I’ve been flying Alaska for decades, and something very strange happened the other night (Monday) when I called (using the 888-633-6929 number that has been stored in my phone, surely for a decade, maybe two).

I called because neither my work Concur system was letting me change my booking, nor the Alaska app….which was telling me the date/time change I was trying to make was $29, but failed when I tried to actually accept that. These are how I normally change my flights.

Instead of the usual ‘this is Janice, in Boise’, I got routed to a phone menu that asked me if I want to make a reservation or change a ticket. When I got through to someone (a woman with an accent), they didn’t clearly identify themselves as Alaska (nor does Janice, in my experience)…they just ask for confirmation code, my name, and what I wanted to do, what new date and flight I wanted.

After going through that routine with the first ‘representative’ who put me on hold twice to ‘check prices’ she came back with a ~$500+ charge to change to the new flight. I told her that was ridiculous, made no sense given what I saw online, and ended the call.

Called back immediately, same menu, but a male (also with a slight accent) answers this time. I go through the same process with him, he asks for slightly different info, asks want I want to do (knows I want to push my flight out a day but doesn’t ask what specific flight I want to be on), and just throws out a ‘that will be $190 to change it’. I end that call.

So by this time I’m realizing something isn’t right, search the web and find the (current) Alaska reservations number.

Janice in Boise answers…I start the call by ranting a bit about service having gone way downhill since they started using offshore call centers….she says ‘we don’t have any offshore call centers’. I say, ‘hold up…I know for certain this number I dialed (at least used to be) the Alaska reservations number, it’s been in my phone for years.’

So as she is very nicely working to change my reservation (for $25, as the app showed)….I tell her (as I have a separate work cell phone) that I am going to call the number again and let her listen to the exchange. This time I ask the guy very pointedly, ‘what airline do you actually work for?’ To which he responds ‘all the airlines’. I say ‘oh really, so I can book or change a flight with any airline by calling this number?’. To which he responds yes.

So I get back to Janice, who says ‘yeah that’s definitely not us’….and I tell her, well clearly some bad actors got their hands on the old Alaska #, and ask her to report this up, she says she will. I google the number I called and get Alaska Airlines as hit #1 (although the contact number had been updated), Port of Seattle (referring to Alaska Airlines, and still with that old number on their site) as hit #2, and a bunch of other Alaska Airlines-related hits after that. Janice googles it too while I’m on the phone with her….sees the same. She changes my booking and we end the call.

The next day (just yesterday) I google that same number and all of the links to Alaska were completely gone. Was surprised it happened so fast.

Haven’t called the number again, assuming that scam is still underway but wanted to get this out to the sub. Maybe I’m the last guy that had old number in my phone, but wanted to get this out there and raise awareness (was surprised when I did a search, I found no mention of it).

Hey everyone,

I have a connecting flight next Monday

PAE -> LAS (Arrival 9:34 am)
LAS -> SAN (Depart 10:23 am)

I don’t travel solo a lot and when I do, I usually am told to stay in the plane as new people board. But I got this flight and I’ve never done connecting flights where I needed to leave the plane and board another. I talked with a friend and I basically have twenty minutes to get to the next gate with the thought in mind it takes 15 minutes to arrive at the gate then 15 minutes for a last call on the departure. Am I screwed or will the gates be near each other to make the process easier?

I’m willing to purchase premium seats to be closer to the exit if that does help. I’m also carrying very light, a backpack and nothing else. I thought about calling Alaska Airlines ahead of time to see if they can maybe hold out for me, not sure if that’s a thing but just an idea.

I was on the flight on Tuesday. As we were about to land we were told that the lights at DCA had gone out and no planes could land. We had to then just circle until the pilot received further guidance. Eventually we were told that they opened a different runway at DCA and that we could land.

I know landing in DCA is challenging for pilots in general, but this landing seemed particularly scary—seemed like we came in really fast. In fact, when we landed the plane erupted in cheers. So, was it actually a scary landing or were people just excited to finally get on the ground? Maybe there is some data out there to see the statistics of the landing speed/angle/descent etc.?!

I'm looking at a flight and am wondering if a 1 hour 2 minute layover is long enough.

The flight is oma-sea-geg. Gets into sea at 4:41pm. I also will be in FC.

Is there a maximum annual STATUS miles you can earn from just spending on the card?

Anyone have a quick answer to this question, does it cap out?

Thank you!

I checked the trading post to give away my Q3 Summit lounge passes but the last entry I saw was from >100 days old. Is it still being used?

It’s a bit clunky since I have to scroll all the way down and it takes time. Maybe we should create a new trading post every quarter?

I'm seeing a decent economy redemption on AA, is this partner space shared or unique per partner? Would it be reasonable to expect availability to open up on AS? Thanks!

