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)
Feb 28, 2018, 7:24 pm
#752
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Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: NYC
Posts: 27,238
That said, most employers, particularly those using corporate travel agents/platforms, have blocked BE fares from even showing, because of the non-changeability.
Mar 1, 2018, 10:35 am
#753
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
AA’s transatlantic Joint Business Venture Partners AY, BA, IB are implementing AA Basic Economy restrictions on their airlines in conjunction with AA, at least in large part, in April 2018. This will prevent AA flyers from taking up the cheapest fares on Y, BA and IB to avoid some of the AA Basic Economy restrictions on baggage, changes, miles earning, etc. The AA information and links have been added to the Wikipost at the top of the page.
American and Partners Imposing Basic Economy Restrictions on Cheapest Transatlantic Fares Next Month by Gary Leff on March 1, 2018 <link>
In part:
American and Partners Imposing Basic Economy Restrictions on Cheapest Transatlantic Fares Next Month by Gary Leff on March 1, 2018 <link>
In part:
American Airlines and its transatlantic joint venture partners British Airways, Iberia, and Finnair are rolling out restrictive basic economy fares for travel across the Pond. This launches in April.
- No refunds or same day flight changes or standby (same day flight changes apply only to certain Heathrow flights today). In American’s version at least these tickets will be changeable for a fee.
- No free advance seat assignments
- No free checked bags
- No upgrades (so American’s eVIP upgrades given to Executive Platinums, ConciergeKey members, and million milers will have minimum fare class restrictions for international travel for the first time)
- Board last (British Airways and American only, on American this will mean Group 8, and this doesn’t apply to Finnair or Iberia)
- Only 50% of elite qualifying miles and segments when crediting to AAdvantage (no change for other programs)
Mar 1, 2018, 3:18 pm
#754
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2004
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Just because I haven't seen it answered before: as a OW Sapphire flying LAX-SFO on Basic Economy last Sunday I got
1) Group 3 boarding (and, therefore, no restrictions on hand luggage)
2) Access to the LAX Flagship Lounge
So, it's even better to be a non-AA elite, because AA members won't get 2).
1) Group 3 boarding (and, therefore, no restrictions on hand luggage)
2) Access to the LAX Flagship Lounge
So, it's even better to be a non-AA elite, because AA members won't get 2).
AA elites wouldn't get lounge access for this route even on a full F ticket
Mar 1, 2018, 5:25 pm
#755
Join Date: Sep 2001
Programs: Alaska Tanzanite 100K
Posts: 3,858
Starting in April, we will introduce Basic Economy on some trans-Atlantic flights, giving customers a new option for our lowest fares.
We're making this addition together with our Atlantic Joint Business partners British Airways, Iberia and Finnair.We're following the same playbook in this latest expansion as we did for the initial rollout of Basic Economy. That includes training that began this week for Airports and Reservations team members and making it available in a limited number of markets first to make sure we get it right.
In general, most options and restrictions for trans-Atlantic Basic Economy are similar to those for domestic Basic Economy or for short-haul international Basic Economy such as flights to Canada, although there are a few differences.
A closer look at domestic and trans-Atlantic Basic Economy
Click to enlarge imageWe'll have more to share about trans-Atlantic Basic Economy when it launches in April. For now, here's a preview of how it will work:
Boarding - Trans-Atlantic Basic Economy customers, including those originating with a domestic leg, will board in Group 8. Elite customers and eligible AAdvantage® credit card members will continue to receive Priority or preferred boarding even when purchasing this fare.
Carry-on Bags - The carry-on bag allowance for all international Main Cabin fares, including trans-Atlantic Basic Economy, is one personal item and one larger carry-on. This is unchanged from international Main Cabin fares today.
Checked Bags - Regular Main Cabin fares will continue to include one checked bag for free. A new fee will apply for the first checked bag on trans-Atlantic Basic Economy.
Connections - Customers flying on a domestic Basic Economy leg connecting to a trans-Atlantic Basic Economy ticket will travel under the rules of the international ticket, including the carry-on bag allowance.
Inflight experience - Regardless of whether they are traveling on a Basic Economy fare or a regular Main Cabin fare, all Main Cabin customers will have the same experience, including the same free entertainment, soft drinks, snacks and meals offered today.
Seat assignments - Free seat assignments are made automatically when customers check in. Customers flying trans-Atlantic Basic Economy can purchase a seat assignment at any time.
