VIP Upgrades

Status Matching on Alaska Airlines and American Airlines

September 9, 2016 3:22 pm Leave a Comment

Tried and tested, your results may differ from the below.

Alaska Airlines

Alaska offers status matches by simply showing that you have elite status with another carrier. No mileage requirements or co-pay hoops to jump through. Status matches can only be done once. Send a copy of your account statement, driver’s license or passport, and elite level card from another carrier to elite.flyer@alaskaair.com . Matches take about two weeks to process; those requested before Nov. 1 of the calendar year are good until the following February. Those requested after Nov. 1 are good for the entire following year.

MVP Gold 75K, the airline’s top level, is not eligible for a status match; only its bottom two levels. If you have substantial travel on Alaska coming up and are elite with another carrier, this may be a great option to enjoy some elite perks.

American Airlines

AA does not offer an outright status match opting instead to challenge new members to fly a certain amount within a period of time in addition to paying a fee. The airline offers the challenge for all but their top tiers although these are sometimes granted an exception based on the types of fares paid and number of trips taken. To ask about a challenge from your current carrier, call 800-882-8880.

The cost varies depending upon when it is requested in the calendar year. Flyers will spend around $120 for a Gold challenge (lowest elite tier) and $180-240 for a Platinum challenge (middle elite tier). The gist of the challenge is that one must fly 5,000 Elite Qualifying Points (not the same as miles) within three months or 10,000 Elite Qualifying Points within three months to earn Gold and Platinum status respectively. The caveat with the new Elite Qualifying Points system is that discounted fares only count for half (one mile=half a point) while more expensive tickets count as a whole point or 1.5 points (one mile=one point). Typically, American does not offer elite status during the challenge period meaning no upgrades for new American flyers until they complete the requirements successfully.

Low Cost Carriers

September 2, 2016 4:32 pm Leave a Comment

Southwest, Frontier, Spirit in the US; Ryanair, Wizz, Easyjet in Europe; Scoot, Air Asia X, Jetstar in Asia. These are but a handful of the low-cost airlines in operation today. Born of deregulation, low-cost carriers entered the market to provide an alternative to the “traditional” carriers by offering rock-bottom fares. So what are some of the differences? We’ve set out some of the key points that differentiate the low-cost carriers from full-service airlines below. Of course, this list is not universal and often the lines between full-service and low-cost are getting blurred as the airlines are competing amongst one another. Some might call it a race to the bottom at times, but it’s the effect of the open market that is driving these commercial decisions. Ultimately we, the consumers, want to pay less and get the most but sometimes service comes at a cost.

Even within the low-cost segment there is further differentiation. Some airlines such as Ryanair and Spirit bill themselves as completely no-frills. I.e. you are buying transportation for yourself from point A to point B. For everything else, there is a charge. Let’s get in to the nitty-gritty.

Baggage Fees:

One of the things that the low-cost carrier model has brought to the airline industry are baggage fees. Many airlines and flights will now charge you to take even one piece of luggage. Ancillary fees now make up most of the profits of an airline which is the result of charging as little as they can for the ticket getting you from A to B. Prices in base fares have in many cases come down, or not risen as much as inflation; thanks in part to airlines charging extra for what was once included in the fare.

Seat Selection:

Many low-cost carriers have re-defined how we determine where we sit on the plane. Some airlines such as Southwest don’t print seat numbers on the boarding pass, but instead it is a free-for-all and first-come-first-served model. Of course, the airlines have also found a way of capitalizing on this and some will offer you the opportunity to purchase early access to the plane. So while it’s not a dedicated seat, you’ll have the opportunity to get an earlier pick of the best seats.
Some low-cost carriers are doing away with this model entirely and will assign you a seat of their choosing, whereby you can change the seat for a fee. Better seats costing more than less desirable seats, of course. And we even see this model in full-service airlines whereby seats with extra legroom, or closer to the front of the plane are offered at an additional cost, or available only to elite frequent fliers. A handful of full-service airlines will charge for seat selection for any seat.

Saving Time and Money on your next Car Rental

August 26, 2016 2:14 pm Leave a Comment

When it comes to travelling, not all places are equipped with a first-rate public transit system. North American cities and towns in particular are notorious for their lack of communal transportation. In these situations, sometimes your best option is to rent a car for your trip. So what are some of the things to watch out for when you’re renting a car? How do you score the best deals?

