There’s a lot going on at US low cost carrier Breeze Airways at the moment. The airline has launched a partnership with Priceline, and has also unveiled the details of its new credit card. That’s not all that’s changing, as Breeze is also reworking its fare bundles, to create an even more basic ticket type.
Continue reading: Breeze Airways Introduces No Flex Fares, Becomes Less “Nice”
Share your questions, experiences, and thoughts below.
Too bad this airline won't be in business for too much longer! They are losing millions on a monthly basis! My suggestion would be to try and advertise, should'nt take rocket scientist to figure that one out!
I would like to fly this airline from TPA to....? but the schedules are impossible for a quick "up and back" on the East Coast. It's a shame.
Just when I just started to fly breeze it changes it's policy about flight changes.
WELL THAT JUST STINKS, I WILL GO BACK TO SOUTHWEST AIRLINES
AS LOOKS LIKE THEY ARE THE BEST.
Previously there was nothing between the no-carryon Nice fare and the carryon+checked Nicer fare, so putting a something that includes a carryon between the two is one plus. However, like almost every other airline that introduced non-flexible Basic Economy pricing, they didn't reduce fares in line with the devaluation; what one previously paid for a Nice fare and its flexibility now pays for a No Flex fare, so they're effectively charging you more to add something that they previously gave you as part of the same price.
From what I could tell, the only airline that actually added a lower-price tier that neither changed nor devalued its pre-existing fare tiers was JetBlue, where Blue Basic fares AND lower fares were introduced, i.e./e.g., let's say SFO-LAX was $50-74 or SFO-JFK was $180 on a Blue fare, for the same period from one year to the next, and this held true after Blue Basic was introduced, where Blue Basic fares for SFO-LAX would quote for $37 or SFO-JFK would quote for $108-120.
Alaska, United, American, Delta, and now Breeze charged the same fares as before, but what you used to pay for a Main fare you started paying for a Basic fare. i.e./e.g., Breeze's SFO-SBD just a few days ago prior to this change would show for $47 this summer for Nice; now it's $47 for No Flex with its lack of flight changes, only partial flight credit for cancelling, and reduced BreezePoint accrual compared to what Nice gave.
Previously I would choose to book with Frontier/Spirit (and would understand Allegiant has the same if not similar pricing model and policies) knowing full well of their very restrictive policies going in, while when I'd book with Breeze there was the peace of mind of no change fees, having anything I spend be fully retained as credit in the event of changing or cancelling, and lower bag fees that didn't increase between booking or post-booking, despite competing in the same space. This change takes away that distinction and likens them to Frontier/Spirit in a negative fashion, and removes a positive similarity it had in common with Southwest, possibly the only other major airline that would have no change/cancel fees and the full amount paid retained as credit for ALL fares.
Breeze wants to price and devalue itself to be like Frontier/Spirit/Allegiant? Well Frontier/Spirit/Allegiant can also have more planes, a bigger network, and more frequencies (or fewer depending what's relevant to the person), and this change doesn't help Breeze become more compelling as a choice in comparison.
I liked the flex fare for the value. Now when I try to book the flex fare is not available. Breeze should consider making the available again.
This is nothing short of a betrayal of marketing. When your whole scheme is like having a private airline in your pocket and then you start charging for cancellation like every other Airline you have taken one of your most defining characteristics and brought yourself to the same level as your competitors.
The Breeze app clearly states there are NO Cancellation Fees and does NOT mention anything in that comment about NO Flex. If you cancel a No Flex fare like I did that was $276 you get $69 refunded.
No Flex—Cancelation $207.00
Total Amount Paid
$276.00
And they said it isn't called a cancellation fee ($80 of that was for a checked bag RT.)