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
#46
Join Date: Sep 2001
Programs: Alaska Tanzanite 100K
Posts: 3,858
#47
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: SEA
Programs: Hilton/Marriott Gold, Accor Silver
Posts: 2,036
In my experience with DL, it's highly dependent on route. It's only $15 per direction on SEA-LAX, but it's $30 for both SEA-SAN and SEA-BOS.
#48
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: San Diego, CA
Programs: GE, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 15,507
If there was only more competition in the airline industry, we'd see lower upcharges on way more routes. (At least for SEA-SAN, it's basically only AS and DL flying that route plus a single early morning WN departure.)
#49
Suspended
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: DCA
Programs: UA US CO AA DL FL
Posts: 50,262
Do you think that any of the now defunct carriers sold because it seemed fun?
Last edited by Often1; Sep 26, 2018 at 6:25 pm
#50
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: British Columbia
Programs: AS MVPG100K, Marriott Marriott Titanium Elite, Hilton Gold
Posts: 7,263
The original fare, soon to be called a basic economy fare, still works for many who don't utilize all the benefits it came with. For many, that is fine, for the rest, accept it as a price increase. I have no concerns for me personally. I never purchase the cheapest fare. I purchase the fare that gives me the best value. There in lies the difference.
James
#51
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: British Columbia
Programs: AS MVPG100K, Marriott Marriott Titanium Elite, Hilton Gold
Posts: 7,263
James
#52
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: BOS/ORH
Programs: AS 75K
Posts: 18,323
Its already revenue based for those that combine partners due to cheapest fares earning small percent (or even no percent). It may not be a specified dollar amount but it's the same thing. Even worse on AS, many of the partners its both reduced EQM & RDM while other programs only reduce the RDM. Basic will likely be the next test of reduced earnings on AS bookings. Once that goes smooth, expect all fare buckets to get cut.
#53
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: San Diego, CA
Programs: GE, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 15,507
Never said they were.
#54
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: British Columbia
Programs: AS MVPG100K, Marriott Marriott Titanium Elite, Hilton Gold
Posts: 7,263
Its already revenue based for those that combine partners due to cheapest fares earning small percent (or even no percent). It may not be a specified dollar amount but it's the same thing. Even worse on AS, many of the partners its both reduced EQM & RDM while other programs only reduce the RDM. Basic will likely be the next test of reduced earnings on AS bookings. Once that goes smooth, expect all fare buckets to get cut.
I also agree partner earnings on economy tickets are poor on some but good on others and often the upfare for a 100% eligible EQM fare is small. I am in Tokyo today after finishing a 30,404 mile RTW mileage run, 96% earned 100% EQM. Only one N fare on KE earned 50% on a ICN-HKG segment.
I am flying NRT-MEL-SYD on QF tonight 100% EQM and SYD-NAN-LAX on FJ Sunday, again 100% EQM LAX-SEA-YLW on Monday on complimentary upgrades. SYD-NAN-LAX return was $693.00 for a fare earning 100% EQM. As long as I have the flexibility to optimize my EQM when Flying for Fun and there is no EQD component to MP I will continue to do so. Right now, I can choose to support or not support a partner (looking at you SQ) and do so accordingly.
BA has offered an excellent F sale from LAX-JNB/CPT for January travel (southern hemisphere summertime) in the $6.5K range. With no status you could earn MVPG for almost 2 years and earn 88K RDM, significantly more if you already have status.
Remember, the cheapest fare is not necessarily the best value.
James
Last edited by Flying for Fun; Sep 20, 2018 at 11:00 pm
#55
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Salem, OR
Programs: Alaska MVP Gold75k, WN A-List, AA, FI, DY, UA, Marriott Lifetime Silver, Hilton Diamond, Amtrak
Posts: 129
If I don't get the free chocolate and alcohol on a BE fare, I can live with that. If I have to sit in the middle seat as an elite, I'm not sure if I can live with it. Perhaps I can live sometimes. But, don't take away my free change benefit as an AS Gold. Otherwise, why am I flying you Alaska instead of Southwest? And, I get free drink tickets from Southwest too. And no middle seat on Southwest as an A-Lister. I guess Alaska has to decide who their competitors are. Is it JetBlue and Southwest or the Big 3? Maybe Alaska has determined that they don't have many small business travelers so they don't care if they lose them.
