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)
Apr 7, 2019, 5:22 pm
#1051
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Rowland heights, CA USA
Programs: PAL million miler (1.6 M ), AA Platinum ( almost 1 M)
Posts: 434
Getting confused now..
I called iberia again, talked to Tony, i told him about what you guys told me... he said .. it is an iberia ticket even it is a BA plane, it will follow IB baggage rules.
🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄 he said he is 100% i could. Well.. i will be flying in 6 hrs.. checking in 4 hrs from now...
🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄 he said he is 100% i could. Well.. i will be flying in 6 hrs.. checking in 4 hrs from now...
Apr 7, 2019, 9:57 pm
#1052
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Rowland heights, CA USA
Programs: PAL million miler (1.6 M ), AA Platinum ( almost 1 M)
Posts: 434
Guys...🙄
Upon check in , the agent does not know what i am talking about. She asked her supervisor.. and alas... supervisor confirmed with Iberia ticket operated by Ba on basic economy.. you can bring 1 luggage. For emerald and sapphire. Again, only if your ticket is issued by iberia.. hope this helps guys
Apr 7, 2019, 10:01 pm
#1053
Join Date: Apr 2013
Programs: SPG, AA, United
Posts: 1,816
Upon check in , the agent does not know what i am talking about. She asked her supervisor.. and alas... supervisor confirmed with Iberia ticket operated by Ba on basic economy.. you can bring 1 luggage. For emerald and sapphire. Again, only if your ticket is issued by iberia.. hope this helps guys
Apr 8, 2019, 7:32 pm
#1054
Join Date: May 2001
Location: Valley of the Sun, AZ, USA
Programs: AA Dirt, HHonors Silver
Posts: 495
Couple of questions.
1) Do golds get a free checked bag on B fares? Website says yes, but agent said no.
2) If so, for how many companions?
3) Since there are 7 of us traveling, should I book thru group reservations? I seem to recall a blurb about no benefits on group reservations.
Since the route we're flying will be A321s and RJs, and we have kids traveling with the group, we can't get MCE seats as they are all exit row, so might as well save $60 each and book the BE fare. However, if I? can't get a free checked bag for each person on the BE fare, then it makes more sense to book regular economy for the same price and earn full EQMs.
1) Do golds get a free checked bag on B fares? Website says yes, but agent said no.
2) If so, for how many companions?
3) Since there are 7 of us traveling, should I book thru group reservations? I seem to recall a blurb about no benefits on group reservations.
Since the route we're flying will be A321s and RJs, and we have kids traveling with the group, we can't get MCE seats as they are all exit row, so might as well save $60 each and book the BE fare. However, if I? can't get a free checked bag for each person on the BE fare, then it makes more sense to book regular economy for the same price and earn full EQMs.
Apr 8, 2019, 7:35 pm
#1055
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Jan 2002
Posts: 44,624
With most airlines , 10 is the minimum for a group booking (where entire party travels together) and 20 where all are heading to same event but may be split across different flights/from different originations. If eligible for a group booking, I would have no hesitation in doing so. Just been doing some large group bookings and the benefits are pretty decent
Apr 8, 2019, 7:38 pm
#1056
Join Date: May 2001
Location: Valley of the Sun, AZ, USA
Programs: AA Dirt, HHonors Silver
Posts: 495
6 is the max you can book on-line. So we have to go to the group desk to get all 7 on the same reservation. Aside from waiving the $25 phone booking fee, there does not appear to be any discounts or benefits of doing a single group booking.
Apr 9, 2019, 9:07 am
#1058
Join Date: Apr 2013
Programs: SPG, AA, United
Posts: 1,816
I'll probably be flying BE this month again along with my dad, so I'll find out the answer to your question through experience by the end of the month.
Apr 9, 2019, 9:25 am
#1059
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: BMI
Programs: AA EXP, Delta, Amtrak, Hertz PC
Posts: 657
Interesting BE experience. I was flying DCA-ORD last Friday on the 7:00 flight out. The Gate Agent said there were 48!! people in group 9 (BE) and they all would have to check their carry on bags. That means 1 in 3 coach passengers were BE. Of course, the newer 737-800 with space bins went out with the overheads nowhere close to full.
