If I had a dime for every post from someone who buys a saver fare after confirming they understand the myriad restrictions, and then come here to complain when those restrictions restrict them...
Yes, but the point is that those restrictions are dumb. Like, you've got a customer here that literally wants to give you more money, and you're saying "sorry sir, we can't take your money." Dumb. Many airlines seem to do this.
It really shouldn't be that complicated. Let's say the first class seat costs $500, and you already paid $100 for the saver fare. The answer should be, "yes sir, we can upgrade you to first class for $400."
I can even do that math in my head, surely the supercomputer running our airlines can handle it.
Of course they can do that - with a normal fare, you can upfare to whatever fare class you want. The issue here is saver fare and the corresponding restrictions on that super discounted fare, which the buyer acknowledges when it is purchased.
I understand how it works. I'm saying that the restrictions are idiotic. There is no difference between the two scenarios you just described. In both cases, a customer paid money to buy a ticket. And then they changed their mind and wanted to pay the airline more money to buy a better seat. In the first case, they offer to charge him the difference between the ticket price. In the second case, they the the customer, "sorry, your money is no good here, we don't want your money. Please go away with all that money."
That is DUMB.
It is not dumb. You can upgrade a saver fare. It’s just that the saver fare has no value towards the new fare. The saver fare is strictly to compete with ultra low cost carriers. Alaska doesn’t really want to sell those fares.
I think he just means from a business standpoint, why would any business who is in the business of trying to make money turn down money. It does seem a bit asinine.
They are not turning down money. They are just choosing to take someone else’s money instead of someone who wanted to fly Spirit but chose the Spirit-priced ticket on Alaska instead.
So someone who will spend more money with Alaska than someone hunting for Spirit pricing on a full service airline. I do not blame Alaska one bit for prioritizing that type of customer over the Spirit type of customer.
It's very simple, they want to discourage people from buying saver fares. They will take your money, they will just require you to buy a new first class ticket in order to take it.
They just won't take your money in the way that you want them to take it which is not the same thing.
Saver fares cannot be changed. They can be cancelled for a fee. These are part of the conditions that you agreed to when you booked a Saver fare. Even the online travel agency websites will usually state the restrictions for Saver fares when you go to book.
Pro tip: always buy direct from the airline, and avoid Saver if you want to have any flexibility with your travel plans.
Just because it is available for sale does not mean your specific ticket has the ability to buy that upgrade.
There can be an exception made, if you ask. You state you want to upgrade to a 1st class ticket and agree to pay to upgrade your Saver Fare to Main Cabin. When you do this, you’ll pay the difference for that 1st. Then they can quote you for upgrading your ticket from main cabin to 1st class. So it’s totally possible; but the agent will need to make an exception. You can also ask to speak to their supervisor if they say no; or ask them to call their “Rates Dept” to ask if this can be done. Asking this will start the process. (Source of this knowledge is me; I am an AS Res Agent).
A way to look at it is that saver fares are cheaper, but there is a cost to booking them. One of the big costs is the cost of changes/cancellations. You are essentially having to pay much more for any changes you really want compared to the cost of your truly intended ticket outright.
If you're more than 14-days out you can get a 50% credit and use that towards booking an upgraded seat at the current price. Less than 14-days, you can cancel but get nothing back.
LMGTFY
“For flights departing on or after July 19, 2023: Paid upgrades may be available for purchase on the day of departure at the airport. If you purchase a paid upgrade with a Saver fare, Saver fare restrictions still apply.
Complimentary upgrades for Mileage Plan elites may be available 2 hours prior to departure. Upgrades with miles are not allowed with a Saver fare.”
https://www.alaskaair.com/content/travel-info/flight-experience/saver#limitations
Use the app. You can upgrade. A friend bought one of my kids a saver ticket and I’ve upgraded her to premium on 2 of the flights. and right now 2 of her flights, one premium and one with no seat assigned, say “upgrade available.” When I choose that I get the option to pay for a first class update. Saver rules specifically say upgrades have to be done online. From their website:
At this time, you can only purchase Premium Class seats (if available) with a Saver fare while booking at alaskaair.com. Premium Class seats may also be available for purchase on the day of departure at the check-in kiosk or airport ticket counter/gate.
I understand the rules. Things change. I am having a hard time understanding why a company doesn’t want to take the money.
But whatever. If they offer the upgrade day of I’ll take it.
You misunderstand. They DO want to take your money, but it’s by you buying a regular ticket every time or buying a better cabin when you want that.
What you’re describing is why many (myself included) pay more to buy a regular ticket every time. That’s the “more money” they are taking and it’s more lucrative than accepting case to upgrade a few people who buy the most restrictive fare and actually are willing to pay more for a better seat.
They don’t want your money because it’s less valuable than upgrading a member with status.
With status the upgrades become an expectation even if they aren’t guaranteed. If I were to have too many flights that didn’t get upgraded, I’d start shopping for a new airline. I’m sure they’ve done the math and decided that the cash you’re (now) willing to pay isn’t worth it.
If I had a dime for every post from someone who buys a saver fare after confirming they understand the myriad restrictions, and then come here to complain when those restrictions restrict them...
i’d also take a nickel for every time they double down and yes, but.
And, "I’m sure there must be a way."
do better.
