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 13, 2019, 8:49 am
#796
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 23,062
The layover is longer than 4 hours. These shouldn't be pricing out on a single fare component according to AS fare rules (but for some reason, they are) which only allows for layovers of up to 4 hours before a stopover and fare break is created. Technically, I would think they should all price as broken fares (as above, where poster gets a T and a G).
Stopovers: NO STOPOVERS PERMITTED. NO STOPOVER OCCURS IF PASSENGER TAKES NEXT AVAILABLE FLIGHT WITHIN 4 HOURS.
Stopovers: NO STOPOVERS PERMITTED. NO STOPOVER OCCURS IF PASSENGER TAKES NEXT AVAILABLE FLIGHT WITHIN 4 HOURS.
Last edited by xliioper; May 13, 2019 at 9:27 am
May 13, 2019, 9:37 am
#797
Join Date: Apr 2019
Location: LAX/ONT
Programs: AS 100K, Hilton Diamond, IHG Plat, Marriott G, Hertz PC, Avis PC
Posts: 518
I bought a cheap saver ticket round-trip to Palm Springs from Seattle and even on a mostly empty flight once a seat was assigned they wouldn't allow me to change it. I thought that was the most frustrating part of the saver fare. The only allow you to select seats and last two rows of the airplane or they will assign the seat for you. I looked before I checked in and the plane was 50% empty with lots of aisle seats and regular coach so I didn't think I'd ever problem changing or re selecting a seat but I found that was impossible to do. I had planned to do a same day change coming home but also found that was impossible. The only upgrade seats were $49 however on a $59 fare that's quite a upgrade just to get an aisle seat. I don't think I'll be using saver fares again
May 13, 2019, 11:23 am
#798
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: USA
Programs: AS MVPG75k
Posts: 330
It's showing both as T for me, which explains the price difference. I don't know why they aren't selling you T though
ETA: What if you click through from here: https://flights.app.goo.gl/gLr5y
It shows me a $20 buy-up
ETA again: but when I clicked through, it said that a "real-time price change" caused my itinerary to be repriced, and it showed me G. I guess they zeroed out T? And it took a while to fully propagate?
ETA: What if you click through from here: https://flights.app.goo.gl/gLr5y
It shows me a $20 buy-up
ETA again: but when I clicked through, it said that a "real-time price change" caused my itinerary to be repriced, and it showed me G. I guess they zeroed out T? And it took a while to fully propagate?
The layover is longer than 4 hours. These shouldn't be pricing out on a single fare component according to AS fare rules (but for some reason, they are) which only allows for layovers of up to 4 hours before a stopover and fare break is created. Technically, I would think they should all price as broken fares (as above, where poster gets a T and a G).
Stopovers: NO STOPOVERS PERMITTED. NO STOPOVER OCCURS IF PASSENGER TAKES NEXT AVAILABLE FLIGHT WITHIN 4 HOURS.
Stopovers: NO STOPOVERS PERMITTED. NO STOPOVER OCCURS IF PASSENGER TAKES NEXT AVAILABLE FLIGHT WITHIN 4 HOURS.
May 13, 2019, 1:13 pm
#799
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 23,062
Yes, that $273.59 price is just a combination of a TH2TAYMN fare for SJC-SAN at $68.30 and a GH2OAVMN fare for SAN-BWI at $205.30. The cheaper Saver and Main fares are the result of combining both segments onto a single SJC-BWI fare which theoretically shouldn't be allowed due to the 4 hour maximum layover time for combining segments on one fare.
Last edited by xliioper; May 13, 2019 at 1:25 pm
May 14, 2019, 1:35 pm
#800
Join Date: Apr 2019
Location: LAX/ONT
Programs: AS 100K, Hilton Diamond, IHG Plat, Marriott G, Hertz PC, Avis PC
Posts: 518
My recent experience with saver fare and seat assignment
Ok, i need counseling. I did a few mileage run to catch the Coast 2 Elite and Coast 2 Coast promo. Luckily, I book the transcon for pretty much $99 one way on saver fare. Only 1 of my total 8 legs is $160. So, good price there.
Now, let's talk about seat assignment, which concerns most people. Notice, I never check in at T-24, because I know at that time, there are many seats available, and I probably guaranteed a middle seat at the back.
