r/AlaskaAirlines

Feeling a little dumb here. I’m a fan of Alaska Airlines but mostly fly the routes like SFO/LAS that Delta doesn’t cover. The savvy folks on this sub probably know about this trick already.
TA this morning “With your first class seat this morning, we’d like to offer you an Alaska Airlines lounge pass”. Hands me a card that looks like a pass to something. It is 5am.
Me: “Oh, that’s nice”
Yes, I know. You’re thinking I should have read the tiny words on the little card. You’re very smart. Shut up.
When I tried to check in at the lounge, the “lounge pass” card was just some minor cheesy discount on the cash price. Not on any airline anywhere have I seen this particular hustle before. It is at once innovative, embarrassing, and insulting. Do they think anyone is going to slap their foreheads and exclaim “Oh, haha. You got me. Here’s $70. I can haz lounge now?”.
I still very much like the airline but come on, that’s like something American would pull.

So we were flying into Philadelphia from Seattle earlier this evening on AS 442 with an estimated arrival time of 6:16pm. Most of the flight went well but just as we were at the Ohio/Pennsylvania border the flight started to veer off a bit from the projected path. As we got closer to PHL we started circling around the airport.

After a few loops we were notified that we were unable to land due to a thunderstorm and resulting flight congestion and diverting to Norfolk, Virginia (ORF) because of a fuel shortage. Once we landed we were told we were going to take on more fuel and return to PHL. After sitting on the tarmac we were informed there was no one to open the door and they had to find someone.

Approximately 30-40 minutes later they did but then the pilot got on the intercom and said the crew was going to be timing out and that a new crew would need to be brought in to fly the plane back. We were told to gather our personal belongings and go into the terminal. We were told under no circumstances to leave the secure area as that would hinder re-boarding the return flight. As people gathered up their stuff we were told more information would be forthcoming once we were inside.

We soon found out that would not be the case. As we entered into the terminal the few staff there looked shocked to see us. We quickly found out that Alaska Airlines has no presence in Norfolk and the employees had no idea we were coming. On a positive note they tried their best to help but since they worked for American Eagle they had little in the way of useful information.

Once we were all off the security door was closed behind us and the crew and attendants stayed on the plane. Still haven’t seen any of them since we got off nearly 3 hours ago.

To make things worse no restaurant or bars were open. The terminal was completely dead. We had departed Seattle at 9:30AM and many had not eaten thinking they would be having dinner after arriving at our destination.

The most frustrating part is that no one knew anything or could tell us anything definitive about what the plans were or the arrival of the relief crew.

I spent an hour on the phone with customer service and they had no information about what was happening. They were asking me what was happening and what were we being told. They did say there was supposed to be a flight departing Philadelphia with the relief crew but no ETA when they would actually depart.

So here we sit hoping that the new crew that we were told was flying up hours ago is actually on the way. I’ve never felt so off-the-grid with a flying experience.

Hello all!

I had a question about the relationship bonus with Atmos Summit (Alaskan/Hawaiian Credit Card)
I see that I am getting a bonus for my relationship with BoA but am confused as to how that applies to the points earned for that period. I couldn't get the math to work out. I thought that we get 10% bonus on top of the 3x earned on rent paid through BILT but doesn't seem like the math ends up that way. Can anyone clarify how this is calculated?
Sorry if this has been re-hashed.

Thanks!

https://preview.redd.it/szc32mpb8h2h1.png?width=2232&format=png&auto=webp&s=b20a4c436a0ef8e9a292aa442aec044e95195d51

Sure, was I flying from SEA-RDM, yes, but it was a full flight. And was the flight only 34 minutes from take-off to touch-down, yes. But hey… At the last minute (~30 min before boarding), my almost 4-year old and I were upgraded to FC. Totally surprised! My toddler did amazing, we enjoyed it and had a blast in ‘big seats’ for 34 minutes.

Also, we asked for the trading cards, but the FA said they haven’t been giving them out for awhile. Is this news? I feel like my kid got one in February. Anyway, great travel day.

Thanks, Alaska.

Had a single reservation that includes both Hawaiian flights and Alaska flights. After flying Hawaiian, no points showed up, on Alaska points showed up right away. It's been 2 weeks after flying Hawaiian. Is it taking longer to get them? Only got my Atmos account this year, so not sure if it's normal.

