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)
#1366
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 22,930
Mostly seeing them on smaller routes with no LCC competition. Certain higher demand days of the week may only have higher priced main cabin fares available, but not in all cases.
ORD-FNT/LAN/TVC/GRB/FWA/LEX/CAK/EVV/COU/TYS/XNA are some examples out of ORD.
Note that a number of these routes have roundtrip fare filings on them and you won't always find the Basic Economy fares with a one-way search. For example, ORD-GRB lowest one-way fares are $137 and are Main Cabin. However, the lowest roundtrip fares are $83.40 each way and are Basic Economy, while roundtrip Main Cabin fares are $109.90 each way ($26.50 upcharge).
ORD-FNT/LAN/TVC/GRB/FWA/LEX/CAK/EVV/COU/TYS/XNA are some examples out of ORD.
Note that a number of these routes have roundtrip fare filings on them and you won't always find the Basic Economy fares with a one-way search. For example, ORD-GRB lowest one-way fares are $137 and are Main Cabin. However, the lowest roundtrip fares are $83.40 each way and are Basic Economy, while roundtrip Main Cabin fares are $109.90 each way ($26.50 upcharge).
Last edited by xliioper; Jun 11, 2021 at 12:22 am
#1367
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: WAS
Programs: DL Gold ex DM, Marriott and Hilton Gold
Posts: 235
AA Basic Economy and Baggage to Europe
My SO bought a couple of tickets to Italy on AA BE. While I'm not an avid AA flyer so I'm reaching out to this group for some advice. I know the basic rules of engagement for BE but is there any workaround you may suggest for checking in 1 bag between the two of us? Is there a certain level of Cobranded CC that may waive a bag to Europe? Reading the TOC on the basic card says domestic pretty explicitly. I have no status with AA or OW. TIA!
Last edited by xxdboixx; Jun 11, 2021 at 6:28 pm Reason: Misspelling
#1368
Join Date: Jan 2021
Posts: 540
My SO bought a couple of tickets to Italy on AA BE. While I'm not an avid AA flyer so I'm reaching out to this group for some advice. I know the basic rules of engagement for BE but is there any workaround you may suggest for checking in 1 bag between the two of us? Is there a certain level of Cobranded CC that may waive a bag to Europe? Reading the TOC on the basic card says domestic pretty explicitly. I have no status with AA or OW. TIA!
#1369
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Dallas, TX USA
Posts: 2,106
Read the fine print. The free bag benefit is only valid on domestic flights. The OP is flying BE to Italy.
#1370
Join Date: Jan 2021
Posts: 540
#1371
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
My SO bought a couple of tickets to Italy on AA BE. While I'm not an avid AA flyer so I'm reaching out to this group for some advice. I know the basic rules of engagement for BE but is there any workaround you may suggest for checking in 1 bag between the two of us? Is there a certain level of Cobranded CC that may waive a bag to Europe? Reading the TOC on the basic card says domestic pretty explicitly. I have no status with AA or OW. TIA!
#1372
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: PHX, SEA
Programs: DL Silver, Avis President's Club, Hertz President's Circle, Global Entry (Former AA Plt/Gold)
Posts: 4,417
If you sign up for an American Express Platinum card and designate AA as your airline, $200 worth of "incidentals" (such as bag or seat fees) are reimbursed. In addition you will gain lounge access from a variety of partners (Centurion, Priority Pass, Escape).
The annual fee is $550, but you'll get the $200 back for the fees, plus a sign up bonus (according to my app referral page) of at least 60000 points, plus the additional credits of $200/yr in Uber credits (monthly installments), and $100 for Saks (two installments).
The annual fee is $550, but you'll get the $200 back for the fees, plus a sign up bonus (according to my app referral page) of at least 60000 points, plus the additional credits of $200/yr in Uber credits (monthly installments), and $100 for Saks (two installments).
#1373
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: WAS
Programs: DL Gold ex DM, Marriott and Hilton Gold
Posts: 235
#1374
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: WAS
Programs: DL Gold ex DM, Marriott and Hilton Gold
Posts: 235
One follow up questions for the experts... My first leg is DCA-LGA // JFK-FCO. Will they check my bags in for free with the credit card for the DCA LGA flight? Then I assume, they'll charge me at JFK? The legs are on one ticket. What if I didn't get the card? Would I have to pay for 2 bag fees? Once at DCA and once at JFK? My return is straight through to JFK then to DCA.
#1375
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
#1376
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: WAS
Programs: DL Gold ex DM, Marriott and Hilton Gold
Posts: 235
They didn't extend status?
https://blog.alaskaair.com/coronavir...estions/#miles
https://blog.alaskaair.com/coronavir...estions/#miles
#1377
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Seattle
Programs: Costco Club
Posts: 1,134
#1378
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
#1379
Join Date: Dec 2018
Location: Seattle
Programs: ASMVP100K, Bonvoy Platinum
Posts: 109
If I book a basic economy ticket AA marketed, BA operated, do I earn elite miles? AA website shows it as a L fare for both BE and Main. (Compared to B fare for BE on the AA operated flights).
I'm actually crediting it to AS, but figured this forum may have more knowledge on how this works in general. L fare would be a nice 100%, and BE is $570 vs $645 for main.
I'm actually crediting it to AS, but figured this forum may have more knowledge on how this works in general. L fare would be a nice 100%, and BE is $570 vs $645 for main.
#1380
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: MEL CHC
Posts: 20,923
If I book a basic economy ticket AA marketed, BA operated, do I earn elite miles? AA website shows it as a L fare for both BE and Main. (Compared to B fare for BE on the AA operated flights).
I'm actually crediting it to AS, but figured this forum may have more knowledge on how this works in general. L fare would be a nice 100%, and BE is $570 vs $645 for main.
I'm actually crediting it to AS, but figured this forum may have more knowledge on how this works in general. L fare would be a nice 100%, and BE is $570 vs $645 for main.
You need to check the AS web site for L on AA.
A guide (but check with AS)---> https://www.wheretocredit.com/american-airlines/l