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
Jan 21, 2019, 6:55 pm
#573
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Seattle
Programs: AS MVPG, Alaska Lounge, HHonors Silver, Bonvoy Gold, National Executive
Posts: 455
Yesterday waiting for my flight back from MCO, I did witness the GA tell a number of people with Saver Fares that they could not move around, or be seated together due to the restrictions on their fares. It certainly seems like they've been told to tow the line.
Jan 22, 2019, 7:50 am
#574
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Seattle WA
Programs: AS 100K, Marriott LT Platinum
Posts: 1,828
Maybe there have been and I just missed them...?
Jan 22, 2019, 8:25 am
#575
Join Date: May 2013
Location: SEA
Programs: AS MVP Gold 100K
Posts: 2,030
I don't think we will see that since AS was pretty much last to the saver party.
Jan 29, 2019, 4:48 pm
#576
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: MFR
Programs: Alaska MVP, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 714
Just booked my first AS Saver trip. As usual, I selected seats in row 30 (A, C, D, F) on the SEA-ATL red-eye. Those seats in the middle (30B and 30E) are the absolute last on the plane that anyone would choose, but now it occurs to me that Saver is going to assign someone to those seats at check-in.
Does basic economy mean the end of empty middle seats at the very back of the plane?
Does basic economy mean the end of empty middle seats at the very back of the plane?
Jan 29, 2019, 5:01 pm
#577
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 10,904
I think that AS is hoping that it means the end of all empty seats 
I don't think that it will necessarily pick the "worst" possible seats to assign to people. You get last pick, but it's not going to put you in 30B if 20C is available (I don't think it will?)
Also I find that the middle seats are often not last to go. Many people travel as couples and will pick two adjacent seats (which include a middle)
I don't think that it will necessarily pick the "worst" possible seats to assign to people. You get last pick, but it's not going to put you in 30B if 20C is available (I don't think it will?)
Also I find that the middle seats are often not last to go. Many people travel as couples and will pick two adjacent seats (which include a middle)
Jan 29, 2019, 9:51 pm
#579
Join Date: Jul 2018
Location: sometimes, strangely, I find myself at home
Programs: I need to do better in managing my affiliations. Oops, I overshot the runway for status next year.
Posts: 651
Haha. I agree.
In Nov and Dec, I saw transcon flights fill up in last few days.
And this past week, 2 out of 3 flights between SFO<->LAX. had reseating weight balance issues because not enough seats sold.
By now, Alaska should be getting trend data about the x-fares.
Jan 29, 2019, 11:22 pm
#580
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: 21,373
Jan 29, 2019, 11:40 pm
#582
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 132
By the way, just flown AS X class. You can still check your luggage for free if you have Alaska Visa Card.
Seat is OK. just need to be packed at the back. Drink Service comes last, but still a pleasant one. Boarding as group C.
I would say if you are flying same day/1 to 2 day trip, it's OK
Seat is OK. just need to be packed at the back. Drink Service comes last, but still a pleasant one. Boarding as group C.
I would say if you are flying same day/1 to 2 day trip, it's OK
Jan 30, 2019, 12:04 am
#584
Join Date: Dec 2017
Posts: 223
Before BE, on many routes picking an E+ aisle or window would almost always lead to an empty middle seat next to you. After BE was introduced, despite all of my flights being in E+, I don't think I had a single flight where the middle seat was empty -- and in most cases, it seemed like the person sitting next to me was someone in BE who got assigned to an E+ middle at the gate or at check-in.
One of the many reasons I started flying AS more than UA -- we'll see if a similar story unfolds on AS.