Some notes on Flying AS / Alaska as an AA Elite (archival)
Mar 20, 2010, 6:02 pm
#151
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: HKG/YVR/NYC
Programs: AC 75K, A3*G, AS MVPG, AA LT Gold 1MM, JL/JGC (OWS) , Marriott Titanium, Hertz 5*, Avis PC
Posts: 3,697
K I'll answer this to save some time, that front page of the consolidated thread may need some editing possibly.
AA code, AS operated flight - elite seating available by calling up the EXP Line (any coach fare)
AS code, AS operated flight - regular seating only, until OLCI (any other coach fare)
AS code, AS operated flight - elite seating available through alaskaair.com(Full Y only)
By the sounds of blout1, he may need to wait til OLCI to get better seats, AS does allow OLCI on int'l flights unlike AA so go do it at T-24
AA code, AS operated flight - elite seating available by calling up the EXP Line (any coach fare)
AS code, AS operated flight - regular seating only, until OLCI (any other coach fare)
AS code, AS operated flight - elite seating available through alaskaair.com(Full Y only)
By the sounds of blout1, he may need to wait til OLCI to get better seats, AS does allow OLCI on int'l flights unlike AA so go do it at T-24
Mar 21, 2010, 1:14 am
#152
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Location: Denver • DEN-APA
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Try for an exit row aisle at the airport. On AS it's better than their First.
Mar 21, 2010, 5:15 pm
#153
Moderator: New York City and FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2007
Programs: AA PLT, Natl EC
Posts: 10,856
Recently booked an AS flight between LAX-YVR.
Seat options presented were horrible (middle seats, rear of plane), since AS website unaware of my EXP status. Lots of seats available in the "preferred" section of economy (row 6, etc), according to ExpertFlyer.
As an EXP, I know I'm entitled to row 6....but how can I get those assigned if tickets were not on AA codeshare?
Can EXP desk assist with AS seating, even though my itinerary has nothing to do with AA?
Seat options presented were horrible (middle seats, rear of plane), since AS website unaware of my EXP status. Lots of seats available in the "preferred" section of economy (row 6, etc), according to ExpertFlyer.
As an EXP, I know I'm entitled to row 6....but how can I get those assigned if tickets were not on AA codeshare?
Can EXP desk assist with AS seating, even though my itinerary has nothing to do with AA?
This thread has now been merged into the key thread on this topic. Please be sure to check out the wiki page for a summary. If you haven't already seen it, also be sure to check out the FAQ at the top of the forum. Enjoy!
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Mar 21, 2010, 10:35 pm
#154
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Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: FAI
Programs: AS MVP Gold100K, AS 1MM, Maika`i Card, AGR, HH Gold, Hertz PC, Marriott Titanium LTG, CO, 7H, BA, 8E
Posts: 42,960
Recently booked an AS flight between LAX-YVR.
Seat options presented were horrible (middle seats, rear of plane), since AS website unaware of my EXP status. Lots of seats available in the "preferred" section of economy (row 6, etc), according to ExpertFlyer.
As an EXP, I know I'm entitled to row 6....but how can I get those assigned if tickets were not on AA codeshare?
Can EXP desk assist with AS seating, even though my itinerary has nothing to do with AA?
Seat options presented were horrible (middle seats, rear of plane), since AS website unaware of my EXP status. Lots of seats available in the "preferred" section of economy (row 6, etc), according to ExpertFlyer.
As an EXP, I know I'm entitled to row 6....but how can I get those assigned if tickets were not on AA codeshare?
Can EXP desk assist with AS seating, even though my itinerary has nothing to do with AA?
Mar 22, 2010, 9:53 am
#155
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Orange County, CA
Programs: AA LT PLT, DL PLT, HH DIA, IHG PLT, Hertz PLT, Bonvoy GLD, Avis Pres Club
Posts: 1,266
With respect to LAX-YVR:
Like Blout, I need to book this flight. I know it is operated as an AA codeshare on AS metal, however based on AA's website, booking the codeshare will cost me nearly double the cost of AS's direct website price.
Any way to book the AA codeshare at the AS price?
And perhaps more curiously...why the price differential for the exact same flight?
Like Blout, I need to book this flight. I know it is operated as an AA codeshare on AS metal, however based on AA's website, booking the codeshare will cost me nearly double the cost of AS's direct website price.
Any way to book the AA codeshare at the AS price?
And perhaps more curiously...why the price differential for the exact same flight?
Mar 22, 2010, 9:57 am
#156
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With respect to LAX-YVR:
Like Blout, I need to book this flight. I know it is operated as an AA codeshare on AS metal, however based on AA's website, booking the codeshare will cost me nearly double the cost of AS's direct website price.
