MVP Gold first class upgrade at time of booking with K fare?
Apr 5, 2023, 12:08 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: LKE/BFI/SEA
Posts: 200
MVP Gold first class upgrade at time of booking with K fare?
The cheapest main fare available right now for the flight I want to buy is in K fare class. A true first class is $140 more than the K ticket.
The benefits page says that I’d be eligible for a first class upgrade at time of booking, but there is no availability shown in first class (7 seats occupied, 9 seats ‘unavailable’). I presume this means there is no U fares available right now.
If I buy this fare will Alaska automatically upgrade me if U fares become available? What does the “First Class Upgrade Waitlist” mean? Do I need to watch or set ExpertFlyer alerts for U space? If/when U availability comes along, will it be free to up-fare to U if I already hold a K ticket?
How does this work?
The benefits page says that I’d be eligible for a first class upgrade at time of booking, but there is no availability shown in first class (7 seats occupied, 9 seats ‘unavailable’). I presume this means there is no U fares available right now.
If I buy this fare will Alaska automatically upgrade me if U fares become available? What does the “First Class Upgrade Waitlist” mean? Do I need to watch or set ExpertFlyer alerts for U space? If/when U availability comes along, will it be free to up-fare to U if I already hold a K ticket?
How does this work?
Apr 5, 2023, 1:55 am
#2
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: WA State
Programs: Alaska MVP Gold, Hilton Gold, Red Lion Gold
Posts: 177
There will probably be haters out there that don’t like my reply - but, I speak reality.
any upgrades outside of the 72 hour mark literally don’t exist at this time. It’s all about fare class when the window opens. Their goal is to sell the seats.
I was on pace to hit lifetime status in about 3 years, and my world has changed and I’m honestly at peace with it, it’ll now take 10 years. But the GGUs are worthless. The instant upgrade concept is closed. If you want a comp upgrade, it’s all about fare class at T-72
any upgrades outside of the 72 hour mark literally don’t exist at this time. It’s all about fare class when the window opens. Their goal is to sell the seats.
I was on pace to hit lifetime status in about 3 years, and my world has changed and I’m honestly at peace with it, it’ll now take 10 years. But the GGUs are worthless. The instant upgrade concept is closed. If you want a comp upgrade, it’s all about fare class at T-72
Apr 5, 2023, 8:20 am
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: LKE/BFI/SEA
Posts: 200
I can appreciate the realities of the situation, that Alaska wants to sell the seats rather than providing a ton of upgrade space.
I’m just confused about how the mechanics of the supposed benefit are supposed to work.
Here is a clearer example, AS2076 Sea-oak on June 6th shows upgrade availability, there are 10 of 12 first class seats unoccupied, I choose First class upgradable from the search results and then when selecting seats all the FC seats become unavailable and it forces me to choose a seat in main.
How is a upgrade on booking even supposed to work?
I’m just confused about how the mechanics of the supposed benefit are supposed to work.
Here is a clearer example, AS2076 Sea-oak on June 6th shows upgrade availability, there are 10 of 12 first class seats unoccupied, I choose First class upgradable from the search results and then when selecting seats all the FC seats become unavailable and it forces me to choose a seat in main.
How is a upgrade on booking even supposed to work?
Apr 5, 2023, 8:31 am
#4
Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 4,974
I can appreciate the realities of the situation, that Alaska wants to sell the seats rather than providing a ton of upgrade space.
I’m just confused about how the mechanics of the supposed benefit are supposed to work.
Here is a clearer example, AS2076 Sea-oak on June 6th shows upgrade availability, there are 10 of 12 first class seats unoccupied, I choose First class upgradable from the search results and then when selecting seats all the FC seats become unavailable and it forces me to choose a seat in main.
How is a upgrade on booking even supposed to work?
I’m just confused about how the mechanics of the supposed benefit are supposed to work.
Here is a clearer example, AS2076 Sea-oak on June 6th shows upgrade availability, there are 10 of 12 first class seats unoccupied, I choose First class upgradable from the search results and then when selecting seats all the FC seats become unavailable and it forces me to choose a seat in main.
How is a upgrade on booking even supposed to work?
Apr 5, 2023, 8:38 am
#5
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: LKE/BFI/SEA
Posts: 200
Apr 5, 2023, 8:40 am
#6
Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 4,974
Apr 5, 2023, 8:46 am
#7
Join Date: Dec 2021
Programs: AS MVPG, DL GM
Posts: 81
I can appreciate the realities of the situation, that Alaska wants to sell the seats rather than providing a ton of upgrade space.