Renting a car can be pretty involved if you don’t do it often. But even if you are an infrequent renter, you can save yourself lots of time by signing up for the rental agency’s loyalty programme. Doing this means that the rental car company has your information on file, and can just pull it off of their systems when you turn up to rent a car. You’ll still need to bring a driver’s licence and credit card; but often the contracts will come pre-printed for your reservation meaning all that you have to do is verify and sign, and you’re on your way!

Not only is joining the loyalty programme a potential time-saver; it can also save you money with free upgrades and member-only discounts. For example, National offers a unique booking code to any of its members and lets you choose any car and go at many of their US destinations. Sometimes you can be lucky and get a full-size car or SUV when you book with the mid-size rate, just for being a member. Being an Emerald Club member at national also allows you to bypass the counter at their so-called “aisle” locations.

Shopping around can also save you money. Not only between brands, but different locations in the same city of the same brand can yield savings. Sometimes airport rental locations charge a premium, whereas neighbourhood locations don’t; which can lead to substantial savings on the total cost; however, this isn’t always the case. In cities where parking comes at a premium cost, downtown locations will often pass this on to the consumer in the price of the rental and you might find that the airport is the best place to pick up your car.

What to do when your flight is cancelled or delayed

August 12, 2016 10:34 pm Leave a Comment

We’ve touched on the subject before, but recent experiences and the summer travel season have brought it back to the top of our minds. The most important thing to remember is to be patient and friendly. Delays happen. They can be caused by a variety of factors and not all of them are in the airlines’ control. Most certainly not the staff member’s control who is assisting you (most likely).

Throwing a fit, getting angry, or raising your voice is likely not going to get you very far (literally). The agents are there to help you get to your destination and showing them a little bit of friendliness will go much further, even if their hands are tied.

Have an idea of what other flights are available
Knowing the airline’s schedule, or having an idea of other routings/airports can get you to your final destination quicker sometimes. Taking a direct flight may save you time when everything’s on schedule; but if you can get there with a connection you might have a better chance of arriving earlier than those who are willing to stick it out.
Sometimes agents may even be able to fly you on a different airline. In times of disruption, airlines will often call upon other airlines to help them out. Don’t automatically assume it’s available and be prepared to ask the agents specific questions because it’s not always offered; and certainly not automatically.

One thing that can really help you with your accommodation on another flight is to not have a checked bag. Airlines are obliged where possible to fly the bags with the owners on the same flight. In the event of switching flights and delays and cancellations, these bags need to be traced and re-sorted onto the owners’ new flights. If you only have carry-on; all you have to do is show up at the gate.

The Best time to book the lowest fares

August 5, 2016 8:48 pm Leave a Comment

There is no one golden rule when it comes to booking airfares. They fluctuate daily based on supply, demand, exchange rates, and other commercial considerations. Generally speaking, though, it is more wise to book a flight further out than close-in. With plenty of time between the day you book and when you want to travel, you’ll definitely notice that you will have more options when it comes to airlines, seats, and flights. what are some other tips to getting the lowest fares possible:

Be Flexible

Having a rigid travel schedule can quickly add significant cost to your trip. Sometimes this is unavoidable, but if you can spare a day or two; have a look at alternate dates and alternate airports close to your destination, and you may shave a few hundred dollars off of your flight.

Travel off-peak

If you are a young couple with no kids, single, or otherwise not bound by school holidays and peak travel times you’re in luck! Flying outside of the peak periods can easily save you a great deal in airfare and accommodation costs. It makes sense, when more people want to travel, the higher the demand for a limited resource is and the higher the price will be. taking your beach vacation to the Caribbean after Labour day, but before the peak holiday season means fewer crowds and more cash in hand to spend on souvenirs (or fine dining).

Take a flight with connections

This tip is a bit of a double edged sword. for many, travel is tedious and we’d all rather just get to our destination as soon as possible. The airlines know this, and this is why they price direct flights higher than connecting flights. Remember, business travellers tend to have a bit more to spend and less time to waste, so the airlines will try to get this premium in fares where they can. Though sometimes, with enough competition direct flights are priced competitively.

