Jan 4, 2017, 7:30 pm
Last edit by: Calchas
Welcome to the Alaska Airlines Flame-Free Q&A Thread for 2017!
Anyone is welcome to ask anything, even the most basic questions, in this thread without having to fear a snarky response. In this thread, there's no such thing as a dumb question--we were all new to Alaska Airlines, FlyerTalk, and even the whole idea of mileage programs once and needed some help navigating the ropes. We're here to help you do just that!
That said, if you want to do a little reading to see if your question has been previously discussed, links to some of the most common and extensive topics in this forum are listed in our FAQ thread -- click here to check it out.
Special care will be given in this thread to trying to provide answers in a clear manner with minimal use of acronyms and jargon.
If you need to contact someone for help, here's a current list of our forum's team:
Ambassadors (Our Greeters--members who have specifically volunteered to welcome and mentor newbies and monitor this thread):
ANC RED-EYE
baliktad
beckoa
golfingboy
Moderators (Our Janitors--members who have volunteered to do housekeeping/keep the forum in order)
ryandc99
jackal
You are welcome to send a private message to any of these individuals for assistance, but you'll generally get a faster response and broader palette of answers if you simply post your inquiry here in this thread.
Note to FlyerTalk members who enjoy the ability to take advantage of loopholes--if someone posts something that exposes information you'd rather not be public, please remember this is a Flame-Free thread, and harsh or snarky posts are not permitted. Although FlyerTalk itself does not censor posts that share information, members are free to edit their own posts to remove information. If you wish to request any poster to remove information they have shared publicly, please do so politely and respectfully.
Welcome, and we look forward to providing any assistance we can!
~the Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan forum team~
For the 2016 version of this thread, please click here
Anyone is welcome to ask anything, even the most basic questions, in this thread without having to fear a snarky response. In this thread, there's no such thing as a dumb question--we were all new to Alaska Airlines, FlyerTalk, and even the whole idea of mileage programs once and needed some help navigating the ropes. We're here to help you do just that!
That said, if you want to do a little reading to see if your question has been previously discussed, links to some of the most common and extensive topics in this forum are listed in our FAQ thread -- click here to check it out.
Special care will be given in this thread to trying to provide answers in a clear manner with minimal use of acronyms and jargon.
If you need to contact someone for help, here's a current list of our forum's team:
Ambassadors (Our Greeters--members who have specifically volunteered to welcome and mentor newbies and monitor this thread):
ANC RED-EYE
baliktad
beckoa
golfingboy
Moderators (Our Janitors--members who have volunteered to do housekeeping/keep the forum in order)
ryandc99
jackal
You are welcome to send a private message to any of these individuals for assistance, but you'll generally get a faster response and broader palette of answers if you simply post your inquiry here in this thread.
Note to FlyerTalk members who enjoy the ability to take advantage of loopholes--if someone posts something that exposes information you'd rather not be public, please remember this is a Flame-Free thread, and harsh or snarky posts are not permitted. Although FlyerTalk itself does not censor posts that share information, members are free to edit their own posts to remove information. If you wish to request any poster to remove information they have shared publicly, please do so politely and respectfully.
Welcome, and we look forward to providing any assistance we can!
~the Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan forum team~
For the 2016 version of this thread, please click here
2017 Alaska Airlines *FLAME-FREE* Q&A thread: all welcome, new and old!
Jun 14, 2017 | 12:42 am
#886
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend, Moderator, Information Desk, Ambassador, Alaska Airlines
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: FAI
Programs: AS MVP Gold100K, AS 1MM, Maika`i Card, AGR, Hertz PC, Marriott Lifetime Plat, CO, 7H, BA, 8E
Posts: 44,257
Otherwise if BA tagged it, AS should take it. Just drop it off after customs and before you reclear TSA.
Jun 14, 2017 | 2:32 am
#887
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: London
Programs: LH SEN, SK Silver, Sixt Diamond, Hertz PC, Avis PC, Bonvoy Gold
Posts: 5,271
Jun 14, 2017 | 6:47 am
#888
In Memoriam
Join Date: Jun 2000
Programs: Honors Diamond, Hertz Presidents Circle, National Exec Elite
Posts: 36,111
Jun 14, 2017 | 8:11 am
#889
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: YYF/YLW
Programs: AA, DL, AS, VA, WS Silver
Posts: 6,234
I would think that will be fine (assuming BA is willing to tag it through). AS will tag bags through with connections up to 12 hours for their own flights.
Jun 14, 2017 | 2:19 pm
#890
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: EWR, SLC, SGN
Posts: 1,113
Looking to go BOI-DXB/stop/SGN on EK in a Y award. Problem area is getting from Boise to any EK gateway without an overnight in SEA, SFO or LAX. However, if I search separate I can get BOI-SLC for saver, then 22 hours later get SLC-LAX (and continuing to DXB) space. SLC is much better for me as I have family there to stay with overnight.
