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 22, 2018, 8:56 am
#256
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: SEA (the REAL Washington); occasionally in the other Washington (DCA area)
Programs: DL PM 1.57MM; AS MVPG 100K
Posts: 21,371
'Miles and Money' booking
for yet another unanticipated consequence ... the "Lowest Coach" option on the Miles and Money dropdown now returns Saver (X) fares, and of course there's STILL no way to select any Main Cabin option besides "Refundable Coach"
Nov 22, 2018, 9:40 am
#257
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: SEA, but up and down the coast a lot
Programs: Oceanic Airlines Gold Elite
Posts: 20,391
Wow, that’s some garbage. Even Delta doesn’t do that.
Nov 22, 2018, 10:12 am
#258
Join Date: Jan 2013
Programs: AS MVPG, WN A-List
Posts: 102
This must be an IT mistake. The FAQ says saver fares aren’t even eligible to be booked with miles & money.
Nov 22, 2018, 10:49 am
#259
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: SEA (the REAL Washington); occasionally in the other Washington (DCA area)
Programs: DL PM 1.57MM; AS MVPG 100K
Posts: 21,371
Nov 22, 2018, 10:54 am
#260
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: Pacific Wonderland
Programs: ʙᴏɴᴠo̱ʏ Au, IHG Au, HH Dia, Nexus, Pilot FlyingJ Preferred
Posts: 5,336
Nov 22, 2018, 10:57 am
#261
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Seattle, WA
Programs: AS MVPG, 1MM
Posts: 377
Can I use a Money and Miles award to book a Saver fare?
No, you cannot use the Money and Miles award with a Saver fare.Looking at the above screen shot, there must be a mistake somewhere
Nov 22, 2018, 1:02 pm
#263
Join Date: May 2013
Posts: 3,361
Nov 23, 2018, 11:40 am
#265
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Pacific Northwest
Programs: UA Gold 1MM, AS 75k, AA Plat, Bonvoyed Gold, Honors Dia, Hyatt Explorer, IHG Plat, ...
Posts: 16,848
I just checked some routes I fly. $30 Main cabin surcharge on a Q400 flight to avoid the Saver fare... for 20-ish minutes in the air with no upgrade option anyway. Nice, AS. That is essentially a 30% fare increase.
Nov 23, 2018, 12:06 pm
#266
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: Pacific Wonderland
Programs: ʙᴏɴᴠo̱ʏ Au, IHG Au, HH Dia, Nexus, Pilot FlyingJ Preferred
Posts: 5,336
What kills me is AS designates the seats at the back of the Q (Rows 16-20) as Saver, just like the rest of the their fleet. Totally clueless. Saver purchasing pax can deplane almost immediately, sit in some of the best seats on the plane, sometimes get an extra drink round in 20A/B &19D/E, & still have a la Carte which eliminates much of the overhead bin contention of boarding last. Row 10-14 would have been better Saver seats if they want to use those as
Nov 23, 2018, 2:10 pm
#267
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Pacific Northwest
Programs: UA Gold 1MM, AS 75k, AA Plat, Bonvoyed Gold, Honors Dia, Hyatt Explorer, IHG Plat, ...
Posts: 16,848
And if my wife found out that a saver fare would keep her out of 1A (I try to get 1B for my legs), she would probably be very happy, so I am keeping quiet about that
I think I have made up my mind. In 2019 I will burn down our significant MP balances while having MVPG/MVP status. All revenue travel will shift to free agent model. AS elite status (beyond BofA card benefits - we have three among us) is no longer a goal.
Nov 23, 2018, 3:02 pm
#268
Join Date: Aug 2012
Posts: 6,752
Initial impression is, like AA/DL/UA, a watering down of elite benefits, which is stating the obvious here. Just as with AA, AS has essentially charging "X" amount for the prior year's earned elite benefits. As per usual, they do what they do, and consumers do what they do. Short term CA flights, will opt for WN for the same price, and request a match on their A-List. ZERO motivation to book a saver fare, if WN is the same on short routes.
Only value, in my estimation, is the 100% bonus miles on int'l flights with partner airlines for potential premium class redemptions. Once they water this down, it's time to be a 100% free agent. Even then, at this point, may be just easier and more efficient to buy miles on sale.
Only value, in my estimation, is the 100% bonus miles on int'l flights with partner airlines for potential premium class redemptions. Once they water this down, it's time to be a 100% free agent. Even then, at this point, may be just easier and more efficient to buy miles on sale.
Nov 23, 2018, 4:21 pm
#269
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 10,904
Initial impression is, like AA/DL/UA, a watering down of elite benefits, which is stating the obvious here. Just as with AA, AS has essentially charging "X" amount for the prior year's earned elite benefits. As per usual, they do what they do, and consumers do what they do. Short term CA flights, will opt for WN for the same price, and request a match on their A-List. ZERO motivation to book a saver fare, if WN is the same on short routes.
Only value, in my estimation, is the 100% bonus miles on int'l flights with partner airlines for potential premium class redemptions. Once they water this down, it's time to be a 100% free agent. Even then, at this point, may be just easier and more efficient to buy miles on sale.
Only value, in my estimation, is the 100% bonus miles on int'l flights with partner airlines for potential premium class redemptions. Once they water this down, it's time to be a 100% free agent. Even then, at this point, may be just easier and more efficient to buy miles on sale.
But... as soon-to-be MVPG... what are my options? I could status match to UA... but they have basic economy too. And if I fly on UA after my status match I'm going to get 2400 miles for that $300 round trip. 1920 miles if I get a $240 round trip. With AS I'm going to get 10,000+ miles. With everyone pointing out that you can just buy the miles for 2c each... that's $200 worth of miles, on a $300 fare. It's still looking like a better deal than UA...
The other option is JetBlue. If I was doing the "free agent" route, that would be the obvious choice: better product; same price as AS saver fare. I could even pay more and get a real premium experience in Mint. But if I can get the round trip on AS for the cost of miles that I'll earn + $100, and still select a premium seat and check a bag for free... that's hard to say no to.
If AS has a serious miles devaluation (either for redemptions or earning), it will be difficult to keep flying them. Until then, the mileage earning will probably make me suck it up and keep giving them my business.
Nov 23, 2018, 4:32 pm
#270
Join Date: Aug 2012
Posts: 6,752
I don't disagree with any of this. But here's why I'll probably (grudgingly) stick with AS. The "saver" SFO-NYC fare is $119. Main is $149. So I'm going to pay $60 (round trip) to use my elite benefits. That bothers me a fair bit -- elite benefits are "earned" and supposed to be free.
Absent of transcon, I can't see where AS will win out over WN, all things being equal.
Last edited by dayone; Nov 23, 2018 at 5:50 pm Reason: Fix quote syntax.