Last edit by: IADCAflyer
What is Basic Economy?
Basic Economy is (generally) the lowest, "no-frills" Main Cabin (Economy) fare on American Airlines and their Atlantic Joint Business partners (British Airways, Iberia, and Finnair). Basic Economy fares on American Airlines book into the As the lowest fare, it has some special restrictions that other Main Cabin fares do not.
What are the Restrictions?
You can read American Airlines' web page summarizing Basic Economy for the exact details, but there are a few points that likely matter most to FlyerTalkers:
* exceptions apply for American Airlines elite-level frequent flyers as noted below.
Despite these restrictions, Basic Economy can be a good value in certain circumstances.
Are the seats or service any different?
Once you are on the airplane, the experience (seats / drinks / snacks) will be identical to regular Main Cabin.
How can I tell if I have a Basic Economy fare?
Your reservation on aa.com may say it. Basic Economy fares on American Airlines flights book into the B booking class, though Basic Economy fares on BA/IB/AY and their AA* codeshares can book into almost any revenue booking class.
I have an AA credit card, what does that get me?
Yes, if you have an American Airlines credit card that comes with preferred boarding or a free checked bag on domestic itineraries, you will receive those benefits. Additionally, if you have a Citi Executive card, you may use the Admirals Club as normal.
I have AA elite status, what does that get me?
You WILL get the following elite benefits when you buy a Basic Economy fare (note this is not an exhaustive list, basically everything not expressly forbidden is allowed):
Families with children over 13 will have to pay for seat assignments to be seated with their children.
I am flying on a British Airways, Iberia, or Finnair airplane, is anything different?
If you do not have AA or oneworld elite status, the restrictions are quite similar and you should expect to pay for everything: paid checked bags, paid seat selection, and no changes / cancellations. Depending on available fare classes, you may have an opportunity to earn additional redeemable miles or elite qualifying dollars by booking a BA / IB / AY flight number instead of an AA flight number; check your options and the partner earning charts on AA for each respective airline (British Airways, Iberia, Finnair).
If you have status, buckle up, because it gets technical, though there are some opportunities to cherry pick benefits and save money. This has been already summarized in the counterpart to this thread on the British Airways forum., so we will not reproduce it here. Note the following correspondences between status levels:
Basic Economy is (generally) the lowest, "no-frills" Main Cabin (Economy) fare on American Airlines and their Atlantic Joint Business partners (British Airways, Iberia, and Finnair). Basic Economy fares on American Airlines book into the As the lowest fare, it has some special restrictions that other Main Cabin fares do not.
What are the Restrictions?
You can read American Airlines' web page summarizing Basic Economy for the exact details, but there are a few points that likely matter most to FlyerTalkers:
- Your first checked bag will cost money on a Basic Economy fare*.
- Your seat will be automatically assigned when you check in and unchangeable, unless you pay to change your seat. You may pay to reserve a seat any time after booking*.
- No elite upgrades to first class, or complimentary access to preferred seats (green on the seat map) or Main Cabin Extra (orange on the seat map)*.
- You will board last, in Group 9 for domestic flights or Group 8 for international flights*. On a full flight, this likely means you will have to gate check your carry-on bag (which is free)*.
- You will earn 50% EQMs per mile flown and 0.5 EQS per segment. You will earn full RDMs (based on fare flown) and EQDs.
- Changes are not permitted (worldwide from 01APR21).
- In IRROPS, Basic Economy customers will not be re-accommodated on other airlines, and will have to wait for the next American Airlines flight (or BA/IB/AY for INTL).
* exceptions apply for American Airlines elite-level frequent flyers as noted below.
Despite these restrictions, Basic Economy can be a good value in certain circumstances.
Are the seats or service any different?
Once you are on the airplane, the experience (seats / drinks / snacks) will be identical to regular Main Cabin.
How can I tell if I have a Basic Economy fare?
Your reservation on aa.com may say it. Basic Economy fares on American Airlines flights book into the B booking class, though Basic Economy fares on BA/IB/AY and their AA* codeshares can book into almost any revenue booking class.
I have an AA credit card, what does that get me?
Yes, if you have an American Airlines credit card that comes with preferred boarding or a free checked bag on domestic itineraries, you will receive those benefits. Additionally, if you have a Citi Executive card, you may use the Admirals Club as normal.
I have AA elite status, what does that get me?
You WILL get the following elite benefits when you buy a Basic Economy fare (note this is not an exhaustive list, basically everything not expressly forbidden is allowed):
- 1/2/3 checked bag fees waives, depending on status.
- Priority check-in / security / boarding.
- Lounge access, if applicable.
- No same-day standby or same-day confirmed flight changes, paid or otherwise.
As it does today, American’s reservations system will check for families traveling with children 13 and under a few days before the flight, and attempt to seat each child with an adult. This is the same process we follow for Main Cabin customers.
