Alaska Airlines Adding More Fare Classes

It's funny; as a top tier Alaska flyer, I haven't had any ticket that's NOT refundable in years (and no change fee, either!). Hopefully this perk stays!

I really hope this turns into a benefit as someone who is never going to use AS miles for flights on AS. A cheaper F ticket seems like a plus to me unless I'm missing something....

I just wish they would let me use my companion ticket in 1st.

Heck I remember when AS didn't even have a separate F bucket for upgrades. 5000 miles confirmed an upgrade in first out of revenue inventory back in 2001!

Something is changing because I have booked 6 different tickets 4-5 months out as MVPG and none of the seats cleared for an instant confinable upgrade even though there is not one seat sold in F. This has never happened before and I can only think it has to do with the new revenue control of the first class cabin.

@ Ken -- Are you trying to apply confirmable upgrades? If so, what routes are you usually booking?

[…] Mile at a Time has news on new, discounted first class fares from Alaska Airlines. I quite like their economy class, but anything to make it easier to fly Alaska is good news. What […]

@ Lucky - I am doing what has never been a problem for 5 years, which is to book travel using a MVPG complimentary upgrade. From 4 months out, a confirmed instant upgrade was always available. Now, with no seats sold in F, I am on a wait list on 3 different tickets. The city pair affected is SEA-FAI but I have another SEA-LAS ticket that would also not confirm with only 1 seat sold in F. Again, I have never see this before until I started booking my 2014 flights.

I bought a P fare recently when an upgrade didn't look likely. Good thing as the plane swapped down to a -400 after I bought, reducing F seats by 4.

Hi Lucky,

I don't have experience purchasing fares on Alaska Airlines. As an MVP Gold75 through a status match, I received my "Thank you gift" email today. Of the 3 options, I'm leaning toward the upgrades. I already get access to Board Room with my AMEX Plat Card. But my understanding is I cannot use the upgrades when tickets are purchased in G, R, and T fare class. Does this mean I won't be able to use the upgrades when tickets are purchased at the lowest price economy fares? Or say, when they have a sales fares? If that's the case I may just take the Internet passes.

Any thoughts would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Keith

@ Keith S -- Upgrades are definitely the best option, though as you point out, the lowest fare classes aren't eligible for upgrades using the certificates.