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
Mar 11, 2019, 10:12 am
#721
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: San Francisco
Programs: UA MM Plat, UA 1MM, Hilton Lifetime Gold, Marriott Gold, Hertz Gold, CLEAR, AS MVP Gold
Posts: 3,614
The up charge still makes it cheaper than UA E+ (usually) and for a much better product (JMHO). I was just on a AS flight and I had to book a saver fare as everything else was sold out. I was begging to upgrade out of my middle seat at check in and at the gate but no go, sold out flight. I will still say it wasn't horrible it is just a choice point for me.
Mar 11, 2019, 3:47 pm
#722
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: SFO
Programs: OZ Diamond/*G, IHG Diamond Amb, Hilton Gold
Posts: 2,239
Well I don't usually fly AS and assumed it would be like DL where you just pick any available seat at T-24. I just thought it was jarring that they couldn't give me an open window 15 minutes before boarding at the gate (I ended up sitting in said window seat once onboard and no one complained).
Mar 11, 2019, 4:24 pm
#723
Join Date: Dec 2018
Location: Seattle
Programs: Alaska airlines 100k
Posts: 923
+1
The up charge still makes it cheaper than UA E+ (usually) and for a much better product (JMHO). I was just on a AS flight and I had to book a saver fare as everything else was sold out. I was begging to upgrade out of my middle seat at check in and at the gate but no go, sold out flight. I will still say it wasn't horrible it is just a choice point for me.
The up charge still makes it cheaper than UA E+ (usually) and for a much better product (JMHO). I was just on a AS flight and I had to book a saver fare as everything else was sold out. I was begging to upgrade out of my middle seat at check in and at the gate but no go, sold out flight. I will still say it wasn't horrible it is just a choice point for me.
Agree that this is a choice point for me as well. Can I inquire how does it come to a point only basic economy fair remains? I just assumed they sold those first (and presumed bought up first)
Mar 11, 2019, 4:40 pm
#724
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 10,904
A particular saver (X) fare has an underlying code (say, for example, T) In order to buy a ticket on an X fare with underlying code T, there needs to be both T and X availability. Even if there is no valid published fare for T (due to advance purchase requirements) all the economy fare classes higher than T would have availability, including Y, where there are unrestricted (expensive!) fares available
It's possible that the website is not displaying it for some reason, but you could book it though a travel agent. A phone agent may be able to book it as well.
Mar 11, 2019, 5:32 pm
#725
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: USA
Programs: AS MVPG75k
Posts: 330
I don't think that it's possible that only saver is available.
A particular saver (X) fare has an underlying code (say, for example, T) In order to buy a ticket on an X fare with underlying code T, there needs to be both T and X availability. Even if there is no valid published fare for T (due to advance purchase requirements) all the economy fare classes higher than T would have availability, including Y, where there are unrestricted (expensive!) fares available
It's possible that the website is not displaying it for some reason, but you could book it though a travel agent. A phone agent may be able to book it as well.
A particular saver (X) fare has an underlying code (say, for example, T) In order to buy a ticket on an X fare with underlying code T, there needs to be both T and X availability. Even if there is no valid published fare for T (due to advance purchase requirements) all the economy fare classes higher than T would have availability, including Y, where there are unrestricted (expensive!) fares available
It's possible that the website is not displaying it for some reason, but you could book it though a travel agent. A phone agent may be able to book it as well.
The system is still screwy sometimes with X. There's also the reverse problem where X is sometimes more expensive than Y. It shouldn't be, but that's AS tech for you.
Mar 11, 2019, 5:39 pm
#726
Join Date: Dec 2018
Location: Seattle
Programs: Alaska airlines 100k
Posts: 923
I agree, it shouldn't be possible, but I've run into only X before on last minutes flights (less than T48. In order to get around that, I booked with AS points and got a regular seat (and then an F upgrade with 75k status).
The system is still screwy sometimes with X. There's also the reverse problem where X is sometimes more expensive than Y. It shouldn't be, but that's AS tech for you.
The system is still screwy sometimes with X. There's also the reverse problem where X is sometimes more expensive than Y. It shouldn't be, but that's AS tech for you.
good to know and need for diligence with last minute or short notice flying needs. I would be Upset to say the least as a last minute business traveler having to sit in a not sold out flight and needing to negotiate my own in flight seating arrangements on full fare.
This is why I tell spouse that we need at all times at least 180k miles for last minute funny stuff for 3 travelers.
Mar 11, 2019, 8:14 pm
#727
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 10,904
I'd love to see an example of this. In particular I want to look at EF to see (1) what the inventory on the flight is, and (2) what published fares there are.
Mar 12, 2019, 11:31 am
#728
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: USA
Programs: AS MVPG75k
Posts: 330
Mar 12, 2019, 5:15 pm
#729
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: NYC: UA 1K, DL Platinum, AAirpass, Avis PC
Posts: 4,599
Have a relative flying on a saver fare and as a surprise want to pay to upfare it to first class.
Am I correct to assume the only way to do that would be to buy a brand new first class ticket on the same flight, and let the original economy ticket go unused?
