Every few years, my college best friends get together for a girls weekend. This year, we thought we were going to Napa for a spa retreat. When we finally identified a weekend we were all free, I realized it was the same time as a rare opening at Anthurium House (due to a last minute cancellation). I jumped onto alaskaair.com and was excited to see roundtrip flights from $400!

Alaska Airlines’ Saver Ticket

We were feeling a little guilty about the weekend upgrade and were determined to stay on a tight budget. (I, of course, created a spreadsheet to make sure it was doable.)

Once everyone approved the budget and cleared the week with work and hubbies, we sealed the deal by buying our tickets. Eeek! A week in Maui with just the girls!

Step One of our frugal vacay was booking Alaska’s Airlines’ Saver ticket, saving $30 each way compared to the “Main” ticket. (Just think of how many happy hour mai tais that will buy us!)

While I’ve flown Alaska dozens and dozens of times, I’ve never booked a Saver ticket as it’s a relatively newer option. (And when flying with kids, not having assigned seats is more stressful than packing for a family of four.)

I knew I’d be working on the plane, so the potential chance of flying solo was worth the discount. I figured we might get lucky and grab seats next to each other when seats were released 24 hours out. If not, we would have plenty of time to chat on the trip. (For tips on changing your seat, read No Seats Available (or Limited Seats) When Reserving Your Flight?)

The Catch

However, at 24 hours prior to take-off I still wasn’t given the option to pick a seat! Wow, I finally understood that we would not receive an assigned seat until check-in at the airport. We truly were going to be given the last remaining seats.

I had visions of the dreaded bathroom row seat and began to panic. My friends and I agreed to get to the airport much earlier than necessary when carrying on and having TSA pre-check to see if we could secure anything besides a middle seat.

As we were standing in line at the ticket counter, we checked our Alaska apps again and our seats finally had been assigned. I wasn’t happy when I realized my nightmare bathroom location came true and quickly asked the agent if there were any other seat options.

I then discovered the second catch for Saver ticket savings — NO SEAT CHANGES ALLOWED once randomly assigned.

The Fine Print

When you purchase an Alaska Airlines’ Saver ticket, you:

  • Don’t have an assigned seat until just hours before the flight.
  • You can’t change your randomly assigned seat (even at the ticket counter).
  • You are not eligible for first class upgrades.

You are rolling the dice and if you aren’t lucky (like me), you get the bathroom row. If you are (like my friend), you might get a middle emergency row seat. The thing is, you have no control.

SECRET: The only way to change an Alaska Airlines’ Saver ticket seat location is by upgrading to a Premium Plus seat, if available (price varies).

No Choice

So I’m standing at the ticket counter with a claustrophobic, last row, bathroom adjacent seat assignment and knew what I had to do. I reached into my wallet and handed the lady my Alaska Air Visa Signature card. For $99, I secured an aisle seat, extra leg room, free drinks…and some Alaska points. I gambled and lost but was able to salvage the flight at the sake of my budget.

Lesson learned.

Final Thoughts

Would I recommend Alaska Saver? Like usual, my answer is: depends. If you are traveling alone (or don’t like your travel partner), are small and can fit comfortably in a middle seat, and are on a tight budget, sure.

However, I’m 6’ tall, claustrophobic and can afford a splurge now and again. When we land, I’m upgrading my return flight and locking in my aisle seat. Life is too short to be miserable.

I personally won’t be taking the gamble with Alaska Airlines’ Saver ticket again.

Would you?