L
Posts: 16,710
In December I suffered the misfortune of flying on an AA fight on a Basic economy ticket with the fare code "B." I did not earn any miles. Now, I am sad to report that a provider I am working with booked me another basic economy flight on AA. I am saddened I won't get to enjoy free drinks in MCE but mostly bummed because every mile counts when it comes to maintaining my status. On the AS/AA earning chart below it appears that B fares should earn 25 percent. That might not sound like much, but with the 500 mile minimum, the segments add up. Has anyone had success getting AS to honor their own chart and grant miles for AA B fares? https://www.alaskaair.com/content/mi...rican-airlines
-J.
Jan 19, 2023, 9:07 am
#19
Join Date: Jan 2022
Location: Reno/Tahoe
Programs: Alaska 75k/One World Emerald
Posts: 413
Last year I purchased AA B fares for a trip (technically flew on C fares since I upgraded at check-in), and as MVP was not able to get into MCE at check-in. I did not earn any mileage, but it looks like if you have the AA ticket number you can request mileage credit here. I am actually trying that now; I asked AA for help on Twitter to find my ticket number.
-J.
-J.
Jan 19, 2023, 9:32 am
#20
Join Date: Feb 2016
Posts: 47
What day are you searching?
For example, on 2023-05-31 I see SEA-LAX-SCL where the SEA-LAX leg is AS 1144 departing 11:20am arriving 2:05pm, then the LAX-SCL leg is LATAM 603 leaving at 5pm. A perfectly reasonable itinerary.
My guess would be that there is no T space available on the Alaska flight you want. T (saver award) space must be available to attach it to an itinerary on a partner airline.
For example, on 2023-05-31 I see SEA-LAX-SCL where the SEA-LAX leg is AS 1144 departing 11:20am arriving 2:05pm, then the LAX-SCL leg is LATAM 603 leaving at 5pm. A perfectly reasonable itinerary.
My guess would be that there is no T space available on the Alaska flight you want. T (saver award) space must be available to attach it to an itinerary on a partner airline.
Jan 19, 2023, 1:07 pm
#21
Join Date: Jul 2017
Posts: 25
Hi all,
I'm looking to travel to Chile just after Christmas 2023 through early January 2024. Obviously I'd like to fly J award space since it's a long-haul overnight flight, but my travel dates are not really flexible. Departing sometime 12/26/23 onward and returning on/before 1/6/24.
I will originate in RIC, but can also travel by car to WAS airports or ORF (which will present just as limited options as RIC). What suggestions do you have for making this possible? Since I've only got miles in AA and Alaska, is Alaska the best route as it gets me access to LATAM awards?
I'm open to booking an early morning flight from RIC to MIA (arrive 930) or DFW via AA. While it'll be on a separate ticket, most of the flights to SCL appear to depart the US in the evening so that leaves me enough cushion for anything short of a cancellation. Plus, I'd have a large number of hours to hang out in the lounge so it could be worse, I guess. The award redemption I'm seeing on AA for J seats is outrageous (150k each way is crazy)
Would I be better off monitoring Premium Economy on AA and just rolling with the 30-40k each way tickets that I'm have been seeing for early to mid-December going RIC-DFW-SCL. Should I expect J award availability on LATAM via Alaska during the holiday season? All I'm currently seeing is MIA - LIM - SCL or MIA - BOG - SCL with the 2nd one being 'subject to government approval'.
I'm looking to travel to Chile just after Christmas 2023 through early January 2024. Obviously I'd like to fly J award space since it's a long-haul overnight flight, but my travel dates are not really flexible. Departing sometime 12/26/23 onward and returning on/before 1/6/24.
I will originate in RIC, but can also travel by car to WAS airports or ORF (which will present just as limited options as RIC). What suggestions do you have for making this possible? Since I've only got miles in AA and Alaska, is Alaska the best route as it gets me access to LATAM awards?