I sat in MCE row 9 with a woman who was is group 9, she said she selected her seat about 2 hours before the flight. She was excited when I told her free booze. She ordered the same jack and coke as me
I sat in MCE row 9 with a woman who was is group 9, she said she selected her seat about 2 hours before the flight. She was excited when I told her free booze. She ordered the same jack and coke as me
Apr 9, 2019, 10:26 am
#1060
Join Date: Apr 2013
Programs: SPG, AA, United
Posts: 1,816
Interesting BE experience. I was flying DCA-ORD last Friday on the 7:00 flight out. The Gate Agent said there were 48!! people in group 9 (BE) and they all would have to check their carry on bags. That means 1 in 3 coach passengers were BE. Of course, the newer 737-800 with space bins went out with the overheads nowhere close to full.
I sat in MCE row 9 with a woman who was is group 9, she said she selected her seat about 2 hours before the flight. She was excited when I told her free booze. She ordered the same jack and coke as me
I sat in MCE row 9 with a woman who was is group 9, she said she selected her seat about 2 hours before the flight. She was excited when I told her free booze. She ordered the same jack and coke as me
Apr 9, 2019, 3:18 pm
#1061
Join Date: May 2017
Location: ORD
Posts: 369
Presumably it was the complimentary gate check - it'd be ballsy of AA to advertise that BE passengers get 1 personal item and 1 carry-on item and then charge passengers to check their personal item when the overhead bins get full.
Apr 10, 2019, 12:11 am
#1062
Join Date: Oct 2007
Programs: AA, WN, UA, Bonvoy, Hertz
Posts: 2,491
Interesting BE experience. I was flying DCA-ORD last Friday on the 7:00 flight out. The Gate Agent said there were 48!! people in group 9 (BE) and they all would have to check their carry on bags. That means 1 in 3 coach passengers were BE. Of course, the newer 737-800 with space bins went out with the overheads nowhere close to full.
I sat in MCE row 9 with a woman who was is group 9, she said she selected her seat about 2 hours before the flight. She was excited when I told her free booze. She ordered the same jack and coke as me
I sat in MCE row 9 with a woman who was is group 9, she said she selected her seat about 2 hours before the flight. She was excited when I told her free booze. She ordered the same jack and coke as me
Separately, I agree that BE has become very popular on many routes. I am not a big fan because beyond the late group boarding, you are likely going to find these BE folks seated in preferred or MCE as the flight will be full. Since we saw that AA just shifted the same previous low fare (O, G, etc.) into BE bucket, they didn't lose much revenue, but I am unsure this really makes BE all that good (aside from punishing people from various mileage accruals who book into those buckets).
Apr 10, 2019, 5:38 am
#1063
Suspended
Join Date: Sep 2006
Programs: AAdvantage PP
Posts: 13,913
Yeah, another thread indicated that planes with the new bins (which can fit four rollerbags) was supposed to stop proactive gate checking, but the agent probably didn't follow the boarding instructions from her computer. Thankfully, AA has gone back to free unlimited gate checking bags for all passengers when they restored the rollerbag for domestic BE. As long as you can carry it past security, it can fly for free. Interestingly, the BE JV for transatlantic (AY, BA, IB and AA) allows the rollerbag, so doing differently domestically would be silly.
Separately, I agree that BE has become very popular on many routes. I am not a big fan because beyond the late group boarding, you are likely going to find these BE folks seated in preferred or MCE as the flight will be full. Since we saw that AA just shifted the same previous low fare (O, G, etc.) into BE bucket, they didn't lose much revenue, but I am unsure this really makes BE all that good (aside from punishing people from various mileage accruals who book into those buckets).
Separately, I agree that BE has become very popular on many routes. I am not a big fan because beyond the late group boarding, you are likely going to find these BE folks seated in preferred or MCE as the flight will be full. Since we saw that AA just shifted the same previous low fare (O, G, etc.) into BE bucket, they didn't lose much revenue, but I am unsure this really makes BE all that good (aside from punishing people from various mileage accruals who book into those buckets).
Apr 11, 2019, 11:58 am
#1064
Join Date: May 2017
Location: ORD
Posts: 369
It's also going to get you a seat on a flight operated by an airline that goes to sh*t the moment there is anything even remotely resembling IRROPS. That's why I vastly prefer a BE ticket on the majors to a ticket on an ULCC.