If you're considering booking the cheapest flight with Alaska Airlines, pay attention: The airline's so-called Saver fares are about to undergo some significant modifications.
When buying a Saver ticket, you won't any longer accrue redeemable miles and elite-qualifying miles at a 100% rate of the distance traveled. Instead, for any Saver tickets purchased on or after May 22 for travel beginning on or after July 19, the airline is reducing mileage rewards to 30% of the distance flown.
For instance, a Saver fare from Seattle to New York would have previously earned 2,421 elite-qualifying miles, which, based on our estimations, are worth $43.58. But going ahead, the same Saver cost will only provide you with 726 miles, which our estimations put at a value of $13.07.
It's interesting to note that American Airlines recently reduced mileage payouts for Alaska Saver flights charged to the American Airlines AAdvantage loyalty program. Mileage totals for passengers who purchase these fares now equal 10% of the distance traveled, rather than 25% of the total distance flown.
Alaska is offsetting the adjustments with some upgrades to its core economic services, even if there is no doubt that this is a big devaluation.
For starters, the airline is giving these tickets, which formerly had a "use it or lose it" clause, more flexibility. You can cancel your flight up until 14 days before departure if you buy a Saver ticket on or after July 19 and receive a 50% travel credit for the fare and a 100% travel refund for the taxes and levies. This credit can then be used to rebook travel whenever you'd like. It should be noted that all tickets, including those for Saver prices, can be canceled up to 24 hours after purchase as long as they are purchased at least 24 hours before departure.
Additionally, Alaska will soon offer elites the chance to receive upgrades on Saver fares. Soon, first-class and premium-class upgrades on basic economy tickets will be available to all MVP elite members. Flights on or after July 19 are affected by this.
Flyers who qualify for the basic economy will be added to the upgrade list within two hours of departure, and upgrades will be granted in the order of priority, with basic economy passengers at the bottom of the list for each premium tier. If you are not a part of the elite program, you can upgrade to first class at the airport pending availability.
It's important to note that Alaska isn't making any additional adjustments to its basic economy service, which is still among the most generous of any U.S. airlines. On a Saver fare, you are still permitted to bring a full-size carry-on bag and a personal item.
Alaska's reforms might not be so bad, depending on your point of view. For elites and people with erratic schedules, the flexibility and upgrading upgrades should more than make up for the lower mileage payout.
The 100% mileage earning on Alaska's cheapest flights will undoubtedly be missed by travelers who want to use points and miles, but overall, the makeover of the basic economy might have been far worse.
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