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beckoa Dec 14, 2016 6:28 am
Flying Different Together
 

Loyalty
If I have a Mileage Plan or Elevate membership, what can I expect as a result of the merger?

Today, Mileage Plan and Elevate continue to operate as separate programs. Mileage Plan members will continue to hold miles in their Mileage Plan accounts and Elevate members will continue to hold Elevate points in their Elevate accounts.

Beginning Monday, December 19, 2016, Mileage Plan members can earn Mileage Plan miles on Virgin America flights, and Elevate members can earn Elevate points on Alaska Airlines flights.

Beginning Monday, January 9, 2017, Elevate members will be invited to activate a Mileage Plan account, with elite status match, and learn how Elevate points can eventually be used to book award travel on Alaska and its global partners. At that time, Mileage Plan members will have the ability to redeem Mileage Plan miles for Virgin America flights.

Longer term, we’ll be evaluating how to bring these programs together to deliver our loyal customers the most value. We look forward to bringing you more news in the coming weeks.
If I have elite status on Mileage Plan or Elevate, will I receive elite benefits on both?

Today, you'll continue to enjoy all your Mileage Plan elite status benefits when flying on Alaska Airlines or Elevate elite status benefits when flying on Virgin America.

Plus, starting Monday, December 19, 2016, Mileage Plan MVP, Gold, and Gold 75K members will receive priority check-in and priority boarding when flying on Virgin America, and Elevate Silver and Gold members will receive priority check-in and boarding when flying on Alaska Airlines.

We are working quickly to extend a broader range of reciprocal elite benefits to both Elevate and Mileage Plan members across Virgin America and Alaska flights.
http://www.differentworks.com/#faq

HGHUA Dec 14, 2016 7:54 am
Hmm, still vague about points transfer ratio. Hope its at least 1:2.

jakers3200 Dec 14, 2016 8:24 am
Was thinking about getting the Alaska credit card before the programs merge. Is there any rush? Better to act before January 9 or after? Should I sign up for Alaska frequent flier account ahead of time in any case?

For perspective, I have the virgin card now and a few dozen miles short of status.

Eastbay1K Dec 14, 2016 9:38 am
Originally Posted by HGHUA (Post 27610133)
Hmm, still vague about points transfer ratio. Hope its at least 1:2.
I would hope. A VX award on VS was what, 50K points for a US<->LHR trip.

sfozrhfco Dec 14, 2016 9:46 am
Originally Posted by Eastbay1K (Post 27610706)
I would hope. A VX award on VS was what, 50K points for a US<->LHR trip.
20,000 in Y Rt

Nevsky Dec 14, 2016 10:10 am
This is way too vague, even given the promised additional information next week. For example, in anticipation of the merger, I have a flight on a partner of AS on January 1. I am VX Gold. I am not currently in Mileage Plan. Do I have to enroll in Mileage Plan to get the credit? I assume so. Even if I do so, will I not get elite mileage because it is before January 9? Why did they make the date January 9? I am sure there is a reason, but January 1 would seem to make sense as that is the beginning of the frequent flyer year.

Also, it says Elevate elites will be status matched into Mileage Plan. Does that give VX members full benefits? Normally, a Mileage Plan status match will not entitle one to some elite bonuses. If that is the case, VX members are getting second rate status.

Of course the other big questions, presumably to be answered next week, is which level VX Gold will be matched into. Will it be to MVP Gold or MVP Gold 75K? If it is not to MVP Gold 75K, VX elites are really being shortchanged.

Eastbay1K Dec 14, 2016 10:21 am
Originally Posted by Nevsky (Post 27610909)
This is way too vague, even given the promised additional information next week. For example, in anticipation of the merger, I have a flight on a partner of AS on January 1. I am VX Gold. I am not currently in Mileage Plan. Do I have to enroll in Mileage Plan to get the credit? I assume so. Even if I do so, will I not get elite mileage because it is before January 9? Why did they make the date January 9? I am sure there is a reason, but January 1 would seem to make sense as that is the beginning of the frequent flyer year.

