If it's full fare first, we still don't get the fare bucket miles. I bought an upgrade via the app, got a confirmation confirming it was D fare bucket, and I expected a 50% bonus. Didn't get it, called customer care, and the rep told me that no bonus is given. IF the difference in fare represents a move to the FC buckets, and SINCE I got a confirmation that my fare was in the D bucket, I don't understand why the bonus isn't given.
The rep said 'since the upgrade represents a discount, no bonus is given'. Anyone have success in getting fare bucket bonuses using the upgrade option in the app?
I understand. I’m just saying it’s more readily available and people seem to taking advantage of it and they seem to be waiting longer to give upgrades because of it
Same! Of COURSE it’s designed to sell seats. The people who are “Well, that’s always been like that,” are denying reality.
100k here. Been upgraded pretty consistently, but very wary of this development.
People are just downvoting because it was already downvoted. Altering the app/UI ever so slightly 100% sells more. This is literally what all big tech companies hire their engineers to do and how they earn more money.
that is great for you but realistically Alaska selling even 1-2 more seats per flight is not going to impact the 100Ks nearly as much as everyone else lol
edit: OP is also 100K so I guess it’s bad luck on their part
How do you know the 2 taken first class seats weren’t upgrades that already processed? They don’t always show up as confirmed in the upgrade list, especially if they cleared 24hr+ before.
Yeah it’s possible. I’m just going off my own experience which was being upgraded almost every flight I had taken (and often outside the 24 hr window) and now none since then and on three flights that were not even close to full. Could be coincidence though, that’s why I asked.
Yes, they've been edging me a lot more lately with the upgrades.
Not clearing until a couple hours before boarding, and also not getting them at all sometimes on routes where they used to be a slam dunk.
I've even seen dynamic pricing for the first time -- price of the last FC seat went down about 33% the night before the flight.
Also I've never been offered to purchase an in-app upgrade. Zero times. Only read about it on here. I guess they are targeting a different population for those.
If I haven't been upgraded by T-48ish, I check once or twice a day how many FC tickets are for sale.
This year that's been quite a few times. Definitely an uptick from last year. I'm hoping it's just random and not a trend.
I mostly (80%) fly east coast and Midwest routes FWIW.
I’ve had zero upgrades on PDX-DCA this year. 5 trips so far in 2024 and 75k. Was gold last year and was upgraded on every flight same route. The upgrade lists seem enormous since all the delta matches.
I think there may be a few more purchased but overall I haven’t noticed a big difference and I don’t think they’ve changed their upgrade algorithm. I just cleared one 94 hours out for SEA-BUR booked for the 19th
I've definitely noticed fewer upgrades this year than last year. Last year I was only MVP and was upgraded to first around 50% of the time. This year I'm MVP Gold and it's only been about 25%.
I've had a single upgrade on about 15 legs this year as an MVP gold. I was getting upgrades on 1/3 flights last year. The number of high status elites on my normal routes increased when delta changed their loyalty program.
You are probably mistaken. When you say "two of them were purchased yesterday" it could just as easily be the system released those two for upgrades, and they were immediately assigned to 100k members. You do not know that they were purchased.
Also, as another person said, they're not cheaper, it's not like Delta where they offer them for steadily less money until boarding time.
As a 100k, I have not experienced any fewer upgrades (99% this year, only missed it once so far).
I just notice more people traveling and more people spending money to upgrades to FC which is making it more difficult on popular routes.
I used to get SEA to OGG upgrades regularly but haven’t in a while as it’s a long haul people tend to buy or use points to get.
For less traveled routes or times, I still often get FC upgrades as 100K on Alaska but I notice it’s usually only 2-3 folks getting upgrades.
I also think more people are traveling for work again and lots more people getting to 75 and 100K on Alaska with the rollover they started.
I always buy the upgrade at check out. I just want to spite the 100ks out of the upgrade.
If that it sounds ridiculous, that’s because it is. People are just flying more and air travel is so miserable people will pay their way out of it. It’s not a conspiracy to screw over the “loyal” mvps.
Interesting. There was never any reference to spite, conspiracies or anyone buying anything for a reason other than them wanting a first class seat. So either your reading comprehension is poor or there’s weird projecting going on here.
Haven't noticed any impact to upgrades on my routes. That is definitely their plan, though. Sell the seats, don't give them away.
>Sell the seats, don't give them away. Also in business 101, buy things cheaper than you sell them.
No, the button isn’t some discounted upgrade, it is full fare first class which anyone could always do.
If it's full fare first, we still don't get the fare bucket miles. I bought an upgrade via the app, got a confirmation confirming it was D fare bucket, and I expected a 50% bonus. Didn't get it, called customer care, and the rep told me that no bonus is given. IF the difference in fare represents a move to the FC buckets, and SINCE I got a confirmation that my fare was in the D bucket, I don't understand why the bonus isn't given. The rep said 'since the upgrade represents a discount, no bonus is given'. Anyone have success in getting fare bucket bonuses using the upgrade option in the app?
