Empty Seats in F?
Dec 29, 2018, 6:37 am
#347
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Seattle
Programs: AS MVP100K, Hilton Diamond, IHG Gold
Posts: 3,215
Funny this thread came up because I had an unusual experience that surprised me. I had to go to Europe with 12 hours notice and booked an award SEA-SFO on an A319. With two rows of first class, and it being an award ticket I thought there was no way I was getting upgraded which was fine by me for the hour flight. I was surprised to see I got the last seat assigned to me the next morning.
Is Alaska’s new policy (which I think was a long time coming) hold off on UG’s until day of or day before departure? In the past if I sat in coach, I’d routeinly be sitting next to a 75K or Gold who had a work buddy that was in first class who was MVP. When I would ask why they’d tell me how they had to booked last minute and the MVP co-worker had booked in advance, so he got the upgrade. If this is the new system, I think it’s much better so you are sure to reward your most loyal clientele. In the past seeing MVP’s in first while 75k’s and Gold’s were in coach I always felt it unfair.
Is Alaska’s new policy (which I think was a long time coming) hold off on UG’s until day of or day before departure? In the past if I sat in coach, I’d routeinly be sitting next to a 75K or Gold who had a work buddy that was in first class who was MVP. When I would ask why they’d tell me how they had to booked last minute and the MVP co-worker had booked in advance, so he got the upgrade. If this is the new system, I think it’s much better so you are sure to reward your most loyal clientele. In the past seeing MVP’s in first while 75k’s and Gold’s were in coach I always felt it unfair.
Dec 29, 2018, 10:55 am
#348
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 10,904
Funny this thread came up because I had an unusual experience that surprised me. I had to go to Europe with 12 hours notice and booked an award SEA-SFO on an A319. With two rows of first class, and it being an award ticket I thought there was no way I was getting upgraded which was fine by me for the hour flight. I was surprised to see I got the last seat assigned to me the next morning.
Is Alaska’s new policy (which I think was a long time coming) hold off on UG’s until day of or day before departure? In the past if I sat in coach, I’d routeinly be sitting next to a 75K or Gold who had a work buddy that was in first class who was MVP. When I would ask why they’d tell me how they had to booked last minute and the MVP co-worker had booked in advance, so he got the upgrade. If this is the new system, I think it’s much better so you are sure to reward your most loyal clientele. In the past seeing MVP’s in first while 75k’s and Gold’s were in coach I always felt it unfair.
Is Alaska’s new policy (which I think was a long time coming) hold off on UG’s until day of or day before departure? In the past if I sat in coach, I’d routeinly be sitting next to a 75K or Gold who had a work buddy that was in first class who was MVP. When I would ask why they’d tell me how they had to booked last minute and the MVP co-worker had booked in advance, so he got the upgrade. If this is the new system, I think it’s much better so you are sure to reward your most loyal clientele. In the past seeing MVP’s in first while 75k’s and Gold’s were in coach I always felt it unfair.
Dec 29, 2018, 3:52 pm
#350
Join Date: Dec 2018
Location: Seattle
Programs: Alaska airlines 100k
Posts: 923
Is it better to book 2 seperate reservation for a 75K and an MVPG or both on the same reservation and thus assume the MVPG would then be in the same status as the 75K?
I’ve had occurrences in which I’ve been behind a MVPG when I’ve booked a reservation in which 75K was booked in conjunction with another MVPG. I assume they only had FC upgrade seat available and did not want to break up my party, this is a false assumption on their part. I would have preferred the separation and upgrade.
I’ve had occurrences in which I’ve been behind a MVPG when I’ve booked a reservation in which 75K was booked in conjunction with another MVPG. I assume they only had FC upgrade seat available and did not want to break up my party, this is a false assumption on their part. I would have preferred the separation and upgrade.
Dec 29, 2018, 4:12 pm
#351
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 10,904
Is it better to book 2 seperate reservation for a 75K and an MVPG or both on the same reservation and thus assume the MVPG would then be in the same status as the 75K?
I’ve had occurrences in which I’ve been behind a MVPG when I’ve booked a reservation in which 75K was booked in conjunction with another MVPG. I assume they only had FC upgrade seat available and did not want to break up my party, this is a false assumption on their part. I would have preferred the separation and upgrade.
I’ve had occurrences in which I’ve been behind a MVPG when I’ve booked a reservation in which 75K was booked in conjunction with another MVPG. I assume they only had FC upgrade seat available and did not want to break up my party, this is a false assumption on their part. I would have preferred the separation and upgrade.
Apparently if it goes to gate control, you can just tell the GA that you are willing to be split if only one seat is available and they will do it. I'm not sure if that's possible before that time, since it's automated.
If you are MVP (which doesn't get upgrades for companions) they don't even waitlist you for F if you are traveling with a non-status companion.
As for whether it's better to book one or two reservations, that's up to you. The upside of booking separate is that it's easier to get upgraded. The upside of a single res is that the Gold passenger will go on the 75k queue. There's no one right answer of what's "better" here... it's really up to you, depending on what you value more.
