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)
#1171
Join Date: Apr 2013
Programs: SPG, AA, United
Posts: 1,816
https://www.britishairways.com/asset...e-guide_en.pdf
Specific to this point, the table at the top of page 6.
Specific to this point, the table at the top of page 6.
#1172
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: DCA
Programs: FB Gold Privilege
Posts: 413
Today I am flying UA again on a BE and created a new account due to hidden city ticket. The option seems to have disappeared and I was randomly assigned an isle seat.
#1173
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: ATL
Programs: UA:MM 1K HH:Diamond IHG:Plat Marriott:Plat
Posts: 652
I am trying to book a BE fare on AA from Mexico and it does not seem to allow purchasing a seat for a fee even though the flight is less than a week out. Do I have to first purchase the ticket before I can pay for seat selection?
#1174
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: Florida
Programs: UA 2MM
Posts: 1,917
I am AAdvantage Platinum and have a Basic Economy flight coming up. If not buying a seat, what is the consensus on getting a better seat assigned at check-in .... check-in in at the 24-hour mark, or wait til closer to flight time?
#1175
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Melbourne
Programs: ►QFWP/LTG►VA WP►HyattExpl.►HiltonGold►ALL Silver
Posts: 21,995
Maybe watch the seat map and if you see only Main Cabin Extra seats available, check in.
#1177
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Melbourne
Programs: ►QFWP/LTG►VA WP►HyattExpl.►HiltonGold►ALL Silver
Posts: 21,995
If you have not paid to select a seat, you can accept what they give you on check-in. I don't think you could back out and try later, but maybe you could still pay for a different seat at that time.
Last edited by serfty; Aug 18, 2019 at 7:41 pm Reason: not sure
#1178
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: PHL, NYC
Programs: AA PLT, DL SLV, UA SLV, MR LTT, HH DIA
Posts: 10,072
Asking at the check in counter will yield no results because their screen makes it very clear that you are on the heavily restricted BE fare.
#1179
Suspended
Join Date: Sep 2006
Programs: AAdvantage PP
Posts: 13,913
If you're not willing to pay for a seat the best strategy would be to wait until T-1 to check in. If all the seats in the back of Y are gone you would be placed into a seat forward cabin, possibly MCE. Likely it would still be a middle seat but a MCE middle seat beats a non MCE middle seat. You can ask at the gate and they change your seat for free, they might request payment or they simply might say no. Like a lot of things AA there's no consistent answer.
#1180
Join Date: Jul 2016
Posts: 130
I booked a RT PHX-LAX in BE. However, my outbound flight may need to be changed due to work commitments. (This is a positioning flight, and I am traveling onward to LHR on AA/BA. The onward flight is a separate reservation.) I am fully aware I cannot make any changes to the BE reservation. I called the EP desk, and asked if they could "cancel" the outbound leg, but keep the return leg for the reservation. They replied this was not an option. In essence, I would lose the whole value of the BE ticket ($160).
In other threads (see below), I thought that it was possible to cancel an outbound and keep the return? Or does this qualify as a change that is not allowed on a restricted BE fare and therefore not allowed?
Ultimately, if this ticket is not salvageable, I will have learned my lesson. When booking BE, only book one-ways.
In other threads (see below), I thought that it was possible to cancel an outbound and keep the return? Or does this qualify as a change that is not allowed on a restricted BE fare and therefore not allowed?
Ultimately, if this ticket is not salvageable, I will have learned my lesson. When booking BE, only book one-ways.
Last edited by tbone14; Aug 28, 2019 at 3:56 am
#1181
Join Date: Mar 2015
Programs: AA EXP, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 394
If you're not willing to pay for a seat the best strategy would be to wait until T-1 to check in. If all the seats in the back of Y are gone you would be placed into a seat forward cabin, possibly MCE. Likely it would still be a middle seat but a MCE middle seat beats a non MCE middle seat. You can ask at the gate and they change your seat for free, they might request payment or they simply might say no. Like a lot of things AA there's no consistent answer.
#1182
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: PHL, NYC
Programs: AA PLT, DL SLV, UA SLV, MR LTT, HH DIA
Posts: 10,072
Non-elite friend bought BE, and then later paid to get a MCE seat. His boarding pass (flight tomorrow) still has him in group 9.
The benefits to MCE state that group 5 boarding is one of the perks. Should he be given group 5 since he paid for the upgrade? I told him to ask at the gate before boarding begins.
The benefits to MCE state that group 5 boarding is one of the perks. Should he be given group 5 since he paid for the upgrade? I told him to ask at the gate before boarding begins.
#1183
Suspended
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: DCA
Programs: UA US CO AA DL FL
Posts: 50,262
I booked a RT PHX-LAX in BE. However, my outbound flight may need to be changed due to work commitments. (This is a positioning flight, and I am traveling onward to LHR on AA/BA. The onward flight is a separate reservation.) I am fully aware I cannot make any changes to the BE reservation. I called the EP desk, and asked if they could "cancel" the outbound leg, but keep the return leg for the reservation. They replied this was not an option. In essence, I would lose the whole value of the BE ticket ($160).
In other threads (see below), I thought that it was possible to cancel an outbound and keep the return? Or does this qualify as a change that is not allowed on a restricted BE fare and therefore not allowed?
Ultimately, if this ticket is not salvageable, I will have learned my lesson. When booking BE, only book one-ways.
In other threads (see below), I thought that it was possible to cancel an outbound and keep the return? Or does this qualify as a change that is not allowed on a restricted BE fare and therefore not allowed?
Ultimately, if this ticket is not salvageable, I will have learned my lesson. When booking BE, only book one-ways.
With some very rare exceptions, you are absolutely correct: do not book round-trip BE tickets.
#1184
Join Date: Jan 2018
Posts: 89
AA Basic Economy Tickets
Hi,
I've been waiting for some American Airlines flights, from LAS to LAX, which were released yesterday.
I was hoping to book the flights using Avios points, but so far they are not available as reward flights.
When I looked on AA.com, the flights are available as Main Cabin tickets, but there were no Basic Economy fares.
Are AA likely to release reward flights or Basic Economy at a later date?
Regards,
varig_dc10
I've been waiting for some American Airlines flights, from LAS to LAX, which were released yesterday.
I was hoping to book the flights using Avios points, but so far they are not available as reward flights.
When I looked on AA.com, the flights are available as Main Cabin tickets, but there were no Basic Economy fares.
Are AA likely to release reward flights or Basic Economy at a later date?
Regards,
varig_dc10