Advice for newbie booking with miles on Alaska - Timeshare Users Group Online Community Forums

DianeH · November 7, 2007, 10:47 AM

Hi Tuggers
Our travel to Mazatlan next November (yes 2008) will involve using Alaska miles and a companion ticket.

We will be booking 4 seats and I need some advice and tips on the best way and when to get them.

I will have enough miles by the time they allow online booking for November to use for one seat, I plan to use one companion fare along with a regular flight purchase, and then will need another seat to purchase.

Since I have booked award travel online for Mark and myself, I am assuming I can book all of the flights at the same time?

Our CC does not come up for renewal until March, but I need that companion ticket in December to book. Can I pay my CC renewal early in order to get my companion ticket voucher?

We will be traveling with an infant as well ( 9 months). Is it recommended to purchase a seat for him or her? I read on Alaska's website that it wasn't mandatory for that age and if there were seats available they usually move you to accomadate the baby. But I haven't flown in November so don't know how full the flights get.

Perhaps I am searching for info too early.

Diane

pointsjunkie · November 7, 2007, 05:25 PM

i doubt that even if you pay for the renewal early that you will get the companion pass early. call the CC COMPANY AND ASK THEM .

DianeH · November 7, 2007, 06:17 PM

No need to shout, pointsjunkie. I added that question along with my others. I prefer to ask Tuggers for advice before I pursue my questions somewhere else because I have in the past always found Tuggers to be knowledgable, as well as patient and polite with their answers.

Diane

I search Alaskas website again and did discover the companion ticket's expiry is only for booking. As long as you book before the expiry date, you can travel as far in advance as your ticket allows.

easyrider · November 8, 2007, 01:02 AM

The Alaska Airline companion ticket will get you two tickets on the flight you want to Mexico but your miles award at 30k per ticket will give you some alfully long undesirable flight choices unless you use 60k per ticket for 1st class. You could get another Alaska Signature Card with the companion ticket option for your spouse. Then you could get 4 tickets on the same flights. The baby can lay on the fold down table after take off. We did this last year with our grand son. He sat in our sons lap and then slept for 6 hours on the fold down tray when flying to Orlando.

DianeH · November 8, 2007, 10:24 AM

Thanks for pointing that out easyrider. I did a search for seats in Feburary and there were good flights using a companion but lousy flights using even a peak 60K miles.

That is a good suggestion, and we will get another card.

We'll save our miles for a shorter flight or one without a baby.

and, your suggestion about the trays is terrific. Never thought of that either.

Tuggers are great
Diane

November 7, 2007, 10:47 AM	#1
DianeH TUG Member BBS Reg. Date: Jun 6, 05 Location: Vancouver BC Canada Posts: 787	Advice for newbie booking with miles on Alaska Hi Tuggers Our travel to Mazatlan next November (yes 2008) will involve using Alaska miles and a companion ticket. We will be booking 4 seats and I need some advice and tips on the best way and when to get them. I will have enough miles by the time they allow online booking for November to use for one seat, I plan to use one companion fare along with a regular flight purchase, and then will need another seat to purchase. Since I have booked award travel online for Mark and myself, I am assuming I can book all of the flights at the same time? Our CC does not come up for renewal until March, but I need that companion ticket in December to book. Can I pay my CC renewal early in order to get my companion ticket voucher? We will be traveling with an infant as well ( 9 months). Is it recommended to purchase a seat for him or her? I read on Alaska's website that it wasn't mandatory for that age and if there were seats available they usually move you to accomadate the baby. But I haven't flown in November so don't know how full the flights get. Perhaps I am searching for info too early. Diane __________________ 'Be not forgetful to entertain strangers; for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.' Hebrews 13:2

November 7, 2007, 06:17 PM	#3
DianeH TUG Member BBS Reg. Date: Jun 6, 05 Location: Vancouver BC Canada Posts: 787	No need to shout, pointsjunkie. I added that question along with my others. I prefer to ask Tuggers for advice before I pursue my questions somewhere else because I have in the past always found Tuggers to be knowledgable, as well as patient and polite with their answers. Diane I search Alaskas website again and did discover the companion ticket's expiry is only for booking. As long as you book before the expiry date, you can travel as far in advance as your ticket allows. __________________ 'Be not forgetful to entertain strangers; for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.' Hebrews 13:2

November 8, 2007, 10:24 AM	#5
DianeH TUG Member BBS Reg. Date: Jun 6, 05 Location: Vancouver BC Canada Posts: 787	Thanks for pointing that out easyrider. I did a search for seats in Feburary and there were good flights using a companion but lousy flights using even a peak 60K miles. That is a good suggestion, and we will get another card. We'll save our miles for a shorter flight or one without a baby. and, your suggestion about the trays is terrific. Never thought of that either. Tuggers are great Diane __________________ 'Be not forgetful to entertain strangers; for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.' Hebrews 13:2

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November 7, 2007, 05:25 PM	#2
pointsjunkie TUG Member BBS Reg. Date: Jan 19, 07 Location: long island,ny Posts: 1,832 Resorts: harborside wkv,svv(x5), sdo(x3), finally 5* and done!!	i doubt that even if you pay for the renewal early that you will get the companion pass early. call the CC COMPANY AND ASK THEM .

November 8, 2007, 01:02 AM	#4
easyrider TUG Member BBS Reg. Date: Aug 21, 05 Location: North West Posts: 1,374 Resorts: Worldmark Villa Del Palmar UVC Eaglecrest * RCI	The Alaska Airline companion ticket will get you two tickets on the flight you want to Mexico but your miles award at 30k per ticket will give you some alfully long undesirable flight choices unless you use 60k per ticket for 1st class. You could get another Alaska Signature Card with the companion ticket option for your spouse. Then you could get 4 tickets on the same flights. The baby can lay on the fold down table after take off. We did this last year with our grand son. He sat in our sons lap and then slept for 6 hours on the fold down tray when flying to Orlando.