Last edit by: stheller
AA and Alaska Airlines Reduce Partnership Perks Effective 1 Jan 2018
See article by Gary Leff on July 6, 2017 (link)
Effective January 1 2018:
- AA will only allow EQM-EQS-EQD (and presumably award miles) on American Airlines marketed ("codeshare") flights operated by Alaska Airlines (AS marketed flights will not accrue AA EQM-EQS-EQD)
- "American Airlines elite frequent flyers will no longer receive travel benefits — such as priority check-in, priority boarding, access to preferred seats, and free checked bags — on Alaska Airlines." (Gary Leff)
Some current partnership benefits will continue:
- AAdvantage awards using AS flights will still be allowed.
- Admirals Club members will continue to have Alaska Lounge (formerly Board Room) access with same day travel on an AA or AS marketed and operated flight.
AA and Alaska End Major Partnership Aspects 1 Jan 2018
#76
In Memoriam, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: Benicia CA
Programs: Alaska MVP Gold 75K, AA 3.8MM, UA 1.1MM, enjoying the retired life
Posts: 31,849
I do plan to credit some international to AA still, primarily Europe, as there will be less Alaska miles in play next year when only the AA international flight will accrue Alaska miles. In that direction lounge access plus MCE seats have me leaning towards crediting to AA if I plan to fly AA/BA. I can make Australia/Asia work with Alaska's partners in that directions nonstop from SFO (Qantas, Cathay, Korean primarily-- just did a Qantas trip in May).
If you're going to do an Alaska status match wait until October 1 or that status will expire at the end of 2017.
My expectation, when I did the status match from AA to Alaska, was that Virgin America routes would work better for me, so have been stuck in VX coach waiting for "enhancements" to come. We're told "summer" for elite seating, so may be getting closer. Don't think comped upgrades are in the plans for this year. Early boarding and free checked bags are already in place.
Don't overlook Alaska's SJC-EWR. Have cleared every upgrade on that route and the early departure time lets me avoid commute traffic to get down there.
#77
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Join Date: Mar 2004
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Cheers.
#78
In Memoriam, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: Benicia CA
Programs: Alaska MVP Gold 75K, AA 3.8MM, UA 1.1MM, enjoying the retired life
Posts: 31,849
I will miss both the Qantas and Cathay F lounges at HKG, having been in both of them the last few months, but it's not realistic for me to ramp up AA spending just for lounge access and four systemwides. My main focus is redeemable miles and Alaska has been working better for me this year in terms of bringing those in. A typical advance purchase $300 SFO-JFK brings me over 11,000 miles on Alaska and 2750 miles on AA. I can get over the lounge access and systemwides which don't clear until a day or two out for the extra redeemable miles.
#79
Join Date: May 2008
Location: NYC
Programs: DL PM; UA 1K; AA 1MM
Posts: 4,518
I hate going to EWR and avoid it as much as possible, but the getting from EWR to Manhattan via mass transit isn't horribly dreadful, as long as you don't come in very late at night (and as long as trains aren't derailing in Penn Station, which just happened again, and as long as emergency repairs aren't happening in Penn Station, which will be occurring starting Monday, etc, etc. But in theory, it's not bad!)
#80
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Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: SJC
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So, as long as Business As Usual isn't happening in NYC, I'm all good?
(I was born there almost 57 years ago and go back frequently...it hasn't changed a bit in that regard...)
Cheers.
(I was born there almost 57 years ago and go back frequently...it hasn't changed a bit in that regard...)
Cheers.
#81
Join Date: May 2008
Location: NYC
Programs: DL PM; UA 1K; AA 1MM
Posts: 4,518
Pretty much! It's the same tracks, stations, and signals that were probably in use when you were born
#82
Join Date: Dec 2016
Posts: 1,485
Your profile is very different than mine. In 26 years of elite level flying, I've not bought a single business class ticket. I'm self funded. AA worked great for 17 years at the EXP level for me, but Cathay in particular does not accrue any AA miles in deep discount economy, the class you'd see me in.
I will miss both the Qantas and Cathay F lounges at HKG, having been in both of them the last few months, but it's not realistic for me to ramp up AA spending just for lounge access and four systemwides. My main focus is redeemable miles and Alaska has been working better for me this year in terms of bringing those in. A typical advance purchase $300 SFO-JFK brings me over 11,000 miles on Alaska and 2750 miles on AA. I can get over the lounge access and systemwides which don't clear until a day or two out for the extra redeemable miles.
