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 cant 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
#227
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 10,904
There are non-middle seats but they are all in the back. You can just go through the booking process (don't actually pay) to see them.
On the afore-mentioned HNL flight, rows 28-32 (window, middle, and aisle) are marked as saver.
They premium seat selection is $119 from X, and $99 from main, and the difference between saver and main is $20. So it's the same price as getting main and picking as premium seat... but, you are still bound by all the saver restrictions (it's still an X fare, despite being the same price as booking G and picking the same seat). So, not a good idea.
On the afore-mentioned HNL flight, rows 28-32 (window, middle, and aisle) are marked as saver.
They premium seat selection is $119 from X, and $99 from main, and the difference between saver and main is $20. So it's the same price as getting main and picking as premium seat... but, you are still bound by all the saver restrictions (it's still an X fare, despite being the same price as booking G and picking the same seat). So, not a good idea.
#228
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: SEA
Programs: AS MVP , Delta Gold Medallion, "Credit Card" status for various hotels
Posts: 671
There are non-middle seats but they are all in the back. You can just go through the booking process (don't actually pay) to see them.
On the afore-mentioned HNL flight, rows 28-32 (window, middle, and aisle) are marked as saver.
They premium seat selection is $119 from X, and $99 from main, and the difference between saver and main is $20. So it's the same price as getting main and picking as premium seat... but, you are still bound by all the saver restrictions (it's still an X fare, despite being the same price as booking G and picking the same seat). So, not a good idea.
On the afore-mentioned HNL flight, rows 28-32 (window, middle, and aisle) are marked as saver.
They premium seat selection is $119 from X, and $99 from main, and the difference between saver and main is $20. So it's the same price as getting main and picking as premium seat... but, you are still bound by all the saver restrictions (it's still an X fare, despite being the same price as booking G and picking the same seat). So, not a good idea.
I also noticed saver being sold on SEA-SNA and SEA-ONT; Im sure there are other routes too.
#229
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 10,904
This really isn't that bad for non elites, especially for short flights. You can pick an aisle or window seat. Bring a carry on and volunteer it for gate checking. Or, if you have the credit card, check the bag for free. You end up sitting slightly further back than you otherwise would have, but not that much further, since most of the front seats are premium or elite-only anyway.
Basically it's a $20/flight charge to use your elite benefits.
Basically it's a $20/flight charge to use your elite benefits.
#230
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: SFO
Programs: AS MVP Gold / Marriott Bonvoy(age) Titanium Elite, IHG Platinum, WN A+/CP, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 337
The proliferation of the Saver fares happened overnight....i now see them on SFO >> LAX in January. Very tough to see this get rolled out especially since there is a big up-charge now between X and R class.
SFO >> LAX - $30 one-way (49 versus 79)
LAX >> SFO - $30 one-way (75 versus 105)
SFO>>MCI - same $30 add for Main fares.....
SO essentially its $60 add r/t to use your benefits for AS.....WN is matching the saver fare levels in this time with WGA fare class.
So if i cant get into F class....why am i flying AS instead of WN?
SFO >> LAX - $30 one-way (49 versus 79)
LAX >> SFO - $30 one-way (75 versus 105)
SFO>>MCI - same $30 add for Main fares.....
SO essentially its $60 add r/t to use your benefits for AS.....WN is matching the saver fare levels in this time with WGA fare class.
So if i cant get into F class....why am i flying AS instead of WN?
#231
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: 21,585
The proliferation of the Saver fares happened overnight....i now see them on SFO >> LAX in January. Very tough to see this get rolled out especially since there is a big up-charge now between X and R class.
SFO >> LAX - $30 one-way (49 versus 79)
LAX >> SFO - $30 one-way (75 versus 105)
SFO>>MCI - same $30 add for Main fares.....
SO essentially its $60 add r/t to use your benefits for AS.....WN is matching the saver fare levels in this time with WGA fare class.
So if i cant get into F class....why am i flying AS instead of WN?
SFO >> LAX - $30 one-way (49 versus 79)
LAX >> SFO - $30 one-way (75 versus 105)
SFO>>MCI - same $30 add for Main fares.....
SO essentially its $60 add r/t to use your benefits for AS.....WN is matching the saver fare levels in this time with WGA fare class.
So if i cant get into F class....why am i flying AS instead of WN?
Saver fares at the very same price as the non-saver fares I bought a couple months ago are a pricing scam. But even if this move backfires, Alaska will need many months to realize it and reverse course. Management is flailing to recoup some of the money spent overpaying for VX.
#232
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Berkeley, CA
Programs: UA Silver, Southwest A-List, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 818
Somewhat consistent with United on the cheaper fare. A bit annoying that they won't back off on the higher fare though. Regardless, reinforced the plan to switch to WN on short haul. Can't help but wonder in WN will raise their fares to be $5-10 more than basic/saver on these intra-CA flights.