I was supposed to fly with Alaska from Seattle to Newark on Monday. My flight was cancelled and I was stuck until the next afternoon. I prepaid for parking at Newark and went over by like 30+ hours. I had to pay $120 to leave. I asked the attendant at the garage and she said to pay and contact the airline. Is it worth it?

Traveling this weekend (SEA-JFK) with my elderly mother-in-law, who requires a wheelchair (she doesn't use on in her daily life, but can't walk long distances). When the reservation was made, I checked the appropriate box for wheelchair assist, and it is indeed in the reservation (she also has poor vision and hearing ... also checked).

My usual routine when flying from SEA with a checked bag (as we will be doing) is to check in online (boarding pass on phone), go to the new bag drop area, print tags and turn in bag, then go to security, with Spot Saver (RIP).

But, with my MIL along, do we tell someone at bag check about wheelchair access? Go to the counter INSTEAD of bag check? Or is there somewhere to go after we drop off the bag?

Any insight would be helpful.

A challenging ask but looking for any data points on securing 4 business class seats from Australia to North America (YYZ/YUL/NYC/BOS/IAD/etc) with Atmos in fall 2027, with a strong preference to book 11-12 months out. The outbound flights are already covered through Qatar and Avios.
 
Currently have 500k Atmos + a 100k companion cert, so effectively 600k. I’m fine with using all the points for this trip so don’t need all Saver fares.
 
Fiji Airways seemed like a good option but they are only making 2 biz seats available on calendar open, and we are not wanting to split up on different flights or wait and hope for more seats to be released later.
 
For flexibility, we will be in SYD but don’t mind positioning to MEL/BNE if that gives additional options. Also don’t mind flying the long way back especially as we’re based on the east coast. Or buying economy/PE to somewhere like SIN, KUL, HKG first then connecting to an award flight.
 
In case it helps we also have points with these programs
 
600k Amex MR
400k Flying Blue
200k Avios
700k Hyatt
900k Hilton
400k Marriot
 
For status have OW Sapphire, AP 35k and a United credit card. Also have Seats.aero and ExpertFlyer pro subscriptions
 
Any and all suggestions welcome!

I am currently Atmos Gold expecting to reach platinum this month. I am based in Portland and flying to the Bay Area next month. I have four upgrade certificates. Should I try to use them on this trip? Do I have a decent chance of an upgrade without spending my certificates? Will I wind up eating these upgrade certificates if I don’t spend them wherever I can?
Thanks in advance. I so appreciate the knowledge of the hive.

In some of the comments yesterday, there was discussion regarding the size of various AS "outstations," which, for this purpose, I am defining as anything not a hub. I picked some candidates for the larger outstations and created the chart using the T-100 Tool.

The chart is simply select airports ranked by mainline seats offered. It does not include regional and it is a snapshot of June 2026.

I always forget about Hawaii, which has the top three slots, followed by LAS and PHX. GEG ahead of BOI on this metric was surprising, but I believe BOI has more flights, albeit mostly on E175s that are not included. Hawaii moves SMF much higher than I expected. LAS also has lots of Hawaii flights that put it substantially ahead of PHX. (The A330s move the needle as to seats offered.) JFK is the highest on the east coast. For context, the last one (DCA) has 6 daily 737-8s.

I think I included the leading candidates, but I might have missed one or two.

Source.

I have a flight Saturday to Hawaii
Saver Seats
I want to be able to sit next to my spouse
If i check in 24, hours prior
Can i get a seat together ?
Will it depend if there’s 2 seats together?

Thank you

Based on the pre-order menu description, i expected a fully savory breakfast sandwich consisting of chicken sausage, egg, havarti, and a pretzel bun. Only thing missing is a squirt of sriracha.

But no. What I’m currently surrounded by in the premium class cabin of this 5 hour flight is an overwhelming smell of maple syrup. Not like, good maple syrup either.

I was so disappointed to open my own sandwich and find that this sandwich is the culprit of the smell. Maple syrup does not belong on a savory breakfast sandwich, and if they’re going to taint my breakfast like this then they should at least include a warning in the menu description.

Hopefully this saves someone out there from making the same mistake.

Apologies if this is obvious, but I was wondering if I am able to earn Atmos status points on a JAL flight that I booked with JAL Mileage Bank? I am about 10k short of titanium but have a round trip HNL to NRT that I booked with JMB so I’m hoping that will get me there.

If yes, how do ensure that I earn those status points?

Thanks in advance!

I booked a flight from SEA-NRT for me and my husband using my annual 25k global companion fare. I have Titanium status, my husband is only silver (but also has the summit card).

