Not Displaying on the Alaska Airlines Upgrade List? An Easy Fix

Alaska Airlines upgrade list issues are on going. From the companion upgrade issues, to rouge Pre-merger Virgin employees selling upgrades before clearing the list, or same day changes resulting in not being on the list; Alaska Airlines upgrades are broken. There are stories all over flyer talk about the issues. Yet, instead of fixing them Alaska Airlines have allowed them to persist for months, even years in some instances. Today we’re focusing on the same day change and not displaying on the upgrade list after making a change.

Alaska Airlines Known Upgrade Issue

It is very well know to frequent flyers that if an elite traveler changes their Alaska Airlines flight, they will not show up on the upgrade list. Alaska Airlines allows free upgrades to first class and free same day flight changes to MVP gold and 75k. Yet, if one changes their flight during check in to utilize the free confirmed flight change, one will oftentimes not display on the upgrade list for their new flight.

If you follow Alaska Airlines on Twitter, you’ll see people time and time again complain about not being on the upgrade list. The issue is that Alaska Airlines upgrades engine is broken. Very few call center agents can actually help. If you call the MVP line, a few agents can help, but most can’t. Twitter is useless. Actually, more times than not, you’ll be told you’re on the upgrade list, it’s just not “visible”. However, it will only be at the airport where the gate agent can re-add you to the list. By that time, it’s often too late and all upgrades have cleared and the upgrade will be missed.

The only way to see your name on the list and ensure you’re not skipped over is by getting on the upgrade list and actually displaying on the list. 24 hours before departure, if you’re name is not on the list, you will not be upgraded.

How to Display on the Alaska Airlines Upgrade List

If you change your flight and do a same day flight change there’s only one way to guarantee you’ll still be on the upgrade list. Do not check in! That’s right, after switching flights, do not check in! Wait at least 20 minutes, 30 if you have the time and then check in. This will allow the upgrade engine to remove you from your original flight and add you to the new flight. After waiting 30 minutes, check in for your new flight. You will then see yourself on the upgrade list.

a screenshot of a flight ticket — After checking in I wasn’t on the list :/

If you have already checked in and didn’t wait, there is still help. To get back on the upgrade list, change your flight back to your original flight and check in. You should now see yourself on the upgrade list of your original flight. Even if you don’t, do not worry. If you do awesome! Your chances to be upgraded just got better. But wait, this isn’t the flight you want. Now that you’re on the list again, or back on your original flight, change your flight to the new flight. But this time, DO NOT check in! This may requiring you closing the app or the browser. Your flight will be changed, but you won’t be checked in. Wait the 30 minutes and then check in again. Bam! You’re now on the upgrade list.

a screenshot of a phone — After changing my flight back to my original, waiting and checking in, then changing it again to the new flight, but not checking in immediately, I am now on the upgrade list after checking in.

If you don’t initially wait 30 minutes, the clean up can take hours. Therefore, have patience and do not check in after changing flights.

I have independently verified both of these work arounds are successful several times. Until Alaska Airlines broken upgrade list is fixed, enjoy these work arounds. Let me know if you have any success after following these steps. Good luck and happy flying!

Alaska Airlines Known Upgrade Issue

How to Display on the Alaska Airlines Upgrade List

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About Rocky Horan