Complimentary Upgrades on Alaska Airlines (AS)
#32
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: British Columbia
Programs: AS MVPG100K, Marriott Marriott Titanium Elite, Hilton Gold
Posts: 7,263
The same works for AS Elites flying AA who receive a complimentary upgrade. They earn in Mileage Plan based on the underlying fare class purchased.
James
#33
Join Date: Apr 2008
Programs: AA EXPLT, Marriott Titanium (LT PLT), HHonors Gold, AMEX PLT, UA Silver, National EXC
Posts: 1,060
So I checked in on app (INTL flight, so it still requires visiting an agent) but I do not appear on the waitlist even though it allowed me other Emerald Benefits. Anyone else have this issue? Chat with them online said they added me, but I don't appear on the list... except the list shows for example a Abc/M that matches my first name but not last - unless then that was MrXYZ instead of XYZ (I know some travel systems pull in a MR or MRS sometimes.
Frustrating. Anyone else have issues not showing in the waitlist? Website agent said the corporate travel portal I had to booked though might have caused the issue with why I'm not showing up on the list or wasn't added earlier
Frustrating. Anyone else have issues not showing in the waitlist? Website agent said the corporate travel portal I had to booked though might have caused the issue with why I'm not showing up on the list or wasn't added earlier
#34
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: EWR/JFK
Programs: AA GLD 1.xMM, MAR SLV, HH DMND, IHG PLT
Posts: 839
Can AA PLT get upgraded on AS metal?
Interesting info... Sounds like I should use AS to fly to LAX from DAL (I am PLT), because it is almost impossible to do from DFW.
I did get the upgrade once, on a Labor Day return to DFW, it's been a couple of years.....My next trip to LAX is Turkey Day, but booked AA due to flight credit requiring booking by Sept 21.
I did get the upgrade once, on a Labor Day return to DFW, it's been a couple of years.....My next trip to LAX is Turkey Day, but booked AA due to flight credit requiring booking by Sept 21.
#35
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: USA
Programs: AA-EXP; UA-Silver; Bonvoy-Titanium
Posts: 474
Hi all,
Any new data points on companions upgrading into Premium Class? Myself and companion, both currently AA Gold and both soon to be Plat next week, are on an Alaska Flight booked in Y (tell me about it) and I am unable to select Premium Class without paying. Will this be the case even when we're Plat? That's strange as we both have status you would think this would work already.
The relevant AA Page still reads "^Initially this benefit only applies to the elite status member. Later, Executive Platinum, Platinum Pro and Platinum members will be able to extend this benefit to 1 companion traveling on the same flight and in the same reservation." (https://www.aa.com/i18n/aadvantage-p...a-airlines.jsp).
But I'm not trying to extend my benefit, we are both Gold flying in a Y fare, which says Y, B or H fares are supposed to be able to upgrade to premium class after ticket purchase.
Thanks!
Any new data points on companions upgrading into Premium Class? Myself and companion, both currently AA Gold and both soon to be Plat next week, are on an Alaska Flight booked in Y (tell me about it) and I am unable to select Premium Class without paying. Will this be the case even when we're Plat? That's strange as we both have status you would think this would work already.
The relevant AA Page still reads "^Initially this benefit only applies to the elite status member. Later, Executive Platinum, Platinum Pro and Platinum members will be able to extend this benefit to 1 companion traveling on the same flight and in the same reservation." (https://www.aa.com/i18n/aadvantage-p...a-airlines.jsp).
But I'm not trying to extend my benefit, we are both Gold flying in a Y fare, which says Y, B or H fares are supposed to be able to upgrade to premium class after ticket purchase.
Thanks!
#36
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: British Columbia
Programs: AS MVPG100K, Marriott Marriott Titanium Elite, Hilton Gold
Posts: 7,263
I think your issue, as an AA Gold, equivalent to AS MVP, is that you can't upgrade a compaIon on the same PNR even if the companion is also AA Gold. If the companion had a higher status, you could be upgraded on the strength of the higher elite companion but neither will be eligible when on the same PNR.
In Mileage Plan, two MVPs on the same PNR will negate any upgrades. Upgrades for an MVP Elite only work if the Elite is solo on the PNR. Until one of you is Platinum or higher. I would recommend booking each passenger on a separate PNR.
