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)
#256
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2001
Programs: DL 1 million, AA 1 mil, HH lapsed Diamond, Marriott Plat
Posts: 28,190
Speculation can run wild. Informed observation is that Delta's cheapest award tickets still book into Main Cabin, not Basic Economy. AA can do something different but this is a 'Monkey see, Monkey do' business: AA/UA/DL seldom do something a lot different from their peers.
#257
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Speculation can run wild. Informed observation is that Delta's cheapest award tickets still book into Main Cabin, not Basic Economy. AA can do something different but this is a 'Monkey see, Monkey do' business: AA/UA/DL seldom do something a lot different from their peers.
#258
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: New York, NY
Posts: 3,698
#259
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: NYC
Posts: 27,240
Speculation can run wild. Informed observation is that Delta's cheapest award tickets still book into Main Cabin, not Basic Economy. AA can do something different but this is a 'Monkey see, Monkey do' business: AA/UA/DL seldom do something a lot different from their peers.
But generally I agree with you. If the underlying reason for the Basic fares in the first place was to be competitive with the ULCs -- well, really there's no need to be competitive in offering any particular itinerary at the lowest mileage. Very few people probably comparison shop award itineraries (FTers excluded, natch) because very few people even have enough miles on different programs. And I don't even know what kind of reward program Spirit/Allegiant/etc. have.
Longer-term, maybe someone at AA will think they could make AAdvantage more attractive by providing more discount award redemption opportunities. However, I think there's no shortage of OTHER, easier things they could do to make the program more attractive... (Like reverse most of the changes in the past year! )
#260
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: PHX, SEA
Programs: Avis President's Club, Global Entry, Hilton/Marriott Gold. No more DL/AA status.
Posts: 4,422
Elite customers and eligible AAdvantage® credit cardmembers will be allowed to bring one personal item, one rollaboard, and they maintain their current free checked bag allowance.
I'm either going to have AA Gold or AS MVP next year, once I decide where to credit my JAL flight. On one hand, adding to my AA miles would be nice to keep it all together, but I get nearly 10k more AS miles (even over the AA elite bonus). As I like to pick my seats, I probably won't buy these super basic fares but I would like to know.
Or on the flip side, they can let their son or daughter sit separately, as a protest to the new policy. It isn't like a kid can go anywhere, and if other passengers get annoyed they will complain on Twitter or wherever AA gets their feedback from (it isn't Platinum members).
#261
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
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Or on the flip side, they can let their son or daughter sit separately, as a protest to the new policy. It isn't like a kid can go anywhere, and if other passengers get annoyed they will complain on Twitter or wherever AA gets their feedback from (it isn't Platinum members).
Or on the flip side, they can let their son or daughter sit separately, as a protest to the new policy. It isn't like a kid can go anywhere, and if other passengers get annoyed they will complain on Twitter or wherever AA gets their feedback from (it isn't Platinum members).
#262
Join Date: Jun 2016
Location: NYC,MIA,XFL
Programs: AA EXP, B6 Mosaic, DL PM
Posts: 863
#264
#265
Join Date: Nov 2013
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Posts: 4,422
Yeah, that was what I was trying to convey. I hope that AA will anticipate this and at least put an adult + minor in a two seat combo. Maybe dad isn't in the same row, but unaccompanied minors probably won't happen, at least any more than it does now with IIROPS and other situations.
#266
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Notwithstanding fare purchased, AA can't and won't have kids sitting separately from their guardians. The same system that works to prevent it now will still work those PNRs to ensure it doesn't happen.
#267
Join Date: Jun 2016
Location: NYC,MIA,XFL
Programs: AA EXP, B6 Mosaic, DL PM
Posts: 863
Not that said system always works - I've been upgraded with my 4 year old and automatically assigned seats not together - even though seats together were available
#268
Join Date: Sep 2016
Programs: AA Plat
Posts: 122
Oh to be behind their computer for a day to see behind the scenes to understand the madness
#269
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: jfk area
Programs: AA platinum; 2MM AA, Delta Diamond, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 10,291
I'm "guessing" that many seat assignments are AUTOMATED (without human intervention). My profile shows that I prefer WINDOW seats, many times when I've been upgraded (on planes with lots of empty FC WINDOW seats) I'm assigned an AISLE seat.
#270
Join Date: Aug 2010
Programs: AA 1.6MM EXP; UA GS; SPG LTG,Hilton Gold, Marriott Gold
Posts: 1,477
I wouldn't want to give up an aisle seat for a middle on a flight >1 hour to accommodate a family who were unfortunate (or parsimonious) enough to find themselves in this situation...but depending on the situation I might. I wouldn't be happy about it though.