I will miss both the Qantas and Cathay F lounges at HKG, having been in both of them the last few months, but it's not realistic for me to ramp up AA spending just for lounge access and four systemwides. My main focus is redeemable miles and Alaska has been working better for me this year in terms of bringing those in. A typical advance purchase $300 SFO-JFK brings me over 11,000 miles on Alaska and 2750 miles on AA. I can get over the lounge access and systemwides which don't clear until a day or two out for the extra redeemable miles.
I'm unlikely to get any work paid long range business trips going forward and I have no interest in flying AS, so I guess I will have to get really creative next year.
My expectation, when I did the status match from AA to Alaska, was that Virgin America routes would work better for me, so have been stuck in VX coach waiting for "enhancements" to come. We're told "summer" for elite seating, so may be getting closer. Don't think comped upgrades are in the plans for this year. Early boarding and free checked bags are already in place.
Don't overlook Alaska's SJC-EWR. Have cleared every upgrade on that route and the early departure time lets me avoid commute traffic to get down there.
Don't overlook Alaska's SJC-EWR. Have cleared every upgrade on that route and the early departure time lets me avoid commute traffic to get down there.
I hate going to EWR and avoid it as much as possible, but the getting from EWR to Manhattan via mass transit isn't horribly dreadful, as long as you don't come in very late at night (and as long as trains aren't derailing in Penn Station, which just happened again, and as long as emergency repairs aren't happening in Penn Station, which will be occurring starting Monday, etc, etc. But in theory, it's not bad!)
#83
In Memoriam, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: Benicia CA
Programs: Alaska MVP Gold 75K, AA 3.8MM, UA 1.1MM, enjoying the retired life
Posts: 31,849
That may be a positive in the long term. The Alaska 737-800/900s I've been on have 12-16 F seats. When the Virgin America aircraft are converted to the Alaska configuration, much better chances at upgrades as an Alaska flyer. I'm at 95% this year on Alaska metal. The fleet conversion can't happen soon enough for me, though I don't know if those Virgin aircraft are leased or owned and when the new seating configuration will appear. Not expecting any changes this year.
#86
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend, Moderator, Information Desk, Ambassador, Alaska Airlines
Join Date: Dec 2006
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Posts: 42,953
As to the upgrade experience - I will compare AS on Hawai'i routes favorably against just about any AA domestic route for F.
So, while the AS program can't provide these things, the AA program provides them in diminishing numbers, and the differences between EXP and PLT are shrinking, especially if one is buying premium cabin.
But, yes, AA will still work for many.
Cheers.
So, while the AS program can't provide these things, the AA program provides them in diminishing numbers, and the differences between EXP and PLT are shrinking, especially if one is buying premium cabin.
But, yes, AA will still work for many.
Cheers.
That may be a positive in the long term. The Alaska 737-800/900s I've been on have 12-16 F seats. When the Virgin America aircraft are converted to the Alaska configuration, much better chances at upgrades as an Alaska flyer. I'm at 95% this year on Alaska metal. The fleet conversion can't happen soon enough for me, though I don't know if those Virgin aircraft are leased or owned and when the new seating configuration will appear. Not expecting any changes this year.
And the E175's are a nice product... 12 in F and 64 in Y. How about that for a ratio?
All 73H's have been reconfigured, and the 739/ER's are making solid progress. (64.7% as of July 5) Fun tip: 73J is the reconfig'd model in EF.
And yes, I was referencing a hypothetical AS flown SEA-CLT.
#87
Join Date: Dec 2016
Posts: 1,485
That may be a positive in the long term. The Alaska 737-800/900s I've been on have 12-16 F seats. When the Virgin America aircraft are converted to the Alaska configuration, much better chances at upgrades as an Alaska flyer. I'm at 95% this year on Alaska metal. The fleet conversion can't happen soon enough for me, though I don't know if those Virgin aircraft are leased or owned and when the new seating configuration will appear. Not expecting any changes this year.
VX F=no complimentary upgrade AS F=complimentary upgrade (space available).
And the E175's are a nice product... 12 in F and 64 in Y. How about that for a ratio?
And the E175's are a nice product... 12 in F and 64 in Y. How about that for a ratio?
#89
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Advice given over at the Alaska forum would be to fly the itinerary using your Alaska number, and then after the international segment has been credited, and the domestic one rejected, send the domestic segment to American for retroactive credit.
#90
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: San Diego, Ca
Programs: AA 2MM LT PLT; AS MVP Gold75k; HHonors Diamond; IHG PLT
Posts: 3,503
Not overlooking at all. I'd actually already been eyeing that one. The price for F was high, but your upgrade experience is heartening. I've heard that the ride into NYC from EWR is less than pleasant (and LGA is fabulous). Also, no Centurion Lounge in EWR. Still, the non-stop from SJC is very, very nice.
Cheers.
Cheers.