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, Americans 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)
#1187
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
If you're trying to book an award ticket, it isn't specifically Basic economy you need to find, partner awards are based on a "sAAver award" being available.
(If "book with Avios" means something other than awards, disregard)
(If "book with Avios" means something other than awards, disregard)
#1188
Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 825
Either way, the answer is patience! The OP just needs to remember if neither option becomes available then he/she needs to book no later than 21 days from date of departure to get the lowest possible Main Cabin fare. After that point, the price of regular Economy fares will begin to rise.
#1190
Join Date: Feb 2015
Programs: AA EXP, Hertz Gold Plus, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 338
I found out this weekend that BE's "no changes allowed" doesn't necessarily apply to travel alert situations. CLT-MIA in BE was changed from Monday to today through a phone call to AA. It then took an AC AAngel to get it done, but we switched today to an earlier flight (it helped that it was half-empty, understandably).
#1191
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: PHL, NYC
Programs: AA PLT, DL SLV, UA SLV, MR LTT, HH DIA
Posts: 10,072
I found out this weekend that BE's "no changes allowed" doesn't necessarily apply to travel alert situations. CLT-MIA in BE was changed from Monday to today through a phone call to AA. It then took an AC AAngel to get it done, but we switched today to an earlier flight (it helped that it was half-empty, understandably).
#1192
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: DTW
Programs: AA Gold, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 819
As a Gold member if I book Basic Economy do I get to choose seats from Main Cabin?
I'm reserving flight DTW-FAY. In the past I remember being able to choose a more comfortable position with my Gold status. I don't know when Basic Economy began. Am I still able to get a more premium seat location?
Thank you for any help.
Thank you for any help.
#1193
Moderator, Amtrak & Spirit Airlines
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: EWR :rolleyes:
Programs: AC 50K, AS MVP, AA Plat Pro, DL Plat, UA Silver, IHG Spire, Marriott Titanium, Hertz PC
Posts: 9,630
Long story short there is no advanced seating on basic economy fares regardless of status.
They make this very clear when booking on AA.com
#1194
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: DTW
Programs: AA Gold, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 819
I was looking at a webpage "Upgraded Points". Trying to figure out the implications to this:
"As a Gold member, you don’t get any discount to purchase Main Cabin Extra seats, but you do have free seat selection within 24 hours of the flight. During this time, watch closely for last-minute upgrades of higher elites that may free up prime Main Cabin Extra seats.
You should also monitor for other elites doing same-day changes onto other flights, or those shifting flights due to irregular operations, so you can snag these seats last-minute. Gold members can select preferred seats and Main Cabin Extra seats for themselves and 8 companions."
I have booked Main Cabin. When I went back to the booking page I did read the note for the * saying the restrictions apply to elites. I was able to get preferred seats. We like to sit in aisles seats across from each other and I was able to get those. Some of the preferred seats were marked by an *. I couldn't see that they were necessarily better than the ones I chose. What am I missing?
I'm editing to say I think I understand the above quote. It means that within 24 hrs. of the flight the Extra seats that would have cost more will now be complimentary to me if they become available because higher elites are moving up or on to other flights. Right?
#1195
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: San Francisco
Programs: AA EXP; Marriott BonVoy Titanium Elite, Marriott LT Plat.
Posts: 1,717
I could be wrong, but it's my understanding that booking a basic econ fare, all bets are off regarding making seat selections. period. No elite perks are to be expected.
#1196
Suspended
Join Date: Sep 2006
Programs: AAdvantage PP
Posts: 13,913
#1197
Join Date: Jan 2017
Posts: 11
Dear all,
Wife and myself have a C flight with Iberia from LAX... as we changed our plans we will be in Texas instead of California before taking our flight back to Europe. Due to the AA - Oneworld Protection i'm thinking to fly with AA instead of UA (*G) from HOU to LAX.
As Hyatt Diamond i enrolled for the AA Status challange which means i'm at the time of the flight AA Platinum. As the flight is quite short and i don't see any real benefits of the status i'm thinking to book Basic Economy... if i'm correct my wife (no status) and myself (same booking) will have each 2 bags for free - now i saw the follwoing on AA website:
Checked bag fee waived
The checked bag fees will be waived for all elite members and guests traveling on the same reservation (excluding group reservations) for travel in the Main Cabin on flights marketed and operated by American Airlines or marketed by American or American EagleŽ.
The number of waived bag fees depends on your highest status level at time of ticketing or check-in. If your status level is:
Higher at ticketing than at check-in, show your ticket receipt to the airport agent
Lower at ticketing than at check-in, current benefits will automatically apply
Oversize or overweight bags may incur additional fees.
As nothing is mentioned about BE, do we have 4 bags in total for free?
We are not that much interested in the miles/points and sitting together is not a must, upgrades don't apply as flight more than 500 miles (MCE is no real advantage in our vioew)... are we missing an important point why we should book MC instead of BE?
BTW: Flight will be on Saturday midday - so i expect that the plane won't be that crowded...
THX
Wife and myself have a C flight with Iberia from LAX... as we changed our plans we will be in Texas instead of California before taking our flight back to Europe. Due to the AA - Oneworld Protection i'm thinking to fly with AA instead of UA (*G) from HOU to LAX.
As Hyatt Diamond i enrolled for the AA Status challange which means i'm at the time of the flight AA Platinum. As the flight is quite short and i don't see any real benefits of the status i'm thinking to book Basic Economy... if i'm correct my wife (no status) and myself (same booking) will have each 2 bags for free - now i saw the follwoing on AA website:
Checked bag fee waived
The checked bag fees will be waived for all elite members and guests traveling on the same reservation (excluding group reservations) for travel in the Main Cabin on flights marketed and operated by American Airlines or marketed by American or American EagleŽ.
The number of waived bag fees depends on your highest status level at time of ticketing or check-in. If your status level is:
Higher at ticketing than at check-in, show your ticket receipt to the airport agent
Lower at ticketing than at check-in, current benefits will automatically apply
Oversize or overweight bags may incur additional fees.
As nothing is mentioned about BE, do we have 4 bags in total for free?
We are not that much interested in the miles/points and sitting together is not a must, upgrades don't apply as flight more than 500 miles (MCE is no real advantage in our vioew)... are we missing an important point why we should book MC instead of BE?
BTW: Flight will be on Saturday midday - so i expect that the plane won't be that crowded...
THX
#1199
Join Date: Jan 2017
Posts: 11
#1200
Join Date: Apr 2013
Programs: SPG, AA, United
Posts: 1,815