How to Determine If a Flight Subscription Is Worth Your Money
Subscription services can be win-win for businesses and consumers alike. Sometimes these models are even better for consumers than for businesses ( RIP MoviePass ). Now Alaska Airlines is stepping into subscription savings with Flight Pass, an annual plan that allows subscribers to book participating flights for a flat monthly fee that is said to cost less than standard airfare .
Alaska Airlines originally claimed that Flight Pass was the first major flight subscription service in history, which is not entirely accurate. However, the Flight Pass seems more promising than its predecessors, such as the misleading Jet Blue All You Can Jet program, if you’re a regular traveler to participating destinations.
We have calculated whether the Flight Pass is worth your money. But first, here’s an overview of what Alaska Airlines offers with their subscription model.
Flight Pass Overview
Alaska Flight Pass subscription options include six, 12, or 24 round trips per year from over 15 destinations in California, Nevada, and Arizona. So, unless you’re traveling at least once every two months in the Southwest, then a Flight Pass won’t be a big deal for you. If you’re a frequent flyer and love visiting Disneyland, Las Vegas, or Palm Springs, keep reading.
There are two versions of Flight Plass : the plan (Flight Pass) starts at $49 per month, and the more flexible version (Flight Pass Pro) starts at $199. The main difference between the two plans is the booking time. The standard Flight Pass requires a booking of at least 14 days in advance, while the Flight Pass Pro allows you to book tickets on the same day. Both plans allow subscribers to book 90 days in advance.
Alaska claims that the fixed price for 12 months of travel is usually below standard airfare. After the monthly cost, the flights themselves are (allegedly) available for $0.01 plus $14.60 in taxes and fees. To book a flight, you accumulate and use credits (which are non-transferrable; more on this in the Disadvantages section).
So how good is fixed price Alaska? There are some caveats and downsides, but first let’s check the numbers to see if it’s worth it based on the cost of each flight.
Best Price: Flight Pass
The most basic Flight Pass plan costs $49 per month (excluding taxes and fees). This includes one round trip every two months or six round trip bookings per year. It’s not clear on the Alaska website if flights for one cent plus taxes of $14.60 count toward the total booking, but according to The Points Guy , that amount applies to each one-way segment.
$49 per month is $588 per year, but with $14.60 for each individual flight out of six round trip bookings, that annual amount is actually $763.32 per year. If you buy six round trips a year, that $763.32 equates to $63.61 per month, or $127.22 per booking.
I spent several hours booking imaginary flights through California, Nevada, and Arizona to see if $127.22 per booking was a better deal than a ticket without a Flight Pass. All of these hypothetical bookings were in the main cabin (which includes a flight pass) and have been for at least two weeks from today’s date. I have included flights on weekdays to avoid price spikes on Fridays and Sundays.
For the most part, the price of the Flight Pass won out. I struggled to find a booking for less than $127.22. If I wanted a round-trip flight between Los Angeles and Reno, Nevada, the most affordable option would be $207.20; I would save $79.98 with the Flight Pass. My trip from Phoenix to San Diego cost $435.18, which is $307.96 more than the Flight Pass flat rate. One of the cheapest bookings I could think of, from Las Vegas to LA, was still $30 more expensive than the $157.20 Flight Pass.
However, all these savings assume that you prefer to fly in the main cabin. If I were willing to give up the basic comforts of the cabin, the guaranteed seat at the top, and the chance to change my itinerary? Then I could book a trip between Las Vegas and Los Angeles for the “Economy” price of $97.20. It comes down to individual preference as to whether the $30 savings is worth the limited flexibility and comfort in your travels.
For those who fly at the last minute: Flight Pass Pro
The more expensive Flight Pass Pro can come in handy if you’re a frequent traveler and need the ability to book and change plans at the last minute.
Using the same math as above, but starting at $199 a month for six bookings, Flight Pass Pro breaks down at $398 for each round trip route. The value of Flight Pass Pro becomes apparent when you see that same-day flights in this region often cost upwards of $499. However, if you know that you can usually find more affordable flights by booking at least 14 days in advance, then $199 per month (which is actually $213.61 plus taxes and fees) might not be worth it.
Reminders in small print
If you’re going to heed two of the Flight Pass caveats, do it: You’re locked out for a whole year and your credits don’t roll over. This means you need to be someone who travels to that region at least once every two months for the subscription to be worth it. You cannot cancel an annual subscription before 12 months have passed. Also, you need to physically call a representative to cancel it or it will automatically renew. Yes.
essence
If you’re loyal to Alaska Airlines and fly southwest regularly, then a Flight Pass can result in some legitimate savings. Look at your calendar and find out if you make at least six round trip flights a year. From there, consider how regularly you can book your flights at least 14 days in advance to determine if you should buy the basic Flight Pass or the more flexible Flight Pass Pro.