Originally Posted by
corporate-wage-slave
Basic tickets is the official terminology for HBO tickets. No seat or checked luggage allowances come with that, it has to be paid for, if required, even by Emeralds.
Just in case original poster doesn't know, HBO = Hand Baggage Only.
And unlike similar fares on other airlines (AF/KLM comes to mind) the elite status doesn't get you baggage... but it still gets you lounge access and usually better seating.