Alaska Airlines

Our guest from Japan didn’t realize that Canada has new visa requirements. Counter agent Courtney in Fairbanks was very patient and helpful as she hurriedly applied online for her ETA Visa but it was too late for her scheduled flight. A call to reservations and Dave in Boise got permission from a supervisor to transfer her supposedly non- transferable ticket to a flight two hours later and Dave put a note into her record. We waited at the airport for over two hours for the visa approval. Once she had received it another call to reservations and Kim in Phoenix quickly got her on the flight that was closing out as we spoke and the change amounted to less than $15!!! Courtney again hustled to get her bag checked in and her onto the flight. She made it onto the next departing flight and at minimal cost thanks to knowledgeable and helpful agents who really did everything possible. Thank you Alaska Air for being understanding, flexible and generous. You have again reaffirmed to me that you deserve all the awards you receive for EXCELLENT customer service! Proud to be a Alaska Air MVP!!

I’ve been fortunate in doing considerable global traveling as a result of my career. Now that I’m retired, my wife wants to travel throughout the US as well as internationally. The one airline we both enjoy more than any other is Alaska Airlines. In fact she insisted we get their credit cards because of the advantages it offer. However, when it comes to using a smart phone and all of the various applications she would rather use the phone and text message exclusively and forget about the other applications. She does not find the apps “intuitive” and becomes rapidly frustrated. I put the Alaska Airlines app on her phone anyway. To my amazement, she is very comfortable with the app and gladly uses it first anytime we start thinking about a trip. This app really is “intuitive and very easy to navigate through. For someone who hates apps, she really knows her way around this one. Frankly, if she not only uses it but enjoys using it; the majority of folks should really enjoy the ease and throughness of this application.

It is always fast and easy to book a flight and pick your seat. I love using apps that are easy to use as you go step your step to get the job done and this app is super easy to use and if you are a 1st time user of the app. Within 24 hours of your flight Alaska Airlines will send you a notification that you can check in and if there’s empty seats still you can change your seat from the original seat choice you made at the time you booked the flight. Alaska Airlines will also give you the opportunity to check your bags if you have to check one in if you have an over size bag or have more then one that is your free carry on. You can pay for extra baggage fees when you check in online or using the Alaska Airlines app or wait and pay at the airport Incase you end up with more baggage or you ended up not needing a extra bag. After you get checked in the app will ask if you want to add the boarding pass to your Wallet if you use an iPhone.

I’ve spent nearly six hours trying to book award travel to Europe. Every time I try to select a flight, it makes me log in all the information, only to tell me that there’s actually no availability. Called customer service twice, where they - very politely - explained that it isn’t their fault that IcelandAir isn’t updating their availability information. Meanwhile, every time I go to book a flight that’s shown as available on the website... it really isn’t. What’s the point if your advertising flights to the customer and they can’t tell what’s really available or not? How is it not Alaska’s problem when they advertise award travel that doesn’t exist? How am I supposed to book a flight if the seats that are shown to be there... aren’t? For years I’ve tried to support the hometown airline. But tonight was such a disaster, it’s the last straw. Begrudgingly going to start booking with Delta. Such a shame.

This is my 2nd favorite airline app. Booking a flight is easy and I can get to information which is nice. United,Singapore, Southwest, JetBlue and others are about the same but I find the interface better. I will say though the best in the market is Delta. I am sure tons of people have tons to say about Delta but it’s true. The one thing these apps can add is calendar views and better ability to look up awards with partner airlines. I also don’t like the coloration but I am being nit picky. Also if you track airline fare codes etc. Alaska isn’t quite and up front about it as other airlines. If you credit Alaska mileage it’s no big deal but if you credit other airlines it can be a bit annoying. Again minor things but it keeps it from 5 stars as to me on the Delta app I can easily get that information. Some other things like checkout can use help and saving to a wallet can be easier but these are very minor and things most people probably don’t care about.