We’ve known for some time now that Alaska Airlines would implement its own version of a basic economy fare. However, little has been revealed about its new fare class, until now. Last week, we got more info about this new fare, as Alaska Airlines reveals Saver Fare details
Learning From Others
It’s no secret that basic economy fares haven’t been received well by the traveling public. The ultra-restrictive fares generally don’t allow the accrual of miles, advance seat selections, full-size carry-ons with certain airlines, and other restrictions. However, Alaska Air executives have made a note of these passenger pain points and are looking to avoid angering passengers in the same way. As a result, Alaska Air’s Saver Fare won’t be as restrictive as basic economy fares assessed by other carriers.
Alaska Air Saver Fare
With lessons learned from other carriers in mind, Alaska set out to create a much more passenger-friendly basic economy fare. As a result, Alaska Air’s Saver Fare will operate as follows:
- standard economy seat
- same benefits as other economy passengers
- full-size carry-ons allowed
- earn Mileage Plan miles
- ability to pre-select seat, though this will likely be a middle seat in the back of the plane
- board in the final boarding group
- no elite upgrades
- cannot cancel or modify tickets
Further, Alaska execs have committed to ensuring transparency when making reservations. In fact, according to Business Insiders, Alaska is working with online travel agencies to embed a few touch points in their process to ensure passengers know what fare they’re purchasing. If implemented correctly, that will be significantly better than the experience we’ve seen with other carriers.
Alaska Airlines Reveals Saver Fare Details, Final Thoughts
It’s refreshing to see an airline learn from others rather than just copying them. After all, American has learned the hard way that their uber restrictive Basic Economy fare may be doing them more harm than good. But, this shouldn’t surprise me. Alaska is, and always has been, different from the others. They have always been more customer-centric, even though they don’t have all the bells and whistles others have. Plus, they’re still the only carrier besides Hawaiian that still awards miles for miles flown.
How the mighty have fallen. Instead of being customer friendly, Alaska’s best brag over this devaluation is that they’re not quite as bad as other airlines.
We’ll see. I’m not quite ready to call it a devaluation. Alaska appears to be approaching this with the correct strategy, so hopefully, their Saver Fare will truly be that; a lower fare than the base economy prices we pay today. If it’s not, then, yes, I’ll have to agree.
Remember folks, Alaska Airlines always places profits before people. This is nothing to get excited about, rather a way for this cult like company to appear to be the good guys. More will be told in the future, in the meantime hold on to your wallet, because Alaska Airlines will find a way to get into it.
As does any corporate entity these days. Perhaps I’m biased, but Alaska seems a lot less greedy than my hometown airline, Hawaiian. At least Alaska streams content to your device for free and offers you more than just extra space on their extra space product. Hawaiian will nickel-and-dime you for every little thing, though they still tout their free meals in economy, though even that’s a joke. The sandwiches don’t taste good and are so small you’re starving by the time you land. Plus they don’t offer any free meals on red-eye West Coast flights too.
When is this supposed to roll out? Any ideas?
Alaska execs aren’t giving exact dates yet, but they say by the end of the year. So sometime between now and the end of December is our best guess. But, I’ll be sure to provide an update once more concrete information becomes available.