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
May 2, 2019, 11:06 pm
#766
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2017
Programs: AS 75K, DL Silver, UA Platinum, Hilton Gold, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Platinum + LT Gold
Posts: 10,499
AS has many unique partners for a non-alliance member. You can qualify for MVP, MVP Gold, and 75K without flying a single AS operated flight, or any US domestic flights for that matter.
May 2, 2019, 11:47 pm
#767
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 10,904
Also, the restriction only applies to earning. You can redeem AS miles for domestic AA flights. Although hopefully you can find a better use of 70k miles than SFO-JFK in flagship first on AA
May 3, 2019, 12:07 am
#768
Join Date: Nov 2017
Posts: 3,359
False. You can still earn AS elite and redeem miles on non-domestic (US) AA flights.
AS has many unique partners for a non-alliance member. You can qualify for MVP, MVP Gold, and 75K without flying a single AS operated flight, or any US domestic flights for that matter.
AS has many unique partners for a non-alliance member. You can qualify for MVP, MVP Gold, and 75K without flying a single AS operated flight, or any US domestic flights for that matter.
At this point in my life, I can't afford to play free agent and chase as many status levels as possible. It's just getting too much to constantly be comparing fares, hotel rates and loyalty programs to identify the most ideal earning strategy, particularly when I'm not 100% where my flights will be in several months time.
-James
May 3, 2019, 12:17 am
#769
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2017
Programs: AS 75K, DL Silver, UA Platinum, Hilton Gold, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Platinum + LT Gold
Posts: 10,499
Just to be clear, this is per-segment, not end-to-end. So if you flew YOW-DFW-SFO on AA (I have no idea if AA operates YOW-DFW; it's just a hypothetical example) you can credit the YOW-DFW segment to AS, but not the DFW-SFO segment.
Also, the restriction only applies to earning. You can redeem AS miles for domestic AA flights. Although hopefully you can find a better use of 70k miles than SFO-JFK in flagship first on AA
Also, the restriction only applies to earning. You can redeem AS miles for domestic AA flights. Although hopefully you can find a better use of 70k miles than SFO-JFK in flagship first on AA
Correct, only international segment of AA operated flights earn elite and redeem(able) AS miles.
And that's fine. The whole point of being a FA is NOT to chase status.
May 3, 2019, 12:32 am
#770
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 10,904
I'm gonna try to resist this but in a moment of weakness I might buy it. I really do want to visit India too.
May 10, 2019, 10:55 pm
#771
Join Date: May 2019
Programs: Alaska
Posts: 1
Alaska Saver Fare Scam
Alaska has introduced a "Saver Fair". If you are an MVP, you forfeit your benefits to choose seats, be on an upgrade wait list, or wade change fees. If you pay "Main Cabin" for $25-$30 or more you get to have your earned benefits back. This is the worst degrading go MVP status I have ever seen. It sucks!
May 10, 2019, 10:57 pm
#772
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: SEA
Programs: AS 100K, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 876
You must be new around here. Thats been an established side effect of the new saver fare for months now. AS foesnt hide the fact. Does it suck? Yes. Can it be avoided? Yup..buy a higher fare.
May 10, 2019, 10:57 pm
#773
Join Date: Aug 2018
Location: PDX
Programs: AS MVP Gold 100K
Posts: 2,329
Alaska has introduced a "Saver Fair". If you are an MVP, you forfeit your benefits to choose seats, be on an upgrade wait list, or wade change fees. If you pay "Main Cabin" for $25-$30 or more you get to have your earned benefits back. This is the worst degrading go MVP status I have ever seen. It sucks!
Please feel free to peruse the litany of threads that have accumulated over the last 6 months where we decry the "elite tax".
May 11, 2019, 12:53 am
#775
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: 650
Alaska has introduced a "Saver Fair". If you are an MVP, you forfeit your benefits to choose seats, be on an upgrade wait list, or wade change fees. If you pay "Main Cabin" for $25-$30 or more you get to have your earned benefits back. This is the worst degrading go MVP status I have ever seen. It sucks!
May 11, 2019, 4:55 am
#777
Join Date: Jan 2014
Programs: Amtrak Guest Rewards (SE), Virgin America Elevate, Hyatt Gold Passport (Platinum), VIA Preference
Posts: 3,134
So...this is like every other major carrier in the country at this point.
The only bad note I'll drop on the carriers, collectively, is that it can be a real PITA to run an airfare search and direct a service to throw out these fares when looking.
Edit: Ok, WN doesn't do this, but they also don't do seat reservation.
The only bad note I'll drop on the carriers, collectively, is that it can be a real PITA to run an airfare search and direct a service to throw out these fares when looking.
Edit: Ok, WN doesn't do this, but they also don't do seat reservation.
May 11, 2019, 5:26 am
#778
Suspended
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: DCA
Programs: UA US CO AA DL FL
Posts: 50,262
1. It is not a scam. The features of the fare are clearly disclosed and the passenger makes a decision as to what he wants, needs, and can afford. It would be a "scam" if none of this is disclosed.
2. AS is late to this game. AA, DL, and UA all offer these fares (with slight variations) as to pretty much all carriers worldwide (again with some variations).
This is a good deal for someone who wants the cheapest ticket and does not care about all the non-essential features. You get a seat from A to B and that is it. If you want more, you pay more.
Or you could jump ship to some other carrier and get the same thing. Or fly WN and wait a long time for an upgrade.
2. AS is late to this game. AA, DL, and UA all offer these fares (with slight variations) as to pretty much all carriers worldwide (again with some variations).
This is a good deal for someone who wants the cheapest ticket and does not care about all the non-essential features. You get a seat from A to B and that is it. If you want more, you pay more.
Or you could jump ship to some other carrier and get the same thing. Or fly WN and wait a long time for an upgrade.
May 11, 2019, 8:12 am
#779
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Seattle, WA
Programs: AS MVPG, 1MM
Posts: 377
The only thing you “lose” is getting an upgrade (but apparently some elites have been moved to premium). Still get your miles, still get early boarding, still get your free drink (if you are at a certain elite level).
May 11, 2019, 8:20 am
#780
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: SEA, but up and down the coast a lot
Programs: Oceanic Airlines Gold Elite
Posts: 20,387
You also lose the ability to change/refund your ticket in any way. Important if you want to do same day change.