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)
Nov 29, 2019, 9:12 am
#1246
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: San Francisco
Posts: 1,352
Unfortunately, the double-asterisk footnote on this page
https://www.aa.com/i18n/travel-info/...ic-economy.jsp
indicates that only AAdvantage elite members and AA credit-card holders get preferred boarding on Basic Economy fares -- not oneworld elites in other FFPs.
https://www.aa.com/i18n/travel-info/...ic-economy.jsp
indicates that only AAdvantage elite members and AA credit-card holders get preferred boarding on Basic Economy fares -- not oneworld elites in other FFPs.
Flagship lounge access is also granted.
The only thing you do not get is a seat choice.
All this is from personal experience.
Nov 29, 2019, 5:06 pm
#1247
Join Date: Feb 2015
Programs: AA EXP, Hertz Gold Plus, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 338
It's up to the GA. You can always try to bring her in with you, but especially with a different last name, she may be stuck with Group 9.
Nov 29, 2019, 6:03 pm
#1248
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Not here; there!
Programs: AA Lifetime Gold
Posts: 29,588
Did a Preferred Boarding group appear on your boarding pass? It apparently did not appear on Pucci Galore's.
Nov 29, 2019, 6:34 pm
#1249
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Melbourne
Programs: ►QFWP/LTG►VA WP►HyattExpl.►HiltonGold►ALL Silver
Posts: 21,995
It is nearly two years ago, but here is my experience as a Qantas EmeraldI could not select seats without paying.
Last edited by serfty; Nov 30, 2019 at 2:45 pm
Nov 29, 2019, 9:45 pm
#1250
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: San Francisco
Posts: 1,352
Yes, the correct group has always appeared on my boarding pass. Admittedly, the last occasion was a couple of months ago, but it would be weird to change this. The language on the website, mentioning only AA elites, has always been the same, I remember that before my first Basic flight I asked the Twitter team if my status would be recognised (and they responded affirmatively).
Nov 29, 2019, 9:50 pm
#1251
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Not here; there!
Programs: AA Lifetime Gold
Posts: 29,588
Yes, the correct group has always appeared on my boarding pass. Admittedly, the last occasion was a couple of months ago, but it would be weird to change this. The language on the website, mentioning only AA elites, has always been the same, I remember that before my first Basic flight I asked the Twitter team if my status would be recognised (and they responded affirmatively).
Nov 30, 2019, 6:45 am
#1252
Fontaine d'honneur du Flyertalk
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Morbihan, France
Programs: Reine des Muccis de Pucci; Foreign Elitist (according to others)
Posts: 19,179
Thank you all for your help. I thought that I’d tell you what actually happened.
We got to the airport and went to the Flagship First check-in. We were allowed in and had our BPs printed there. They showed Priority Group 2 for boarding. We were told that moving seats was not possible on this fare « for even the highest status » at AA. We were escorted to Security and given instructions how to reach D30. The Flagship Lounge welcomed us with open arms - so despite the BF OneWorld Emerald got us in. I shan’t go off topic to say how much we enjoyed the Lounge but as an interesting note, there was an agent on the jetway who came aboard and made people move to their assigned seats. One person who moved from Row 20 to Row 14 to join a friend was quickly turfed out and sent back to her seat. They were polite but strict about it. Given that the entire flight was less than 25 minutes, it really didn’t matter.
Thanks again
PGXX
We got to the airport and went to the Flagship First check-in. We were allowed in and had our BPs printed there. They showed Priority Group 2 for boarding. We were told that moving seats was not possible on this fare « for even the highest status » at AA. We were escorted to Security and given instructions how to reach D30. The Flagship Lounge welcomed us with open arms - so despite the BF OneWorld Emerald got us in. I shan’t go off topic to say how much we enjoyed the Lounge but as an interesting note, there was an agent on the jetway who came aboard and made people move to their assigned seats. One person who moved from Row 20 to Row 14 to join a friend was quickly turfed out and sent back to her seat. They were polite but strict about it. Given that the entire flight was less than 25 minutes, it really didn’t matter.
