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?
Upgrades do apply. The BE differences are:
No voluntary changes or cancellation credits, i.e., use it or lose it.
Starting 3/1/2023, base RDM and LP earning is 2 per dollar instead of 5.
No voluntary changes or cancellation credits, i.e., use it or lose it.
Starting 3/1/2023, base RDM and LP earning is 2 per dollar instead of 5.
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.
Suspended
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No voluntary changes or cancellation credits, i.e., use it or lose it.
Starting 3/1/2023, base RDM and LP earning is 2 per dollar instead of 5.
That's the big differentiator for me. I'm looking to book a trip to NZ and the RDMs and LPs go from just over 13k to 5k (I'm Plat) if I choose the "BE+bag" ticket instead of regular economy, and there's only a $100 difference in price.Originally Posted by FlyingEgghead
Upgrades do apply. The BE differences are:No voluntary changes or cancellation credits, i.e., use it or lose it.
Starting 3/1/2023, base RDM and LP earning is 2 per dollar instead of 5.
Being able to change the booking and re-use the ticket value for a completely different trip doesn't hurt either.
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.
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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.Originally Posted by FLL88
Be = avoid at all costs
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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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!
No, BE does not affect your upgrade priority; it just limits you in making changes (for instance, if another day has better SWU availability).Originally Posted by esmalley007
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!