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Originally Posted by CDKing
(Post 30366178)
I'm planning ahead already. I'm not going for 75K again next year. I'm way too far off (think almost 2 RT to SYD). In case they give me a challenge to get 75K back, I'm planning that trip now just in case to hopefully lock in Premium seats and not a basic fare. Now that I go searching was the challenge capped at MVPG 8 segments? *edit* never mind it was 20K miles in a few months as of early 2018 reports. just no reports of whether the 50k bonus came with it.
James |
Originally Posted by milypan
(Post 30364167)
It depends on how sophisticated the average traveler is. From AS’s perspective, they’ve been forced to match BE fares for the last year because the average traveler isn’t smart enough to understand that the non-BE fare offers a better value that’s worth paying more for. If people were flocking to AS because it offered non-BE amenities at BE prices, then they might have a problem, but I’m sure their sense is that that hasn’t been happening. I’m a little puzzled at the doom and gloom surrounding BE introduction. In the long run, the non-BE premium has not proven to be that high at other airlines. For example, if I search for cheap UA transcon fares in early December, I see RT SFO-EWR fares of $253 for BE and $273 for regular economy. I’d prefer not to pay the extra 20 bucks, but it’s not going to induce me to stop traveling or shift all my travel to a different carrier. One way to look at it is that they’re targeting $100m revenue growth on a base of 50 million revenue passengers. They won’t offer a BE option on every ticket sold, but even if they only offer it on 1 in 3, the implicit non-BE premium is about $7-8 per ticket (assuming most flyers don’t purchase BE). DL is also quite aggressive on buy-ups: I had the option to buy up to F for $100 on a mileage ticket LAX-SEA. You earn miles on those, too. |
Looking at comparable flights to ones that I have coming up(mostly sea to was and nyc), it looks like the buy up out of basic economy is $20-$30. If that is the case, I will pay it and I imagine most elites will too. I spend too many hours of my life on a plane to have it be that unpleasant. However, I am not rich and already spend way too much money on plane tickets, so if the total cost that I pay keeps rising, I will probably chose to fly less. For my particular situation, I don’t really see another carrier offering anything better. If I did I would switch, but I just don’t see it in the current situation. That of course is a huge YMMV. As a 75k, I have way more to lose in basic economy than someone with no status. I might buy basic economy on a carrier that I don’t have status with figuring I’ll be sitting at the back of the plane anyway but probably not on Alaska. As it stands now, I can chose premium class at booking, I am usually upgraded to first class and my change fees are waived. All those things are worth $30 to me. If any of that changes, I will keep revaluating.
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Originally Posted by Flying for Fun
(Post 30367671)
Is that on AS metal only? If partners are allowed I found a good LA fare to SA with AS flights to the gateway city, unlimited transfers and fully refundable/changeable. I was able to price with 8 AS flights including a transcon in H class. Eligible fare for 75K. ~USD$709 each way. ~10K EQM.
James |
Originally Posted by CDKing
(Post 30369448)
Yep AS metal only. I wish I'm doing EWR-SIN premium economy on SQ in January.
Long flight EWR-SIN on SQ22. I want to do it in Reverse in J. Great J fare starting in AMD. JL award to Deli. The only thing holding me back is no COS in SQ J, almost 2500 EQM. James |
Originally Posted by wwongo
(Post 30369235)
Looking at comparable flights to ones that I have coming up(mostly sea to was and nyc), it looks like the buy up out of basic economy is $20-$30. If that is the case, I will pay it and I imagine most elites will too. I spend too many hours of my life on a plane to have it be that unpleasant. However, I am not rich and already spend way too much money on plane tickets, so if the total cost that I pay keeps rising, I will probably chose to fly less. For my particular situation, I don’t really see another carrier offering anything better. If I did I would switch, but I just don’t see it in the current situation. That of course is a huge YMMV. As a 75k, I have way more to lose in basic economy than someone with no status. I might buy basic economy on a carrier that I don’t have status with figuring I’ll be sitting at the back of the plane anyway but probably not on Alaska. As it stands now, I can chose premium class at booking, I am usually upgraded to first class and my change fees are waived. All those things are worth $30 to me. If any of that changes, I will keep revaluating.
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It will come down to bargain shopping or just staying home. For instance, in the summertime between ANC and SEA, which airline is the cheapest and which flight is the most conveniently timed?
I used to be be encouraged to take weekend trips because I could buy the cheapest fare on AS, board first, sit in 6F at worst, have a free drink, and maybe score an upgrade... all because of my loyalty over the previous year. It felt nice. It was incentive to buy a cheap ticket even though I didn't have to. Now it's just a cheap ticket with a crappy seat. And for me, there is a big difference between 300 RT with perks and 400 RT with perks. Maybe another airline will have a better offer, or maybe I will stay home. |
Originally Posted by isaac.chambers
(Post 30369985)
You can always look at Southwest.....no change fees, bags for free and points you can use anytime.....and they empower thier CSAs to do the right thing....
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Originally Posted by be_rettSEA
(Post 30342791)
This link (a guide to saver fares for travel agents) was posted in an 75K facebook group I follow and describes a lot of the benefits (or lack of) that the saver fares will have:
https://www.alaskaair.com/content/tr...es/saver-fares It sounds like it won't necessarily be it's own distinct fare class from the description (so you could potentially buy a non-saver R fare or a saver Y fare, for example), but in summary:
https://crankyflier.com/2018/10/30/a...t-assignments/ apparently the seat selection is initially not available through 3rd party channels, but *is* available through AS’ website. With a limited number of seats set aside in the back for saver fare purchasers. |
They’re going to offer Saver on last minute Y fares? That’s a (expletive deleted) show waiting to happen. Even UA figured that one out. |
Interesting... if seat selection is available for elites or when purchasing directly through AS then it might not be so bad using these fares for flights I know will not change & I dont care about getting upgraded.
Still want to know what the price difference is going to look like to pay for my benefits. |
Originally Posted by nearlysober
(Post 30374130)
Interesting... if seat selection is available for elites or when purchasing directly through AS then it might not be so bad using these fares for flights I know will not change & I dont care about getting upgraded.
Still want to know what the price difference is going to look like to pay for my benefits. |
Originally Posted by wwongo
(Post 30370353)
Southwest schedule just doesn't work for me. The biggest bulk of my travel is visiting my elderly mother and aunt in northern Virginia from Seattle. I go for the weekend about every 6 weeks. I need a Friday afternoon direct flight and then back on Sunday evening. IAD is favored with DCA ok too. Southwest only has one direct a day and it is to BWI. I also go to new York a few times a year and then vacation trips to various places. United would work for me but so far mileage plan is still tipping my choice to AS.
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Originally Posted by be_rettSEA
(Post 30374176)
Just an FYI that my initial post (since been quoted a few times, including above) did contain some mis-information. Elites will be assigned a seat at check-in, not be able to select at booking, unfortunately. :(
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Originally Posted by eponymous_coward
(Post 30372943)
They’re going to offer Saver on last minute Y fares? That’s a (expletive deleted) show waiting to happen. Even UA figured that one out. Whether it zeros out along with G or with B is anyone's guess at this point. But who knows, maybe they haven't learned any lessons from watching anyone else and it will be along with Y after all. Good thing my tickets to The (expletive deleted) Show come with assigned seating! ;) |
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