Dec 29, 2018, 8:00 pm
#352
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: British Columbia
Programs: AS MVPG100K, Marriott Marriott Titanium Elite, Hilton Gold
Posts: 7,263
James.
Dec 29, 2018, 8:05 pm
#353
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 10,904
It certainly didn't happen for me when I (as MVP) booked an itinerary with me and a non-elite companion -- I was not waitlisted for F. And, when I moved us to Premium (inside the MVP upgrade window) I had to pay for the companion's seat assignment (but not mine).
Dec 29, 2018, 8:43 pm
#354
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: British Columbia
Programs: AS MVPG100K, Marriott Marriott Titanium Elite, Hilton Gold
Posts: 7,263
That doesn't seem to be what usually happens, nor what it supposed to happen. I'm not sure what sequence of events caused that to happen in your case. It certainly doesn't match AS's published policy.
It certainly didn't happen for me when I (as MVP) booked an itinerary with me and a non-elite companion -- I was not waitlisted for F. And, when I moved us to Premium (inside the MVP upgrade window) I had to pay for the companion's seat assignment (but not mine).
It certainly didn't happen for me when I (as MVP) booked an itinerary with me and a non-elite companion -- I was not waitlisted for F. And, when I moved us to Premium (inside the MVP upgrade window) I had to pay for the companion's seat assignment (but not mine).
James.
Dec 29, 2018, 8:56 pm
#355
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 10,904
I follow 100% what the T&C's say and agree with your interpretation of them. My experience is not unique and there has been at least one report of an actual successful upgrade of both parties. This might have been discussed before your arrival. I just wanted you to be aware as it may be something you want to keep an eye open for.
James.
James.
I guess, my point was, don't expect to be able to do this (unless people have "cracked the code" and determined what causes this behavior). I wonder if things were somehow linked to your account in your case, and they got 75k treatment. Maybe the companion cert had something to do with it.
In my "vanilla" case, of an MVP booking a ticket with a non-MVP companion, and paying cash for everything, things worked as they were supposed to.
Dec 29, 2018, 9:35 pm
#356
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: British Columbia
Programs: AS MVPG100K, Marriott Marriott Titanium Elite, Hilton Gold
Posts: 7,263
There is so much stuff that happens that is not supposed to happen with AS's systems, I'm not even a little bit surprised by this.
I guess, my point was, don't expect to be able to do this (unless people have "cracked the code" and determined what causes this behavior). I wonder if things were somehow linked to your account in your case, and they got 75k treatment. Maybe the companion cert had something to do with it.
In my "vanilla" case, of an MVP booking a ticket with a non-MVP companion, and paying cash for everything, things worked as they were supposed to.
I guess, my point was, don't expect to be able to do this (unless people have "cracked the code" and determined what causes this behavior). I wonder if things were somehow linked to your account in your case, and they got 75k treatment. Maybe the companion cert had something to do with it.
In my "vanilla" case, of an MVP booking a ticket with a non-MVP companion, and paying cash for everything, things worked as they were supposed to.
There is always an "if" even "if" there isn't one!
Hence, I always try to secure my upgrades without reliance on complimentary upgrades because my itineraries are hardly ever routine.
My last two flights of the year should have been Christmas Eve to PHX. I had to cancel my AS Recliner F seats in favour of a 7 night lie-flat in the hospital so those flights will be on December 31st. A nice end to the year that started with AS F to SFO on January 1st and EK J to DXB & JNB with a whole lot in between.
Happy New Year to everyone, even those not Flying for Fun.
Dec 29, 2018, 9:59 pm
#357
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 10,904
I won't get my first companion cert until after I'm MVPG so I won't get to test this theory.
My last two flights of the year should have been Christmas Eve to PHX. I had to cancel my AS Recliner F seats in favour of a 7 night lie-flat in the hospital so those flights will be on December 31st
May 27, 2019, 1:33 pm
#358
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: PDX
Programs: AS 75K, BW Plat, Marriott Gold, IHG Plat, Hilton Gold
Posts: 10,733
There were 2 empty seats in the F cabin this morning on AS #449 JFK-PDX....I know it's a holiday, but I still thought it was odd to see empty seats on a transcon.
May 27, 2019, 1:44 pm
#359
Join Date: Apr 2017
Programs: AS 100k, DL PM, New Sagaya
Posts: 1,292
There were 2 empty seats in the F cabin this morning on AS #449 JFK-PDX....I know it's a holiday, but I still thought it was odd to see empty seats on a transcon.
May 27, 2019, 2:03 pm
#360
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: PDX
Programs: AS 75K, BW Plat, Marriott Gold, IHG Plat, Hilton Gold
Posts: 10,733
I wonder if U space ever showed up to allow for paid upgrades....on a 5+ hour transcon flight, I would think they could find to people in Y willing to upgrade....never heard any announcement at the gate.