Tickets - Non-refundable. No same-day flight change or same-day standby. However, the tickets are changeable (for a fee), which is different from domestic Basic Economy where changes are not allowed at all.
Upgrades - Not permitted, regardless of elite status level.
Mar 1, 2018, 7:07 pm
#756
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: PHL
Programs: AA Gold, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 480
In theory, no, no changes. Would kind of defeat the purpose for AA if you could just pay the fare difference and then have a changeable fare. I think if you call to upfare within 24 hours you'll have better luck, but generally I'd guess that YMMV.
That said, most employers, particularly those using corporate travel agents/platforms, have blocked BE fares from even showing, because of the non-changeability.
That said, most employers, particularly those using corporate travel agents/platforms, have blocked BE fares from even showing, because of the non-changeability.
Mar 1, 2018, 7:52 pm
#757
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: DCA/IAD
Programs: AA Gold, Amex Plat
Posts: 4,007
I’m flying on my first Basic Economy ticket right now from DFW-BWI. $87 for a last minute one way vs. $332 for Main Cabin. With AA Gold status, it hasn’t felt that different than a regular coach fare, aside from the inability to upgrade (not that I would have cleared the upgrade list anyway with my status!)
I declined to pay for an advance seat assignment and was given 25E when I checked in on the AA app last night. However, an Admirals Club agent changed me to an exit row aisle at D-45 when I asked, no charge. I imagine the seat policy is a YMMV issue, but I was pleased. Exit row would have cost me $50 on this fare if I had picked it at check in.
I declined to pay for an advance seat assignment and was given 25E when I checked in on the AA app last night. However, an Admirals Club agent changed me to an exit row aisle at D-45 when I asked, no charge. I imagine the seat policy is a YMMV issue, but I was pleased. Exit row would have cost me $50 on this fare if I had picked it at check in.
Mar 2, 2018, 8:43 am
#758
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Join Date: May 2002
Location: NC
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So this brings the end to using SWUs on cheap fares overseas as I’m sure the difference between basic economy and the cheapest economy fare class will be huge.
It’s also a horrible issue for people whose companies make them book the cheapest fare which is often in basic economy. I have dealt with several issues just this past month with trying to explain to travel agents about what basic economy is and to not book me on it; they always think I’m asking for business even though I’m just saying do not book me in basic economy. Airlines are not doing biz travelers any favors; this will just send them to the lower fare carriers and give go on loyalty programs altogether.
It’s also a horrible issue for people whose companies make them book the cheapest fare which is often in basic economy. I have dealt with several issues just this past month with trying to explain to travel agents about what basic economy is and to not book me on it; they always think I’m asking for business even though I’m just saying do not book me in basic economy. Airlines are not doing biz travelers any favors; this will just send them to the lower fare carriers and give go on loyalty programs altogether.
Mar 2, 2018, 8:52 am
#759
Join Date: May 2011
Location: DFW
Programs: AA EXP, LT Gold
Posts: 3,148
Not that I will jump ship now, but it certainly levels the SWU-usage benefit we've had with AA over UA all along.
Mar 9, 2018, 2:19 pm
#760
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: New York City + Vail, CO
Programs: American Airlines Executive Platinum, Marriott Bonvoy Ambassador Elite
Posts: 3,226
I'm flying AA in B class for the first time. I'm AAdvantage Platinum and flying on Tuesday from EWR to MIA. I see that it's going to snow in NYC on Tuesday. What's the best strategy to get a shot at being rebooked out of B class? Is it best to call? See people at the Admirals Club (I have the Citi Executive Card), or gate/ticking area? I know that they're probably supposed to oversell B on whatever flight I end up on, but I assume someone might just pick whatever fare class is available (ideally Y, so I get 1.5 EQM, every little bit of ~500 EQM counts).
Mar 10, 2018, 9:21 am
#762
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Mar 10, 2018, 6:07 pm
#764
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The exception for elites is marked with a an asterisk against carry-on bags. There is none so marked in relation to same day flight changes or standby.
Mar 12, 2018, 8:42 pm
#765
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: LGB
Programs: AA Platinum Pro, Marriott Platinum, Hyatt Discoverist
Posts: 241
And from my understanding, the airlines don't want you to buy basic economy fares unless you are very price conscious. They have to price standard fares at a premium that is only commensurate with the benefits, if they want people to buy it.