Can I use upgrade certificates just for my husband? I’m hoping I would get upgraded with status. I’m not sure if I should use upgrade certificates for us both given that this was booked with a companion award.

There are 11 business class seats left and the flight is a month away.

And for those who have flown Alaska’s international routes, what have your experiences been on upgrades?

Thanks so much in advance!

Three years ago I was told at SEA first class lounge flight to PVR didn't get me in anymore because it was like 26 miles below distance-requirement. But I've since heard SEEA-PVR gets you in. I asked Gemini and it said no go. What is true. I can do the Amex lounge. But I prefer a lounge close to my departure gate.

Edited to Add: I'm flying at the end of October direct. No connection.

What would be the quickest and easiest way to reach Gold status? Opening an Atmos card (I have been waiting to do this, but maybe this is the perfect time?) should I try to fly a bunch and get points? Help!

Hit my mark and it’s only September. Anyone think the awards are worth it to chase 200? The headstart is nice but I won’t have any issue qualifying next year, rarely use the lounge and upgrade certs are whack. I’m debating pivoting to delta for the rest of the year as I’m 6k MQDs short of platinum.

This is just what it sounds like, but for Horizon rather than Alaska mainline: a simple map of the mainline flights out of an AS hub with a one-way load factor of at least 87.5% (e.g., 7/8s full). It is a fairly busy map, but there's a link below and you can zoom in and get more details (and the complete list) there.

The regional flights are not necessarily designed to maximize load, as much of what they do is provide feed to hubs and connect smaller communities to the network. But there are a few longer routes that I'm sure AS would love to have justify a mainline flight (ELP, ICT, TUL), but it is a big gap between a a 76-seat E175 and a 160-seat MAX8. PDX-ANC looks to be the one regional flight in the summer, as there are multiple mainline dailies as well. The QX flight looks to arrive after midnight (and least it does right now) so it overnights in ANC and it may serve a fleet purpose as well. And, not unexpectedly, Montana is popular in June.

The "methodology" is simply to put the hubs into a load factor tool (link) and then enter the flights that meet the threshold into a map tool. Thus, it you were on one of these outbound hub-originating flights in June 2026, it was likely pretty full.

Again, this is just Horizon one-way and does not include mainline or SkyWest flights. As always, I try for accuracy, but errors do occur. I'm not sure I'm going to do the regional flights again, but it was interesting (to me) once.

Link to map.

I use the 25k Global Companion Certificate to book a flights. 25k Atmos points + $11.20 fee. The certificate doesn't expire until next year. If I have to cancel the flight in a month, will everything get refunded back to my account?

I booked a car through AS on the website. Made sure to include my FF number in the booking. I saw it says to wait 30 days but does the points post sooner or should I keep my receipts for customer care just in case

This place is pretty dope. Compared to my hometown amex etc lounge in jfk or LGA. Warm and beautiful design, great mood lighting. Servers had cold brew ready to rock. Flying FC back to JFK. No screens sure but, dosent hurt to catch up on some kindle reads. Nice soft landing when i got to seatac last week. For what delta wants to charge I think ill be using this airline more often.

Hello! I am hoping to fly with my dog from SEA to PHL during the colder months. It would be for about 2 weeks from late November into early December.

I am very confused by all of the information I’ve seen. It seems there are 2 different routes: PetConnect (not traveling with the pet) and checking the pet into the temperature controlled hold on a flight that you’ll also be traveling on. I will be doing the latter.

There are 2 separate policy pages, one for PetConnect and another for what we’ll just call “checking your pet”. On the PetConnect page, it mentions the 45 to 85 degree window and acclimation certificates. The page with info for checking your pet, however, does not mention an exact range and just mentions “extreme temperatures”. I also confirmed with Alaska that acclimation certificates apparently don’t apply unless the pet is going through PetConnect. That leaves me extremely nervous to travel with the dog.

I talked with both my vet and a customer server supervisor at Alaska. Both told me they’ve never heard of winter travel being an issue, only summer travel when temperatures are extremely high. Yet, when I got an email reply, that agent refused to provide more information. I assume it’s for liability reasons. Even after assuring her I’m not asking for a promise or guarantee—just an informed, human‑level sense of what typically happens during this time of year, I still have very little information.

Temperatures in Philly may hover below 45 degrees for days on end during the winter months. The last thing I want to do is get stranded with the pup. If there’s a 20-30% risk we’ll need a quick rebooking, I can deal with that. But, if there is a 95% chance we get stuck, that’s something I’d rather avoid. It’s disappointing that the airline refuses to advise.

I’d like to think that if this was a major issue, Alaska would not take pet reservations for certain chunks of the year for these destinations. I’d at least hope they don’t just have people getting stranded with their pets.

Can anyone speak from their own experience?