Alaska Airlines has expanded greatly over the past 10 years, creating more competition among carriers flying to the West Coast.
Whether you're flying transcontinental from Seattle to New York or jumping down the coast from San Francisco to Los Angeles, chances are you can book an Alaska flight to get you there.
If you're looking to save some money, Saver fares, Alaska Airlines' cheapest flights, are great. However, they do come with some restrictions. After all, Saver fares are Alaska Airlines' version of basic economy fares found on carriers like American Airlines, Delta Air Lines and United Airlines.
This guide gives you the lowdown on how to make the most of Alaska's budget-friendly flights and offers some strategies to mitigate the restrictions of Saver fares.
What are Saver fares?
Alaska Airlines' Saver fares are the carrier's lowest-priced Main Cabin fares, akin to basic economy on other carriers.
These fares come with restrictions on baggage, seating, boarding order and your ability to change or cancel your flight. The following sections will answer common questions about these restrictions.
Alaska Airlines waives some Saver-fare restrictions for elite members and holders of eligible cards like the Alaska Airlines Visa Signature® credit card and the Alaska Airlines Visa® Business card. The final sections of this guide will speak to how Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan elite status and cobranded credit cards come in handy to take advantage of Saver fares.
Related: Comparing basic economy fares across US airlines
Can I check a bag?
You can check a bag, but not for free.
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Saver fares adhere to the same policy as Main Cabin fares for checked bags: The first checked bag costs $35, and the second is $45; any additional bags cost $150 each.
For more information on Alaska Airlines' checked bag policy, check out this page.
Related: These are the checked bags carried by TPG's staff
Can I bring a carry-on?
Yes, you can; the same policies for carry-ons with Main Cabin fares apply to Saver fares. Your carry-on cannot be larger than 22 inches by 14 inches by 9 inches. (Those dimensions include wheels and handles.)
You can always use the bag sizers near the Alaska Airlines ticketing counter to determine if your luggage is small enough to be a carry-on.
Because Saver-fare passengers board last, overhead bin space might not be available for carry-ons, and you may have to gate-check your bag. This should come at no cost.
Like Main Cabin passengers, Saver-fare passengers can also bring one personal item like a purse or backpack on board.
Related: Keep calm and carry on: The best carry-on luggage for every kind of trip
Can I select a seat?
Alaska Airlines assigns seats to Saver-fare passengers upon check-in. This means if you're traveling with a friend or family member, sitting together is not a guarantee. However, the airline does guarantee that children 13 years and under will be seated next to at least one accompanying adult at no additional cost. This includes Saver fares, but you'll need to ensure that the child and adult are booked on the same reservation.
Note: Saver-fare passengers can purchase Premium Class seats if their tickets are purchased through Alaska's website. Premium Class seats are also usually available for purchase upon check-in. You can occasionally purchase Premium Class seats — which offer more legroom and complimentary beverages on flights longer than 350 miles — for as low as $15.
Related: The ultimate guide to getting upgraded on Alaska Airlines
When can I board?
Saver-fare passengers board last, in boarding group E.
Can I change my flight?
Unfortunately, no changes are allowed when booking a Saver fare. This includes same-day confirmed changes. The policy applies even to those who have elite status.
Can I cancel my flight?
Fortunately, Alaska Airlines recently changed its policy for the better when it comes to canceling a Saver fare flight.
Now, customers are eligible for a 50% credit if they cancel their flight at least 14 days before departure (of the first flight on the ticket). While this still isn't an ideal refund policy, it's better than no credit at all. Note: For flights booked before July 19, 2023, there's no refund for canceling a Saver fare reservation.
The ability to change a flight or get a refund is one of the most important differences between Alaska's Saver fares and Main Cabin fares.
Keep in mind that you can always cancel your flight within Alaska Airlines' 24-hour cancellation policy. This means if you cancel your flight within 24 hours of purchase, you can receive a full refund. However, this doesn't apply to flights departing in less than 24 hours.
Additionally, if Alaska Airlines reschedules your flight or changes your itinerary, it will waive any cancellation or change fees, even for Saver-fare passengers. In the case of significant schedule or itinerary changes, Saver-fare passengers receive email or text notifications from Alaska Airlines. See Alaska Airlines' customer service commitment for more information.
Related: Ultimate guide to canceling a flight and getting a refund with major US airlines
Do I still earn miles?
Yes, although the mileage earned is vastly different from other fare options. With Saver fares, passengers will earn 30% of the actual miles flown as long as they're signed up for Alaska Airlines' Mileage Plan program.
Related: How to earn miles with the Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan program
Does having a cobranded credit card help?
You can relieve much of the headache of Saver-fare restrictions with cobranded Alaska Airlines credit cards.
The Alaska Airlines Visa Signature credit card is only $95 per year and doles out some juicy perks for frequent flyers. With this card's offer, you'll earn 60,000 bonus miles plus Alaska's Famous Companion Fare™ ($99 fare plus taxes and fees from $23). To qualify, spend $3,000 or more on purchases within the first 90 days of opening your account. Card benefits include:
- One free checked bag for the cardholder and up to six companions per flight.
- 20% cash back on all inflight purchases.
- Companion Fare: For each account anniversary you will have access to a Companion Fare from $122 ($99 fare plus taxes and fees from $23) if you spend $6,000 or more within the prior anniversary year. In other words, your second ticket will cost as little as $122 after buying the first ticket.
The card's benefits conclusively outweigh the $95 annual fee if you frequently fly Alaska Airlines — especially if your friends and family take advantage of the free checked bags to which you're entitled.
The Alaska Airlines Visa Business card is another fantastic option for companies with employees who frequently fly Alaska Airlines. The card is $70 per year plus $25 for each cardholder. Plus, the welcome bonus for the Alaska Business card earns 50,000 bonus miles and Alaska's Famous Companion Fare ($99 fare plus taxes and fees from $23) after you spend $3,000 or more within the first 90 days of opening your account.
Related: The 3 reasons why I applied for the Alaska Airlines Business card
Does having elite status help?
Yep, big time.
Having elite status with Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan is the surest way to make Saver fares more tolerable. With elite status, you may board according to your status instead of in the last boarding group. Elite status also means waived baggage fees, inflight refreshments and entertainment according to your status.
Remember that even with elite status, the Saver-fare rules apply when it comes to changing or canceling a flight. Even with elite status, Saver-fare passengers are not eligible for standby flights.
Bottom line
Alaska Airlines' Saver fares offer low prices, but the fares come with restrictions.
Elite status with Alaska's Mileage Plan does allow travelers to get around some of the restrictions, as does having a cobranded credit card like the Alaska Airlines Visa credit card and the Alaska Airlines Visa Business card.
If you fly Saver-fare flights even just a few times a year, the money you save with baggage fees already dwarfs the annual fees. Moreover, with elite status, Saver-fare passengers can avoid checked bag fees, board the plane more quickly and enjoy complimentary refreshments and inflight entertainment.
Updated as of 4/18/2024.
Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.