Also, it says Elevate elites will be status matched into Mileage Plan. Does that give VX members full benefits? Normally, a Mileage Plan status match will not entitle one to some elite bonuses. If that is the case, VX members are getting second rate status.

Of course the other big questions, presumably to be answered next week, is which level VX Gold will be matched into. Will it be to MVP Gold or MVP Gold 75K? If it is not to MVP Gold 75K, VX elites are really being shortchanged.
(1) The early stuff is nothing more than partner benefits, along with some sort of status matching when you fly the other airline. So, if you remain flying on VX only, you shouldn't have much effect.

(2) January 9 makes sense in that it avoids all the hassle of dealing with holiday travel - the newly implemented rules, infrequent travelers, training staff, passengers demanding benefits for which they may or may not be entitled, etc.

(3) Future matching (i.e., G v 75K) - now that they "own the place" they can take a look at the FF ranks, and it would seem that some would be 75K and some just G. Notwithstanding same, VX Gold represents a very high spend flyer that AS shouldn't want to tick off, even if it ticks off a few AS 75Ks.

Nevsky Dec 14, 2016 10:38 am
Originally Posted by Eastbay1K (Post 27610970)
....
(3) Future matching (i.e., G v 75K) - now that they "own the place" they can take a look at the FF ranks, and it would seem that some would be 75K and some just G. Notwithstanding same, VX Gold represents a very high spend flyer that AS shouldn't want to tick off, even if it ticks off a few AS 75Ks.
This is a key part. As the announcement said "Elevate members will be invited to activate a Mileage Plan account, with elite status match." That could mean either a normal status match which is typically given to members of other programs, which does not include (to my understanding) all of the bonuses regular elites get, or it could be they will match your status and you will be a 100% equal with existing Mileage Plan members (e.g. for MVP Gold 75K (assuming VX members get this) "Members granted complimentary status, including status matched from another program, are not eligible for the 50,000 bonus mile offer.").

sfozrhfco Dec 14, 2016 10:50 am
I assume they are waiting until 9 January to find out who actually requalified for status in 2016. That way they don't have to give AS status to people that already stopped flying on VX.

Interesting too that on 9 Jan only AS people will be able to redeem on VX and not the other way around.

Mister Nice Dec 14, 2016 10:52 am
The status match is going to be very tricky . Hoping they don't alienate us Elevate Gold members - JetBlue is making a BIG push to get MINT expanded to an increasing number of markets and already had a very generous mile match for Virgin customers. If the status match turns out to be disappointing or inadequate , then I suspect JetBlue will make a very aggressive play for Elevate elites.

sfozrhfco Dec 14, 2016 11:03 am
Originally Posted by Mister Nice (Post 27611156)
The status match is going to be very tricky . Hoping they don't alienate us Elevate Gold members - JetBlue is making a BIG push to get MINT expanded to an increasing number of markets and already had a very generous mile match for Virgin customers. If the status match turns out to be disappointing or inadequate , then I suspect JetBlue will make a very aggressive play for Elevate elites.
VX already lost me and I am a regular in Mint now. I did requalify for Gold but just by doing the 30 segments--many of which were before the take over announcement and the rest being 1200 to 2500 point redemptions on short flights. I earned less than 30% of the qualifying points as last year and also stopped using the VX credit card for anything other than VX flight purchases.

So far they haven't given much thought to retaining VX customers. They have announced some upcoming benefits for AS people but have almost completely ignored the VX people. Kinda strange as AS people are already flying AS so they don't need to work as hard to get them on board.