Once Platinum, equivalent to MVPG, and AS has implemented the companion upgrades for AA Elites, you will be able to upgrade a companion on the same PNR providing there is one and only one companion.
If you purchase an eligible fare for your Elite Tier, you will be able to select Premium Class seating, without charge, after ticket purchase. Otherwise, you can select Premium Class seating, without charge, when your upgrade window opens. For Platinum that would be 72 hours before departure.
As an AA Gold and a solo passenger on the PNR, you can select Premium Class seating at 48 hours before departure if you haven't purchased an eligible fare class.
All AS Elites are eligible for upgrades to First Class, even on award tickets; upgrades to Premium Class don't preclude a First Class upgrade, but an MVP with a companion on the same PNR will not be considered for both Premium & F upgrades because of the limitation on the MVP/AA Gold Tier.
If you call AS and ask them to split the PNR, you should then be able to choose Premium Class seating if your fare is eligible.
James
#38
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: LGB
Programs: AA Platinum Pro, Marriott Platinum, Hyatt Discoverist
Posts: 241
Don’t know about companion limit. Had no problems with 1 companion…
#39
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: USA
Programs: AA-EXP; UA-Silver; Bonvoy-Titanium
Posts: 474
Are you really booked into fully refundable Y class? Depending on the route, it can be more expensive than discounted F.
I think your issue, as an AA Gold, equivalent to AS MVP, is that you can't upgrade a compaIon on the same PNR even if the companion is also AA Gold. If the companion had a higher status, you could be upgraded on the strength of the higher elite companion but neither will be eligible when on the same PNR.
In Mileage Plan, two MVPs on the same PNR will negate any upgrades. Upgrades for an MVP Elite only work if the Elite is solo on the PNR. Until one of you is Platinum or higher. I would recommend booking each passenger on a separate PNR.
Once Platinum, equivalent to MVPG, and AS has implemented the companion upgrades for AA Elites, you will be able to upgrade a companion on the same PNR providing there is one and only one companion.
If you purchase an eligible fare for your Elite Tier, you will be able to select Premium Class seating, without charge, after ticket purchase. Otherwise, you can select Premium Class seating, without charge, when your upgrade window opens. For Platinum that would be 72 hours before departure.
As an AA Gold and a solo passenger on the PNR, you can select Premium Class seating at 48 hours before departure if you haven't purchased an eligible fare class.
All AS Elites are eligible for upgrades to First Class, even on award tickets; upgrades to Premium Class don't preclude a First Class upgrade, but an MVP with a companion on the same PNR will not be considered for both Premium & F upgrades because of the limitation on the MVP/AA Gold Tier.
If you call AS and ask them to split the PNR, you should then be able to choose Premium Class seating if your fare is eligible.
James
I think your issue, as an AA Gold, equivalent to AS MVP, is that you can't upgrade a compaIon on the same PNR even if the companion is also AA Gold. If the companion had a higher status, you could be upgraded on the strength of the higher elite companion but neither will be eligible when on the same PNR.
In Mileage Plan, two MVPs on the same PNR will negate any upgrades. Upgrades for an MVP Elite only work if the Elite is solo on the PNR. Until one of you is Platinum or higher. I would recommend booking each passenger on a separate PNR.
Once Platinum, equivalent to MVPG, and AS has implemented the companion upgrades for AA Elites, you will be able to upgrade a companion on the same PNR providing there is one and only one companion.
If you purchase an eligible fare for your Elite Tier, you will be able to select Premium Class seating, without charge, after ticket purchase. Otherwise, you can select Premium Class seating, without charge, when your upgrade window opens. For Platinum that would be 72 hours before departure.
As an AA Gold and a solo passenger on the PNR, you can select Premium Class seating at 48 hours before departure if you haven't purchased an eligible fare class.
All AS Elites are eligible for upgrades to First Class, even on award tickets; upgrades to Premium Class don't preclude a First Class upgrade, but an MVP with a companion on the same PNR will not be considered for both Premium & F upgrades because of the limitation on the MVP/AA Gold Tier.
If you call AS and ask them to split the PNR, you should then be able to choose Premium Class seating if your fare is eligible.
