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)
Jan 23, 2017, 7:54 pm
#226
Moderator: American AAdvantage
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On AA metal, million miler miles have (since around 2008, I believe EDIT: It was 2011 when the change happened) been based on "butt in seat" miles. They are in no way tied to the EQM (e.g. You don't receive 2x million miler miles for a paid business class ticket).
I would suspect million miler would continue to accrue at 1 per mile flown.
I would suspect million miler would continue to accrue at 1 per mile flown.
As to whether Basic Fares, I would speculate it could be flown miles times 0.5, given that these Basic Economy fares earn 0.5 EQS per mile flown.
In the end, we will see the details when the full fare information is announced.
Jan 23, 2017, 8:00 pm
#227
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In the U.S., these are being filtered out by many companies primarily because they're completely non-changeable.
Jan 24, 2017, 1:41 pm
#228
Join Date: Jan 2017
Location: LAX
Posts: 13
I don't think a fare that doesn't include any checked baggage allowance rises to the level of something that Concur, or any employer, would want to filter out. Nor would a fare that doesn't include a seat assignment.
In the U.S., these are being filtered out by many companies primarily because they're completely non-changeable.
In the U.S., these are being filtered out by many companies primarily because they're completely non-changeable.
My concern is generally that if these basic economy codes show up on Concur, they will distort the fare floor. Our company has a rule that I can use any flight up 120% of the floor. Above that I need special approval.
Jan 24, 2017, 3:53 pm
#229
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In my case Concur did not filter out this particular Lufthansa fare ("Economy Light"). It also did not make it obvious that it does not include checked bags or seat reservations. Worse, Concur does not even offer other Lufthansa codes in economy. I know I can go read the detailed rules, but who has time for that?
My concern is generally that if these basic economy codes show up on Concur, they will distort the fare floor. Our company has a rule that I can use any flight up 120% of the floor. Above that I need special approval.
If your company doesn't filter them, then you may find yourself on a basic economy fare. And when your meeting runs late or your plans change, and the company has to purchase an entirely new (potentially last minute) ticket, maybe they'll reconsider. Or maybe they'll be more flexible with exceptions to the 120% rule. But it's all up to your company.
Jan 25, 2017, 7:20 am
#230
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: QDF
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Presumably your company will pay checked baggage charges when you're flying on a business ticket. They may or may not pay for seat reservations, but many airlines (especially in Europe) don't allow seat reservations until check-in on any coach fares, so it's kind of an irrelevant point vis-a-vis the booking engine and corporate policies, IMO.
Well, ultimately it's up to your company. Concur has the ability to exclude the basic economy fares offered by DL. Presumably it can exclude those from UA, and when they go on sale, AA as well. Nobody seems to have stated with any certainty whether the filter is a default for all Concur clients or whether it's an option enabled by each company, but most signs point to the latter.
If your company doesn't filter them, then you may find yourself on a basic economy fare. And when your meeting runs late or your plans change, and the company has to purchase an entirely new (potentially last minute) ticket, maybe they'll reconsider. Or maybe they'll be more flexible with exceptions to the 120% rule. But it's all up to your company.
Well, ultimately it's up to your company. Concur has the ability to exclude the basic economy fares offered by DL. Presumably it can exclude those from UA, and when they go on sale, AA as well. Nobody seems to have stated with any certainty whether the filter is a default for all Concur clients or whether it's an option enabled by each company, but most signs point to the latter.
If your company doesn't filter them, then you may find yourself on a basic economy fare. And when your meeting runs late or your plans change, and the company has to purchase an entirely new (potentially last minute) ticket, maybe they'll reconsider. Or maybe they'll be more flexible with exceptions to the 120% rule. But it's all up to your company.
Jan 25, 2017, 4:19 pm
#231
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: US
Programs: AAdvantage
Posts: 1,753
Jan 25, 2017, 4:27 pm
#233
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Join Date: Jan 2002
Posts: 44,624
If your company doesn't filter them, then you may find yourself on a basic economy fare. And when your meeting runs late or your plans change, and the company has to purchase an entirely new (potentially last minute) ticket, maybe they'll reconsider. Or maybe they'll be more flexible with exceptions to the 120% rule. But it's all up to your company.
