Nov 27, 2018, 7:54 am
Last edit by: NoLaGent
How are Saver fares different?
Saver fares do include some restrictions on booking, refunds, changes, and seat selection.
These restrictions include:
Elite status benefits you do get when you buy a Saver Fare:
* Priority check-in
* Priority boarding group
* Baggage fee waiver
* Express security line at select airports (for MVPG+)
* Refreshments (alcoholic drink or chocolate for MVPG+)
* Complimentary inflight entertainment player - available on coast-to-coast and Hawaii flights (for MVPG75k, while they last)
* Bonus miles (by elite level)
Elite status benefits you don't get when you buy a Saver Fare:
* Access to preferred seating (certain seats behind Premium Class or in the exit rows)
* First Class upgrades, when available
* Premium Class upgrades, when available
* Waived change fees for MVPG+
* Complimentary same-day standby/flight changes for MVPG+
Full info here: https://www.alaskaair.com/content/tr...perience/saver
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.
Elite status benefits you do get when you buy a Saver Fare:
* Priority check-in
* Priority boarding group
* Baggage fee waiver
* Express security line at select airports (for MVPG+)
* Refreshments (alcoholic drink or chocolate for MVPG+)
* Complimentary inflight entertainment player - available on coast-to-coast and Hawaii flights (for MVPG75k, while they last)
* Bonus miles (by elite level)
Elite status benefits you don't get when you buy a Saver Fare:
* Access to preferred seating (certain seats behind Premium Class or in the exit rows)
* First Class upgrades, when available
* Premium Class upgrades, when available
* Waived change fees for MVPG+
* Complimentary same-day standby/flight changes for MVPG+
Full info here: https://www.alaskaair.com/content/tr...perience/saver
Details/Discussion of Saver (Basic Economy) "X" Fares
Nov 15, 2018, 10:22 am
#196
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Seattle WA
Programs: AS 100K, Marriott LT Platinum
Posts: 1,828
Saver fares are live...
https://crankyflier.com/2018/11/15/a...three-markets/
The buy ups are currently $15/$25/$30 each way on short/medium/long haul.
Of course there's lots of weirdness on the website when you try to go book it, including misaligned and poorly formatted pop-ups. On the initial seat map it's not clear what seats are and aren't available for Saver. Then, when you can select seats, they are more clearly indicated but it won't let you buy up out of Saver to a regular coach seat. However it will sell you a Premium Class seat -- for $6 more than if you bought out of Saver and selected Premium -- AND you're still stuck un-changeable and un-upgradeable to F.
The buy ups are currently $15/$25/$30 each way on short/medium/long haul.
Of course there's lots of weirdness on the website when you try to go book it, including misaligned and poorly formatted pop-ups. On the initial seat map it's not clear what seats are and aren't available for Saver. Then, when you can select seats, they are more clearly indicated but it won't let you buy up out of Saver to a regular coach seat. However it will sell you a Premium Class seat -- for $6 more than if you bought out of Saver and selected Premium -- AND you're still stuck un-changeable and un-upgradeable to F.
Nov 15, 2018, 10:22 am
#197
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: Pacific Wonderland
Programs: ʙᴏɴᴠo̱ʏ Au, IHG Au, HH Dia, Nexus, Pilot FlyingJ Preferred
Posts: 5,336
Noticed that the AS earnings chart has been updated with X added to the 100% RDM/EQM category. Good to see confirmation that there isn’t reduced earnings (at this time).
Nov 15, 2018, 11:29 am
#198
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: BOS/ORH
Programs: AS 75K
Posts: 18,323
I looked at a sample BWI-SAN. logged out of account as general member, Saver is $30 less and wants $89 for buy up to premium seat. Seats in the back are marked as saver and if you click on a normal seat it offers the ability go back and search for a new flight. The non saver fare has premium is $69 extra but the saver seats in back just appear as normal seats
Nov 15, 2018, 11:29 am
#199
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: Seattle, WA
Programs: Alaska Airlines
Posts: 659
Somehow I doubt the buy ups are set in stone at that rate 
They're probably just testing the waters, and we'll probably see the gap get bigger.
Or maybe this will be just enough to get them to come up as a lower or more competitive fare on 3rd party flight search tools and d
They're probably just testing the waters, and we'll probably see the gap get bigger.
Or maybe this will be just enough to get them to come up as a lower or more competitive fare on 3rd party flight search tools and d
Nov 15, 2018, 11:53 am
#202
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: SEA, but up and down the coast a lot
Programs: Oceanic Airlines Gold Elite
Posts: 20,395
Nov 15, 2018, 12:04 pm
#204
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Northern California
Programs: I want to be free! Free!
Posts: 3,455
Nov 15, 2018, 12:06 pm
#205
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: SEA, but up and down the coast a lot
Programs: Oceanic Airlines Gold Elite
Posts: 20,395
Yep.
SAN-SLC is $79 on 12/12/19 (saver fare) and 1/9/19 (main fare). The fare is $15 higher for Main on 12/12.
Exactly. You just pay more to get what you got before, or pay the same and get less. Once everyone saw how much Ryanair, Allegiant and Spirit make on add-ons the die was cast.
Nov 15, 2018, 12:34 pm
#206
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Seattle WA
Programs: AS 100K, Marriott LT Platinum
Posts: 1,828
That is the kind of customer-unfriendly territory inhabited by the likes of Comcast and Wells Fargo...
Nov 15, 2018, 12:42 pm
#209
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: British Columbia
Programs: AS MVPG100K, Marriott Marriott Titanium Elite, Hilton Gold
Posts: 7,263
James.