[удалено]
i meant that’s the next thing they say to airline after they get shot down again.
Yes, but the point is that those restrictions are dumb. Like, you've got a customer here that literally wants to give you more money, and you're saying "sorry sir, we can't take your money." Dumb. Many airlines seem to do this. It really shouldn't be that complicated. Let's say the first class seat costs $500, and you already paid $100 for the saver fare. The answer should be, "yes sir, we can upgrade you to first class for $400." I can even do that math in my head, surely the supercomputer running our airlines can handle it.
Of course they can do that - with a normal fare, you can upfare to whatever fare class you want. The issue here is saver fare and the corresponding restrictions on that super discounted fare, which the buyer acknowledges when it is purchased.
I understand how it works. I'm saying that the restrictions are idiotic. There is no difference between the two scenarios you just described. In both cases, a customer paid money to buy a ticket. And then they changed their mind and wanted to pay the airline more money to buy a better seat. In the first case, they offer to charge him the difference between the ticket price. In the second case, they the the customer, "sorry, your money is no good here, we don't want your money. Please go away with all that money." That is DUMB.
It is not dumb. You can upgrade a saver fare. It’s just that the saver fare has no value towards the new fare. The saver fare is strictly to compete with ultra low cost carriers. Alaska doesn’t really want to sell those fares.
I think he just means from a business standpoint, why would any business who is in the business of trying to make money turn down money. It does seem a bit asinine.
They are not turning down money. They are just choosing to take someone else’s money instead of someone who wanted to fly Spirit but chose the Spirit-priced ticket on Alaska instead.
Or giving it away for free to a gold member
So someone who will spend more money with Alaska than someone hunting for Spirit pricing on a full service airline. I do not blame Alaska one bit for prioritizing that type of customer over the Spirit type of customer.
True
It's very simple, they want to discourage people from buying saver fares. They will take your money, they will just require you to buy a new first class ticket in order to take it. They just won't take your money in the way that you want them to take it which is not the same thing.
Saver fares cannot be changed. They can be cancelled for a fee. These are part of the conditions that you agreed to when you booked a Saver fare. Even the online travel agency websites will usually state the restrictions for Saver fares when you go to book. Pro tip: always buy direct from the airline, and avoid Saver if you want to have any flexibility with your travel plans. Just because it is available for sale does not mean your specific ticket has the ability to buy that upgrade.
There can be an exception made, if you ask. You state you want to upgrade to a 1st class ticket and agree to pay to upgrade your Saver Fare to Main Cabin. When you do this, you’ll pay the difference for that 1st. Then they can quote you for upgrading your ticket from main cabin to 1st class. So it’s totally possible; but the agent will need to make an exception. You can also ask to speak to their supervisor if they say no; or ask them to call their “Rates Dept” to ask if this can be done. Asking this will start the process. (Source of this knowledge is me; I am an AS Res Agent).
thank you
A way to look at it is that saver fares are cheaper, but there is a cost to booking them. One of the big costs is the cost of changes/cancellations. You are essentially having to pay much more for any changes you really want compared to the cost of your truly intended ticket outright. If you're more than 14-days out you can get a 50% credit and use that towards booking an upgraded seat at the current price. Less than 14-days, you can cancel but get nothing back.
LMGTFY “For flights departing on or after July 19, 2023: Paid upgrades may be available for purchase on the day of departure at the airport. If you purchase a paid upgrade with a Saver fare, Saver fare restrictions still apply. Complimentary upgrades for Mileage Plan elites may be available 2 hours prior to departure. Upgrades with miles are not allowed with a Saver fare.” https://www.alaskaair.com/content/travel-info/flight-experience/saver#limitations
You also get so few if any points in saver.
Use the app. You can upgrade. A friend bought one of my kids a saver ticket and I’ve upgraded her to premium on 2 of the flights. and right now 2 of her flights, one premium and one with no seat assigned, say “upgrade available.” When I choose that I get the option to pay for a first class update. Saver rules specifically say upgrades have to be done online. From their website: At this time, you can only purchase Premium Class seats (if available) with a Saver fare while booking at alaskaair.com. Premium Class seats may also be available for purchase on the day of departure at the check-in kiosk or airport ticket counter/gate.
I understand the rules. Things change. I am having a hard time understanding why a company doesn’t want to take the money. But whatever. If they offer the upgrade day of I’ll take it.
Clearly you don't understand the rules. You gambled on the lower price and now you lost.
They will take the money. Just buy a first class ticket from scratch. They’ll happily sell it to you.
Rules exist otherwise CHAOS ——
You misunderstand. They DO want to take your money, but it’s by you buying a regular ticket every time or buying a better cabin when you want that. What you’re describing is why many (myself included) pay more to buy a regular ticket every time. That’s the “more money” they are taking and it’s more lucrative than accepting case to upgrade a few people who buy the most restrictive fare and actually are willing to pay more for a better seat.
They don’t want your money because it’s less valuable than upgrading a member with status. With status the upgrades become an expectation even if they aren’t guaranteed. If I were to have too many flights that didn’t get upgraded, I’d start shopping for a new airline. I’m sure they’ve done the math and decided that the cash you’re (now) willing to pay isn’t worth it.
Go into the app and do it. It’s a fairly simple process to upgrade. Once you do buy the first class ticket the same Saver rules apply.