May 28, 2017, 11:20 am
Basic Economy Airport and Plane Experiences (First or Second Hand)
Jun 8, 2017, 4:47 pm
#182
Join Date: Mar 2010
Programs: AA, UA, Marriott
Posts: 1,098
The largest inconvenience with BE fares is not being able to self check-in, unless you pay for a checked bag. If you are only taking a carry on, you must check in at the airport, and even kiosk check-in is held until an agent swipes their card.
Having to arrive at the airport 60 minutes in advance (or paying $25 for a self check-in pass) is something that should be disclosed at purchase.
Having to arrive at the airport 60 minutes in advance (or paying $25 for a self check-in pass) is something that should be disclosed at purchase.
Jun 8, 2017, 4:49 pm
#183
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,416
Jun 8, 2017, 10:23 pm
#184
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: USA
Programs: AAdvantage, MileagePlus, SkyMiles
Posts: 4,158
The largest inconvenience with BE fares is not being able to self check-in, unless you pay for a checked bag. If you are only taking a carry on, you must check in at the airport, and even kiosk check-in is held until an agent swipes their card.
Having to arrive at the airport 60 minutes in advance (or paying $25 for a self check-in pass) is something that should be disclosed at purchase.
Having to arrive at the airport 60 minutes in advance (or paying $25 for a self check-in pass) is something that should be disclosed at purchase.
Jun 8, 2017, 10:28 pm
#185
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Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,416
The reports are you can't check in online with a BE fare unless you pay in advance for a checked bag. Which costs $25. Apparently the rationale is they want you to see an agent prior to security to ensure you're aware of the carry-on rules.
Jun 8, 2017, 11:48 pm
#186
Join Date: May 2013
Posts: 3,361
Getting people to pay for bags online will actually make check in lines move faster.
Jun 9, 2017, 12:36 am
#187
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,416
Jun 9, 2017, 7:18 am
#189
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: USA
Programs: AAdvantage, MileagePlus, SkyMiles
Posts: 4,158
How about DL and AA? Do they allow self-check in on their equivalent BE fares?
Jun 9, 2017, 7:46 am
#190
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: SFO/SJC
Programs: UA Silver, Marriott Gold, Hilton Gold
Posts: 14,881
Don't know about AA, but experience there is probably much more limited at this point, as at least in the routes I've looked, they're not offering those fares yet - certainly not rolled out to the extent that UA has.
Jun 9, 2017, 8:08 am
#191
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Oakland CA
Programs: DL Gold, AS MVPG, Globalist
Posts: 1,008
Now, the UA BE fare is matched to the AA "regular fare, but the UA FF earning fare is $20 more OW. So in my case, there IS a $40 FF loyalty tax for a RT. The ONLY thing keeping me from looking for greener pastures is my high CPU rate by traveling midweek. Otherwise, I would definitely be evaluating a new carrier.
Not trying to be critical, but the sad truth is most people are going to vote with their wallet and from what I've seen so far the votes are all in favor of BE.
Jun 9, 2017, 11:51 am
#192
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: NYC (Primarily EWR)
Programs: UA 1K / *G, Marriott Bonvoy Gold; Avis PC
Posts: 8,994
Is anyone else getting the BE fare as the result on Google Flights? I am noticing the cheapest UA fares show up with a 'Carry-On bags restricted' warning, which seems to be BE...
Jun 9, 2017, 11:55 am
#193
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Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,416
And talk about crazy . . . I was pricing SFO-SAN on Google Flights yesterday, and it returned a $333 OW BE fare. UA was also offering a fully flexible E fare for the exact same price, but Google Flights nonetheless defaulted to the BE fare.
Jun 10, 2017, 6:13 pm
#194
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: MRY - CNX - TXL
Programs: UA 1K / *G / Marriott PE / Expedia Gold+ / Hertz PC
Posts: 7,058
Is it in all markets now? I had time before my flight at ORD and was sitting watching boarding for an SFO flight to see what G5 was like but there was no one in the line nor came up when called.
Jun 10, 2017, 7:32 pm
#195
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Honolulu Harbor
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 15,000
Not Hawaii (yet). Tried variety of destinations - BE kinda looks available contiguous U.S. plus Alaska. Not Mexico/Canada/Hawaii. I don't see why UA doesn't offer it in all markets - it's basically a fare increase.
Last edited by IAH-OIL-TRASH; Jun 10, 2017 at 7:38 pm