TravelBrighter Dec 14, 2016 11:03 am
Originally Posted by Nevsky (Post 27611069)
This is a key part. As the announcement said "Elevate members will be invited to activate a Mileage Plan account, with elite status match." That could mean either a normal status match which is typically given to members of other programs, which does not include (to my understanding) all of the bonuses regular elites get, or it could be they will match your status and you will be a 100% equal with existing Mileage Plan members (e.g. for MVP Gold 75K (assuming VX members get this) "Members granted complimentary status, including status matched from another program, are not eligible for the 50,000 bonus mile offer.").
The only bonus a person does not receive via status matching is the 50K one-time bonus after qualifying for 75K. All other perks are identical, including upgrade certificates and bonus redeemable miles on distances flown, etc. That said, I very strongly doubt AS would match Elevate Golds to 75K across the board. If I'm reading the terms correctly, it's possible to reach VX Gold by flying 30 segments in a year, which is the same bar as reaching Alaska's lowest MVP level. I personally expect that Silver will match to MVP and Gold to MVP Gold. Even that may seem overly generous to the guys up in Alaska earning MVP on expensive Horizon segments, but I think it's by far the most likely scenario. On the other hand, if individual accounts were reviewed in order to award 75K matches to the most active VX flyers, I don't think I or any other Alaska elites would have a reason to complain about that.

skron Dec 14, 2016 11:03 am
I know this is all vague, but, just based on this email am I correct that I shouldn't be in a rush to spend my 100k+ elevate miles? If they come out and say im going to lose 2:1 points when this merger happens, I will of course try to spend my miles as quickly as possible before this happens. No need to worry yet, right?

sfozrhfco Dec 14, 2016 11:15 am
Originally Posted by skron (Post 27611218)
I know this is all vague, but, just based on this email am I correct that I shouldn't be in a rush to spend my 100k+ elevate miles? If they come out and say im going to lose 2:1 points when this merger happens, I will of course try to spend my miles as quickly as possible before this happens. No need to worry yet, right?
So far it is not looking promising but who knows what they will do.

missydarlin Dec 14, 2016 11:30 am
Originally Posted by Nevsky (Post 27610909)
This is way too vague, even given the promised additional information next week. For example, in anticipation of the merger, I have a flight on a partner of AS on January 1. I am VX Gold. I am not currently in Mileage Plan. Do I have to enroll in Mileage Plan to get the credit? I assume so. Even if I do so, will I not get elite mileage because it is before January 9? Why did they make the date January 9? I am sure there is a reason, but January 1 would seem to make sense as that is the beginning of the frequent flyer year.

Also, it says Elevate elites will be status matched into Mileage Plan. Does that give VX members full benefits? Normally, a Mileage Plan status match will not entitle one to some elite bonuses. If that is the case, VX members are getting second rate status.

Of course the other big questions, presumably to be answered next week, is which level VX Gold will be matched into. Will it be to MVP Gold or MVP Gold 75K? If it is not to MVP Gold 75K, VX elites are really being shortchanged.
1) If you want to receive Mileage Plan credit, then yes, you need to enroll in Mileage Plan. But beginning December 19, you'll be able to enter your Elevate# into the Alaska reservation and earn Elevate miles for it.

2) As said in other posts, matched status gets all of the same benefits as earned status, other than the 50K bonus for those who earn Gold 75K.

mmaster737 Dec 14, 2016 11:35 am
Point Conversion Concern
 
I'm actually a lot more concerned about how our elevate points will convert to MP miles. For example, I booked a VX flight SFO-PSP-SFO yesterday. I checked AS and it would have been 20K miles vs. 10,605 points, and it wasn't the cheapest VX fare available.

sfozrhfco Dec 14, 2016 11:42 am
Originally Posted by mmaster737 (Post 27611382)
I'm actually a lot more concerned about how our elevate points will convert to MP miles. For example, I booked a VX flight SFO-PSP-SFO yesterday. I checked AS and it would have been 20K miles vs. 10,605 points, and it wasn't the cheapest VX fare available.
You better get used to it. Most domestic flights seem to price out at 20,000 each way--if you can even find space available on your preferred flight. It is a totally different strategy with a mileage based program--another rude awaking for VX flyers.