I’m just confused about how the mechanics of the supposed benefit are supposed to work.
Here is a clearer example, AS2076 Sea-oak on June 6th shows upgrade availability, there are 10 of 12 first class seats unoccupied, I choose First class upgradable from the search results and then when selecting seats all the FC seats become unavailable and it forces me to choose a seat in main.
How is a upgrade on booking even supposed to work?
I’m just confused about how the mechanics of the supposed benefit are supposed to work.
Here is a clearer example, AS2076 Sea-oak on June 6th shows upgrade availability, there are 10 of 12 first class seats unoccupied, I choose First class upgradable from the search results and then when selecting seats all the FC seats become unavailable and it forces me to choose a seat in main.
How is a upgrade on booking even supposed to work?
Apr 5, 2023, 9:12 am
#8
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: LKE/BFI/SEA
Posts: 200
The seats don't become unavailable; you just aren't able eligible to select one because you're booking in main at that point. You need to complete your booking in an eligible economy fare class, and then you'll be upgraded to U quickly after booking and be able to choose a seat in F.
So in the case where there is no upgrade space at booking, but becomes available later (unlikely, I know) do the upgrades process automatically? Or would I need to follow up with Alaska to process the upgrade?
Apr 5, 2023, 9:21 am
#9
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,467
Can't agree with this. I got a 75K upgrade at booking just three days ago (and on the lowest available fare). While it's true the 120 hour clearances have become less common, I'm still close to 100% on upgrades with AS. If you were to move to a carrier that aggressively sells upgrades out from under elites (hello, UA), you'd probably feel differently about AS.
Apr 5, 2023, 9:24 am
#10
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: British Columbia
Programs: AS MVPG100K, Marriott Marriott Titanium Elite, Hilton Gold
Posts: 7,263
Should U open between purchase and the T-120 hour window when ineligible fares are added to the upgrade waitlist for 75K/100K Elites and you are next on the upgrade waitlist and the upgrade processor actually runs, you would be upgraded.
If K class is already the lowest fare bucket available for sale, you don't have an option but could be upgraded before T-120.
If there are lower ineligible fare buckets still available, I would never buy up to an eligible fare class unless there is availability for the immediate upgrade.
James
Apr 5, 2023, 9:54 am
#11
Join Date: Jan 2021
Location: SFO
Programs: AS MVP Gold 100k, UA Silver, AC P25k, Marriott Titanium, Hilton Gold, IHG Platinum
Posts: 863
I actually get pretty lucky using GGUs with the AS CC companion fare to hawaii.....ive routinely everyyear done a trip to the islands this way. This year SFO>>OGG for 2 - 616 rt all in - confirmed in F class....for 313 rt per person in F class....thats probably one of the best deals going (other than if you could tack on a transcon from the east coast for cheap and with U space too). I am happy
Apr 5, 2023, 4:34 pm
#12
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: British Columbia
Programs: AS MVPG100K, Marriott Marriott Titanium Elite, Hilton Gold
Posts: 7,263
I actually get pretty lucky using GGUs with the AS CC companion fare to hawaii.....ive routinely everyyear done a trip to the islands this way. This year SFO>>OGG for 2 - 616 rt all in - confirmed in F class....for 313 rt per person in F class....thats probably one of the best deals going (other than if you could tack on a transcon from the east coast for cheap and with U space too). I am happy
Nothing better than using a Companion Certificate and the little box to apply the GGU first appears after the sixth segment. Helps with the segment requirements while keeping the segment cost in around the $75 range. I do that whenever I can since I have little faith in the upgrade processor. James
Apr 5, 2023, 4:41 pm
#13
Join Date: Jan 2021
Location: SFO
Programs: AS MVP Gold 100k, UA Silver, AC P25k, Marriott Titanium, Hilton Gold, IHG Platinum
Posts: 863
That is my favourite pastime. Nothing better than using a Companion Certificate and the little box to apply the GGU first appears after the sixth segment. Helps with the segment requirements while keeping the segment cost in around the $75 range. I do that whenever I can since I have little faith in the upgrade processor.
James
Nothing better than using a Companion Certificate and the little box to apply the GGU first appears after the sixth segment. Helps with the segment requirements while keeping the segment cost in around the $75 range. I do that whenever I can since I have little faith in the upgrade processor.James