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
Dec 7, 2018, 11:54 pm
#421
Moderator: Southwest Airlines, Capital One
Join Date: Sep 1999
Location: California
Programs: WN Companion Pass, A-list preferred, Hyatt Globalist; United Club Lietime (sic) Member
Posts: 21,625
I just helped a family member and companion buy Saver Fares to Hawaii. The family member has the Alaska Visa and we used the companion ticket for a mostly free second ticket. With the Visa card, they each get a free bag. As non-elites with firm travel plans, the Saver Fare restrictions cost them almost nothing. Three rows of windows and aisles were available near the back. Main Fare seats were no better, merely closer to the front. Priority boarding isn't a big deal on a leisure flight, where overhead bins are less likely to be full.
I have Gold Guest upgrades which they can't use now, but there's no way even one of those, let alone two, will become available on Hawaii flights to non-elites once they are gone. I bought the tickets with my Chase Sapphire Reserve card in order to have Trip Cancellation and Trip Interruption protection.
Saver Fares are a large step down from Main for top elites, but only a small step down for non-elites.
I have Gold Guest upgrades which they can't use now, but there's no way even one of those, let alone two, will become available on Hawaii flights to non-elites once they are gone. I bought the tickets with my Chase Sapphire Reserve card in order to have Trip Cancellation and Trip Interruption protection.
Saver Fares are a large step down from Main for top elites, but only a small step down for non-elites.
Dec 8, 2018, 1:51 am
#422
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 23,066
How many corps buy tickets well in advance where the additional expense is that large? I doubt there is many. Our Concur includes alternatives like NK and WN, but they are not considered "Preferred" airlines and we don't have to book them. The flights ordered by non-stop and preferred airlines and the preferred are just the big three legacies which all have BE fares now (which are filtered out).
Dec 8, 2018, 8:56 am
#424
Moderator: Southwest Airlines, Capital One
Join Date: Sep 1999
Location: California
Programs: WN Companion Pass, A-list preferred, Hyatt Globalist; United Club Lietime (sic) Member
Posts: 21,625
Dec 8, 2018, 9:31 am
#425
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: 16,857
Dec 8, 2018, 10:10 am
#427
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: SEA
Programs: AS MVP , Delta Gold Medallion, "Credit Card" status for various hotels
Posts: 672
Or in some cases, a surcharge for almost nothing. Looking at PVR to SEA on 3/13, paying an extra $32 as an MVP doesn’t provide an exit row seat because it’s an Airbus seating configuration. Getting an upgrade to even premium class seems less likely than being struck by lightning. Even the elite seats in the front are selected, with the exception of a few middle seats. Yet, there are still seats in the back available to select for a saver fare. So, as an MVP, the only reason to pay up to main cabin is for the added flexibility.
I ended up booking the DL flight, which saved $96 and included a more reasonable $15 buy up from saver to main. I realize that booking away from AS on this trip may be the reason I don’t make MVP in 2020. But, given what little MVP benefits are left, along with a new surcharge in place to utilize them, I just don’t see the point of paying more to retain status on Alaska anymore.
I ended up booking the DL flight, which saved $96 and included a more reasonable $15 buy up from saver to main. I realize that booking away from AS on this trip may be the reason I don’t make MVP in 2020. But, given what little MVP benefits are left, along with a new surcharge in place to utilize them, I just don’t see the point of paying more to retain status on Alaska anymore.
Dec 8, 2018, 11:00 am
#428
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: 16,857
Elite benefits for those interested in paying a surcharge? 
That is kind of what I am going to do going forward, I think. Buy what I want/need and pay no more. Want PC? Sure, I will pay. Don’t expect to need flexibility? Don’t pay for it. And certainly don’t pay AS higher fares because I may need the EQM. #FreeAgentFTW
Yes. MVP has very little appeal to me. No worth spending time tracking and planning for. We’ll keep ourcredit cards because it is at worst cost neutral (AF covered by companion fare discount), so we will have free checked bags if needed. We can afford to buy PC when it matters, or buy exit row out from elites’ butts.
That is kind of what I am going to do going forward, I think. Buy what I want/need and pay no more. Want PC? Sure, I will pay. Don’t expect to need flexibility? Don’t pay for it. And certainly don’t pay AS higher fares because I may need the EQM. #FreeAgentFTW
I ended up booking the DL flight, which saved $96 and included a more reasonable $15 buy up from saver to main. I realize that booking away from AS on this trip may be the reason I don’t make MVP in 2020. But, given what little MVP benefits are left, along with a new surcharge in place to utilize them, I just don’t see the point of paying more to retain status on Alaska anymore.
Last edited by notquiteaff; Dec 8, 2018 at 11:07 am
Dec 8, 2018, 11:15 am
#429
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: 21,375
willing to bet these aren't X fares
clicking on WAS-SEA brings up travel dates of 2-9 Jan, and Saver isn't even offered (moreover, the lowest-priced flights on those dates come out to $448)
incidentally, on 23 Jan the X-->Main buyup is only $10 (IAD-SEA and BWI-LAX-SEA)
clicking on WAS-SEA brings up travel dates of 2-9 Jan, and Saver isn't even offered (moreover, the lowest-priced flights on those dates come out to $448)
incidentally, on 23 Jan the X-->Main buyup is only $10 (IAD-SEA and BWI-LAX-SEA)
Dec 12, 2018, 2:51 pm
#430
Moderator: Southwest Airlines, Capital One
Join Date: Sep 1999
Location: California
Programs: WN Companion Pass, A-list preferred, Hyatt Globalist; United Club Lietime (sic) Member
Posts: 21,625
Saver fares disappeared today from the OAK-OGG route I've been watching. At the top of the home page in yellow is the notice "Looks like we are experiencing a temporary technical issue. We are aware of the issue and are actively looking into it."
Edited to add: The fare listed on the date ribbon is the Saver fare, but the Saver column is absent from the fare matrix.
I wonder whether Alaska is tweaking its Saver pricing tactics on Hawaii routes.
Edited to add: The fare listed on the date ribbon is the Saver fare, but the Saver column is absent from the fare matrix.
I wonder whether Alaska is tweaking its Saver pricing tactics on Hawaii routes.
Last edited by nsx; Dec 12, 2018 at 2:59 pm
Dec 15, 2018, 9:38 pm
#431
Join Date: Sep 2008
Programs: A3 *G, AA exePlat, AS MVP 75k Gold, JL sapphire, UA silver
Posts: 4,035
dont even know why. booked 30k miles on AS on R class in Jan Feb...
flying almost every weekend...
originally only booked 3 trips (including MLK and President day long weekend) and another trip for personal reason.
expedia app 100 off means i booked 3 more round trip jfk sea for 156 usd in R class. oh well.
flying almost every weekend...
originally only booked 3 trips (including MLK and President day long weekend) and another trip for personal reason.
expedia app 100 off means i booked 3 more round trip jfk sea for 156 usd in R class. oh well.
At least it errors out once adding to the cart