I am flying on a British Airways, Iberia, or Finnair airplane, is anything different?
If you do not have AA or oneworld elite status, the restrictions are quite similar and you should expect to pay for everything: paid checked bags, paid seat selection, and no changes / cancellations. Depending on available fare classes, you may have an opportunity to earn additional redeemable miles or elite qualifying dollars by booking a BA / IB / AY flight number instead of an AA flight number; check your options and the partner earning charts on AA for each respective airline (British Airways, Iberia, Finnair).
If you have status, buckle up, because it gets technical, though there are some opportunities to cherry pick benefits and save money. This has been already summarized in the counterpart to this thread on the British Airways forum., so we will not reproduce it here. Note the following correspondences between status levels:
- AA Gold - BA Bronze - oneworld Ruby
- AA Platinum or Platinum Pro - BA Silver - oneworld Sapphire
- AA Executive Platinum or Concierge Key - BA Gold - oneworld Emerald
- If you are a Platinum, Platinum Pro, or Executive Platinum elite, you can generally book Iberia or Finnair-operated Basic Economy flights and not notice any baggage or seating restrictions, as long as they were not marketed by BA.
- If you do not care about your seat assignment, you can book AA-operated flights with an IB or AY flight number and still receive a checked bag if you are Platinum or higher. You may earn more or fewer RDMs, EQMs, and EQDs.
- If you do not need to check a bag, you can book BA-operated flights with any flight number, and can choose your seat (7 days in advance for Gold, at booking for Platinum and higher, Exit Rows for EXP).
Basic Economy Fare as of 2017 (also AY, BA, IB), incl. elite benefits (Master thread)
#856
Join Date: Aug 2017
Location: Stilllwater OK (SWO)
Programs: AAdvantage ExecPlat, World of Hyatt Globalist, plain "member" of Marriott, IHG, enterprise, etc.
Posts: 1,844
I thought that this was already in the works and announced? I even talked to a gate agent if she knew when the change was coming last week at my home airport when I, spouse, and kid were checking-in with our last (probably ever) BE tickets and she was adament that I was wrong -- I was trying to make small talk, but she was in a more combative spirit, inspecting our carry-ons and counting them both at check-in AND at the gate (she's the all-in-one manager leading all operations the 2-3 times a day we have a flight come in or out). I told her I must be wrong, but now I look like a sage.
Anyways, it is a good move simply from the standpoint that enforcing the rule was always iffy and it is unethical in my opinion to sell fares to people to fly with nothing more than 'a personal item' no matter how clear they state the rules when you are booking (just like how some ULCC have tried to advertise and show their fares minus taxes and fees in the past). Now, they just need to gate check more bags I guess.
Anyways, it is a good move simply from the standpoint that enforcing the rule was always iffy and it is unethical in my opinion to sell fares to people to fly with nothing more than 'a personal item' no matter how clear they state the rules when you are booking (just like how some ULCC have tried to advertise and show their fares minus taxes and fees in the past). Now, they just need to gate check more bags I guess.
#857
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: Austin, TX - AUS
Programs: AA Platinum, Hilton, Hyatt, IHG, Marriott
Posts: 1,625
What other cuts are they planning to make to Basic Economy? Or much higher will BE fares rise?
True, but Project Oasis will add more seats to the aircraft which means more carry on bags. So it may be a wash.
With larger bins entering more of the fleet with Project Oasis and the 737 MAX, there should be room for all carry on bags. That is if, and only if, AA is better about communication to passengers to put the bags on their sides. There's signage of course, but compliance is quite low.
#858
Join Date: Apr 2015
Programs: AA Gold, Enterprise PLT, Marriott Gold
Posts: 604
Thank goodness. That was nothing but a mess. Heard enough arguments from GA's and BE pax this year to last a lifetime. The only time this year I was on a BE fare the GA called me up before the flight to check the bags I had. She told me I had to pay $50 to check my carry-on. I told her I was EXP and I was still allowed, which she rebuffed for a minute until her colleague stepped in to correct her. Felt bad as the other person she called up in BE had a carry-on bag and couldn't fathom why they had to pay when I didn't.
One thing I don't get is, why wait over a month to start this policy? Dougie having rev. mgmnt quickly add $25 to every BE fare real quick? Why else not start immediately?
One thing I don't get is, why wait over a month to start this policy? Dougie having rev. mgmnt quickly add $25 to every BE fare real quick? Why else not start immediately?
#861
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Texas
Programs: Hyatt Glob (Barely); Marriott Plat Life; AA Up and Down Now Plat; Hilton, UA, BA, HA Peasant
Posts: 2,667
But not till after Labor Day? I'm sure the GA's and FA's wish it would all go away tomorrow.
The next round of viral videos will be when far back steerage passengers board last, only to find some late-group person much farther forward went clear to the back to stow a bag, and then start slinging out the usurper's earlier-boarded luggage from above "their" seat. Looking forward that one. Assuming I'm not on the plane.
