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)
#931
Join Date: Apr 2018
Posts: 14
Your quoted language above "we will attempt..." sounds pretty good to me. You can see the seat maps. If there are non-MCE, non-preferred seats available on your flight, I would probably take the risk myself... book the tickets, see what happens in the next 48 hours, and then call up AA after 48 hours and ask for the seats to be assigned. The "attempt" language doesn't seem like that big a risk -- it's not like attempting a 47-yard field goal -- if seats are available (non-MCE, non-preferred) then it's hard to see how AA would justifiably decide not to give you at least one adult next to the toddler. The language wouldn't mean anything if it didn't mean at least that much. (I am a lawyer but I'm not your lawyer, etc.)
I need to call anyway to book the lap infant ticket, so I'll plan on asking about it when I do that on Wednesday or Thursday.
I'll let everyone know if the system just magically seats us together tonight or tomorrow night (which is sort of what I am expecting).
#932
Join Date: May 2017
Location: ORD
Posts: 369
Yup, I just booked now. The seat map for both flights are wide open.
I need to call anyway to book the lap infant ticket, so I'll plan on asking about it when I do that on Wednesday or Thursday.
I'll let everyone know if the system just magically seats us together tonight or tomorrow night (which is sort of what I am expecting).
I need to call anyway to book the lap infant ticket, so I'll plan on asking about it when I do that on Wednesday or Thursday.
I'll let everyone know if the system just magically seats us together tonight or tomorrow night (which is sort of what I am expecting).
Unless you're partial to AA for some reason, I second the suggestion to check Southwest. You'd board after the A group and probably get 3 seats next to each other, unless you were having extraordinarily bad luck that day.
#933
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Chicago, IL
Programs: AA EP; WN CP;UA SILVER; MARRIOTT TITANIUM; HH DIAMOND; IHG PLAT; RADISSON PLAT; HYATT GLOBAL
Posts: 1,938
I am looking to book basic economy for my family, which includes a 3 year old. So the above means they will actually assign our seats right after booking, and not 48 hours before the flight as stated in the wiki on this page, right? I don't mind sitting away from my wife as long as one of us is next to our kid.
It's hard to imagine the AA lawyers (and marketing team) allowing a toddler to sit away from his family regardless of what is agreed to upon ticket purchase.
It's hard to imagine the AA lawyers (and marketing team) allowing a toddler to sit away from his family regardless of what is agreed to upon ticket purchase.
So I called exactly at T-24, system had preassigned us seats, the agent was able to put as all together in the back, changed it to 3 and 1, and then on return 2 and 2. There are blocked out rows for this purpose. At the minimum infant/kids can stay with 1 parent and other parent sits apart. If for whatever reason,they can't do it over the phone at T-24, go to airport early to get seat assignments.
Wiki states 48 hours, call 48 hours. If not, 24 hours. Also, consider paying $ for seat assignment.
I think that some parents don't fully understand the rules of BE and don't call at T-24. Plus it is hard to accommodate seats at the gate for a large family, just like a recent situation of a family on Delta, that were separated. I think they were 5 and wanted to sit together and could not be accommodated, once on board had to beg other passengers to move (to the back and middle seats), and had a hard time getting volunteers.
#934
Join Date: Apr 2018
Posts: 14
Wiki was wrong and AA Childrens Policy was correct. They assigned us 28D, E, and F BWI-MIA automatically, and 29D, E, and F MIA-BWI automatically. I haven't called or anything yet.
Hopefully a good data point for other travelers thinking about this.
Hopefully a good data point for other travelers thinking about this.
#935
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: PHL
Programs: AA ExP, Marriott Amb, National EAE, Hilton Diamond, SPG Plat (RIP), US CP (RIP)
Posts: 2,379
Thanks for reporting back!
#936
Join Date: May 2017
Location: ORD
Posts: 369
Thanks, this will be good to know for when our son is too old to be a lap child.
#938
Join Date: Apr 2013
Programs: SPG, AA, United
Posts: 1,816
Thanks for the pleasant welcome! We are not talking about a small amount of money here - the flights I am looking at are quite literally twice as expensive in Main Cabin as Basic Economy - this isn't a question of shelling out $20 more dollars per person. If it was a reasonable price difference I'd do it in a heartbeat so that we could get three seats together guaranteed, but it's well north of $100 a ticket. We wouldn't do this vacation if forced to buy tickets at Main Cabin pricing.
