[AirTraveler]

AS has always advertised its upgrade advantages for elite flyers and, in the past, those were excellent. They no longer are. Two examples: (a) There are no longer any so-called "immediate" upgrades (e.g., you pay an "upgrade" price which is more than coach, but less than first-class and can be upgraded immediately after purchasing your ticket) available on certain routes. For people who mainly fly those routes, that benefit has now gone the way of all flesh. (b) Their website advertises "unlimited" upgrades for certain (higher) fares and "unlimited" upgrades 72 hours ahead (MVP Gold) or 48 hours ahead (MVP). These are "subject to availability." But availability does not mean "available seats" in first class -- it simply means "available upgrades" in the decision of the airline no matter how close to departure time. The word "unlimited" is thus rendered meaningless. If AS were being honest, its website would state: "unlimited opportunities to attempt to obtain an upgrade." The wording vis a vis the 72 and 48 hour upgrades is false advertising because its most obvious interpretation (upgrades are available if first-class seats are available) is not valid.

Bit by bit the opportunity to upgrade is being cut back.

[j.evert]

Just tried to use my 39k miles for a "free" upgrade to business class for an international flight. The planned trip is in May. Was informed that instead of the regular price of $1100, I would have to pay $3600 for the ticket plus hand in 30.000 miles. Only then would I receive the "free" upgrade. I checked the prices or the business class tickets. There are business class tickets available for the destination, on the NWA website, for $3798!! Where does the "free" come in? How can this not be false advertising? Anyone have any suggestions?

Thanks
Jeannette

[PHXFlyer]

Originally Posted by AirTraveler

AS has always advertised its upgrade advantages for elite flyers and, in the past, those were excellent. They no longer are. Two examples: (a) There are no longer any so-called "immediate" upgrades (e.g., you pay an "upgrade" price which is more than coach, but less than first-class and can be upgraded immediately after purchasing your ticket) available on certain routes. For people who mainly fly those routes, that benefit has now gone the way of all flesh. (b) Their website advertises "unlimited" upgrades for certain (higher) fares and "unlimited" upgrades 72 hours ahead (MVP Gold) or 48 hours ahead (MVP). These are "subject to availability." But availability does not mean "available seats" in first class -- it simply means "available upgrades" in the decision of the airline no matter how close to departure time. The word "unlimited" is thus rendered meaningless. If AS were being honest, its website would state: "unlimited opportunities to attempt to obtain an upgrade." The wording vis a vis the 72 and 48 hour upgrades is false advertising because its most obvious interpretation (upgrades are available if first-class seats are available) is not valid.

The word "unlimited" refers to the fact that there are no limits to the number of upgrades you can receive in a calendar year. In no way does it imply that there are an unlimited number of seats available for upgrades. That's just ludicrous. First, the number of first class seats on any given flight is limited. Second, the number of those first class seats the airlines makes available for upgrades is limited. I feel the latter is what your complaint is about.

Bit by bit the opportunity to upgrade is being cut back.

If it was the intention of the airline to give away all first class seats as upgrades why would they bother to publish first class fares? An airline is a business. They will try to sell as many seats as they can, both first and economy. Based on history and trends if they think some seats won't sell, they will offer them for miles. If there are still first class seats open that they are sure that they won't sell they will then fill the rest with upgrades.

Originally Posted by j.evert

Just tried to use my 39k miles for a "free" upgrade to business class for an international flight. The planned trip is in May. Was informed that instead of the regular price of $1100, I would have to pay $3600 for the ticket plus hand in 30.000 miles. Only then would I receive the "free" upgrade. I checked the prices or the business class tickets. There are business class tickets available for the destination, on the NWA website, for $3798!! Where does the "free" come in? How can this not be false advertising? Anyone have any suggestions?

Thanks
Jeannette

Why is this in the Alaska Airlines section? Alaska doesn't fly internationally (except Canada and Mexico) and doesn't have business class cabins.