Elite on saver fare vs non revs getting upgrades
Jul 6, 2020, 2:18 pm
#16
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Jul 6, 2020, 2:22 pm
#17
Join Date: Jul 2012
Programs: Delta Gold, Alaska Gold 75K, LATAM Black
Posts: 3,393
I did fly a few saver fares recently and ended up in Premium a few times. Almost no difference (to me) when the service in F currently sucks. I have a few transcons in august which I paid the little extra for regular Y fare. Hoping lounges & F B is better then
Jul 6, 2020, 3:12 pm
#18
Join Date: Dec 2018
Location: Seattle
Programs: Alaska airlines 100k
Posts: 923
I know the rules, and fully understand the rules. But when first has empty rows, and main cabin has rows with no social distancing. Shouldn't they place coach cabin passengers in first to create more social distancing?
My original post was a rant. Since elites have to pay extra for the upgrade should non rev's get charged some $ for upgrade too? I'm just bringing a discussion here. Airlines change what they charge for services (checked bagged fees, main cabin fee, etc). Should non-revs be nickel and dimed for services too? Do non-rev's get charged for a checked bag? Can they even check a bag?
My original post was a rant. Since elites have to pay extra for the upgrade should non rev's get charged some $ for upgrade too? I'm just bringing a discussion here. Airlines change what they charge for services (checked bagged fees, main cabin fee, etc). Should non-revs be nickel and dimed for services too? Do non-rev's get charged for a checked bag? Can they even check a bag?
Saver fares are EXPLICIT in the process of booking. It asks you several times if you are sure and that regardless of elite status there will be NO upgrade expectation to FC. This helps to temper undesired purchasing behavior for their business model. Similar to a Concert or sports ticket secondary market sales person at a stadium, they often would rather tear up the ticket then sell at an absurd low price so as to not get people used to fire sales.
Jul 6, 2020, 3:30 pm
#19
Suspended
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: DCA
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Posts: 50,262
OP was not eligible for an upgrade. Period.
Whether someone else is eligible for one is irrelevant. If nobody is eligible and nobody pays for the seat, then it goes out empty.
It makes zero sense -- actually less than zero sense -- for AS (or any carrier) to cannibalize its fare structure to provide benefits available to those who pay for the standard fare. Who would pay for that if they can get it with a saver?
Whether someone else is eligible for one is irrelevant. If nobody is eligible and nobody pays for the seat, then it goes out empty.
It makes zero sense -- actually less than zero sense -- for AS (or any carrier) to cannibalize its fare structure to provide benefits available to those who pay for the standard fare. Who would pay for that if they can get it with a saver?
Jul 6, 2020, 9:46 pm
#21
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: British Columbia
Programs: AS MVPG100K, Marriott Marriott Titanium Elite, Hilton Gold
Posts: 7,263
James
Jul 13, 2020, 9:21 am
#22
Join Date: Dec 2017
Posts: 490
I got upgraded at T-36 on a midcon. Luckily nobody was sitting next to me in F. Got to choose between prepackaged snack boxes. But the FA kept the red wine bottles coming, and served the 75K chocolate, so not bad.
Jul 14, 2020, 3:38 pm
#24
Join Date: Sep 2001
Programs: Alaska Tanzanite 100K
Posts: 3,858
When I non-rev, I take the risk of:
When I buy a ticket on Alaska:
If I need to get somewhere, I will more than likely buy a ticket. If I have flexibility, I'll non-rev. But even I've been bumped off a flight with 100 open seats, due to weight & balance + cargo. So, as someone that walks BOTH sides of this fence, let the Alaska Air employees get the upgrade when there's no one else on the standby list or willing to pay $50-$100 for it at the gate.
- Getting stuck in 32E
- Getting stuck next to someone fatter than me
- NOT getting on at all
- NOT getting on at all, then put on the next flight's standby list which already has 20 other non-revs on it
When I buy a ticket on Alaska:
- I refuse to buy BASIC because I need flexibility
- I refuse to buy BASIC because I like premium cabin
- I refuse to buy BASIC and possibly get stuck in the back of the plane
- I refuse to buy BASIC and not have the ability to change my seat
If I need to get somewhere, I will more than likely buy a ticket. If I have flexibility, I'll non-rev. But even I've been bumped off a flight with 100 open seats, due to weight & balance + cargo. So, as someone that walks BOTH sides of this fence, let the Alaska Air employees get the upgrade when there's no one else on the standby list or willing to pay $50-$100 for it at the gate.
Jul 16, 2020, 12:54 pm
#25
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I thought I'd be booking some saver flights with the current fee waivers out there. But I ended up booking main cabin ($25 more OW) to preserve flexibility in the event I do go. I can change to one of 4 flights a day nonstop, or break the flight with a connection if need be. Upgrades- they are nice but I like the flexibility as @UAPremierExec outlined.