Booking as EXP - Main Cabin or Basic Economy
Jan 27, 2023 | 10:16 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2022
Posts: 1
Booking as EXP - Main Cabin or Basic Economy
Hi - this may seem like a silly question. I have always just booked Main Cabin seats (PP, and now EXP) which are obviously more expensive than Basic Economy seats, but in essence - do I need to be doing that? If I book a basic economy ticket - I still get Main Cabin Plus seats free. So what is the downside?
Thank you for indulging me! I tried to search the forum but couldn't find anything.
I may have figured it out. No possible upgrade if I book basic economy.... right?
Thank you for indulging me! I tried to search the forum but couldn't find anything.
I may have figured it out. No possible upgrade if I book basic economy.... right?
Last edited by ChristineMcS; Jan 27, 2023 at 10:17 am Reason: found more info
Jan 27, 2023 | 10:39 am
#3
Join Date: Jan 2023
Programs: AA EXP 2MM; HLT DIA
Posts: 173
The main difference is that BE tickets are non-refundable and you will get nothing back if you have to cancel flight. You can book MCE and seats are upgradable, same as main economy. As a PP or EXP, confirmable same day flight changes are allowed.
Jan 27, 2023 | 11:11 am
#4
Suspended
Join Date: Oct 2022
Location: Sub Carolina
Programs: AC, AA, TK, OW Emerald
Posts: 1,579
Being able to change the booking and re-use the ticket value for a completely different trip doesn't hurt either.
Last edited by AirborneLocksmith; Jan 27, 2023 at 11:55 am
Jan 27, 2023 | 11:12 am
#5
Join Date: Sep 2000
Location: DCA/IAD
Programs: AA EXP; 1W Emerald; HHonors Diamond; Marriott Gold; UA dirt
Posts: 8,959
Downside is that BE seats are not refundable and not changeable with out a very, very good reason. They are basically what we remember as the old type pre-COVID coach class tickets but with even more restrictions.
Unless the savings is substantial, I would avoid.
Unless the savings is substantial, I would avoid.
Jan 28, 2023 | 8:02 am
#7
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: KHOU/KIAH
Programs: AA EXP | Marriott LT Plat | Hyatt Explorist
Posts: 13,295
Why? When it was first introduced, i agree. Now, if you're definitely traveling, why not take the savings. Just saved 150 USD ($290 vs $440) on my flight. Picked MCE, cleared my upgrades at T100. Zero difference to my experience.
If you may not travel, then yes it makes sense to avoid it. Then again, with some of the price differences, even if I eat the ~$300 bucks as a loss, the savings over the next few flights will pay it off pretty quickly.
If you may not travel, then yes it makes sense to avoid it. Then again, with some of the price differences, even if I eat the ~$300 bucks as a loss, the savings over the next few flights will pay it off pretty quickly.
Jan 28, 2023 | 8:21 am
#9
Join Date: Jun 2002
Posts: 708
For me it really depends on what the fare difference is, how far out I am booking, and how certain I am on the trip.
AA is still scheduling more flights than it can fly or that is profitable for them to do so. So if I am fairly certain I am going to be taking a trip, and the fare difference is significant, I'll roll the dice on a BE fare every once in awhile. The last time I did there were several schedule changes between the time I booked and the time I took the flight, which would have entitled me to change or cancel for a refund.
AA is still scheduling more flights than it can fly or that is profitable for them to do so. So if I am fairly certain I am going to be taking a trip, and the fare difference is significant, I'll roll the dice on a BE fare every once in awhile. The last time I did there were several schedule changes between the time I booked and the time I took the flight, which would have entitled me to change or cancel for a refund.
Jan 9, 2024 | 10:52 am
#10
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Miami, FL
Programs: UA 1MM, AA Plat, Marriott LT Titanium, Hyatt Glob, IHG ♢ Amb, Hilton ♢, Hertz Pres
Posts: 6,174
Now with the new $99 payment to obtain a credit for BE - would that change your mind on booking BE? Upthread it was mentioned PP status has really no difference other than what they now remedied. Would there be any differences between a Plat vs Plat Pro who books BE? (I'll be losing PP status shortly, only making it to Plat). Like the OP - I never considered BE, just assuming it was much worse in terms of benefits. Sounds like this may not be true... appreciate any thoughts (although I'm PP I don't fly AA often, I got the status for One World Emerald as I fly Int'l airlines more often than AA Domestic). So I'm not as versed in domestic BE tickets.
Jan 9, 2024 | 11:05 am
#11
Join Date: Sep 2000
Location: DCA/IAD
Programs: AA EXP; 1W Emerald; HHonors Diamond; Marriott Gold; UA dirt
Posts: 8,959
Lower LP earnings is the other consideration. And I believe while they are now sort of refundable, I don't see anything about them really being changeable.
Jan 29, 2024 | 12:31 pm
#12
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Miami, Florida
Programs: AAdvantage
Posts: 54
I have a wedding in Rome in October, dates are set.
MIA-FCO (connecting city to tbd). I am EXP with SWU to use. What is my main risk of choosing BE to a MCE? BE ticket is $802, MCE $988. Is it worth saving $400 bucks for two tickets? BE doesn't affect my upgrade priority, correct? Thaks!
MIA-FCO (connecting city to tbd). I am EXP with SWU to use. What is my main risk of choosing BE to a MCE? BE ticket is $802, MCE $988. Is it worth saving $400 bucks for two tickets? BE doesn't affect my upgrade priority, correct? Thaks!
Jan 29, 2024 | 12:34 pm
#13
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: PHL
Programs: AA EXP
Posts: 978
I have a wedding in Rome in October, dates are set.
MIA-FCO (connecting city to tbd). I am EXP with SWU to use. What is my main risk of choosing BE to a MCE? BE ticket is $802, MCE $988. Is it worth saving $400 bucks for two tickets? BE doesn't affect my upgrade priority, correct? Thaks!
MIA-FCO (connecting city to tbd). I am EXP with SWU to use. What is my main risk of choosing BE to a MCE? BE ticket is $802, MCE $988. Is it worth saving $400 bucks for two tickets? BE doesn't affect my upgrade priority, correct? Thaks!