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
Jun 10, 2019, 7:37 pm
#811
Join Date: Aug 2018
Location: PDX
Programs: AS MVP Gold 100K
Posts: 2,329
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?
Jun 10, 2019, 8:06 pm
#812
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Near SEA
Programs: UA MM, AS MVPG75K, Marriott Lifetime Gold
Posts: 7,969
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?
Jun 11, 2019, 12:02 pm
#813
Join Date: Jun 2019
Programs: AS MVPG, CX MPCS
Posts: 66
Take a look at 6/16 AS31 EWR-SEA at 06:00 - it shows X fare available even though no 'S' seats are left.
Jun 11, 2019, 12:22 pm
#814
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: British Columbia
Programs: AS MVPG100K, Marriott Marriott Titanium Elite, Hilton Gold
Posts: 7,263
I would suggest not selecting a seat at booking and have it assigned at the gate. From reports, it appears you have a better chance of a seat further forwad or even a premium seat. They need to put the passenger somewhere so if all status passengers all already in Premium, when upgrades are processed, it will Premium seats that are vacated.
It would be interesting to know if the Awaiting Seats list is based on time of booking, if the list is cleared in list order and if so, does status have any play on where you are on the list.
Or, it is just a crapshoot!
lolJames
Jun 11, 2019, 1:00 pm
#815
Join Date: Aug 2018
Location: PDX
Programs: AS MVP Gold 100K
Posts: 2,329
They will have a seat assigned at check-in or at the gate. Based on what we have heard, they will most likely end up in a much better seat than those who chose to select the designated saver seats at booking.
Jun 12, 2019, 12:32 am
#816
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: Los Angeles
Posts: 12,594
I often do that - I don't drink, so a free premium drink isn't any advantage, and I can take or leave the extra snack. Exit rows give you even more leg room and in my completely anecdotal experience, a better chance for an empty middle because they don't generally get autofilled.
Jun 12, 2019, 8:52 am
#817
Join Date: Apr 2017
Programs: AS 100k, DL PM, New Sagaya
Posts: 1,291
I often do that - I don't drink, so a free premium drink isn't any advantage, and I can take or leave the extra snack. Exit rows give you even more leg room and in my completely anecdotal experience, a better chance for an empty middle because they don't generally get autofilled.
Jun 12, 2019, 9:06 am
#818
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: Los Angeles
Posts: 12,594
I've been super lucky for about 5 years on 2 airlines, where a plane can be completely full and I'll have the one empty middle next to me. Sometimes I attribute it to leading a good clean life of rescuing kittens and helping old ladies across the street.
Jun 12, 2019, 10:53 am
#819
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: Seattle
Programs: AS
Posts: 2,293
we just don’t want to advertise the fact that “anyone” can select exit row seats at T24 wink 😉
Jun 12, 2019, 11:54 am
#820
Join Date: Apr 2017
Programs: AS 100k, DL PM, New Sagaya
Posts: 1,291
Jun 12, 2019, 12:29 pm
#821
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: San Diego, CA
Programs: AS 75k, Hyatt EXPL, *all* the CC statuses
Posts: 78
Per the website:
Will I be upgraded if I'm sitting in an exit row?
If you have a seat in an exit row when your upgrade window arrives, you will not be moved to Premium Class.
Jun 12, 2019, 5:08 pm
#822
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 10,904
Furthermore, the way that AS has set things up, someone buying the cheapest main cabin fare has the exact same effect on saver availability as someone buying a saver fare (because X currently tracks Y exactly). There is not a fixed number of saver fares available -- saver space is shared with main space.
Jun 19, 2019, 3:43 pm
#823
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Near SEA
Programs: UA MM, AS MVPG75K, Marriott Lifetime Gold
Posts: 7,969
Interestingly... if you try to book SEA-JNU tonight on AS79, there's a saver fare available for $208... and you can select exit row at booking.
Interesting conundrum for an MVPG... if you're too far down the upgrade list, why wouldn't you refare yourself into Saver for this flight, assuming that $209 is cheaper than your Main Cabin fare? (FWIW, I'm on an R fare)
Interesting conundrum for an MVPG... if you're too far down the upgrade list, why wouldn't you refare yourself into Saver for this flight, assuming that $209 is cheaper than your Main Cabin fare? (FWIW, I'm on an R fare)
Jun 19, 2019, 4:04 pm
#824
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 10,904
Interestingly... if you try to book SEA-JNU tonight on AS79, there's a saver fare available for $208... and you can select exit row at booking.
Interesting conundrum for an MVPG... if you're too far down the upgrade list, why wouldn't you refare yourself into Saver for this flight, assuming that $209 is cheaper than your Main Cabin fare? (FWIW, I'm on an R fare)
Interesting conundrum for an MVPG... if you're too far down the upgrade list, why wouldn't you refare yourself into Saver for this flight, assuming that $209 is cheaper than your Main Cabin fare? (FWIW, I'm on an R fare)
As MVP (not G) though... this might be a good option.
Jun 19, 2019, 4:12 pm
#825
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Near SEA
Programs: UA MM, AS MVPG75K, Marriott Lifetime Gold
Posts: 7,969