Nevsky Dec 14, 2016 11:45 am
Originally Posted by missydarlin (Post 27611355)
1) If you want to receive Mileage Plan credit, then yes, you need to enroll in Mileage Plan. But beginning December 19, you'll be able to enter your Elevate# into the Alaska reservation and earn Elevate miles for it....
Without knowing conversion ratios, etc., it is very difficult to know what to do. Given the number of months this has been in the works, it would be nice to have more information. It would be great if they would award bonuses for flights between January 1 and January 9 as if you officially had elite status as of January 1.

Not only that, but some of us are elites on other airlines too and trying to decide where to put our loyalty, and, in particular, with flights early in the year.

sfozrhfco Dec 14, 2016 12:03 pm
Originally Posted by Nevsky (Post 27611449)
Without knowing conversion ratios, etc., it is very difficult to know what to do. Given the number of months this has been in the works, it would be nice to have more information. It would be great if they would award bonuses for flights between January 1 and January 9 as if you officially had elite status as of January 1.

Not only that, but some of us are elites on other airlines too and trying to decide where to put our loyalty, and, in particular, with flights early in the year.
Exactly. I would have considered AS as a back up carrier. Now, I am not even sure about that. If they match me from VX Gold to a low tier, there is then absolutely no reason at all the fly them.

radiowell Dec 14, 2016 12:03 pm
Related to status match, I'm really, really wondering how the upgrade would work on AS for VX elites.

sfozrhfco Dec 14, 2016 12:07 pm
Originally Posted by radiowell (Post 27611571)
Related to status match, I'm really, really wondering how the upgrade would work on AS for VX elites.
Right now, all that was announced is that you get priority boarding.

Eastbay1K Dec 14, 2016 12:13 pm
Originally Posted by radiowell (Post 27611571)
Related to status match, I'm really, really wondering how the upgrade would work on AS for VX elites.
Unless I've missed something, at the outset you'll need to join AS MP and get a match and use your AS # to be eligible for UGs. With your VX number, you'll just get a special check in line and board somewhat earlier.

GrayAnderson Dec 14, 2016 12:21 pm
This is about how I feel right now:

Edit: To clarify, the information is rather lacking. As I think I've said elsewhere, I took Mint last month and loved it. At this point, the only thing reason I'm really sticking with VX is that B6's map really doesn't work for me at all (I live in Virginia) and their booking system won't let me book RIC-BOS-SFO/LAX with Mint on the Transcon leg. So actually taking Mint is problematic for me. TrueBlue is also a comparatively weak and arcane program IMHO.

On the basis of hard product and soft product, my order at this point for a TCON is:
-JetBlue Mint
-VX First
-DL Delta One config

However, once convenience comes into play B6 drops to the bottom of the list with VX winning on product and the ability to use DCA and DL winning on the fact that I can fly out of PHF to connect.

missydarlin Dec 14, 2016 12:57 pm
Originally Posted by Nevsky (Post 27611449)
Without knowing conversion ratios, etc., it is very difficult to know what to do. Given the number of months this has been in the works, it would be nice to have more information. It would be great if they would award bonuses for flights between January 1 and January 9 as if you officially had elite status as of January 1.

Not only that, but some of us are elites on other airlines too and trying to decide where to put our loyalty, and, in particular, with flights early in the year.
On January 9th, an email will go out inviting you to link your accounts and automatically offer the status match, but in reality, there is nothing stopping you from joining Mileage Plan and requesting the status match now. AS has been granting matches to VX elites for a while now.

https://www.alaskaair.com/statusmatch

As for "given the number of months", I liken it to when I bought my house as a short sale. The time between the seller accepting my offer, and the bank approving it was 4 months. In between those months, I didn't own the house yet, or know when I was going to get the keys, so its not like I could schedule the movers, or finish packing, or get in the house to measure for drapes or hook up the internet.

