Originally Posted by
canadiancow
IIRC United only allows you to get a self-serve boarding pass on basic fares if you have status (or maybe if you have their credit card). So that's one easy way to prevent people from going straight to the gate.
I think this would be the most logical way for AC to handle basic fares in the future. Basic ticket = No online/in-app boarding pass, so you have to see an agent and they'll confirm your carry-on allowance then. Haven't flown Flair in a while but a friend mentioned they did something similar (no online boarding pass; they gave him a 'personal bag tag' on his backpack when he got his boarding pass).
I flew a few basic fares this year, and with 25k/Premium CC there's not a huge difference especially when I knew I wouldn't hit 35K. Guess I'll just be checking bags more next year.. Adding to my *A Priority Tag collection.