Any way to book the AA codeshare at the AS price?
Like Blout, I need to book this flight. I know it is operated as an AA codeshare on AS metal, however based on AA's website, booking the codeshare will cost me nearly double the cost of AS's direct website price.
Any way to book the AA codeshare at the AS price?
Cheers.
Mar 22, 2010, 10:23 am
#157
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: HKG/YVR/NYC
Programs: AC 75K, A3*G, AS MVPG, AA LT Gold 1MM, JL/JGC (OWS) , Marriott Titanium, Hertz 5*, Avis PC
Posts: 3,697
With respect to LAX-YVR:
Like Blout, I need to book this flight. I know it is operated as an AA codeshare on AS metal, however based on AA's website, booking the codeshare will cost me nearly double the cost of AS's direct website price.
Any way to book the AA codeshare at the AS price?
And perhaps more curiously...why the price differential for the exact same flight?
Like Blout, I need to book this flight. I know it is operated as an AA codeshare on AS metal, however based on AA's website, booking the codeshare will cost me nearly double the cost of AS's direct website price.
Any way to book the AA codeshare at the AS price?
And perhaps more curiously...why the price differential for the exact same flight?
Mar 22, 2010, 12:46 pm
#158
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Orange County, CA
Programs: AA LT PLT, DL PLT, HH DIA, IHG PLT, Hertz PLT, Bonvoy GLD, Avis Pres Club
Posts: 1,266
AA codeshare: R/T = $557 a.i.
AS Direct: R/T = $333 a.i.
From what I can see, AS website sells a "hot deals" fare bucket, whereas AA only has access to the "bargain" fair bucket.
Mar 22, 2010, 1:37 pm
#159
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Location: SJC
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Cheers.
Mar 22, 2010, 2:30 pm
#160
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Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: SEA, but up and down the coast a lot
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There are also instances where the AS fare will be beat by the AA one- SEA-LAS (with a connection at LAX), and SEA-LAX (with or without the connection at SFO/SJC) come to mind. (What I've been told happens is sometimes AS sells out of a fare bucket it guaranteed some seats to AA to, but AA still has a couple in that bucket. AA also sometimes doesn't add Friday/Sunday surcharges that AS does.)
I've been known to buy SEA-LAX as the AA codeshare- I sacrifice AS elite upgrades until I get to the gate, but it's usually an easy upgrade to nab at the gate, plus AS Y bulkhead/exit row for 2.5 hours isn't horrible.
I've been known to buy SEA-LAX as the AA codeshare- I sacrifice AS elite upgrades until I get to the gate, but it's usually an easy upgrade to nab at the gate, plus AS Y bulkhead/exit row for 2.5 hours isn't horrible.
Mar 22, 2010, 3:22 pm
#161
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Mar 22, 2010, 4:40 pm
#162
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... and AA SlAAveship F (757). 
(Though actually, some 734s aren't all that comfy in Y bulkhead/exit.)
(Though actually, some 734s aren't all that comfy in Y bulkhead/exit.)
Mar 22, 2010, 4:54 pm
#163
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Orange County, CA
Programs: AA LT PLT, DL PLT, HH DIA, IHG PLT, Hertz PLT, Bonvoy GLD, Avis Pres Club
Posts: 1,266
My understanding is that, unlike AA, only certain fare buckets are upgradable with AS. DL has this rule, and enforces it rigorously (at least for non-status flyers). Does anyone know if AS enforces it? Put in other words, if I buy a "hot deal" fare and there are still empty F seats at the gate, will the GA sell one to me for the $50/$100 upgrade fare?
Mar 22, 2010, 6:03 pm
#164
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: YYF/YLW
Programs: AA, DL, AS, VA, WS Silver
Posts: 5,960
My understanding is that, unlike AA, only certain fare buckets are upgradable with AS. DL has this rule, and enforces it rigorously (at least for non-status flyers). Does anyone know if AS enforces it? Put in other words, if I buy a "hot deal" fare and there are still empty F seats at the gate, will the GA sell one to me for the $50/$100 upgrade fare?
Dunno whether/how this applies to paid upgrades for non-elites.
Mar 22, 2010, 6:34 pm
#165
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Orange County, CA
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Posts: 1,266
For elites, AS allows MVPs to upgrade at booking on certain fare buckets (see their web site), then they open up all fare buckets to elites 48-72 hours before departure. Within elite groups, I believe the upgrade waitlist is prioritized by fare bucket, not booking/upgrade request time as on AA. (AA, of course, requires currency to upgrade PLTs and GLDs instead.)
Dunno whether/how this applies to paid upgrades for non-elites.
Dunno whether/how this applies to paid upgrades for non-elites.