Basic Economy Fare Question
 

I have a Barclays AAdvantage Aviator Red Mastercard. I do not have Elite status. My question is about booking a Basic Economy fare. Do I still get the perks of the AAdvantage Aviator Red Mastercard such as select my seats for no fee, board Group5 and get First checked bag free for the primary cardmember and up to 4 companions?

Thanks. I'm traveling during a peak holiday time so not being able to pre-select a seat will be a deal breaker for me. Not willing to pay their up-charge for main cabin either. Will most likely end up on another carrier and cancel the Barclays card. Perks are not what they used to be. Thanks again.

Prior to the basic economy fare, you used to be able to book an economy fare (main cabin now) and select a seat during the booking process.

Yes but the fare for economy is around $60.00 more than a Basic Economy fare. Not worth $60.00 just to select a seat at the time of booking.

Not willing to take that chance during a peak holiday season. I've traveled many times during peak holiday times and just want peace of mind knowing I have a seat.

Are you buy any chance traveling as a family with young children? There have been reports on FT that you could get your seats assigned in advanced for free in advanced without even needing to request it if you're traveling with young companions.

With the credit card they still need to consider bag fees or overhead storage space if they give up the credit card boarding benefit

While it may be irrelevant to the OP, this is true. AA is required to do this by the FAA. Families with young children (under age 14) will automatically be assigned seats together if they do not select scattered seats on the seatmap. Since BE pax cannot select seats, any BE families will be seated together by an automatic process within 48 hours of booking. I should clarify that these families will be seated so that each child is near an adult. A family of two parents and 2 kids may have two seats together in the front and two seats together in the back, with each child near an adult, so the whole family may not be together, but the kids will not be alone either.

I'm not sure who you're going to book to get a seat assignment without a fare premium (maybe JetBlue operates on your airport pair). AA has basic economy. DL has basic economy. UA has basic economy - and prohibits carry-ons on said fares. Southwest has no seat assignments. Spirit, Frontier, and Allegiant have seat fees. That's over 85% of domestic capacity.