Any way to use $25 aircare discount with internet only fare?
Jun 17, 2005, 7:00 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Alameda, CA, USA
Posts: 4,906
Any way to use $25 aircare discount with internet only fare?
I have 3 $25 off coupons I got in "Air Care" kits a while back, and am having a tough time using them. I was hoping that I could hold an internet only fare online and then go to the airport and apply these. When I got to the airport, I was told the fare for the res I had on hold was around $210, even though I have the confirmation email that says it's $159. I was also told there was no record of it ever having been $159, for what it's worth. Of course, they could not replicate the internet only fare at the airport, and calling the res number only yielded a busy signal. So we were stuck with the $210, for an after discount savings of $25. Is there any way I can use these discounts in conjunction with an internet only fare, or is it off to CC with them?
Jun 19, 2005, 9:48 am
#3
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Seattle, WA
Programs: CO, AA, UA, DL
Posts: 406
Internet fares are discounted because AS doesn't have to pay anyones salary to speak with you about the fare.... there is low overhead. Therefore, as soon as you have to talk with someone (over the phone or at the airport) you are not able to book that fare.
So, I guess this makes the $25 discount pretty worthless unless you buy last minute fares or flexible which are the same price online or at the airport. Suggestion..... If you've got any of the old paper companion certificates (which require ticketing at the airport anyway) use the $25 discounts for the full fare pax. You're already at the airport. Also, you can check the fare rules online. If it doesn't say internet only fare, you may be able to purchase the same fare at the airport with the coupons. I'd call reservations about a specific fare first though.
So, I guess this makes the $25 discount pretty worthless unless you buy last minute fares or flexible which are the same price online or at the airport. Suggestion..... If you've got any of the old paper companion certificates (which require ticketing at the airport anyway) use the $25 discounts for the full fare pax. You're already at the airport. Also, you can check the fare rules online. If it doesn't say internet only fare, you may be able to purchase the same fare at the airport with the coupons. I'd call reservations about a specific fare first though.
Jun 23, 2005, 11:12 pm
#5
Join Date: Sep 2004
Programs: AS, IHG
Posts: 477
Originally Posted by alamedaguy
I have 3 $25 off coupons I got in "Air Care" kits a while back, and am having a tough time using them. I was hoping that I could hold an internet only fare online and then go to the airport and apply these. When I got to the airport, I was told the fare for the res I had on hold was around $210, even though I have the confirmation email that says it's $159. I was also told there was no record of it ever having been $159, for what it's worth. Of course, they could not replicate the internet only fare at the airport, and calling the res number only yielded a busy signal. So we were stuck with the $210, for an after discount savings of $25. Is there any way I can use these discounts in conjunction with an internet only fare, or is it off to CC with them?
Sorry so cynical.
Alison
Jun 24, 2005, 7:55 am
#6
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Sea-Tac, WA
Posts: 854
Originally Posted by alamedaguy
I have 3 $25 off coupons I got in "Air Care" kits a while back, and am having a tough time using them. I was hoping that I could hold an internet only fare online and then go to the airport and apply these. When I got to the airport, I was told the fare for the res I had on hold was around $210, even though I have the confirmation email that says it's $159. I was also told there was no record of it ever having been $159, for what it's worth. Of course, they could not replicate the internet only fare at the airport, and calling the res number only yielded a busy signal. So we were stuck with the $210, for an after discount savings of $25. Is there any way I can use these discounts in conjunction with an internet only fare, or is it off to CC with them?
Jun 24, 2005, 10:52 am
#7
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: GEG-Spokane
Programs: AS MVP Gold, DL, Marriott, Hilton Honors Gold, AMEX Membership Rewards
Posts: 200
Also figured out years ago to just send those "care" certificates in for the FF mileage credit. You just do not come out ahead trying to use them for flights--mostly because you can not use then on alaskaair.com, so you lose the 1000 point online booking bonus you would have received, plus any fare reductions for booking on line.
Jun 26, 2005, 8:44 am
#8
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Port Angeles, WA, USA Unwanted by AS, Hilton-Diamond, Starwood Platnum
Posts: 758
Originally Posted by Alaska14k
Also figured out years ago to just send those "care" certificates in for the FF mileage credit. You just do not come out ahead trying to use them for flights--mostly because you can not use then on alaskaair.com, so you lose the 1000 point online booking bonus you would have received, plus any fare reductions for booking on line.
The value of the voucher is $25 minus $15 for the 1,000 miles lost via on line booking. (I value an airmile at $.015) net gain maybe $10, minus time it takes to stand in line and get help. Versus just sending them in for 1,000 airmiles net gain of $15.
Jun 26, 2005, 8:14 pm
#9
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Alameda, CA, USA
Posts: 4,906
Originally Posted by Superd1
Likewise
The value of the voucher is $25 minus $15 for the 1,000 miles lost via on line booking. (I value an airmile at $.015) net gain maybe $10, minus time it takes to stand in line and get help. Versus just sending them in for 1,000 airmiles net gain of $15.
The value of the voucher is $25 minus $15 for the 1,000 miles lost via on line booking. (I value an airmile at $.015) net gain maybe $10, minus time it takes to stand in line and get help. Versus just sending them in for 1,000 airmiles net gain of $15.
If you use three for one booking, the second and the third won't incur an additional hit for losing the online booking bonus, though.
Not that that makes a huge difference, though.
Jul 8, 2005, 4:14 pm
#10
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Alameda, CA, USA
Posts: 4,906
Update:
OAK-SEA fares seem to have been pretty volatile over the last couple of weeks, but there was finally a non internet-only fare Monday with the lowest price, so we got it ticketed with the certs.
Thanks, all, for the input.
OAK-SEA fares seem to have been pretty volatile over the last couple of weeks, but there was finally a non internet-only fare Monday with the lowest price, so we got it ticketed with the certs.
Thanks, all, for the input.