AS to Introduce "Saver Fares" (Basic Economy), End Fee Waivers and Add Fees
Apr 23, 18, 11:39 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: SEA
Posts: 1,948
AS to Introduce "Saver Fares" (Basic Economy), End Fee Waivers and Add Fees
Today during the 2018 Q1 Earnings Call, it was revealed that Alaska plans to introduce a basic economy fare, known as "Saver Fare", to compete with the legacy airlines. The new fare will be introduced in Fall 2018 and will include the following restrictions:
https://singleflyer.com/2018/04/23/a...-economy-fare/
- Seats in rear of aircraft
- Guests board last
- Upgrades for elites not permitted
- Tickets not changeable/cancelable.
https://singleflyer.com/2018/04/23/a...-economy-fare/
Apr 23, 18, 12:04 pm
#2
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: SEA, but up and down the coast a lot
Programs: OneSky Alliance Elite+ with Zirconium and oak leaf cluster, Braniff Unobtainium
Posts: 19,387
Thanks for the tip and the thread.
Welp.
Guess it's WN and otherwise free agency for me, since I fly on a lot of G/T fares and value the change/cancel fee MVPG gives me more than any single benefit. I assume these tickets won't be eligible for SDC either, they'll be "fly or eat the value". No GARR, either, I guess.
It was a good run, but if they want to fire me as a customer, so be it. It feels kind of liberating, I suppose.
♫Nowhere to run to, baby, nowhere to hide♫...
Welp.
Guess it's WN and otherwise free agency for me, since I fly on a lot of G/T fares and value the change/cancel fee MVPG gives me more than any single benefit. I assume these tickets won't be eligible for SDC either, they'll be "fly or eat the value". No GARR, either, I guess.
It was a good run, but if they want to fire me as a customer, so be it. It feels kind of liberating, I suppose.
♫Nowhere to run to, baby, nowhere to hide♫...
Last edited by eponymous_coward; Apr 23, 18 at 12:12 pm
Apr 23, 18, 12:19 pm
#3
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Between BLI & PAE.
Programs: Nada of note these days….
Posts: 1,279
Originally Posted by eponymous_coward
Thanks for the tip and the thread.
Welp.
Guess it's WN and otherwise free agency for me, since I fly on a lot of G/T fares and value the change/cancel fee MVPG gives me more than any single benefit. I assume these tickets won't be eligible for SDC either, they'll be "fly or eat the value". No GARR, either, I guess.
It was a good run, but if they want to fire me as a customer, so be it. It feels kind of liberating, I suppose.
♫Nowhere to run to, baby, nowhere to hide♫...
Welp.
Guess it's WN and otherwise free agency for me, since I fly on a lot of G/T fares and value the change/cancel fee MVPG gives me more than any single benefit. I assume these tickets won't be eligible for SDC either, they'll be "fly or eat the value". No GARR, either, I guess.
It was a good run, but if they want to fire me as a customer, so be it. It feels kind of liberating, I suppose.
♫Nowhere to run to, baby, nowhere to hide♫...
Apr 23, 18, 12:19 pm
#4
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: PDX
Programs: AS MVPG, BW Plat, Marriott Gold, IHG Plat, Hilton Gold
Posts: 9,799
Originally Posted by eponymous_coward
Thanks for the tip and the thread.
Welp.
Guess it's WN and otherwise free agency for me, since I fly on a lot of G/T fares and value the change/cancel fee MVPG gives me more than any single benefit. I assume these tickets won't be eligible for SDC either, they'll be "fly or eat the value". No GARR, either, I guess.
It was a good run, but if they want to fire me as a customer, so be it. It feels kind of liberating, I suppose.
♫Nowhere to run to, baby, nowhere to hide♫...
Welp.
Guess it's WN and otherwise free agency for me, since I fly on a lot of G/T fares and value the change/cancel fee MVPG gives me more than any single benefit. I assume these tickets won't be eligible for SDC either, they'll be "fly or eat the value". No GARR, either, I guess.
It was a good run, but if they want to fire me as a customer, so be it. It feels kind of liberating, I suppose.
♫Nowhere to run to, baby, nowhere to hide♫...
Apr 23, 18, 12:28 pm
#6
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: SEA, but up and down the coast a lot
Programs: OneSky Alliance Elite+ with Zirconium and oak leaf cluster, Braniff Unobtainium
Posts: 19,387
Originally Posted by PDXPremier
My guess is that you'll be ok with the G/T fares....I'm thinking these new "saver fares" will basically be the new "R" fare.
* except LA. Pretty please, WN, start flying LAX-SEA.
Apr 23, 18, 12:51 pm
#7
Join Date: Feb 2017
Programs: AS MVP HHonors Gold DL MS
Posts: 48
Alaska changes
Just read this in the Seattle Times ..... "Alaska will begin charging extra for exit row seats and eliminate fee waivers for itinerary changes made more than 60 days ahead of travel" any one have any more details?
Apr 23, 18, 12:51 pm
#8
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: OR,ID, NV
Programs: AS 75K, DL PM
Posts: 267
Originally Posted by PDXPremier
My guess is that you'll be ok with the G/T fares....I'm thinking these new "saver fares" will basically be the new "R" fare.
Apr 23, 18, 12:53 pm
#9
Join Date: May 2003
Location: SFO, mostly
Posts: 2,029
It all depends on how the price points are implemented. If AS "Basic Economy" is the same price as WN, then I would definitely fly WN for the free ticket changes. But, if AS Basic Economy is say $50 less than WN, and regular AS economy is the same price as WN, I'd probably buy regular economy on AS and have a shot an upgrade.
Apr 23, 18, 12:55 pm
#10
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Northern Calif./Eastern Ida.
Programs: Flying whoever is most convenient
Posts: 18,884
It was only a matter of time. The irony of all of this activity among the legacies is that WN maintains a relatively high degree of freedom for their WGA fares, which can be canceled and credit preserved regardless of your status up to 10 mins before departure while also giving you two free bags and a virtually guaranteed aisle or window seat if you manage your check in process appropriately. Perhaps that will change in the future, but for now, WN is going to become both the most affordable and most flexible airline on the west coast.
Apr 23, 18, 12:58 pm
#11
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Northern Calif./Eastern Ida.
Programs: Flying whoever is most convenient
Posts: 18,884
Originally Posted by ORDPSC
Just read this in the Seattle Times ..... "Alaska will begin charging extra for exit row seats and eliminate fee waivers for itinerary changes made more than 60 days ahead of travel" any one have any more details?
AS is doing just about everything they can to push traffic to WN today it seems.
Apr 23, 18, 12:59 pm
#12
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Seattle WA, USA
Programs: Hilton Diamond, Marriott LT Plat, AS Lounge
Posts: 3,467
https://www.seattletimes.com/busines...rgin-on-track/
Thanks. Depending on how things are implemented it might make sense for my better half and me (I? me doesn't sound right but I think it's correct) to try to renew MVPG instead settling for MVP this year.
Thanks. Depending on how things are implemented it might make sense for my better half and me (I? me doesn't sound right but I think it's correct) to try to renew MVPG instead settling for MVP this year.
Apr 23, 18, 1:02 pm
#13
Join Date: May 2014
Location: OGG, HI
Programs: UA MMGold, AS MVPG75K, Hawaiian Plat, BA Gold, DL Plat, Hyatt Disc, Hilton Gld, Marriott Ambassador
Posts: 33
So we know no upgrades, or changes and you sit in the back. Question - What miles will these fares earn and any elite bonuses?