3 Essential Electronics for your flight

July 30, 2016 10:16 pm Leave a Comment

In-Ear noise cancelling headphones

Many people are surprised to learn that airlines have started charging for headphones. Not all airlines do of course, but the road warrior comes prepared with the right pair for the job. The road warrior also knows that not just any pair will do. They’ve researched and compared and reached a decision on which pair is best for them. Our personal favourites are the Bose in-ear noise cancelling headphones. They’re comfortable, lightweight, very good at cancelling ambient noise, and even that screaming child in row 5. They are definitely not the least expensive pair of headphones you’ll ever buy but they are worth every penny. Excellent for day to day use as well, they come in both Android or iPhone models.

Tablet, iPad, Surface

Seat-back TVs are great, for passengers (mostly). Not so much for the airlines. They are costly to install, maintain, and even operate. The electronics that comprise the system weigh a substantial amount each extra pound or kilogram that needs to be lifted into the air increases the fuel consumption of the aircraft. Internet and streaming video are making their way onto many planes and to get access to these services, you’ll need your own device to get access. An added bonus, is that you can pre-load your device with what you really want to watch, and not just what’s piped through the airplane’s system.

A battery pack

The bigger, the better. Listening to music, connecting to wifi, and streaming or watching your video are big drains on your device’s battery. When you reach the other end, the last thing you want is a low battery notification when you need to make that call to your hotel, or to get an Uber. Packing a battery pack will be sure to give you that extra boost you need to keep your device alive so you can stay connected. Planes are increasingly being equipped with USB and power ports but don’t count on it, and airports… well, most were built before everyone had a mobile phone, let alone a smartphone so don’t expect to find many outlets when you need them most.

Ways to get a free flight upgrade

July 15, 2016 8:36 pm Leave a Comment

There are a huge number of urban legends about flight upgrades. We’ve all heard someone boast that having bought a New York return for two pounds twenty, they sweet-talked the check-in staff and were bumped up to first class on every flight for the next 17 years. Sadly it’s not true. Free or ‘operational’ upgrades do happen, but it’s rare. If you’re lucky enough to get one, consider it a privilege. There are a host of hot tips to boost your chance of a free upgrade from minuscule to just unlikely. As most are neither arduous nor difficult, why not give them a go? It’s possible to steal a march on the competition even before you’ve decided on a flight. Anything that gets you nearer the front of the queue for the front of the plane’s a good thing.

Before doing anything:

(A) Ask friends who work for the airline to pull some strings

The old adage it’s not what you know, but who you know works here. If you’ve got close friends at the check-in desk, or better still, higher up in the airline, they may be able to wangle you occasional special privileges. Some airlines also give their staff upgrade vouchers, which’ll effectively buy you an upgrade if there’s a higher class seat available.

(B) Use your title

If you have an impressive title, be it Doctor, Professor, Judge, Councillor, or especially if you’re a VIP, there’s a mountain of anecdotal evidence to back the idea you’ve a stronger chance of getting an upgrade. You have to let them know beforehand for it to work.

So if you’re booking through a travel agent, ask them to note this on a file. If you’re booking on the web and are a Doctor or Reverend (and it says so on your passport), use your title when booking.

If you order a special in-flight meal – such as vegetarian, vegan, halal or kosher – you may destroy your upgrade potential, as flights rarely carry spares, especially for higher class seats whose food costs more. So you’re likely to be overlooked for someone less picky.

Getting Ready for Summer Travel

June 24, 2016 4:23 pm Leave a Comment

As summer gets in to full swing many people have planned or are planning travel. In North America a long holiday weekend is fast approaching with Canada Day (Friday July 1) and Fourth of July celebrations (on a Monday) for the US. Millions are expected to take the opportunity to travel and be with family, or just get out and explore. Both inside and outside of North America, schools too are gearing up to wind down for the summer with many families looking to take time away from home to unwind and relax. So how can you be prepared for all that the summer can bring?

Plan ahead, or decide last-minute; but plan ahead to decide last minute

There are plenty of deals to be had when you book early, but also don’t disregard the opportunities last-minute travel can offer. Perhaps you just finished a big project and summer travel hadn’t really been on your mind, but you are now faced with some free time to get out and explore. Consider a boutique hotel for your next getaway as a great place where you can disconnect. Even spur-of-the-moment plans require some forethought. Make sure your passport is valid and check any visa requirements before you leave. Don’t let your plans get thwarted at the border when you realize that renewal you’ve been putting off for weeks now means you have an expired travel document.

Avoid the Queues

With millions hitting the roads and taking to the skies, take a serious look at when you plan to travel. Consider delaying your journey, or getting ahead by a few days to avoid the biggest rush of travellers. If you are flying, consider enrolling in the various programmes such as TSA Precheck to help you get through the airport quicker.
Most importantly: give yourself plenty of time. Let the vacation start as soon as you leave the house and don’t be rushed.