Any way to force this, either online or call in to request? I know SLC is a bit of backtracking, but the search engine did allow it once when I was searching a few weeks ago but I couldn't find the SGN space at that time so I didn't book it.
Any way to force this, either online or call in to request? I know SLC is a bit of backtracking, but the search engine did allow it once when I was searching a few weeks ago but I couldn't find the SGN space at that time so I didn't book it.
Jun 14, 2017 | 8:05 pm
#892
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: Pacific Wonderland
Programs: ʙᴏɴᴠo̱ʏ Plt, HH Dia, Nexus, Pilot FlyingJ Preferred, CFA1 Red
Posts: 5,337
Nope, same availability for general members and 75K's. 
or 
Upfront disclaimer: I haven't done this so YMMV! I'd book the SLC-DXB-SGN and once it tickets, call in to have an agent add the BOI-SLC leg. AS is a bit opaque on their backtracking rules but I wouldn't think that's really too much to route through SLC.
or Looking to go BOI-DXB/stop/SGN on EK in a Y award. Problem area is getting from Boise to any EK gateway without an overnight in SEA, SFO or LAX. However, if I search separate I can get BOI-SLC for saver, then 22 hours later get SLC-LAX (and continuing to DXB) space. SLC is much better for me as I have family there to stay with overnight.
Any way to force this, either online or call in to request? I know SLC is a bit of backtracking, but the search engine did allow it once when I was searching a few weeks ago but I couldn't find the SGN space at that time so I didn't book it.
Any way to force this, either online or call in to request? I know SLC is a bit of backtracking, but the search engine did allow it once when I was searching a few weeks ago but I couldn't find the SGN space at that time so I didn't book it.
Last edited by rustykettel; Jun 14, 2017 at 8:18 pm
Jun 15, 2017 | 8:35 am
#894
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Splitting time between small towns in NorCal and Wydaho
Programs: Amethyst Premier Plutonium Medallion
Posts: 21,494
Jun 15, 2017 | 1:08 pm
#896
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: YVR, HNL
Programs: AS MVPG, UA peon, BA Bronze, Marriott Plat, HH Diamond, Fairmont Plat (RIP)
Posts: 8,422
Yes, a stopover is allowed. I have an upcoming one way BA award with a stopover in LHR.
Jun 15, 2017 | 1:26 pm
#897
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: PHX
Programs: ALL / NO STATUS
Posts: 3,274
Booked an AA Award on solely AS metal. Noticed that on the AS website we are waitlisted for first class. Is this for real? I see the update that award tickets are now eligible for upgrades on AS metal, but I has assumed it was only for AS issued awards. I'm guessing though that as an MVP on a W fare, that it would be impressive to be anything besides last on the list.
Last edited by Ripper3785; Jun 15, 2017 at 1:38 pm
Jun 15, 2017 | 6:03 pm
#899
Join Date: Feb 2009
Posts: 7,086
With Delta no longer being an AS partner I can't find any decent flights using miles on AS partners.
Am I searching the correct way as the flights are very limited and the times and connecting cities are terrible.
My routes are MSP to BDL/TPA and LAS.
Thanks
Am I searching the correct way as the flights are very limited and the times and connecting cities are terrible.
My routes are MSP to BDL/TPA and LAS.
Thanks
Jun 15, 2017 | 11:11 pm
#900
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: SEA, but up and down the coast a lot
Programs: Oceanic Airlines Gold Elite
Posts: 21,244
You mean Delta's fortress hub?
There is unfortunately not a lot to be done here. AA award availability is horrible (DFW and ORD would be OK for connecting, but you have to have the availability).
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/ameri...iscussion.html
AS doesn't fly to BDL, and going to TPA or LAS on AS metal means backtracks. Sorry. Alaska is not going to start a ton of service out of MSP anytime soon, and I wouldn't hold my breath about American expanding award availability. I'd burn the Alaska miles however I could and use SkyPesos™ or Flying Blue (AF) going forward, and fly lots of Delta. You don't have real options out of MSP unless you enjoy connecting on American or United.
There is unfortunately not a lot to be done here. AA award availability is horrible (DFW and ORD would be OK for connecting, but you have to have the availability).
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/ameri...iscussion.html
AS doesn't fly to BDL, and going to TPA or LAS on AS metal means backtracks. Sorry. Alaska is not going to start a ton of service out of MSP anytime soon, and I wouldn't hold my breath about American expanding award availability. I'd burn the Alaska miles however I could and use SkyPesos™ or Flying Blue (AF) going forward, and fly lots of Delta. You don't have real options out of MSP unless you enjoy connecting on American or United.
Last edited by eponymous_coward; Jun 15, 2017 at 11:21 pm