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)
#136
Join Date: Aug 2003
Programs: AA EXP
Posts: 466
It's now.. US Air
You are absolutely spot on. The AA we all new (in my case for the last 35 years) is gone. It is NOW.... US air. And that IS too bad... as I do not think that HAD to be.
#137
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Programs: AA Gold, Marriott Plat
Posts: 456
If I wanted to fly Frontier or Spirit - i would. Or even Southwest for that manner. There is a reason I pay more for AA. Watch, the fares for Main Coach now will be the basic economy and those Main Coach fares are going to resemble Full Fare Coach.
#139
Join Date: Aug 2010
Programs: AAdvantage PLAT, Marriott PLAT, Hilton Honors GLD, SPG PLAT
Posts: 34
#140
Join Date: May 2008
Location: NYC
Programs: DL PM; UA 1K; AA 1MM
Posts: 4,520
I come from the pmAA side of the house and I didn't want this merger. Having said that: the airlines have been playing monkey-see monkey-do for a while now. This is more AA being DL and UA than US, and probably would have happened even without the merger (though no possible way to know that for sure of course).
#142
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: TUL
Programs: AA EXP 2MM; Marriott Titanium; Hilton Diamond; Hyatt Explorist; Vistana 5* Elite; Nat'l Exec Elite
Posts: 6,177
Has this been mentioned already about the half segment earned?
http://news.aa.com/press-releases/pr...e/default.aspx
......AAdvantage – Full AAdvantage miles and Elite Qualifying Dollars may be earned when purchasing these fares; however, only one-half Elite Qualifying Mile will be earned per mile flown, and one-half Elite Qualifying Segment per segment flown.
Upgrades – Not permitted, regardless of elite status level.
Tickets – Non-refundable, non-changeable. Use it or lose it. No same-day flight change or same-day standby.
http://news.aa.com/press-releases/pr...e/default.aspx
......AAdvantage – Full AAdvantage miles and Elite Qualifying Dollars may be earned when purchasing these fares; however, only one-half Elite Qualifying Mile will be earned per mile flown, and one-half Elite Qualifying Segment per segment flown.
Upgrades – Not permitted, regardless of elite status level.
Tickets – Non-refundable, non-changeable. Use it or lose it. No same-day flight change or same-day standby.
#143
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: CLT
Programs: Marriott Plat, AA Gold
Posts: 1,076
So now, all three legacies have some version of a rock bottom fare which everybody swears that nobody will buy and will cause the commercial air business to go into a tailspin (economically, not physically). There is then a rant about the fact that these fares are not really new lower fares, simply the lowest fares and that is somehow wrong.
The fact is that DL made a go of it, the fares apparently work, UA is introducing them, and now AA.
The DL website does a great job of disclosure and it's hard to book one without knowing that you're buying something bottom of the barrel. But, people apparently do.
The OH issue is a red herring. More often than not, if you are in the last BG on a typical full narrow body, there won't be much if any OH space so it really doesn't matter whether the rules permit a carry-on or not. If the aircraft is empty and the GA lets the BE's in BG 100 board with an extra bag, nobody is going to care.
The fact is that DL made a go of it, the fares apparently work, UA is introducing them, and now AA.
The DL website does a great job of disclosure and it's hard to book one without knowing that you're buying something bottom of the barrel. But, people apparently do.
The OH issue is a red herring. More often than not, if you are in the last BG on a typical full narrow body, there won't be much if any OH space so it really doesn't matter whether the rules permit a carry-on or not. If the aircraft is empty and the GA lets the BE's in BG 100 board with an extra bag, nobody is going to care.
#144
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: CLT
Programs: Marriott Plat, AA Gold
Posts: 1,076
I cover it here:
https://twitter.com/xJonNYC/status/821538827084988416
(not all members of all groups included therein):
Then 5,6,7,8,9
No idea how they'll be called.
https://twitter.com/xJonNYC/status/821538827084988416
(not all members of all groups included therein):
Then 5,6,7,8,9
No idea how they'll be called.
#145
Suspended
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: DCA
Programs: UA US CO AA DL FL
Posts: 50,262
Of course. But, in theory at least most gate checks now are for bags which can't be carried because there is no space. Maybe now that AA is charging for BE gate checks, it will start charging for other passengers trying to lug non-compliant bags onboard. That would be a good thing as nothing slows down the boarding process more than the fools lugging steamer trunks on "because they fit the OH."
#146
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: DEN
Programs: AA EXP, AA Million Miles, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 2,586
Add me to the list of folks extremely unconcered by these fares.
My company's policy is lowest "reasonable" Y.
These are anything but reasonable.
What other carriers?
UA - has these fares.
DL - has these fares.
WN - nice little airline but no elite benefits to speak of, no meaningful international service
F9, NK - lol
B6, AS - good options if their limited route networks work for you.
There are reasons to jump carriers, I don't see this as one. Given that everyone is doing it.
My company's policy is lowest "reasonable" Y.
These are anything but reasonable.
UA - has these fares.
DL - has these fares.
WN - nice little airline but no elite benefits to speak of, no meaningful international service
F9, NK - lol
B6, AS - good options if their limited route networks work for you.
There are reasons to jump carriers, I don't see this as one. Given that everyone is doing it.
#147
#148
Join Date: May 2008
Location: NYC
Programs: DL PM; UA 1K; AA 1MM
Posts: 4,520
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/ameri...solidated.html
#149
Join Date: Jan 2016
Posts: 56
I can't wait to see how the boarding process happens once these fares are implemented. For frequent flyers, no big deal, we all know the rules and the ins and outs.
For the infrequent flyer, who purchases the lowest rate on a legacy carrier thinking it includes a carry on bag....yikes-o.
I predict huge drama in the gate area during boarding group 24, or whatever insanely high number AA has given that last group.
For the infrequent flyer, who purchases the lowest rate on a legacy carrier thinking it includes a carry on bag....yikes-o.
I predict huge drama in the gate area during boarding group 24, or whatever insanely high number AA has given that last group.
#150
Suspended
Join Date: Apr 2016
Programs: SkyMiles, AAdvantage, TrueBlue, Rapid Rewards, Global Entry
Posts: 204