Am I correct to assume the only way to do that would be to buy a brand new first class ticket on the same flight, and let the original economy ticket go unused?
Mar 12, 2019, 5:26 pm
#730
Join Date: Dec 2018
Location: Seattle
Programs: Alaska airlines 100k
Posts: 923
may actually need to call and cancel the BE ticket, otherwise may look like a double booking and get flagged and both cancelled.
Mar 12, 2019, 5:54 pm
#731
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: SFO
Programs: OZ Diamond/*G, IHG Diamond Amb, Hilton Gold
Posts: 2,239
Apr 4, 2019, 4:06 pm
#732
Join Date: Oct 2006
Programs: UA, bmi, AA, CO, DL, B6, AMEX, Hertz, Most Hotels
Posts: 3,001
Two Saver flights down and here are the seating data points...
1st flight Tues JFK-SFO @7:40am - During purchase I was permitted to select 30D.
On board, turns out I was the only person seated in the last 10+ rows!
2nd Flight Mon SFO-JFK @11:15pm. During purchase I was permitted to select 31C.
At boarding time, the seat map was very full in back half of plane. As I approached the gate, I noticed the seat map was now showing several empty seats in the back. When I reached the GA, I asked if the seat map was correct, in hopes of asking to switch my seat across the aisle and scoring an empty middle. GA explained that the seat map changes were happening because there were weight & balance issues. Next thing I know, I was handed a bp for 7C. ^
3rd Flight is tomorrow (JFK-LAX) and no option to select a seat was given during purchase. Also I'm the 2nd on a Companion ticket. Curious to see how that plays out.
1st flight Tues JFK-SFO @7:40am - During purchase I was permitted to select 30D.
On board, turns out I was the only person seated in the last 10+ rows!
2nd Flight Mon SFO-JFK @11:15pm. During purchase I was permitted to select 31C.
At boarding time, the seat map was very full in back half of plane. As I approached the gate, I noticed the seat map was now showing several empty seats in the back. When I reached the GA, I asked if the seat map was correct, in hopes of asking to switch my seat across the aisle and scoring an empty middle. GA explained that the seat map changes were happening because there were weight & balance issues. Next thing I know, I was handed a bp for 7C. ^
3rd Flight is tomorrow (JFK-LAX) and no option to select a seat was given during purchase. Also I'm the 2nd on a Companion ticket. Curious to see how that plays out.
Apr 4, 2019, 4:20 pm
#733
Join Date: Apr 2017
Programs: AS 100k, DL PM, New Sagaya
Posts: 1,291
Two Saver flights down and here are the seating data points...
1st flight Tues JFK-SFO @7:40am - During purchase I was permitted to select 30D.
On board, turns out I was the only person seated in the last 10+ rows!
2nd Flight Mon SFO-JFK @11:15pm. During purchase I was permitted to select 31C.
At boarding time, the seat map was very full in back half of plane. As I approached the gate, I noticed the seat map was now showing several empty seats in the back. When I reached the GA, I asked if the seat map was correct, in hopes of asking to switch my seat across the aisle and scoring an empty middle. GA explained that the seat map changes were happening because there were weight & balance issues. Next thing I know, I was handed a bp for 7C. ^
3rd Flight is tomorrow (JFK-LAX) and no option to select a seat was given during purchase. Also I'm the 2nd on a Companion ticket. Curious to see how that plays out.
1st flight Tues JFK-SFO @7:40am - During purchase I was permitted to select 30D.
On board, turns out I was the only person seated in the last 10+ rows!
2nd Flight Mon SFO-JFK @11:15pm. During purchase I was permitted to select 31C.
At boarding time, the seat map was very full in back half of plane. As I approached the gate, I noticed the seat map was now showing several empty seats in the back. When I reached the GA, I asked if the seat map was correct, in hopes of asking to switch my seat across the aisle and scoring an empty middle. GA explained that the seat map changes were happening because there were weight & balance issues. Next thing I know, I was handed a bp for 7C. ^
3rd Flight is tomorrow (JFK-LAX) and no option to select a seat was given during purchase. Also I'm the 2nd on a Companion ticket. Curious to see how that plays out.
Apr 9, 2019, 7:56 pm
#734
Join Date: Oct 2006
Programs: UA, bmi, AA, CO, DL, B6, AMEX, Hertz, Most Hotels
Posts: 3,001
To wrap up the seating saga...
3rd Flight Fri 8:15pm. JFK-LAX Companion ticket buyer (also w/no AS status) did OLCI for both of us @T-10. He was assigned 10D & I was assigned 10E.
4th Flight Sun 9:15pm LAX-JFK I did OLCI @T-7 for both of us. Companion ticket buyer (also w/no AS status) was assigned 10B. I was not assigned a seat. Rather, a small message said to see GA for seat assignment.
Fast forward to AS lounge. Companion ticket buyer was able to get seat switched out of middle to Row 23 window. At Gate,after some pleasant chatting with GA, she kindly assigned me an aisle seat, also in Row 23.
fwiw, that 4th flight earned me MVP status via the Coast to Cost promo and happy to report the status change & double miles posted in less than 36hrs.