The next round of viral videos will be when far back steerage passengers board last, only to find some late-group person much farther forward went clear to the back to stow a bag, and then start slinging out the usurper's earlier-boarded luggage from above "their" seat. Looking forward that one. Assuming I'm not on the plane.
#862
Join Date: Oct 2011
Programs: US Gold, DL, AA, UA
Posts: 145
I am also betting the disputes at the gate were delaying flights since people did not expect something so draconian from AA even in badic economy and they thought it was cheaper to keep the flights on time. Remember, according to AA, 80 percent of all passengers only flew them once a year (their justification for basic economy in the first place)....On another note, sometimes the differential is huge for basic economy. I was looking at Wednesday, August 8 from PHL to MEM. Basic economy was $54 and main cabin was $628. I could check 3 bags and still have enough to get every person on the plane a drink for that kind of difference.
The evidence
The evidence
Last edited by GNVFlyer; Jul 26, 2018 at 9:33 pm
#863
Join Date: Sep 2016
Posts: 1,158
So far from the Syms ideal of "An educated consumer is our best customer".
Last edited by FlyingEgghead; Jul 26, 2018 at 9:20 pm Reason: Add point
#864
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: KHOU/KIAH
Programs: AA EXP | Marriott Bonvoy Titanium| Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 11,210
1. I didn't think aa was deceptive in their portrayal of BE. It is pretty clear what you can and can't do. Same with Spirit - its obvious, people still hate them, people still fly them despite this. I think BE was one step too far for a legacy like AA. People aren't willing to put up with NK behavior on AA; there is a floor for what is tolerated. BA is seeing the same thing - they can get away with some cuts, but a cut too far and people walk.
2. Non existent enforcement of baggage by AA and GAs who don't know what the rules are day to day, BE bags were a PR mess with limited gain.
3. AA has shown they can battle NK and others and hold their own even without BE. NK just shuttered a bunch of routes out of DFW. AA is now fighting FI and WW on the KEF routes to defend their turf and LF seems to indicate they are doing well at it.
In summary, low gain, lots of pain and bad PR.. easier to roll it back. Similar to how CX and QR rapidly rolled back their no-thru-checking-on-separate-PNRs policy. Small effort, near zero additional cost to do so yet pissed off a lot of people.
#865
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: Somewhere I've Driven To
Programs: HiltonHonors, IHG Hotels, DL Skymiles
Posts: 2,070
Hopefully UAL will come to their senses and do the same. Passengers might have half-way accepted payment at the gate if they didn't tack on another $25 there (totaling $50). It takes about five seconds to issue a bag tag, gate or not. Ridiculous.
#866
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: Austin, TX - AUS
Programs: AA Platinum, Hilton, Hyatt, IHG, Marriott
Posts: 1,625
For most routes, BE fares were the same as AA's lowest regular economy fares only with more restrictions and fees. Parker thought people would pay legacy AA fares for a Spirit product. Didn't work out too well.
#867
Join Date: Aug 2017
Location: Stilllwater OK (SWO)
Programs: AAdvantage ExecPlat, World of Hyatt Globalist, plain "member" of Marriott, IHG, enterprise, etc.
Posts: 1,844
Yeah, I noticed that some last minute direct flights can have much cheaper BE fares too. However, once I throw in a RJ connection, the difference evaporates. And I find non-last minute BE fares are typically barely cheaper. I imagine if any price changes occur in light of this overhead bin access, it will just be a bump up in price on the last minute bargains.
#868
Join Date: Dec 2017
Posts: 1,107
I wonder if they go the other way now, to keep BE fares lower than Main Cabin. By that, I mean I’m wondering if they start including the first checked bag for MC, but raise the price $25 to compensate.
I’m not sure they will, but they could.
I’m not sure they will, but they could.
#869
Suspended
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: DCA
Programs: UA US CO AA DL FL
Posts: 50,262
It's not all a win.
With more tight connections out there, the chances of someone in a low BG arriving at the end of the boarding process only to find the OH's full, is increased.
It also removes one of the purely economic arguments against the business use of those fares. If the employer could care less where the employee sits, the BE vs. Y comparison comes down to flexibility.
With more tight connections out there, the chances of someone in a low BG arriving at the end of the boarding process only to find the OH's full, is increased.
It also removes one of the purely economic arguments against the business use of those fares. If the employer could care less where the employee sits, the BE vs. Y comparison comes down to flexibility.
#870
Join Date: Mar 2018
Location: PHL
Programs: AA EXP, HH Diamond, Owner of 2,000 TWA shares
Posts: 812
Oddly enough, doe this really effect anyone on FT? Few, if any, here buy BE fares. And by "here" i mean the AA forum. Although...that PHL-MEM fare is stone cold crazy.