Missing your connection

May 20, 2016 7:17 pm Leave a Comment

Missed connections happen all the time. be it weather, be it a mechanical issue, flights sometimes don’t run on time. There are some strategies that can help get you to your destination quicker. A tool that we have found extremely useful for managing a missed connection is a TripIt Pro subscription. The app will actively monitor your flights and connections and notify you if there’s a problem. One tap will bring up a list of alternate flights, and even show you if there may or may not be any seats available on that flight. We’ve used this feature many times, and it’s helped speed up the process, giving us more options to get to where we were going. It also has the benefit of showing different routing options that the agent or you may not be able to think of right away.

In the case of connecting flights, many airlines automatically rebook you on the next available flight, when the computer systems see that there’s a potential misconnect. If you have internet access, check your booking on the airline website and see if this is the case, when you know you’re going to be late. If your flight has WiFi, accessing the airline’s own homepage is often free. All you have to do is confirm the options, and go to a kiosk to print a new boarding pass. Sadly though, this doesn’t always work, and in busy travel periods the next available flight may be on the next day. Going to a counter and speaking to an agent is your best option there. And they may be able to offer you a good rate at a local hotel; or if the delay was caused by the airline, many times they will pay for your accommodation and meals during the delay. European Airlines, as well as other airlines flying from a European airport have a set of rules that cover what the airline is responsible for, but they aren’t always willing to comply. Be sure to ask for the pamphlet, or information concerning your rights when faced with these situations.

Airline Club Memberships

April 8, 2016 7:03 pm Leave a Comment

Airlines in North America differ from their European and Global counterparts (with notable exceptions such as Qantas) when it comes to their philosophies on lounge access. Rather than having a lounge that is accessed based on the cabin flown, or elite status held, Air Canada, American Airlines, Delta, and United offer their passengers the ability to purchase a Club membership. These annual plans generally allow access to all the lounges if you’re willing to pay, and don’t have a qualifying ticket, so let’s have a look at the options.

Air Canada – Maple Leaf Lounge

Air Canada is perhaps the most “generous” in giving lounge access to its fliers. The Maple Leaf Lounge can be accessed by anyone with an Air Canada or Star Alliance Business Class ticket, including domestic travel. Elite 35K and higher members of the Altitude programme.
If your travel patterns aren’t enough to get you this status, or if your travel is primarily in Economy Class, Air Canada gives you three options for membership: Canada, North America Plus and World Wide. Starting at CA$375, the Canada membership gives you access to the 16 lounges in Canada if you’re flying on any same-day Air Canada or Star Alliance flight. North America Plus adds all United Club locations in the US, plus Air Canada’s own lounges in Europe. The World Wide membership gives access to any Star Alliance lounge. An added benefit to membership is Business Class check-in for members.

Certain American Express Cardholders also receive lounge access. It’s worth checking your credit card benefits for details.

American Airlines – Admirals Club

Starting at US$99 for 30 days, an Admirals Club membership gives you access to all the American Airlines lounges plus 30 Partner Lounges by Qantas and Alaskan Airlines. To access the Admirals Club locations, you don’t need to be flying American Airlines or a oneworld airline. If you’d like to try the Admirals Club on your next trip, a one-day pass can be purchased at any club location for US$50.
American Airlines Citi Aadvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard holders receive complimentary membership.

Delta – SkyClub

Delta don’t offer any short-term or trial memberships to their clubs, however you can expect to pay US$59 for a single-visit pass. Unlike American Airlines’ One-Day pass, this (more expensive) option only allows you entry to the club in which you purchased the pass, not all clubs on your day of travel. Starting at US$450 for a one-year membership, travellers can access any Delta SkyClub regardless of the alirline they are flying. This Individual membership allows the opportunity to pay US$29 each for up to two guests accompanying the member. Top Tier Skymiles Diamond Medallion members receive complimentary individual membership.

United – United Club

Also offering a one-time option for US$59, United Clubs follow Delta in their rules for admittance. With memberships starting at $550 for one year, members gain access to any united Club when flying on any airline and additionally access to any Star Alliance lounge when flying United or any Star Alliance carrier. Arguably the most bang for your buck if you fly star alliance often.

Author Archives: Vincent I. Porter