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
Feb 26, 2019, 4:22 pm
#692
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 10,904
This thread could possibly be moved to the ongoing Saver discussion thread, however if you have status (MVP, Gold, etc.) you board with your status. If you do not have status then you will be the last to board and if it is like most of the recent full flights that I have been on, they most likely will gate check your roller. That being said, I have seen FAs heroically try to help passengers find some way to get bags into the overhead bins. Good luck.
If you don't mind being 20 rows behind your bag you can just put it in the first spot you see on the way back to your seat.
Feb 26, 2019, 4:31 pm
#693
Join Date: Apr 2017
Programs: AS 100k, DL PM, New Sagaya
Posts: 1,291
Actually... if you have a crappy seat at the back of the plane (even in Saver) you will board in C, which gives you access to the overhead bins before the non-status people on main fares who got better seats near the front of the plane (they board in D).
If you don't mind being 20 rows behind your bag you can just put it in the first spot you see on the way back to your seat.
If you don't mind being 20 rows behind your bag you can just put it in the first spot you see on the way back to your seat.
https://www.alaskaair.com/content/travel-info/flight-experience/our-boarding-process
Feb 26, 2019, 5:19 pm
#694
Join Date: May 2015
Posts: 95
yea alaska says that basic saver fares will board in group E, which means i'll be last to board. i havent flown with alaska in a few months, looking at an afternoon departure out of LAX to NY, have your alaska flights been absolutely full? the last couple flights i've had on virgin/alaska, i've seen a few seats open but it was a few months ago =(
Feb 26, 2019, 6:21 pm
#695
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 10,904
I have a friend who regularly flies saver and she has always been in C or D depending on which half of the plane she was sitting in. This happened as recently as this past weekend (she also got seated in premium economy on one of her saver legs -- that time she boarded in B)
I have never flown Saver either so I can only base my knowledge on what happens to other people. Maybe this is something that they are in the process of rolling out (the linked page was only updated with the E information 3 weeks ago)
I have never flown Saver either so I can only base my knowledge on what happens to other people. Maybe this is something that they are in the process of rolling out (the linked page was only updated with the E information 3 weeks ago)
Feb 28, 2019, 6:47 am
#696
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: SEA
Programs: HH Silver
Posts: 2,400
Another unintended consequence of these fares, at least I think it is unintended, is that package prices on Expedia and other Ota's have gone up. Example, I used to be able to book a last minute package, and the pricing would be as low as the lowest prices offered 30 days out. Now the lowest price is the lowest MAIN fare, meaning about $60 higher for a package price than it used to be.
I used to jump on these about once a month for a quick weekend getaway. Not so much now, I do not have an additional $60 a month throw away spending at the moment.
I used to jump on these about once a month for a quick weekend getaway. Not so much now, I do not have an additional $60 a month throw away spending at the moment.
Feb 28, 2019, 11:53 am
#697
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
Another unintended consequence of these fares, at least I think it is unintended, is that package prices on Expedia and other Ota's have gone up. Example, I used to be able to book a last minute package, and the pricing would be as low as the lowest prices offered 30 days out. Now the lowest price is the lowest MAIN fare, meaning about $60 higher for a package price than it used to be.
I used to jump on these about once a month for a quick weekend getaway. Not so much now, I do not have an additional $60 a month throw away spending at the moment.
I used to jump on these about once a month for a quick weekend getaway. Not so much now, I do not have an additional $60 a month throw away spending at the moment.
Feb 28, 2019, 1:02 pm
#698
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: SEA
Programs: HH Silver
Posts: 2,400
If you had to travel last minute, you could pick a package through expedia, or Alaskaair, and the price of airfare was not jacked up like it is if you buy flights only. It is still less expensive, but now more than it used to be.
Mostly Las Vegas is where I find the lower prices, but sometimes PSP, ONT, LAX, SAN, etc.
Mostly Las Vegas is where I find the lower prices, but sometimes PSP, ONT, LAX, SAN, etc.
Mar 2, 2019, 7:37 pm
#699
Join Date: May 2018
Posts: 88
Heads up, these fares might make you ineligible for trip cancellation insurance as they're not cancelable, and most insurance claims require you to provide proof that you canceled the tickets. Called and spoke with agent who said the only option was to wait until after the trip and ask for proof of a noshow.
Mar 3, 2019, 2:40 pm
#700
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 10,904
Heads up, these fares might make you ineligible for trip cancellation insurance as they're not cancelable, and most insurance claims require you to provide proof that you canceled the tickets. Called and spoke with agent who said the only option was to wait until after the trip and ask for proof of a noshow.
Mar 3, 2019, 8:01 pm
#702
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 10,904
Also, you'd think that they would want to be able to free up the inventory so they can re-sell it.
Mar 3, 2019, 9:26 pm
#703
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: USA
Programs: AS MVPG75k
Posts: 330
What? Really? That doesn't make sense. What if you need to buy another ticket to go somewhere else at the same time? Their system will not ticket an overlapping reservation until the old one is canceled (I've run into this before).
Also, you'd think that they would want to be able to free up the inventory so they can re-sell it.
Also, you'd think that they would want to be able to free up the inventory so they can re-sell it.
"no refunds for the new X fares? Great! Then we don't have to code a separate cancellation system for 100% forfeiting ticket value."
Mar 3, 2019, 10:45 pm
#704
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: British Columbia
Programs: AS MVPG100K, Marriott Marriott Titanium Elite, Hilton Gold
Posts: 7,263
James at the St. Regis Bora Boral
Mar 3, 2019, 11:04 pm
#705
Join Date: Apr 2017
Programs: AS 100k, DL PM, New Sagaya
Posts: 1,291