I'm open to booking an early morning flight from RIC to MIA (arrive 930) or DFW via AA. While it'll be on a separate ticket, most of the flights to SCL appear to depart the US in the evening so that leaves me enough cushion for anything short of a cancellation. Plus, I'd have a large number of hours to hang out in the lounge so it could be worse, I guess. The award redemption I'm seeing on AA for J seats is outrageous (150k each way is crazy)
Would I be better off monitoring Premium Economy on AA and just rolling with the 30-40k each way tickets that I'm have been seeing for early to mid-December going RIC-DFW-SCL. Should I expect J award availability on LATAM via Alaska during the holiday season? All I'm currently seeing is MIA - LIM - SCL or MIA - BOG - SCL with the 2nd one being 'subject to government approval'.
Last edited by wahoo09; Jan 20, 2023 at 9:02 am
Jan 21, 2023, 12:52 am
#23
Join Date: Dec 2021
Programs: Alaska Mileage Plan - MVP Gold
Posts: 183
Jan 21, 2023, 12:06 pm
#24
Join Date: May 2009
Location: LAX
Programs: AS MVPG100, Hyatt Globalist, MGM Gold, Caesars Diamond
Posts: 636
If you take the recent AS fast track challenge do you get the level you are challenging for immediately and then lose if you do not fly the 20K MVP75 or fly at your same level but if you complete the challenge you are bumped up then for the rest of the year?
Jan 21, 2023, 3:41 pm
#25
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: Seattle
Programs: AS
Posts: 2,293
Good through 2023. You need to earn through 2023 for status level for 2024.
Jan 22, 2023, 1:09 am
#26
Join Date: Apr 2017
Location: Anchorage AK
Programs: AS MVPG
Posts: 99
Hoping someone can answer this. Extended layover in PDX next weekend, 6+ hours. Can I check a bag at my original departure location or will I need to carry my carry on all around Portland before my flight home since they don't have a luggage storage solution?
Jan 22, 2023, 1:16 am
#27
Join Date: Dec 2021
Programs: Alaska Mileage Plan - MVP Gold
Posts: 183
If your trip includes more than one flight on Alaska Airlines and/or one of our airline partners, we will check your bags to the final destination on your ticket as long as there are fewer than 18 hours between flights. If you will be in the connecting city for 18 hours or longer, you will need to claim and re-check your baggage. Additional baggage fees may apply.
Jan 22, 2023, 1:29 am
#28
Join Date: Dec 2008
Posts: 229
my alaska companion fare code expires in 2 weeks, can i book a flight within the next 2 weeks for travel after the expiration date? i probably won't travel in the next 2 weeks so i was wondering if I can book today the companion fare for travel in June? also, wondering what happens if in May I decide to cancel the June trip? I assume I would loose the companion code and I cannot reschedule?
Jan 22, 2023, 1:32 am
#29
Join Date: Dec 2021
Programs: Alaska Mileage Plan - MVP Gold
Posts: 183
my alaska companion fare code expires in 2 weeks, can i book a flight within the next 2 weeks for travel after the expiration date? i probably won't travel in the next 2 weeks so i was wondering if I can book today the companion fare for travel in June? also, wondering what happens if in May I decide to cancel the June trip? I assume I would loose the companion code and I cannot reschedule?
If you realize you cannot travel, you should be able to change the flight to a different itinerary and keep the companion pass applied. If you just cancel it, then you'd get a refund to your wallet for the fare paid and the companion code would be forfeited.
Jan 22, 2023, 7:21 am
#30
Join Date: Apr 2017
Location: Anchorage AK
Programs: AS MVPG
Posts: 99
From https://www.alaskaair.com/content/tr...e/checked-bags :
So yep, you can absolutely check it at your original location and it will be checked to your final destination unless you ask otherwise (or if the first leg is international, in which case you'd have to reclaim your bag but could immediately check it after clearing customs)
So yep, you can absolutely check it at your original location and it will be checked to your final destination unless you ask otherwise (or if the first leg is international, in which case you'd have to reclaim your bag but could immediately check it after clearing customs)