Originally Posted by
jackal
This is kinda cool but mostly appealing for those who lack elite status, since the only tangible benefit is the baggage fee waiver.
If I'm ever thrown in the spot of needing a last-minute Full Flex fare, I will most likely just redeem miles rather than drop ~$800 to SEA (with this discount) or ~$1100 to the East Coast (with this discount).
And the ability to receive weekly special fares a few hours early...well, I might be more excited about that if Alaska's idea of a sale fare wasn't so high as to be insulting...
But other than that, nice lip service to the carrier's namesake state.
You've got miles to redeem and I've got miles to redeem - but not everyone else does. I would assert that a 30% break on a Y fare at the last minute is indeed a tangible benefit to someone in that type of fix. I don't know how many people fall into that category but would imagine it's a sizable group.
It's better than nothing. A small attempt at a "chip chip chip" countermeasure!
This and the as-noted baggage allowance confirm the thought that this is aimed at the non-MVP/G Alaska-resident MP member.