Anyway, my real question was about timing, since like I said the Wiki above mentioned 48 hours before takeoff, but I do believe that they will actually assign seats now 48 hours after purchase (when there should be no chance they are not at least two seats together anywhere). I just want confirmation. Thanks!
Anyway, my real question was about timing, since like I said the Wiki above mentioned 48 hours before takeoff, but I do believe that they will actually assign seats now 48 hours after purchase (when there should be no chance they are not at least two seats together anywhere). I just want confirmation. Thanks!
But I don't see any gate agent refusing to allow a child to sit with their parent if you ask nicely enough.
#939
Join Date: Aug 2017
Location: NYC
Programs: AA EXP
Posts: 23
Has anyone been seeing prices to Europe lately? Wondering if this is the new norm or price surge. Was looking at JFK-LHR and consistently seeing $421 fares as basic economy. When it prices out to regular economy jumps to $653. Seems like quite the upchage no?
I’m ExPlat and love my benefits but having a really tough time justifying paying $653 to London
#940
Join Date: May 2017
Location: ORD
Posts: 369
Has anyone been seeing prices to Europe lately? Wondering if this is the new norm or price surge. Was looking at JFK-LHR and consistently seeing $421 fares as basic economy. When it prices out to regular economy jumps to $653. Seems like quite the upchage no?
I’m ExPlat and love my benefits but having a really tough time justifying paying $653 to London
#941
Join Date: Nov 2017
Posts: 204
Is this new? Basic Economy now earns only 50% miles?
I don't recall when AA first introduced Basic Economy that it earned reduced miles (says "50% miles" on the booking I'm looking at on Orbitz), only that you could not reserve a seat at booking and maybe that a carry-on was not allowed. Even at 100% miles earned, it's still piddly compared to the old system of actually earning a mile for each mile you flew. 50% is really ridiculous. I'll have to check and see if this is also being done by Delta and United, or if it's just American cutting down miles earning with an Basic Economy ticket..
#942
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
I think you're confusing the two types of miles, Bob. You will still earn 5x (or more if you are elite) AAdvantage miles based on the price of the ticket with a BE fare. The 50% reduction is in Elite Qualifying Miles (which are still based on the miles you actually fly).
Also, I can tell you that Delta still awards 100% MQM on Basic fares. United is interesting. For 2018 you earned 0% PQM, but they are changing to the American approach of 50% PQM starting in 2019. United also does not allow overhead bin space (only personal items).
Also, I can tell you that Delta still awards 100% MQM on Basic fares. United is interesting. For 2018 you earned 0% PQM, but they are changing to the American approach of 50% PQM starting in 2019. United also does not allow overhead bin space (only personal items).
#943
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Hoboken, NJ
Programs: AA Gold
Posts: 194
Just booked my first B fare... Really odd one...
AA797 on 1/13 doesn’t depart PHX until 23:00 and arrives DFW at 02:15 on 1/14.
The rest of the flights that day were $240-$300 in B with a $30-50 upcharge into main cabin.
For AA797, I was able to snag a $69 fare, when main cabin was $240. I’ll take the $170 savings (and be very tired at work Monday AM).
AA797 on 1/13 doesn’t depart PHX until 23:00 and arrives DFW at 02:15 on 1/14.
The rest of the flights that day were $240-$300 in B with a $30-50 upcharge into main cabin.
For AA797, I was able to snag a $69 fare, when main cabin was $240. I’ll take the $170 savings (and be very tired at work Monday AM).
#944
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 23,067
Just booked my first B fare... Really odd one...
AA797 on 1/13 doesn’t depart PHX until 23:00 and arrives DFW at 02:15 on 1/14.
The rest of the flights that day were $240-$300 in B with a $30-50 upcharge into main cabin.
For AA797, I was able to snag a $69 fare, when main cabin was $240. I’ll take the $170 savings (and be very tired at work Monday AM).
AA797 on 1/13 doesn’t depart PHX until 23:00 and arrives DFW at 02:15 on 1/14.
The rest of the flights that day were $240-$300 in B with a $30-50 upcharge into main cabin.
For AA797, I was able to snag a $69 fare, when main cabin was $240. I’ll take the $170 savings (and be very tired at work Monday AM).
#945
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: CLT
Programs: AA EXP; Avis PC; Hertz PC; Marriott LT Gold; Hilton Diamond
Posts: 1,133