Thanks again
PGXX
Nov 30, 2019, 8:00 am
#1253
Join Date: May 2019
Location: Chicago, IL
Programs: AS MVPG, DL Gold, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 141
Hey everyone, I’ve got an upcoming flight on AA ATL-PHL-CDG during one of the travel waiver days Dec 1-2. I wanted to change it to BA from ATL-LHR-CDG, and the agent on the phone said okay but couldn’t go through with it because “there’s no basic economy fares remaining on BA”. That smelled fishy, so I went on AA’s website as well and tried to buy a “basic economy” international ticket but couldn’t - it seems they all close a couple weeks out.
I really want to be on BA for two reasons - Alaska MVP Gold means I get bonus miles, I’d get galleries access at Heathrow, and also because their trip is shorter than AA’s ATL-DFW-CDG routing - not to mention they have 9 across on the 777 I’d be on.
Basically, AA is telling me there’s no BA basic economy tickets, but it seems there’s none for AA either. If I call them on this, could I get on BA? Any suggestions? The BA trip, as I said, gives me benefits from status and also is about 4 hours faster. There wasn’t an issue with being placed on BA, the issue was fare availability according to the agent - no more B tickets. Please help ASAP!
I really want to be on BA for two reasons - Alaska MVP Gold means I get bonus miles, I’d get galleries access at Heathrow, and also because their trip is shorter than AA’s ATL-DFW-CDG routing - not to mention they have 9 across on the 777 I’d be on.
Basically, AA is telling me there’s no BA basic economy tickets, but it seems there’s none for AA either. If I call them on this, could I get on BA? Any suggestions? The BA trip, as I said, gives me benefits from status and also is about 4 hours faster. There wasn’t an issue with being placed on BA, the issue was fare availability according to the agent - no more B tickets. Please help ASAP!
Dec 1, 2019, 3:17 pm
#1254
Join Date: May 2019
Location: Chicago, IL
Programs: AS MVPG, DL Gold, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 141
Hey guys, figured out my issue above but had a new question.
with basic economy on an international flight, I’m of course checking in as late as possible. However, I’m on a 777 and there’s currently only MCE seats (row 26-28) and then preferred seats (21-24) and MCE row 17-20 available.
do you guys think it’s more likely to be assigned further back in the plane to MCE (even though it’s a more expensive seat), or more up front in preferred (since it’s a more basic seat). Please advise. Thanks!
with basic economy on an international flight, I’m of course checking in as late as possible. However, I’m on a 777 and there’s currently only MCE seats (row 26-28) and then preferred seats (21-24) and MCE row 17-20 available.
do you guys think it’s more likely to be assigned further back in the plane to MCE (even though it’s a more expensive seat), or more up front in preferred (since it’s a more basic seat). Please advise. Thanks!
Dec 1, 2019, 3:48 pm
#1255
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Los Angeles
Programs: AA LT Gold
Posts: 3,646
Hey guys, figured out my issue above but had a new question.
with basic economy on an international flight, I’m of course checking in as late as possible. However, I’m on a 777 and there’s currently only MCE seats (row 26-28) and then preferred seats (21-24) and MCE row 17-20 available.
do you guys think it’s more likely to be assigned further back in the plane to MCE (even though it’s a more expensive seat), or more up front in preferred (since it’s a more basic seat). Please advise. Thanks!
with basic economy on an international flight, I’m of course checking in as late as possible. However, I’m on a 777 and there’s currently only MCE seats (row 26-28) and then preferred seats (21-24) and MCE row 17-20 available.
do you guys think it’s more likely to be assigned further back in the plane to MCE (even though it’s a more expensive seat), or more up front in preferred (since it’s a more basic seat). Please advise. Thanks!
You will get anecdotal experiences or best guess.
My guess is that AA will try to allocate you to the cheapest seat (preferred).
BUT, you are probably looking at the seat map on AA.com? That seat map can be very unreliable. So there is always a chance that you end up in the middle in the back row 40 (non-MCE, non-preferred).
Is it T-24 already? Lots of things can happen between now and then, like EXPs getting upgraded and freeing up MCE seats, GLDs waiting for T-24 to grab MCE seats, pax on irrops, pax buying MCE last minute, etc.
