Originally Posted by ctporter

I thought saver fares were a type of "as is - where is, use it or lose it" ticket, that allows absolutely no changes including upgrades. It seems to me that if I chose that fare either I might be able to select some seats right then -but I might not. If not they will be assigned at the gate with no guarantee that I would be sitting next to someone I am traveling with. Maybe others have been able to purchase an upgrade but from what I can tell that would not meet the conditions of the saver fare. I do not think the method of payment makes any different (points or money)

The web site says:
Saver fares do include some restrictions on booking, refunds, changes, and seat selection.
These restrictions include:

• Limited seating may be available at the time of purchase. Most seats will be assigned at check-in.
• We can’t guarantee that parties of two or more will be seated together.
• No refunds are allowed beyond the first 24 hours after ticketing.
• No changes, including same-day confirmed changes, are allowed for Saver fares.
• No standby is allowed for Saver fares, even for elite status guests.
• If a guest is a no-show for any flight during a trip, all other flights within that trip are automatically canceled, with no refund available.
• Saver fares cannot be combined with any other fare types on the same itinerary.
• Saver fares are non-transferable.

and:
Elite members do not receive waived change fees, same-day confirmed, preferred seating, or upgrade benefits with Saver fares. On all fares including Saver, Elites receive bonus miles, baggage allowances, check-in benefits, and priority boarding. All other Saver fare rules and restrictions apply to MVP®, MVP® Gold, and MVP® Gold 75k Mileage Plan members.