Low importance here, but I’m flying LHR-SEA in a few days and I see the menu includes a Pub Cheeseburger in business class. Besides the fact that doesn’t feel very much like a business class meal, my kids are excited. However, it says it comes with bacon jam. Do you know if that comes on the side or on the burger?

I'm trying to book business/first PDX to LHR round trip in mid-October, using points. I try the flexible dates option, and I see favorable deals in the calendar. I click on the date I want, and the calendar just regenerates to take that date out of the equation--generally offering two or three other dates at the same or close rate. If I click on those, nothing happens. If I click "clear selection" first, the original decent deal comes back. Is this all just a huge bait and switch. or as the website just bonkers? It really seems intent on forcing me to pick one of the ridiculously high points+money offers.

Sorry if thats a stupid question. Thank you for anyones clarification.

Is this possible? My flight has some first class seats available and for $248 I can upgrade. Can use miles to purchase the upgrade? I don’t see any option anywhere but I thought I’d check.

Question- I will reach Titanium status this year and want to confirm. Does Titanium status get business class upgrade on booking on international flights? Not sure if I'm understanding what's stated on Alaska benefits site. Or will I still need to waitlist supposedly 72 hours before flight or upgraded at the gate?

https://preview.redd.it/48ydivirac2h1.png?width=1318&format=png&auto=webp&s=c27457c7beb8a8310dcca5d7bef439cdede02f39

I know this is announced during takeoff/landing but can someone explain the logic behind this rule? I never had this enforced so strictly until today. I just had a flight attendant (2 actually) get on me a bit for not having the head rest ALL the way down. Mind you, I’m not short, so this places the rest at my back. I explained this, how it doesn’t allow me to sit back and that it basically forces me to sit hunched forward for landing which hardly seems any safer than a headrest 2” higher. Obviously my response didn’t make any difference. I genuinely don’t understand this rule.

737-800 plane if that matters.

Just saw that a leg on my Anniversary trip back from Hawaii to Seattle was changed from a lie flat seat first class plane to a standard. Really frustrating and customer support said there’s nothing they can do compensation wise. Does anyone have suggestions, or do I need to deal with it?

I currently have the Summit Card and looking at the Assent card with its sign up bonus for a upcoming trip. Do you think its worth having both the Summit and Assent card or would it be better to just keep one and not the other.

Just some Alaska airport gossip, I fly a LOT for work in the summer so Im up here in the lounge often and overheard a conversation. Supposedly a new vendor will be taking over food and drink service in the lounge, I'm not sure how reliable that is, or if it extends past the lounge. I asked them specifically after I overheard and was told they cant share that information.

Yes I am this bored. Gossip away! Or maybe this news is old as hell amd I'm late to the party, oh well, see you around.

I've flown from the East Coast of the US to Asia a number of times in Economy class using both JAL and Cathay Pacific over the last few years. But this year, I rarely, if ever, see award availability on JL and CX. It's all been Qatar Airways (unreliable given the political climate) and occasionally Condor (not a OneWorld member so I have to pay for seats and can't use OW lounges). The awards for Condor I see are also 55K atmos (a premium tier; I never see plain Economy) vs. 42.5K for JL and CX. Starlux has insane redemption prices so I don't pay attention to those even if I see them. Typically as much as 3X the cost of using JL and CX.

Anyone know why CX and JL to Asia Economy class award seat availability is now practically non-existent? Perhaps there's availability from the West Coast but I never see anything from the East Coast.

UPDATE: Thanks! Ya’ll have answered my question :)

According to alaskaair.com, there are no flights as of today from PDX to Cancun in October 2026. I planned on using my companion fare for this trip so that is why I would really prefer an Alaska flight, to save on costs.

I've discovered this is a "seasonal flight". Does anybody know from previous experience when this route may become available to book?

I chatted with an Alaska agent who was no help, no insight on when the seasonal routes start or become available to book.

Anyone have recent data points on the cash price to upgrade from economy to business on the SEA to FCO flight? I have tickets for the summer and have watched the price go from $2k/seat to now $4k/seat to upgrade to business. Curious to see if others who have flown this route saw the price go down closer to departure date?