Dec 3, 2019, 1:30 am
#1256
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Traveling the World
Posts: 6,072
it begins...
Why not charge Basic Economy customers to bring a large carry-on instead of requiring them to check it?
We hope that limiting carry-ons to a personal item will result in fewer bags in overhead bins. For Basic Economy customers, planning ahead to check a bag at the ticket counter or kiosk ensures a smoother travel experience without worrying about bin space.
Why not charge Basic Economy customers to bring a large carry-on instead of requiring them to check it?
We hope that limiting carry-ons to a personal item will result in fewer bags in overhead bins. For Basic Economy customers, planning ahead to check a bag at the ticket counter or kiosk ensures a smoother travel experience without worrying about bin space.
Dec 3, 2019, 3:30 am
#1257
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: Australia
Programs: QF; VA; AS
Posts: 109
More data for those that want it. My last 2 Basic Economy flights were about 2 weeks ago. Despite my Oneworld Sapphire (Qantas) I was not able to book a free seat and had to pay for checked baggage when I booked through the AA website. When online check in was available the same conditions prevailed so i decided not to check in online.
When I arrived somewhat later than I'd planned I went straight to the AA Elite/OW priority queue and checked in as usual. My checked bag was free but they could not give me a seat of my choice. On a previous B.E flight a month ago I chose my seat at the check in counter.
At my point of origin there was no problem getting into the AA lounge and my connection at DFW I was admitted to the AA Flagship lounge.
When I arrived in DFW and had to clear customs I had some carry on booze that would not fit in the TSA scanner they use to check for explosives and I was force to go back to check the bottle into the hold. AA were great. They said as OWS I got 2 free bags even on a B.E fare.
Hope this helps
When I arrived somewhat later than I'd planned I went straight to the AA Elite/OW priority queue and checked in as usual. My checked bag was free but they could not give me a seat of my choice. On a previous B.E flight a month ago I chose my seat at the check in counter.
At my point of origin there was no problem getting into the AA lounge and my connection at DFW I was admitted to the AA Flagship lounge.
When I arrived in DFW and had to clear customs I had some carry on booze that would not fit in the TSA scanner they use to check for explosives and I was force to go back to check the bottle into the hold. AA were great. They said as OWS I got 2 free bags even on a B.E fare.
Hope this helps
Dec 15, 2019, 6:14 am
#1258
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: BOS
Programs: Sometimes BA, sometimes AA
Posts: 663
Flying Basic Economy on AA BOS-PHL-LHR (I know, I know, but the cost saving was significant). Ticket was booked on BA.com and the transatlantic leg has a BA codeshare flight number. The return flight is direct on BA. I have AA status.
I know that I am not entitled to any free bags at all due to the ticket being booked on BA and certainly won't get any on the return leg, but wondering if anyone has recent experience of whether I might get lucky on the outbound AA-operated flights?
I know that I am not entitled to any free bags at all due to the ticket being booked on BA and certainly won't get any on the return leg, but wondering if anyone has recent experience of whether I might get lucky on the outbound AA-operated flights?
Dec 16, 2019, 1:06 pm
#1259
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: UK
Programs: Bonvoy Gold, AA Plat, Volare Premier, VS Silver, National Emerald Elite, Hertz President Circle
Posts: 2,526
Seat selection for basic economy fare with EXP companion?
Partner and I on two different PNRs (basic economy for her and full economy for me) - one of the two legs is on the same flight on AA metal. Will I be able to request a seat next to me for her free of charge? I assumed this was the case but the EXP desk has just told me they cannot do it. Is that correct? Thanks.
Dec 16, 2019, 1:14 pm
#1260
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2004
Location: DFW/DAL
Programs: AA Lifetime PLT, AS MVPG, HH Diamond, NCL Platinum Plus, MSC Diamond
Posts: 21,422
Partner and I on two different PNRs (basic economy for her and full economy for me) - one of the two legs is on the same flight on AA metal. Will I be able to request a seat next to me for her free of charge? I assumed this was the case but the EXP desk has just told me they cannot do it. Is that correct? Thanks.