Jan 26, 2017, 10:53 am
#234
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Orlando
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Forgive me if I've missed this scanning thru pages of posts, but what is the actual Fare Bucket letter code for this fare? Is it 'B' as shown on the boarding pass, or does that just indicate 'Basic Economy'. I don't see the code on AA either. Not that I want to get this; on the contrary I want to avoid it! I'm looking at it from a corporate self travel program such as Concur that may point me to the cheapest fare. I know these can be blocked (if the administrator wants to), but want to know just in case as our's isn't very travel savvy.
I fly out of MCO weekly and I see this as a nightmare waiting to happen. Families routinely ask others to switch seats as their family got split up (i.e. didn't want to pay for 'premium seats'), and this will just make it worse. Not to mention all the travelers with their Disney/Universal souvenirs they bring aboard - gate police here we come, and slow down the boarding for everyone else!
I fly out of MCO weekly and I see this as a nightmare waiting to happen. Families routinely ask others to switch seats as their family got split up (i.e. didn't want to pay for 'premium seats'), and this will just make it worse. Not to mention all the travelers with their Disney/Universal souvenirs they bring aboard - gate police here we come, and slow down the boarding for everyone else!
Jan 26, 2017, 12:21 pm
#235
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I fly out of MCO weekly and I see this as a nightmare waiting to happen. Families routinely ask others to switch seats as their family got split up (i.e. didn't want to pay for 'premium seats'), and this will just make it worse. Not to mention all the travelers with their Disney/Universal souvenirs they bring aboard - gate police here we come, and slow down the boarding for everyone else!
Jan 26, 2017, 1:21 pm
#236
Join Date: Jan 2016
Posts: 56
I fly out of MCO weekly and I see this as a nightmare waiting to happen. Families routinely ask others to switch seats as their family got split up (i.e. didn't want to pay for 'premium seats'), and this will just make it worse. Not to mention all the travelers with their Disney/Universal souvenirs they bring aboard - gate police here we come, and slow down the boarding for everyone else!
Throw in people flustered from vacation+not flying often+not being well read on fare rules, and you have the makings of YouTube video worthy explosions.
Jan 26, 2017, 8:25 pm
#237
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: US
Programs: AAdvantage
Posts: 1,753
Forgive me if I've missed this scanning thru pages of posts, but what is the actual Fare Bucket letter code for this fare? Is it 'B' as shown on the boarding pass, or does that just indicate 'Basic Economy'. I don't see the code on AA either. Not that I want to get this; on the contrary I want to avoid it! I'm looking at it from a corporate self travel program such as Concur that may point me to the cheapest fare. I know these can be blocked (if the administrator wants to), but want to know just in case as our's isn't very travel savvy.
I fly out of MCO weekly and I see this as a nightmare waiting to happen. Families routinely ask others to switch seats as their family got split up (i.e. didn't want to pay for 'premium seats'), and this will just make it worse. Not to mention all the travelers with their Disney/Universal souvenirs they bring aboard - gate police here we come, and slow down the boarding for everyone else!
I fly out of MCO weekly and I see this as a nightmare waiting to happen. Families routinely ask others to switch seats as their family got split up (i.e. didn't want to pay for 'premium seats'), and this will just make it worse. Not to mention all the travelers with their Disney/Universal souvenirs they bring aboard - gate police here we come, and slow down the boarding for everyone else!
Basic economy travelers will also be issued complimentary cinder blocks to wear around their necks in order to slow them down and prevent them from getting to the gate before their group is called.
AA does have automation which runs a day or two before the flight that automatically assigns adjacent seats to parties traveling with children under 13, so the amount of families on basic economy fares being split up should be minimal.
Jan 26, 2017, 9:26 pm
#238
Join Date: Jan 2009
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Jan 26, 2017, 11:28 pm
#239
Join Date: Jul 2011
Programs: American Airlines, Alaska Airlines, Hawaiian Airlines, Southwest
Posts: 296
I wonder if they could have named this instead of basic economy, in a manner consistent with their other economy naming.
That is, Economy Plus, Economy, and Economy Minus
Just wondering.
That is, Economy Plus, Economy, and Economy Minus
Just wondering.
Jan 26, 2017, 11:31 pm
#240
Join Date: Jul 2011
Programs: American Airlines, Alaska Airlines, Hawaiian Airlines, Southwest
Posts: 296
Perhaps this is only an interim step. Eventually, they will reconfigure the planes with a pitch of 18 inches and covert the rows on 737's to 4 / 3 or even 4 / 4..