Originally Posted by
dayone
This thread is reminder that many FTers can study, analyze and interpret program terms that are favorable, and be baffled, bewildered and perplexed when terms are unfavorable, especially when they are not crystal clear.
A simple guideline: QR Classic fares (the cheapest sold by AS) are considered Saver (an AS and US term). Classic fare codes are O, T, Q and N. Yes, it's confusing but far from incomprehensible.
So do you believe someone mistaking a fare marked as "Main" by Alaska while booking and in the confirmation, even though Alaska actually consider the fare as saver/basic is an issue of the purchasers comprehension ability, because the purchaser should be aware of the fare codes Qatar uses to map to "Classic" and that "Classic " is representative of saver/basic?
How would one avoid buying the saver/basic fare code when going through the Alaska website? As far I can tell, you cannot force a particular Qatar fare code within a class to appear.
Yes, the website says it excludes saver/basic fares. But I think it's fair for people to feel duped when it requires ignoring Alaska's wording/advertising, knowledge of another airlines fare codes to evaluate what fare code you're getting, and even with that knowledge, it's not possible to avoid whatever fare code Alaska gives you.