James
Hi James,
Thanks for the response. It is a full fare (Y) and yes F is less expensive (or about the same actually), but I am using a companion certificate for this particularly because of the high price of Y, which is why I had to book this together. I have AA Gold (OW Ruby) and my companion also has AA Gold (OW Ruby). But we seem to be stuck in the back, even a phone call did not help -- frustrating.
In my opinion, the system is broken when, on the same Y fare, if I book two separate tickets for myself and my companion we can both upgrade to premium at the time of booking, but if we book our flight together then we cannot. This makes no sense, we're essentially being stripped of our elite benefits simply because we are booked together.
I certainly hope this gets fixed.
#40
Join Date: Dec 2019
Programs: AA EXP
Posts: 89
There has been some back and forth about companion upgrades... I'm Platinum Pro and my non-status companion I were both upgraded on the Alaska DCA-PDX flight a couple days ago. I only showed up on the upgrade list after asking to be added at the gate and was #1 out of ~20. I didn't think to add my partner until we were boarding. Even though he wasn't added to the upgrade list, we were pulled from coach before the cabin door closed when 2 FC passengers no-showed.
I do wonder whether we would have gotten the seats if I hadn't asked to be added to the upgrade list.
I do wonder whether we would have gotten the seats if I hadn't asked to be added to the upgrade list.
#41
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: SFO/SJC
Programs: AMEX PLT, AA PPro, Spire AMB
Posts: 1,617
We are an all-adult family of four (4) on one PNR with myself being AA PPro. It sounds like in order to try for upgrades, the PNR needs to be split into 2 + 2 in order for myself and companion to be seated in Premium Class and be eligible for FC upgrade. We have one segment in O (can select 72 hours before departure) and one in N (immediate assignment). Does this affect the other two non-status passengers to remain in elite seating? If it does has anyone had a seat map or schedule change where you were able to call in and reassign seating (PNR's linked or somehow connected?).
If anyone has any info, that would be much appreciated!
If anyone has any info, that would be much appreciated!
#42
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: BOS
Programs: AA EXP/2MM, IHG Platinum, Marriott Silver
Posts: 1,188
Status: PRO
Mon 1/24
BOS-SAN
Cleared 20hrs before departure, on a cheapo O fare.
F went out with 1 empty seat, next to me . I had a peek back in Y and it was pretty empty, <50%. I was able to pre-order the miso pork, which wasn't bad. It was my first time in F on AS, and the service was quite friendly. Reminded me of an above average AA domestic F flight of 10-15 yrs ago.
Mon 1/24
BOS-SAN
Cleared 20hrs before departure, on a cheapo O fare.
F went out with 1 empty seat, next to me . I had a peek back in Y and it was pretty empty, <50%. I was able to pre-order the miso pork, which wasn't bad. It was my first time in F on AS, and the service was quite friendly. Reminded me of an above average AA domestic F flight of 10-15 yrs ago.
#43
Join Date: Jun 2011
Posts: 3,534
So I checked in on app (INTL flight, so it still requires visiting an agent) but I do not appear on the waitlist even though it allowed me other Emerald Benefits. Anyone else have this issue? Chat with them online said they added me, but I don't appear on the list... except the list shows for example a Abc/M that matches my first name but not last - unless then that was MrXYZ instead of XYZ (I know some travel systems pull in a MR or MRS sometimes.
Frustrating. Anyone else have issues not showing in the waitlist? Website agent said the corporate travel portal I had to booked though might have caused the issue with why I'm not showing up on the list or wasn't added earlier
Frustrating. Anyone else have issues not showing in the waitlist? Website agent said the corporate travel portal I had to booked though might have caused the issue with why I'm not showing up on the list or wasn't added earlier
#44
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: ORD
Programs: AA, Hilton
Posts: 159
Just bought G fares for 2 adults and 2 kids. I can't select premium seat unless I am willing to pay. My question is when I can select premium seat. Can I select premium seat for all 4 passengers of just 2 of us? I am PP btw.
#45
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Portland, OR.
Programs: AA PPro
Posts: 607
I'm ExP flying on alaska and we are withing 24 hours. I got upgraded to their premier class but don't see my name on the first class upgrade list. Is that unusual? Suggestions. This is my first time flying as a ExP on AS. Thanks.