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
#288
Join Date: Dec 2017
Posts: 221
#289
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: SEA
Programs: AS G100K, DL PM, IHG Gold, HHonors Diamond
Posts: 843
Yes, but I am looking at the extra expense of paying up over 75,000 miles instead of 40,000. 54 segments x $30/segment comes to $1600 extra. I spend between 5K-6K a year on AS, so this represents a 30% increase. I have always been able to find a MR coming in at either <.05/EQM or <.02/RDM. And no, I won't do a TCON turn in coach thank you very much. I always looked for these fares across the AS network during their slow periods, times when they should be happy putting a butt in the seats and generating cashflow. Apparently this is no longer the case.
I think a lot of us here on FT would go out of our way to fly Alaska (often already at additional expense) for the FF benefits that accrued, even though we all know the service levels in many cases do not measure up to other airlines' offerings. In my case, I have about 40K/year where AS has been reasonably competitive on fares. Another 20K/year where they are not but I chose to fly them anyway because the ancillary benefits were worth it. Then it made sense to do 3MR TCONS to get me to 75K. With their new fare structure that is no longer the case.
To cite a current example: PDX-DEN. Alaska would charge me $102 - $150 and have me change planes in Seattle. Frontier will fly me nonstop for $49. Yes I know it is Frontier. Yes I know that IRROPS means I could be messed up. Because of the former value proposition, I would take Alaska and pay the extra $$ for a 1st class seat + the EQM/RDM (Like most of you, I use the RDM on Int'l Biz/1st).
Now, with the new value proposition, I did the math and decided it was easier and cheaper to just get to MVPG, be a free agent after that, and just buy miles at .02/RDM if/when I need them. I will fly less going forward, and generate less goodwill for AS (mainly from family/friends using the 8 GGUs -- now just 4, and most likely those will be for me).
I think a lot of us here on FT would go out of our way to fly Alaska (often already at additional expense) for the FF benefits that accrued, even though we all know the service levels in many cases do not measure up to other airlines' offerings. In my case, I have about 40K/year where AS has been reasonably competitive on fares. Another 20K/year where they are not but I chose to fly them anyway because the ancillary benefits were worth it. Then it made sense to do 3MR TCONS to get me to 75K. With their new fare structure that is no longer the case.
To cite a current example: PDX-DEN. Alaska would charge me $102 - $150 and have me change planes in Seattle. Frontier will fly me nonstop for $49. Yes I know it is Frontier. Yes I know that IRROPS means I could be messed up. Because of the former value proposition, I would take Alaska and pay the extra $$ for a 1st class seat + the EQM/RDM (Like most of you, I use the RDM on Int'l Biz/1st).
Now, with the new value proposition, I did the math and decided it was easier and cheaper to just get to MVPG, be a free agent after that, and just buy miles at .02/RDM if/when I need them. I will fly less going forward, and generate less goodwill for AS (mainly from family/friends using the 8 GGUs -- now just 4, and most likely those will be for me).
#290
Join Date: Aug 2012
Posts: 6,727
Well, not that I'm thrilled with the devaluation, but, to be fair, AS, unlike the other 3, allows elite boarding on their saver fares (unsure of the checked bag elite benefit), which may be considered "generous" under the current environment. On short flights, so long as I can board with my bin space assured, I could live without the F upgrade, PDBs, or whatever food served.
PS - If that's the case, why not go with WN with the added flexibility, all things being equal? In my view, this will test AS intestinal fortitude if they lose significant market share to WN, especially in the CA market.
PS - If that's the case, why not go with WN with the added flexibility, all things being equal? In my view, this will test AS intestinal fortitude if they lose significant market share to WN, especially in the CA market.
#291
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Pacific Northwest
Programs: UA Gold 1MM, AS 75k, AA Plat, Bonvoyed Gold, Honors Dia, Hyatt Explorer, IHG Plat, ...
Posts: 16,632
https://www.united.com/web/en-US/con...c-economy.aspx
"With Basic Economy, you'll also be in the last boarding group unless you're a MileagePlus Premier member or companion traveling on the same reservation, the primary cardmember of a qualifying MileagePlus credit card or a Star Alliance Gold member."
(no personal experience; I have not bought any BE/Saver fares on any carrier. This does illustrate, however, the confusion that these BE fares are likely creating... especially if the rules differ from airline to airline).
#292
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Pacific Northwest
Programs: UA Gold 1MM, AS 75k, AA Plat, Bonvoyed Gold, Honors Dia, Hyatt Explorer, IHG Plat, ...
