Jan 18, 2017, 9:12 pm
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)
Jul 11, 2019, 8:54 am
#1126
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: NYC
Posts: 27,234
Well I assume we need more data on what "$X" could be. If it can reasonably expected to be, say, $30, then, that's $100 savings on the round-trip, which may actually be worthwhile. But agreed that still may not keep you out of a middle seat, between two large passengers or not.
Jul 11, 2019, 9:08 am
#1127
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Philadelphia
Posts: 2,506
Upon check in , the agent does not know what i am talking about. She asked her supervisor.. and alas... supervisor confirmed with Iberia ticket operated by Ba on basic economy.. you can bring 1 luggage. For emerald and sapphire. Again, only if your ticket is issued by iberia.. hope this helps guys
Jul 15, 2019, 2:54 pm
#1129
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: JFK, DCA, BUR, YVR
Programs: AC, AS, BA, DL, HH (D), MR (T/LTP), UA (*S), UScAAre (PLT/1,87MM), WN
Posts: 5,207
LOL! If this was a choice on any of my itineraries, then I think I would spring for the $2. Unfortunately, the spread is ~$35 now for most flights.
Jul 15, 2019, 4:51 pm
#1130
Suspended
Join Date: Sep 2006
Programs: AAdvantage PP
Posts: 13,913
Jul 16, 2019, 9:13 am
#1132
Join Date: May 2008
Location: PHL (kinda, no airport is really close)
Programs: AA Exp, but not sure for how long. Enterprise Platinum woo-hoo!
Posts: 4,550
BE Seats
I'm traveling tomorrow at 4PM. I'm PPro and have a main cabin ticket. I'm traveling with someone who has a basic economy ticket. I'm in 23F on the LUS A321, which is listed as a "preferred" seat.
Say that my traveling companion checks in today at T-23:59. Can he select a seat? What will be offered. I assume MCE won't be offered, but can he select a "preferred" seat? Can he select any open coach seat that isn't MCE or preferred? Is there a chance that if I call, he can get 23E, next to me? 23F is a great seat, with 22F removed it has unlimited legroom, but 23E is just a middle seat with regular legroom, although it's classified as an "exit row."
Say that my traveling companion checks in today at T-23:59. Can he select a seat? What will be offered. I assume MCE won't be offered, but can he select a "preferred" seat? Can he select any open coach seat that isn't MCE or preferred? Is there a chance that if I call, he can get 23E, next to me? 23F is a great seat, with 22F removed it has unlimited legroom, but 23E is just a middle seat with regular legroom, although it's classified as an "exit row."
Jul 16, 2019, 9:17 am
#1133
Join Date: May 2015
Location: WAS, SZX, HKG
Programs: AS MVP Gold 75K, CX Green
Posts: 735
If he check in T-23.59, he will get the worst seat possible on the plane (middle seats towards the back). There will be a small fee to change the seat, even to another non-preferred center seat.
No one except the gate agent can change BE seat assignment I believe
No one except the gate agent can change BE seat assignment I believe
Jul 16, 2019, 9:17 am
#1134
Suspended
Join Date: Sep 2006
Programs: AAdvantage PP
Posts: 13,913
I'm traveling tomorrow at 4PM. I'm PPro and have a main cabin ticket. I'm traveling with someone who has a basic economy ticket. I'm in 23F on the LUS A321, which is listed as a "preferred" seat.
Say that my traveling companion checks in today at T-23:59. Can he select a seat? What will be offered. I assume MCE won't be offered, but can he select a "preferred" seat? Can he select any open coach seat that isn't MCE or preferred? Is there a chance that if I call, he can get 23E, next to me? 23F is a great seat, with 22F removed it has unlimited legroom, but 23E is just a middle seat with regular legroom, although it's classified as an "exit row."
Say that my traveling companion checks in today at T-23:59. Can he select a seat? What will be offered. I assume MCE won't be offered, but can he select a "preferred" seat? Can he select any open coach seat that isn't MCE or preferred? Is there a chance that if I call, he can get 23E, next to me? 23F is a great seat, with 22F removed it has unlimited legroom, but 23E is just a middle seat with regular legroom, although it's classified as an "exit row."
Jul 16, 2019, 9:27 am
#1135
Join Date: Aug 2017
Programs: AA PLT, IHG Spire
Posts: 551
If he is willing to pay for a MCE seat I believe that AA is more than willing to take his money. If he wants to get a seat right next to you he could check in and then pay for the seat. Otherwise the longer he waits the more likely it is that he will get a MCE seat for free.
Jul 16, 2019, 9:44 am
#1137
Moderator: American AAdvantage
Join Date: May 2000
Location: NorCal - SMF area
Programs: AA LT Plat; HH LT Diamond, Maître-plongeur des Muccis
Posts: 62,948
I'm traveling tomorrow at 4PM. I'm PPro and have a main cabin ticket. I'm traveling with someone who has a basic economy ticket. I'm in 23F on the LUS A321, which is listed as a "preferred" seat.
Say that my traveling companion checks in today at T-23:59. Can he select a seat? What will be offered. I assume MCE won't be offered, but can he select a "preferred" seat? Can he select any open coach seat that isn't MCE or preferred? Is there a chance that if I call, he can get 23E, next to me? 23F is a great seat, with 22F removed it has unlimited legroom, but 23E is just a middle seat with regular legroom, although it's classified as an "exit row."
Say that my traveling companion checks in today at T-23:59. Can he select a seat? What will be offered. I assume MCE won't be offered, but can he select a "preferred" seat? Can he select any open coach seat that isn't MCE or preferred? Is there a chance that if I call, he can get 23E, next to me? 23F is a great seat, with 22F removed it has unlimited legroom, but 23E is just a middle seat with regular legroom, although it's classified as an "exit row."
Thank you, Moderator
Jul 18, 2019, 2:33 pm
#1138
Join Date: Apr 2017
Location: WAS
Programs: Free Agent
Posts: 1,757
I decided to try out some basic economy fares this year, and I'm happy to report that I'm 4/4 this year in getting free MCE on basic economy fares. I'm still annoyed that BE exists, and have very specific parameters under which I'm willing to buy it, but on the whole I find the seating algorithm favorable. It's done a great job assigning me and the Mrs. seats next to each other when possible.
Just to reiterate, the concept remains upsetting and a cash grab.
Just to reiterate, the concept remains upsetting and a cash grab.
Jul 19, 2019, 7:55 am
#1139
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: TPA
Programs: AA Gold, SPG Gold, HHonors Gold, Passport Gold
Posts: 10
Forgive me if this has been covered, but has there been any success in getting the gate agent to change a BE seat assignment free of charge (obviously assuming availability)? I made the mistake of checking in T-24 and predictably was assigned a seat in the rear of the plane. TIA.
Jul 19, 2019, 11:38 am
#1140
Suspended
Join Date: Sep 2006
Programs: AAdvantage PP
Posts: 13,913
Forgive me if this has been covered, but has there been any success in getting the gate agent to change a BE seat assignment free of charge (obviously assuming availability)? I made the mistake of checking in T-24 and predictably was assigned a seat in the rear of the plane. TIA.