Alaska Airlines - Virgin America

Mileage Plan Elites Finally Get Free Bags On Virgin America

March 6, 2017 by 0 Comments

Per Alaska Airlines, Mileage Plan elites will finally receive two free bags when traveling on Virgin America starting sometime this spring. This cross-plan courtesy was notably absent when the airlines competed their merger this past December. A number of generous benefits were awarded to Virgin America Elevate elites shortly after acquisition date, but free bags to Alaska Airline Mileage Plan elites were conspicuously absent. Alaska also indicated that additional benefits would be awarded to elite Mileage Plan members later this summer, namely better seating options in the economy cabin, and the opportunity to purchase first class upgrades before non-elites.

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San Francisco - Virgin America

Virgin America Short Haul Domestic Coach – San Francisco to Los Angeles

March 1, 2017 by 0 Comments

After leaving the lounge it’s a short walk to gate 51A. It was about 10 minutes prior to boarding and the thing that struck me was how civilized the boarding process was. I don’t know if it was a function of VX, or the time, or the airport we were flying out of but everyone stayed seated and waited for their turn to board. First Class was called initially, and then Elevate Gold and Silver. I had the jetway almost to myself as I boarded the Airbus 320.

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American Airlines - San Francisco

American Airlines Admirals Club SFO – Terminal 2

February 8, 2017 by 2 Comments

After checking out of the Hyatt Regency SFO we rode the complimentary airport shuttle to Terminal 2 at San Francisco International Airport. It was a nice day and as our flight wasn’t leaving until noon, we enjoyed a lazy morning on our way to the airport. Virgin America has 2 main hubs, Los Angeles and San Francisco. You would think they would have airline lounges at both airports, but they don’t; they only have the “The Loft” at LAX. Virgin America does offer reciprocal lounge access to the Virgin Atlantic lounge in San Francisco. Sort of.

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Hyatt - San Francisco

Hyatt Regency San Francisco International Airport

February 6, 2017 by 2 Comments

 

Since Susan and I would be leaving from San Francisco Airport in the morning we elected to stay at the Hyatt Regency SFO the evening before. This served us in two ways in that we would avoid a drive from Sacramento on the day of our short trip to Los Angeles and, and we would pick up another stay toward our diamond status with Hyatt.

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Alaska Airlines - Virgin America

Alaska Airlines And The Night Of January 8th

January 11, 2017 by 0 Comments

Well the goodies just keep coming from Alaska, although some members aren’t happy with the pace that there being rolled out. For the record this integration is taking place at lighting speed as compared to ones of the past, and less than a month after the acquisition closed several announcements and changes have taken place for Alaska Airlines and Virgin America flyers.

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Virgin America

Virgin America Elevate Gold Status Match

January 7, 2017 by 0 Comments

Virgin America until recently had a very generous status match program for its Elevate loyalty program. The match had been available on and off for a number of years, and was frequently covered and discussed in the frequently flyer community. In April it was announced that Alaska Airlines would be acquiring Virgin America and it was speculated that the opportunity for a status match with Virgin America would disappear – which it did later in the fall of 2016. If you look for the challenge on the Virgin America website now the message is:

“We like your thinking. Unfortunately we are longer accepting status match applications for 2016. Please check back in 2017 for some exciting changes.”

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Hyatt - Los Angeles

Hyatt Regency LAX – Master Review

January 5, 2017 by 0 Comments

Being based out of a secondary market like Sacramento means that you usually are going to connect to wherever you’re going. There are a handful of directs, but at the end of the day it’s a connection (or two) for most of your travels. One of my favorite airports to connect through is Los Angeles International Airport. People love to hate LAX, but in my twisted view of reality I enjoy the sea of humanity that is constantly trying to get into and out of the iconic location.

One of my favorite tricks is to overnight at this airport when flying a transcontinental to the east coast. I’ll typically come in the evening before and try to get out early the next day. This gives me a few things. A rested evening before a day of travel. An earlier arrival into the east coast. The chance to enjoy a true business class seat when traveling across the county. An opportunity to pick up a Hyatt stay toward my Diamond status. All wins again in my twisted view.

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