Run1, LAX-BWI-LAX
When I check in at the Customer Assistance desk at LAX, yes, those long lines in front of an agent, I asked to get both my outbound and inbound boarding pass. It was around T-3 for my outbound. I got assigned 6F, yay, premium class window seats. It sounds great, but the lady in the middle seat is super fat, her arm crossed over the arm rest and came on top of my arm a bit. And, the armrest is up a little because of her thigh. For my inbound flight, normal middle seat at back 29E. But moved up front a little to 10E at the gate.
Run2, LAX-PHL-LAX
Again, I went to the Customer Assistance desk at LAX to checkin, outbound get an 6B again, For inbound, I can't remember when the seat assignment showed up, but def. before T-24, assigned at 6B.
Run3, LAX-PHL-LAX
Now, I already have the MVP status thanks to the promo. However, my original routine doesn't work any more. Went to the Elite Check-in desk, and got assigned for 22F and 9A. Still, windows seats, not bad. ps, FA of outbound flight talked a lot and loud.
Run4, LAX-PHL-LAX
This time is a little different, normally my seat won't be assigned until I go to check-in (other than the 6B I got once), but it got assigned T-18 (around) to 27A and 9A. And I still haven't checked in yet. I don't know if they were assigned together, but happened overnight.
Normal travel, LAX-PHL-LAX
By then, I'll be MVPG, but it is scheduled at Memorial day weekend. Will update if I remember. And I have main for one leg, and saver for another.
Overall, the experience is good. and Virgin's old fleet is comfy compared to others. Premium Class is really nice compared to Delta's Comfort+. And, with my cheap fare, I still got tons of miles.
Now, let's talk about seat assignment, which concerns most people. Notice, I never check in at T-24, because I know at that time, there are many seats available, and I probably guaranteed a middle seat at the back.
Run1, LAX-BWI-LAX
When I check in at the Customer Assistance desk at LAX, yes, those long lines in front of an agent, I asked to get both my outbound and inbound boarding pass. It was around T-3 for my outbound. I got assigned 6F, yay, premium class window seats. It sounds great, but the lady in the middle seat is super fat, her arm crossed over the arm rest and came on top of my arm a bit. And, the armrest is up a little because of her thigh. For my inbound flight, normal middle seat at back 29E. But moved up front a little to 10E at the gate.
Run2, LAX-PHL-LAX
Again, I went to the Customer Assistance desk at LAX to checkin, outbound get an 6B again, For inbound, I can't remember when the seat assignment showed up, but def. before T-24, assigned at 6B.
Run3, LAX-PHL-LAX
Now, I already have the MVP status thanks to the promo. However, my original routine doesn't work any more. Went to the Elite Check-in desk, and got assigned for 22F and 9A. Still, windows seats, not bad. ps, FA of outbound flight talked a lot and loud.
Run4, LAX-PHL-LAX
This time is a little different, normally my seat won't be assigned until I go to check-in (other than the 6B I got once), but it got assigned T-18 (around) to 27A and 9A. And I still haven't checked in yet. I don't know if they were assigned together, but happened overnight.
Normal travel, LAX-PHL-LAX
By then, I'll be MVPG, but it is scheduled at Memorial day weekend. Will update if I remember. And I have main for one leg, and saver for another.
Overall, the experience is good. and Virgin's old fleet is comfy compared to others. Premium Class is really nice compared to Delta's Comfort+. And, with my cheap fare, I still got tons of miles.
May 14, 2019, 1:41 pm
#801
Join Date: Sep 2008
Posts: 7,875
seat assignment for MVP vs no-status passenger
My friend and I had the same saver ticket on the same flight, but I have status and she doesn't. Both checked in using app around T-24. I got a seat assignment, she was told go to the gate (rather, assigned at the gate). I think I checked in later.
Is that a priority thing for status passengers? Or just a random thing.
Is that a priority thing for status passengers? Or just a random thing.
May 14, 2019, 2:30 pm
#802
Join Date: Aug 2018
Location: PDX
Programs: AS MVP Gold 100K
Posts: 2,329
My friend and I had the same saver ticket on the same flight, but I have status and she doesn't. Both checked in using app around T-24. I got a seat assignment, she was told go to the gate (rather, assigned at the gate). I think I checked in later.
Is that a priority thing for status passengers? Or just a random thing.
