Originally Posted by
ftweb
Because they do, at least for domestic tickets. Until every travel portal lists the fare class before purchase, you have to assume that anything marketed as "economy" could turn into basic economy once you book and go look at your reservation on ua.com.
Please argue that I'm wrong, but unless I'm buying a ticket on United's own web site or clearly see a letter like K, I'm uncomfortable booking United economy.
That happened to me. After lots of (bad) advice from this forum, I bought a travel agency ticket overseas and it booked into N. And I spent hours on the phone calling to many folks at the TA etc trying to figure out if it was BE or not. I don't think I'm a novice, but I got screwed. I can only imagine what happens to those less diligent.