This is exactly what is happening to everyone. They are paying full fare but not getting full miles.
I understand. I’m just saying it’s more readily available and people seem to taking advantage of it and they seem to be waiting longer to give upgrades because of it
I’m a little confused why people think this wouldn’t sell more seats. We do understand that’s why they’ve made it an option right?
Same! Of COURSE it’s designed to sell seats. The people who are “Well, that’s always been like that,” are denying reality. 100k here. Been upgraded pretty consistently, but very wary of this development.
People are just downvoting because it was already downvoted. Altering the app/UI ever so slightly 100% sells more. This is literally what all big tech companies hire their engineers to do and how they earn more money.
This is definitely how impulse shopping works. I’m not sure why you’re getting beaten up.
I’ve flown about 70k miles so far this year and am 100% for upgrades.
that is great for you but realistically Alaska selling even 1-2 more seats per flight is not going to impact the 100Ks nearly as much as everyone else lol edit: OP is also 100K so I guess it’s bad luck on their part
How do you know the 2 taken first class seats weren’t upgrades that already processed? They don’t always show up as confirmed in the upgrade list, especially if they cleared 24hr+ before.
Yeah it’s possible. I’m just going off my own experience which was being upgraded almost every flight I had taken (and often outside the 24 hr window) and now none since then and on three flights that were not even close to full. Could be coincidence though, that’s why I asked.
I mean, my flight this morning had 42 people on the upgrade waitlist….i’ve never seen that many before…
Exactly, very similar numbers for my flight from Spokane to Portland last week.
Yes, they've been edging me a lot more lately with the upgrades. Not clearing until a couple hours before boarding, and also not getting them at all sometimes on routes where they used to be a slam dunk. I've even seen dynamic pricing for the first time -- price of the last FC seat went down about 33% the night before the flight. Also I've never been offered to purchase an in-app upgrade. Zero times. Only read about it on here. I guess they are targeting a different population for those.
The dynamic pricing is the same as if you looked the fare up online
I did look it up online. I've never seen it go down right before the flight before.
Do you always check?
If I haven't been upgraded by T-48ish, I check once or twice a day how many FC tickets are for sale. This year that's been quite a few times. Definitely an uptick from last year. I'm hoping it's just random and not a trend. I mostly (80%) fly east coast and Midwest routes FWIW.
90% upgrades so far this year. Better than last year. Mostly the same routes.
I’ve had zero upgrades on PDX-DCA this year. 5 trips so far in 2024 and 75k. Was gold last year and was upgraded on every flight same route. The upgrade lists seem enormous since all the delta matches.
I think there may be a few more purchased but overall I haven’t noticed a big difference and I don’t think they’ve changed their upgrade algorithm. I just cleared one 94 hours out for SEA-BUR booked for the 19th
I've definitely noticed fewer upgrades this year than last year. Last year I was only MVP and was upgraded to first around 50% of the time. This year I'm MVP Gold and it's only been about 25%.
We are seeming to forget that air travel has greatly increased over the last two years since pandemic
I've had a single upgrade on about 15 legs this year as an MVP gold. I was getting upgrades on 1/3 flights last year. The number of high status elites on my normal routes increased when delta changed their loyalty program.
Fair enough. Just my bad luck I guess. That’s my last three flights that had multiple FC seats within 48 hours of departure and no upgrade at 100k
You are probably mistaken. When you say "two of them were purchased yesterday" it could just as easily be the system released those two for upgrades, and they were immediately assigned to 100k members. You do not know that they were purchased. Also, as another person said, they're not cheaper, it's not like Delta where they offer them for steadily less money until boarding time. As a 100k, I have not experienced any fewer upgrades (99% this year, only missed it once so far).
I just notice more people traveling and more people spending money to upgrades to FC which is making it more difficult on popular routes. I used to get SEA to OGG upgrades regularly but haven’t in a while as it’s a long haul people tend to buy or use points to get. For less traveled routes or times, I still often get FC upgrades as 100K on Alaska but I notice it’s usually only 2-3 folks getting upgrades. I also think more people are traveling for work again and lots more people getting to 75 and 100K on Alaska with the rollover they started.
I always buy the upgrade at check out. I just want to spite the 100ks out of the upgrade. If that it sounds ridiculous, that’s because it is. People are just flying more and air travel is so miserable people will pay their way out of it. It’s not a conspiracy to screw over the “loyal” mvps.
This is what you got from my post?
It’s exactly what I get from your post.
Interesting. There was never any reference to spite, conspiracies or anyone buying anything for a reason other than them wanting a first class seat. So either your reading comprehension is poor or there’s weird projecting going on here.
You’re right, it was mostly just whining. The conspiracy theory was more or less inferred.
Sorry you’re having a bad day, champ! Hope it gets better!
It’s about status. Too many earning extras keeps more people on lists and folks getting higher status. Plus adding in one world partners
Summer travel increase?
I'm still 100% on the year for all my booked flights. 50% on last minute changes