[tborden]

I am an AAdvantage Platinum Pro with American Airlines. I recently had the need to fly to Seattle. Instead of booking on American, I purchased a nonstop flight from Santa Barbara to Seattle. I made the purchase shortly before the departure so the ticket was expensive--$597. I could have flown for less from American through Los Angeles, but I was enticed by the convenience--and the fact that Alaska was a partner of American Airlines. However, I was surprised at online check in that I received a middle seat. I called Alaska customer service and they told me that since I purchased a "saver fare" that there was nothing they could do. I asked if my AAdvantage status could help, but I was told that no, it was Alaska Airlines policy not to take that into consideration for saver fares. When I arrived at the airport, the following day, I asked to be changed to a non-middle seat. They said they would try. And they succeeded. I was given a window seat shortly before boarding. However, when I boarded the plane, it was less than half full. Perhaps only 30% of the seats were taken. Entire rows were empty! Obviously Alaska was trying to punish me for purchasing a $597 airfare.


On the return I was also assigned a middle seat. I called customer service again. At first they told me there was nothing they could do. When I inquired as to how full the flight was, I was told that it was around 50% full. Finally, after much complaining on my part, customer service assigned me a window seat. The unfortunate customer service representative kept apologizing and telling me that it was the policy of Alaska to treat saver fares this way.


Does American Airlines know how Alaska treats its partners' frequent flyers? What is the purpose of having a partnership when the partner airline acts in such a puny and punitive way. Truly disgraceful.