#233
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Berkeley, CA
Programs: UA Silver, Southwest A-List, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 818
#234
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: Seattle, WA
Programs: Alaska 100K - MM, defender of shoes on the carpeted bulkhead 4ever, AA LT PLT, Hyatt Glob, HH Dia
Posts: 7,432
For someone who flies back and forth via BWI 10-20 rts a year to go from a base fare of 129 (knowing that an UG on a Sunday -Thursday is never going to happen) to 159 adds sixty dollars to each ticket, so 600 to 1200 dollars per year. That's not chump change when you are paying out of pocket.
I see that saver fare doesn't apply to some of the IAD flights, they are still at the main cabin for 129. I'm not sure for those commuting anywhere other than Northern Virginia catchment area or rent cars, that is always a practical solution. BWI's not perfect, but if they marc is running, you can get from the plane to union station in an hour and that isn't too bad.
Not sure I want to run into the arms of SW, but somewhat (no very) displeased.
Also, I think the GGU fares are also up about 30 bucks a head. If its available on the westbound leg, I'll still buy as I do detest that journey home.
I see that saver fare doesn't apply to some of the IAD flights, they are still at the main cabin for 129. I'm not sure for those commuting anywhere other than Northern Virginia catchment area or rent cars, that is always a practical solution. BWI's not perfect, but if they marc is running, you can get from the plane to union station in an hour and that isn't too bad.
Not sure I want to run into the arms of SW, but somewhat (no very) displeased.
Also, I think the GGU fares are also up about 30 bucks a head. If its available on the westbound leg, I'll still buy as I do detest that journey home.
#235
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: SEA
Programs: HH Silver
Posts: 2,400
How do they decide which cities have saver fares? I guess it is going to change all the time? SEA-PSP for $79 is a pretty good deal that I have not seen in a long time. I notice also that there are saver awards, although I cannot find any that are active. I rarely use the overhead, do not care about same day change, and can deal with whatever seat they assign me, so I think I will be fine with the saver fares. Will see with time I guess.
#237
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: SEA
Programs: Hilton/Marriott Gold, Accor Silver
Posts: 2,036
#238
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2001
Programs: DL 1 million, AA 1 mil, HH lapsed Diamond, Marriott Plat
Posts: 28,190
#239
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 10,904
You can bring a carry on. I believe that the only airline that still doesn't let you do that on a basic economy fare is United. You may have to end up gate-checking.
You can pick a seat too, including window or aisle. It has to be near the back of the plane though.
If you don't have status, basic economy is a pretty good deal. Most of the good seats required you to be elite to pick anyway, so you are not losing much.
If you do have status, the benefits that they advertise that you get for "free" now cost you $20-$30 per segment to use. In other words, it's a scam, against their best customers. I'm curious to see how it plays out. It's kind of a big gamble. Once they lose a customer to an airline with a better network and better product, it's hard to see them getting that customer back. The main benefit of AS if their frequent flyer program, and that value is taking a big hit right now.
do not care about same day change, and can deal with whatever seat they assign me, so I think I will be fine with the saver fares. Will see with time I guess.
If you don't have status, basic economy is a pretty good deal. Most of the good seats required you to be elite to pick anyway, so you are not losing much.
If you do have status, the benefits that they advertise that you get for "free" now cost you $20-$30 per segment to use. In other words, it's a scam, against their best customers. I'm curious to see how it plays out. It's kind of a big gamble. Once they lose a customer to an airline with a better network and better product, it's hard to see them getting that customer back. The main benefit of AS if their frequent flyer program, and that value is taking a big hit right now.
#240
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 22,925
The proliferation of the Saver fares happened overnight....i now see them on SFO >> LAX in January. Very tough to see this get rolled out especially since there is a big up-charge now between X and R class.
SFO >> LAX - $30 one-way (49 versus 79)
LAX >> SFO - $30 one-way (75 versus 105)
SFO>>MCI - same $30 add for Main fares.....
SO essentially its $60 add r/t to use your benefits for AS.....WN is matching the saver fare levels in this time with WGA fare class.
So if i cant get into F class....why am i flying AS instead of WN?
SFO >> LAX - $30 one-way (49 versus 79)
LAX >> SFO - $30 one-way (75 versus 105)
SFO>>MCI - same $30 add for Main fares.....
SO essentially its $60 add r/t to use your benefits for AS.....WN is matching the saver fare levels in this time with WGA fare class.
So if i cant get into F class....why am i flying AS instead of WN?
AA -- $10 each way
UA -- $13 each way
DL -- $15 each way
AS -- $30 each way
DL fare difference tends to be $30 each way out of established markets like MSP, DTW, ATL, etc. while it is less out of more competitive markets like SEA, LAX, BOS where it is generally $15 each way. On some BOS routes, like BOS-FLL, it doesn't even have BE fares.