I doubt that any "conversion" info is going to be discussed until the two airlines are much closer to the single operating certificate.

sfozrhfco Dec 14, 2016 1:06 pm
Uggghhh...looks like conversion will be to MVP Gold losing the benefit of free award changes. Guess I will have to burn my VX points more quickly and just forget about flying on AS next year.

missydarlin Dec 14, 2016 1:14 pm
Originally Posted by sfozrhfco (Post 27611889)
Uggghhh...looks like conversion will be to MVP Gold losing the benefit of free award changes. Guess I will have to burn my VX points more quickly and just forget about flying on AS next year.
How will you lose free award changes?

Nevsky Dec 14, 2016 1:18 pm
[QUOTE=missydarlin;27611854]
Originally Posted by missydarlin (Post 27611854)
... in reality, there is nothing stopping you from joining Mileage Plan and requesting the status match now. AS has been granting matches to VX elites for a while now....
...
I doubt that any "conversion" info is going to be discussed until the two airlines are much closer to the single operating certificate.

That is an interesting idea. If they do that, is it only for a limited period of time with a mileage challenge? Even if that were the case, that would not seem to be a problem after January 9 anyway.

As to the conversion ratio, they probably have to do that a lot sooner as it can take a very long time to get a single operating certificate.

I am an SPG elite and so far Marriott has done a very good job of merging the two programs and they announced the conversion ratio very early on.

sfozrhfco Dec 14, 2016 1:18 pm
I see it now...that is really the top benefit and it is hidden in the drop down under service benefits. Good to know that will be there so that I can use up the rest of my points next year.

darwinwins Dec 15, 2016 9:52 am
AS seems to be an expensive option. I don't even know how that is going to compare with VX when VX is gone. No direct AS flights from NYC to SFO. I don't even know what to do with all the points I have with VX and the silver status.

As for the credit cards, I think BoA will take over and send out cards to people and give them a special bonus for us VX users?

shza Dec 15, 2016 10:56 am
Originally Posted by sfozrhfco (Post 27611889)
Uggghhh...looks like conversion will be to MVP Gold losing the benefit of free award changes. Guess I will have to burn my VX points more quickly and just forget about flying on AS next year.
I status-matched VX Gold to AS last year, before the merger talks came out, and was matched into MVP Gold only. I had about 74,000 status points for the year at the time (it was November 2015).

I did not end up flying AS a single time in 2016, so the status-match was pointless anyway. I often checked, but AS didn't fly non-stop any route that I needed all year (most of which was SFO to NYC, DC, Chicago, Dallas, and LA).

I did credit a couple of Delta One transcons to AS and got slightly better points as a result of the match, I guess.

eponymous_coward Dec 15, 2016 1:15 pm
Originally Posted by darwinwins (Post 27616081)
AS seems to be an expensive option. I don't even know how that is going to compare with VX when VX is gone. No direct AS flights from NYC to SFO.
AS isn't going to stop flying SFO-JFK/EWR once they take over VX's operations and all flights are under AS's operating certificate. That was the point of the merger, to gain entry into important SFO/LAX service... so why would they stop flying the routes?

jimmygottfredson Dec 15, 2016 5:40 pm
Originally Posted by darwinwins (Post 27616081)
AS seems to be an expensive option. I don't even know how that is going to compare with VX when VX is gone. No direct AS flights from NYC to SFO. I don't even know what to do with all the points I have with VX and the silver status.
How the acquisition pans out, and what the new AS looks like once the 2 airlines are put together is anyone's guess right now. I truly hope AS takes the opportunity to re-invent itself. They want to be a larger carrier, and they really need to shake off the regional attributes - at least the provincial ones (IMHO). Alaska has some real strengths - I love the power at every seat on the updated coach product. Southwest could only dream of doing something like that. VX's style could take AS even further, and maybe with this relatively large purchase Brad and company are ready.

On the other side of the argument if AS just integrates VX so they have more gates and west coast presence, it would be an opportunity lost.

beckoa Dec 17, 2016 3:49 pm
I can't see AS dropping the SFO/LAX transcons.

I can see them lobbying to allow LGA to be of use for beyond perimeter flights more days of the week ;)


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