Posts: 16,632
#293
Join Date: Nov 2006
Programs: Marriott Platinum, Hilton Diamond, IHG Platinum
Posts: 3,650
I'm seeing this - same price AS (X) and HA (regular Y) from mainland to OGG. Which would you guys pick - AS X or HA Y? I'm leaning towards AS for the mileage earning, assuming everything else is similar. I have no status on HA and no interest in their miles.
#294
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: Seattle
Programs: AS
Posts: 2,292
i am thinking of leisure traveler with family in this instance.
#295
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: SEA
Programs: Hilton/Marriott Gold, Accor Silver
Posts: 2,036
I don't know about AA and DL (too lazy to look, too), but on UA elites get their regular boarding group according to:
https://www.united.com/web/en-US/con...c-economy.aspx
"With Basic Economy, you'll also be in the last boarding group unless you're a MileagePlus Premier member or companion traveling on the same reservation, the primary cardmember of a qualifying MileagePlus credit card or a Star Alliance Gold member."
(no personal experience; I have not bought any BE/Saver fares on any carrier. This does illustrate, however, the confusion that these BE fares are likely creating... especially if the rules differ from airline to airline).
https://www.united.com/web/en-US/con...c-economy.aspx
"With Basic Economy, you'll also be in the last boarding group unless you're a MileagePlus Premier member or companion traveling on the same reservation, the primary cardmember of a qualifying MileagePlus credit card or a Star Alliance Gold member."
(no personal experience; I have not bought any BE/Saver fares on any carrier. This does illustrate, however, the confusion that these BE fares are likely creating... especially if the rules differ from airline to airline).
#296
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Pacific Northwest
Programs: UA Gold 1MM, AS 75k, AA Plat, Bonvoyed Gold, Honors Dia, Hyatt Explorer, IHG Plat, ...
Posts: 16,632
Single traveler or family with kids? Are you able to select "decent" coach seats on your AS flight?
#297
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: SEA
Programs: AS G100K, DL PM, IHG Gold, HHonors Diamond
Posts: 843
Agreed totally. The only way they would backtrack on their policy is if they see a noticeable drop in bookings and revenue. This Holiday season will show whether the $30 increase across the board on main cabin fare will affect their bottom line. I guess it will depend on whether the general public's acceptance of paying the X fare will more than compensate a few elite high-spending flyers booking their year end tickets somewhere else. I have a feeling that a few of us at the FT forum won't stop the downward spiral trend, and we will all be screwed by this, and will pay more from now on......
#298
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: BLI
Programs: Alaska Million Mile Flyer, Marriott Lifetime Titanium Elite
Posts: 3,191
Perhaps patience is warranted
One possibility that I'm entertaining: AS bulk loaded all the new Saver fares with the intent of making adjustments over time for specific routes and dates.
Giveaways are the near-rigid consistency in dollar amount buy-up to a Main fare that's been reported here, and the fact that Saver fares in many/most cases equate to the lowest-available Main fare in the past.
I would not be surprised if, in the weeks to come, there are market-specific adjustments that roll out sequentially.
This situation reminds me of how, if you want mileage redemption exactly when flights become available roughly 11 months out, you usually can only find the highest redemption levels. But if you wait a few days or a week, lower redemptions suddenly become available. This may not be analogous, but there is almost too much consistency for the new Saver fares to stick across the board the way they've been introduced. IMHO.
Giveaways are the near-rigid consistency in dollar amount buy-up to a Main fare that's been reported here, and the fact that Saver fares in many/most cases equate to the lowest-available Main fare in the past.
I would not be surprised if, in the weeks to come, there are market-specific adjustments that roll out sequentially.
This situation reminds me of how, if you want mileage redemption exactly when flights become available roughly 11 months out, you usually can only find the highest redemption levels. But if you wait a few days or a week, lower redemptions suddenly become available. This may not be analogous, but there is almost too much consistency for the new Saver fares to stick across the board the way they've been introduced. IMHO.
#299
Join Date: Aug 2012
Posts: 6,727
#300
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Pacific Northwest
Programs: UA Gold 1MM, AS 75k, AA Plat, Bonvoyed Gold, Honors Dia, Hyatt Explorer, IHG Plat, ...
Posts: 16,632
Perhaps we have to thank the affiliate credit cards that promised early/preferred boarding in exchange for an annual fee for this “benefit”. (and of course there would be riots if elite travelers who don’t have a card were put in group 37).