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 11, 2019, 1:24 pm
#871
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: The Internet
Programs: Alaska Mileage Plan
Posts: 714
If you don't have status, the only other disadvantage is that saver seats are completely non-changeable and non-refundable. Regular fares allow same day change (for a fee) and changes to another date or refunds (for a fee that may exceed the cost of the ticket, depending upon the fare).
Nov 11, 2019, 1:43 pm
#872
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2017
Programs: AS 75K, DL Silver, UA Platinum, Hilton Gold, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Platinum + LT Gold
Posts: 10,501
If you don't have status, the only other disadvantage is that saver seats are completely non-changeable and non-refundable. Regular fares allow same day change (for a fee) and changes to another date or refunds (for a fee that may exceed the cost of the ticket, depending upon the fare).
Nov 11, 2019, 2:17 pm
#873
Join Date: Aug 2018
Programs: AA Exec Plat, Bonvoy Platinum, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 621
I just looked up this flight and for AS 628 on November 16 it's only $10 more to get a regular Main Cabin fare. It really doesn't seem worth $10 to have any risk at all of getting stuck in a middle seat for a flight of that length, plus foregoing the possibility of so much as getting into Premium on a flight of that length.
Nov 11, 2019, 5:21 pm
#874
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2017
Programs: AS 75K, DL Silver, UA Platinum, Hilton Gold, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Platinum + LT Gold
Posts: 10,501
I just looked up this flight and for AS 628 on November 16 it's only $10 more to get a regular Main Cabin fare. It really doesn't seem worth $10 to have any risk at all of getting stuck in a middle seat for a flight of that length, plus foregoing the possibility of so much as getting into Premium on a flight of that length.
Edit: it looks like the timestamp of my other post was November 9; however, I was in a different time zone. Apologies for the day/time confusion. Thanks for the help.
Last edited by Repooc17; Nov 11, 2019 at 5:47 pm
Dec 13, 2019, 5:13 pm
#877
Join Date: May 2003
Location: SFO, mostly
Posts: 2,204
So, my question is, does Alaska “punish” you the way AA and BA do, auto-assigning a middle seat during OLCI when booking Saver even when aisles or windows are still available? Or will the system still assign you to your preferred seat preference (if available)? Or can I actually choose my seat during OLCI if there are still unallocated non-premium seats?
Dec 13, 2019, 5:14 pm
#878
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Near SEA
Programs: UA MM, AS MVPG75K, Marriott Lifetime Gold
Posts: 7,969
@bmvaughn is this just a OW? Or do you have an X already in this itinerary? I see other options.
Dec 23, 2019, 11:09 am
#880
Join Date: Apr 2017
Programs: AS 100k, DL PM, New Sagaya
Posts: 1,291
I am sort of loathe to use X fares. But my family of 4 is making a run to LA and the savings is 25% off and there are open seats available so I know we can sit with the kids. I am MVPG and spouse is MVP. But we are not really interested in upgrades away from kids. Is there really any benefit to Main aside from back of the bus? (Its a little over 2 hours so no big deal.) I will just check bags and board with MVPG and call it good I assume.
Dec 23, 2019, 12:34 pm
#881
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: LAX
Programs: AS MVPG, IHG Diamond Elite
Posts: 1,445
I am sort of loathe to use X fares. But my family of 4 is making a run to LA and the savings is 25% off and there are open seats available so I know we can sit with the kids. I am MVPG and spouse is MVP. But we are not really interested in upgrades away from kids. Is there really any benefit to Main aside from back of the bus? (Its a little over 2 hours so no big deal.) I will just check bags and board with MVPG and call it good I assume.
Dec 23, 2019, 1:09 pm
#882
Join Date: Apr 2017
Programs: AS 100k, DL PM, New Sagaya
Posts: 1,291
Sounds like you're mostly fine w/ the drawbacks of saver fares vs price in this instance. Only thing to keep in mind for saver fares you didn't mention: they are non-changeable, non-refundable even for MVPG pax. So if there's a chance your plans might change, I'd book the Main (realizing you'd have to pay $125 change fees for wife/kids). If you're pretty certain these flights will work, Saver is prob fine.
Dec 24, 2019, 8:42 am
#883
Join Date: May 2012
Posts: 470
I have an upcoming saver itinerary. In the past, I have been always able to reserve seats for Saver at the time of booking, but it looks like they have reduced the number of rows available for pre-select in the 739 compared to my last trip (I used to be able to select rows 28-34, but now it looks like they have limited it to 30-34).
So, my question is, does Alaska “punish” you the way AA and BA do, auto-assigning a middle seat during OLCI when booking Saver even when aisles or windows are still available? Or will the system still assign you to your preferred seat preference (if available)? Or can I actually choose my seat during OLCI if there are still unallocated non-premium seats?
So, my question is, does Alaska “punish” you the way AA and BA do, auto-assigning a middle seat during OLCI when booking Saver even when aisles or windows are still available? Or will the system still assign you to your preferred seat preference (if available)? Or can I actually choose my seat during OLCI if there are still unallocated non-premium seats?
I am usually booking 5 tix, so buying up to main would add up quickly.
Dec 24, 2019, 9:17 am
#884
Join Date: May 2003
Location: SFO, mostly
Posts: 2,204
I have booked saver a lot with parties of more than one and not selected seats at booking. Only once were we assigned seats that were not together. I have small children so I am guessing that makes a difference but even on a trip with just my wife and I we were assigned exit row seats together at the gate. I flew saver recently by myself however and was assigned a middle in row 31 even though the plane was 1/3 empty and there were plenty of open windows. Luckily there was no one in 31F so I just sat there.
I am usually booking 5 tix, so buying up to main would add up quickly.
I am usually booking 5 tix, so buying up to main would add up quickly.
Edit to add that on my return trip, I was auto-assigned a window, which is what I wanted. And the middle next to me stayed open, which was even better.
Last edited by sltlyamusd; Jan 2, 2020 at 5:14 am
Dec 24, 2019, 6:07 pm
#885
Join Date: Dec 2017
Posts: 490
Might have been noted up thread, but just noticed a main cabin fare actually priced for $5 less than saver fare. I thought that was odd. Is that common? Funny that someone might pay more to get less! Probably just a fare bucket distribution/ timing thing