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 26, 2018, 2:34 pm
#331
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Near SEA
Programs: UA MM, AS MVPG75K, Marriott Lifetime Gold
Posts: 7,969
Nov 26, 2018, 3:13 pm
#332
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Berkeley, CA
Programs: UA Silver, Southwest A-List, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 818
(Not trying to be sarcastic. I really want to get into understanding the corporate aspect. If there are any travel managers on here, I'd really like to know what the cutoffs are.)
Nov 26, 2018, 3:15 pm
#333
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Near SEA
Programs: UA MM, AS MVPG75K, Marriott Lifetime Gold
Posts: 7,969
It's been a while since I have done corporate travel with Concur, but why should AS Saver Fares be excluded? You have the potential to choose a non-middle seat if you are booking in advance (and presumably if you are doing a last minute booking, there is no X fare). You can bring a carry on. You even earn miles. Yeah, you may end up with the case where you can't assign a seat, but that's no different than AA on some level. I guess from those who do more business travel, what would compel a company (not the actual flyer per se) to exclude Saver fares the same way they have been with Basic Economy on the Big 3 (except if your company has an elite status or upgrade clause, which I don't have experience with)?
(Not trying to be sarcastic. I really want to get into understanding the corporate aspect. If there are any travel managers on here, I'd really like to know what the cutoffs are.)
(Not trying to be sarcastic. I really want to get into understanding the corporate aspect. If there are any travel managers on here, I'd really like to know what the cutoffs are.)
It *all* comes down to the flexibility and changeability, even with fees for non-MVPG+ fliers.
Nov 26, 2018, 3:28 pm
#334
Join Date: Aug 2013
Programs: AS MVP Gold
Posts: 80
To nitpick: if you'd like to receive MVPG status benefits, yes, you need to pay $1260 more a year. But if all you want is to maintain your status (without reaping its benefits), the marginal cost is $0 per year. Saver fares still earn 100% EQM. (This is more generous than United, where Basic Economy earns 0% EQM.)
Nov 26, 2018, 3:30 pm
#335
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Berkeley, CA
Programs: UA Silver, Southwest A-List, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 818
Good point! I forgot about that one. Here in CA, some gov't departments are required to book Anytime Fares on WN or refundable fare on others. So I could see that being another exclusion in some cases, where the company will consider the potential for changes and cancellation. Thanks!
Nov 26, 2018, 3:34 pm
#336
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: SFO
Programs: AS, UA, WN, IHG Diamond Elite, Hyatt Globalist, Hilton Gold, CET 7*
Posts: 3,293
It's been a while since I have done corporate travel with Concur, but why should AS Saver Fares be excluded? You have the potential to choose a non-middle seat if you are booking in advance (and presumably if you are doing a last minute booking, there is no X fare). You can bring a carry on. You even earn miles. Yeah, you may end up with the case where you can't assign a seat, but that's no different than AA on some level. I guess from those who do more business travel, what would compel a company (not the actual flyer per se) to exclude Saver fares the same way they have been with Basic Economy on the Big 3 (except if your company has an elite status or upgrade clause, which I don't have experience with)?
(Not trying to be sarcastic. I really want to get into understanding the corporate aspect. If there are any travel managers on here, I'd really like to know what the cutoffs are.)
(Not trying to be sarcastic. I really want to get into understanding the corporate aspect. If there are any travel managers on here, I'd really like to know what the cutoffs are.)
Really easy answer... if my work books a $300 fare for me to fly to Los Angeles and we have to change the travel by a day due to meetings, they'd much rather pay-up to $360rt and be non-saver than have to throw away the entire trip and book a new one.
It *all* comes down to the flexibility and changeability, even with fees for non-MVPG+ fliers.
It *all* comes down to the flexibility and changeability, even with fees for non-MVPG+ fliers.
None whatsoever, it's a Pay to Play model.
Nov 26, 2018, 4:20 pm
#337
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Seattle, WA
Programs: AS MVPG, 1MM
Posts: 377
Well, not completely true. Sure, no upgrades but you get to board before most on your elite status thereby knowing you will have plenty of carry on space, you still get a "free" drink in the back of the bus based on your elite status. Yes, i get this is not important to many, but you do get "some" benefits based on your elite status.
Nov 26, 2018, 4:28 pm
#338
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Snohomish, WA
Programs: AS MVP Gold, HHonors Diamond
Posts: 2,793
Nov 26, 2018, 4:37 pm
#339
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: US West Coast
Programs: Alaska 100K, Hyatt Gl, Marriott Ti/LTP
Posts: 353
As an elite Mileage Plan member, what benefits do I receive on a Saver fare?
You may board according to your status. Baggage fees are still waived according to your status, and you’ll receive the same refreshments and inflight entertainment. Existing elite bonuses apply.
You may board according to your status. Baggage fees are still waived according to your status, and you’ll receive the same refreshments and inflight entertainment. Existing elite bonuses apply.
Nov 26, 2018, 4:37 pm
#340
Join Date: Aug 2012
Posts: 6,752
Well, on the bright side, perhaps this will increase the probability of an upgrade for those who do pay more for the Main fares. I suppose, wouldn't mind having a better chance for a transcon upgrade, but I'd imagine most would just pay the extra $30 on these routes.
Nov 26, 2018, 4:55 pm
#341
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Near SEA
Programs: UA MM, AS MVPG75K, Marriott Lifetime Gold
Posts: 7,969
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+
Nov 26, 2018, 5:03 pm
#342
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: Seattle, WA
Programs: Alaska 100K - MM, defender of shoes on the carpeted bulkhead 4ever, AA LT PLT, Hyatt Glob, HH Dia
Posts: 7,441
Sigh... such a misunderstanding of the new system.
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+
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+
My question is - what happens if it is an empty flight - can you request a better seat at the gate? Are they going to deny a MM or 75K an exit row or a seat closer to the front if there is one available? That seems sort of churlish, but my guess is, no.
Also, does this mean that I can't refund a saver fare in case I decide I can't fly that day? does that money not go back into my wallet as a 75K?
Nov 26, 2018, 5:05 pm
#343
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Near SEA
Programs: UA MM, AS MVPG75K, Marriott Lifetime Gold
Posts: 7,969
Correct. ZERO refunds after 24h.
Nov 26, 2018, 5:14 pm
#344
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: 16,822
Nov 26, 2018, 5:21 pm
#345
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Near SEA
Programs: UA MM, AS MVPG75K, Marriott Lifetime Gold
Posts: 7,969