#56
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: SEA, but up and down the coast a lot
Programs: Oceanic Airlines Gold Elite
Posts: 20,389
Its already revenue based for those that combine partners due to cheapest fares earning small percent (or even no percent). It may not be a specified dollar amount but it's the same thing. Even worse on AS, many of the partners its both reduced EQM & RDM while other programs only reduce the RDM. Basic will likely be the next test of reduced earnings on AS bookings. Once that goes smooth, expect all fare buckets to get cut.
That one set of flights would represent a significant increase in what I spend on ALL airfare per year, and would be about what I spend on AS over multiple years. I wouldn't find much value in doubling what I spend every year just to retain AS status, though I am sure AS would find value in it.
#57
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: British Columbia
Programs: AS MVPG100K, Marriott Marriott Titanium Elite, Hilton Gold
Posts: 7,263
That one set of flights would represent a significant increase in what I spend on ALL airfare per year, and would be about what I spend on AS over multiple years. I wouldn't find much value in doubling what I spend every year just to retain AS status, though I am sure AS would find value in it.
I guess alternatively you could do 8 round trips between LAX & BOS and 88 hours flying in a metal tube for about $2800 for MVPG for ONE year and enough RDM for an award ONE-WAY NA-South Africa. Do you value that similarly?
I can respect that it doesn't hold value for you but as a consequence of that, suggesting it has NO value to anyone other than AS is, "what is the word you like to use?, oh yes!" risible.
The nature of these threads should be sharing facts, experiences & encouraging debate. If there is an error, ommision or a discrepancy in my analysis, please by all means point it out. I'll be the first to acknowledge I made a mistake.
James
Last edited by dayone; Sep 26, 2018 at 6:49 pm Reason: Redact personal and off-topic comments.
#58
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: SEA
Programs: Hilton/Marriott Gold, Accor Silver
Posts: 2,036
You may not find value in that for yourself personally but you are not everyone. Since it would give you Gold Status for a few weeks short of TWO years, it wouldn't be doubling what you spend each year, would it? As an MVPG75K the flight would generate 127K redeemable miles, enough for a round trip CX J back to CPT. I have friends there and visit at least once a year. Pay January in year X, fly on award in year X+1. Pay in year X+2... Two round trips NA to South Africa once in F, once in J for $3250 each with Status for two years seems like a good value to me.
I guess alternatively you could do 8 round trips between LAX & BOS and 88 hours flying in a metal tube for about $2800 for MVPG for ONE year and enough RDM for an award ONE-WAY NA-South Africa. Do you value that similarly?
I can respect that it doesn't hold value for you but as a consequence of that, suggesting it has NO value to anyone other than AS is, "what is the word you like to use?, oh yes!" risible.
The nature of these threads should be sharing facts, experiences & encouraging debate. If there is an error, ommision or a discrepancy in my analysis, please by all means point it out. I'll be the first to acknowledge I made a mistake.
James
I guess alternatively you could do 8 round trips between LAX & BOS and 88 hours flying in a metal tube for about $2800 for MVPG for ONE year and enough RDM for an award ONE-WAY NA-South Africa. Do you value that similarly?
I can respect that it doesn't hold value for you but as a consequence of that, suggesting it has NO value to anyone other than AS is, "what is the word you like to use?, oh yes!" risible.
The nature of these threads should be sharing facts, experiences & encouraging debate. If there is an error, ommision or a discrepancy in my analysis, please by all means point it out. I'll be the first to acknowledge I made a mistake.
James
Last edited by jinglish; Sep 26, 2018 at 7:44 pm
#59
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: British Columbia
Programs: AS MVPG100K, Marriott Marriott Titanium Elite, Hilton Gold
Posts: 7,263
Maximizing EQM/RDM while minimizing the outlay is a hobby for me. Optimizing AS flights with GGUs and companion certificates further enhances that. As I am always Flying for Fun and can make a vacation out of flying alone I will continue to do that where I earn a mile for a mile.
I just returned on Monday from completing a revenue mileage run from ICN-NRT all on AS partners by crossing 4 continents and both oceans. I flew 8 segments, 3Y, 5J, 30,404 miles earning 34K EQM and 92K RDM with CC spend all for $2175.
At some point, if time is constrained or I don't find as much Fun in Flying, the aforementioned itinerary would be a viable alternative to hold status. $6500 is about 20% of my annual leisure travel spend.
James