We all want to travel for less, but sometimes cheaper means less amenities, and in some cases, way less amenities. If you're thinking a basic economy ticket could save you money, you might want to do some research first.
The recent overbooking debacle at United has sparked a national conversation about the way airlines treat passengers. Profits are up but service quality keeps declining. A perfect symbol of this disconnect is the "basic economy fare" that United and American introduced in March, two years after Delta.
The three major airlines market the BEF as equivalent to a ticket for a true budget airline like Spirit or Frontier, which are gaining in popularity and encroaching on the older airlines' territory. However, customers who are enticed by the lowest price will encounter new restrictions such as the inability to sit with friends or family, and in some cases the overhead bins are off-limits -- you'll have to pay to check luggage if you want to pack more than you can fit in a purse or laptop bag.
Ultimately, the basic economy fare is sometimes a good deal and sometimes not. It depends on your situation, and how much more a regular (or "main cabin") fare costs.
In this article, we break down everything you need to know about basic economy fares so you can make an informed decision the next time you book a flight.
What each airline offers and forbids with a basic economy fare
Overall, Delta has the most attractive policy because it permits basic economy travelers to bring one carry-on bag in addition to a personal item. However, American is the only airline to offer seat selection (48 hours beforehand, for a fee) with its basic fare. So the best choice for you will depend on your needs (how much you want to pack, whether or not you're traveling with small children, etc.).
All three airlines grant additional perks to travelers who belong to loyalty programs and/or have the airline's travel rewards credit card.
Delta
According to their website, Delta's basic economy fare offers "the same Main Cabin experience at a lower cost, in exchange for fewer options like receiving your seat assignment after check in."
- Seat assignment: You have to wait to get your seat number until check-in or even at the gate. Families or passengers traveling together may be separated.
- Boarding priority: Last zone
- Upgrades: Not eligible for paid or complimentary upgrades or preferred seats
- Ticket changes and refunds. Refunds can only be made within Delta's Risk Free Cancellation Period, which applies to eTickets purchased directly through Delta (as opposed to a travel booking site) and lasts until midnight of the day after the ticket was purchased or until midnight of the departure date (whichever comes first). Voluntary changes are not permitted.
- What you can bring on the plane: One free full-size carry-on bag and a personal item.
- Refreshments: Complimentary snacks and nonalcoholic beverages
- What if I have elite status? You're still not eligible for upgrades, preferred seats, or ticket changes. However, you'll still earn Medallion-qualifying credit for your flight.
- SkyMiles Benefits: Basic Economy fares are eligible for mileage accrual.
- Perks with a Delta credit card: Priority boarding and a free checked bag
American
Basic economy fares are currently limited to the following routes: New Orleans-Philadelphia, Orlando-Charlotte, Charlotte-Philadelphia, Miami-Philadelphia, Dallas/Fort Worth-Philadelphia, Dallas/Fort Worth-Tampa, Baltimore/Washington-Dallas/Fort Worth, Miami-Tampa, Fort Lauderdale-Philadelphia, and Miami-New Orleans.
- Seat assignment: At check-in or can be selected 48 hours before the flight for an unspecified fee (price may vary depending on the flight). So people who want to sit together would potentially be able to do so.
- Boarding priority: Last group
- Upgrades: Not eligible
- Ticket changes and refunds: None
- What you can bring on the plane: One item that fits under the seat. Basic economy fare passengers are not allowed to use the overhead bins. If you try to sneak an extra bag on the plane you'll be charged a $25 service fee at the gate plus the standard $25 checked bag fee.
- Refreshments: Free snacks and soft drinks
- What if I have elite status and/or an AAdvantage credit card? You'll be able to bring one additional bag on board to store in the overhead bin, and keep your boarding privileges and checked bag benefits.
- Award miles and elite qualification: Award miles and Elite qualifying dollars are earned based on ticket price. Elite qualifying miles and segments are earned at the reduced rate of 0.5/mile or flight segment.
United
United's basic economy fare is generally considered to be the most restrictive, as reflected by their cautious website copy: "These lower-priced fares provide most of the same inflight services and amenities that are available with standard Economy...but with some important restrictions that you'll want to be sure to review carefully before booking."
- Seat assignment: Automatically assigned and cannot be changed. Families and other groups will not be able to sit together.
- Boarding priority: Last group
- Upgrades: None
- Ticket changes and refunds: Refunds can only be made within United's 24-Hour Flexible Booking Policy, which applies to tickets purchased directly through United (as opposed to a travel booking site) and ends 24 hours after your ticket was purchased. Ticket changes are not allowed.
- What can you bring on the plane: One personal item that fits under the seat in front of you. If you try to board with a carry-on bag you'll have to check it at the gate, for a $25 handling charge on top of the checked bag fee, which varies by flight.
- Refreshments: Included
- What if I have elite status? You may bring a full-sized carry-on bag and you'll retail your boarding privileges, but you won't be eligible for upgrades.
- MileagePlus and Premier members: Will earn award miles based on fare and status
- Perks with a United credit card: Priority boarding and a free checked bag
How much can I save with a basic economy fare?
When I searched for basic economy fares to compare, I found it confusing to differentiate between fare levels until after I made a selection. Furthermore, the availability and pricing on basic economy varies.
Google flights will tell you if you've selected BE, but ultimately I found it most helpful to search on the airlines' websites because you can see all of the flight times and available fares for a given day. That's the best way to determine if BE is a bargain or not. Here are some specific examples:
- On United, a round-trip flight in early June between Newark and Miami cost $121 for basic economy versus $332.39 for a flexible economy ticket. In this case the BE fare is clearly a better deal if you can live with the restrictions.
- On America, a round-trip flight in early August between Charlotte and Orlando is priced at $233 for basic economy and $293 for what they call "main cabin." A difference of $60 isn't much, especially if you end up paying to choose your seat or check a bag.
- Similarly, I found a margin of only $30 between basic economy and main cabin tickets on a round trip Delta flight between Atlanta and Chicago in July. However, since Delta allows one carry-on bag, the small savings may still be worth it.
Remember
Don't dismiss the basic economy fare all together, but do be more discerning the next time you book a flight. Airlines are competing for the price conscious traveler who will select the lowest number regardless of the fine print. But a little patience and research will pay off with a ticket that, whether or not it's the cheapest fare, is the best deal for your situation.
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