Is that a priority thing for status passengers? Or just a random thing.
May 14, 2019, 6:50 pm
#804
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: San Diego, CA
Programs: AS 75k, Hyatt EXPL, *all* the CC statuses
Posts: 78
Now prepare to be forced NOT to buy Saver fares in order to use most of your newfound benefits
May 14, 2019, 10:16 pm
#805
Join Date: Mar 2019
Posts: 159
Same thing happened to me. I was MVP and got assgined seats at T-24 for all of my 8 flights. 1 time middle, 5 times window, 2 times asile. Didnt speak with the gate agents and I saw people with no status given F or Y. I felt stupid 99% of the time since I bought saver fare for all 8 segments (saved around $300 though)
May 17, 2019, 2:26 pm
#806
Join Date: Apr 2019
Location: LAX/ONT
Programs: AS 100K, Hilton Diamond, IHG Plat, Marriott G, Hertz PC, Avis PC
Posts: 518
For my last flights, I did go to the gate agent and saying hey, I just got MVP, can I sit at the Exit row? And he assigned me one right away. One my way back, same thing, and I own the whole exit row myself, lying down all the way back. Better than F. Both in saver. PS, I went to the gate agent when everyone was assigned, and all upgrades were cleared. There were a few people in front of me asking for a window seat, got a no. But i'll opt for main in the future hope to get F seats.
May 21, 2019, 12:56 am
#807
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: ANC
Programs: I've lost count
Posts: 40
X fare vs. mobile app
Has anyone had trouble importing a Saver fare reservation into the iPhone app? Or is mobile management/check-in now supposed to be a perk of R fares and up?
I’m getting “This reservation cannot be viewed from this application.” This is my first saver fare purchase and I get the same error message whether I try to enter it manually or load it by syncing my account.
I’m getting “This reservation cannot be viewed from this application.” This is my first saver fare purchase and I get the same error message whether I try to enter it manually or load it by syncing my account.
May 21, 2019, 9:22 am
#808
Join Date: Apr 2019
Location: LAX/ONT
Programs: AS 100K, Hilton Diamond, IHG Plat, Marriott G, Hertz PC, Avis PC
Posts: 518
Has anyone had trouble importing a Saver fare reservation into the iPhone app? Or is mobile management/check-in now supposed to be a perk of R fares and up?
I’m getting “This reservation cannot be viewed from this application.” This is my first saver fare purchase and I get the same error message whether I try to enter it manually or load it by syncing my account.
I’m getting “This reservation cannot be viewed from this application.” This is my first saver fare purchase and I get the same error message whether I try to enter it manually or load it by syncing my account.
May 28, 2019, 11:54 am
#809
Join Date: Apr 2017
Programs: AS 100k, DL PM, New Sagaya
Posts: 1,291
MVP spouse on PDX-EWR tomorrow morning. X ticket assigned 12F with empty middle seat at check in this morning. 5 open F, 6 open PC but all middles. Back of the plane full except for one open seat. Waitlist already 24 deep. For an MVP the PC might work if someone gets moved up and an aisle or window open up.
Jun 10, 2019, 6:59 pm
#810
Join Date: Jun 2019
Programs: AS MVPG, CX MPCS
Posts: 66
How does saver fare seat assignment work if no 'saver' seat is selected at checkout?
I had a friend flying on a saver fare that did not select a seat (no aisle seat available at checkout). When she arrived at the airport she saw that her seat was 7D.
There were names on waitlist for upgrade and there were non-premium seats still open on the plane.
She is not a mileage plan member (no status).
What is the process the system uses to select the seat for saver fares? My understanding is that saver fares are generally placed in rows 28-32 (back).
Do they oversell saver fares even when those rows are all occupied? Does that mean a saver fare will still be sold if the only seats left are in premium?
I had a friend flying on a saver fare that did not select a seat (no aisle seat available at checkout). When she arrived at the airport she saw that her seat was 7D.
There were names on waitlist for upgrade and there were non-premium seats still open on the plane.
She is not a mileage plan member (no status).
What is the process the system uses to select the seat for saver fares? My understanding is that saver fares are generally placed in rows 28-32 (back).
Do they oversell saver fares even when those rows are all occupied? Does that mean a saver fare will still be sold if the only seats left are in premium?