I'm seeing a number of routes where BE is lower than former MC. The lowest CHI-SAN awards were 21K RT a couple months ago. BE is now 15K RT. IND-SAN was 23K RT. BE is now 19K.

dup post.

I just discovered this when trying to book a rountrip BNA-ATL flight. Honestly I don't really care about Basic Economy because my AMEX gives me zone 1 boarding and checked bag so the only thing that's missing is seat assignment. You're not even going to be earning mileage on a SkyMiles ticket anyways so I don't see the downside.
I think it's funny that people are so unhappy with basic economy. Clearly its what the people want. Less amenities and cheaper travel. Delta is able to sell plenty of these cheap tickets and raise the price a little bit for those who want seat selection, etc. It's important to remember that for big families, flying is often not an option. Basic economy makes it a little easier.

I fail to see how getting less for the same amount of money makes anything easier...or how paying more for what you used to get (seats assignment, exit rows, etc) makes anything easier.

Typically on a domestic trip, WN and DL BE fares are the same. On WN, it is not hard to avoid middle seats, therefore they get an increased amount of my business.

The major downside to basic economy tickets is no changes, period. If you don't fly the ticket as originally booked, you have to throw it away. The other issue for higher-level elites is no upgrades.

So, no redeposits even for DM & PMs? :eek:

I'm sure it was mentioned upthread somewhere. Sorry I haven't kept up! :)

See post https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/show...3&postcount=17 above. No redeposits after Worry-free cancellation period including DM/PM's.

I disagree. Most families want to sit together. Charging a family of 4 $200 more round trip to be able to pick some of the worst seats on the plane is not what they want.

In my experience (please don't take this as me saying this is the way it always is...) families still are seated together MOST OF THE TIME. In the case that they aren't, I have always experienced Delta to be very helpful in asking for someone to switch. Nobody is forced to buy basic economy and they make it very clear what you are getting yourself in to. Clearly there is a market for it and families continue to purchase those fares so something must be working right.

Was looking for this thread to add that some domestic flights I have been monitoring MC miles have increased, combined with a slightly lower BE option now for the same routes.

Seeing higher fees to MC than before as well $35-$40 o/w now as opposed to $25-$30. My favorite is the $600+ BE fares from PHX to secondary cities like JAX/ALB/SYR etc that I have seen lately for some flights that I may take.

Delta's expansion of the Basic Economy business model is expanding to more routes; including Hawaii and Canada per

Uh Oh: Delta Expands Basic Economy On More Award Tickets

I dislike Basic Economy as much as the next person, but it's not okay to buy BE and expect a Delta employee to ask other passengers to switch seats so that your family can sit together. As you said, they make it very clear what you are getting yourself into. Unless you are totally fine sitting apart you should never buy BE.

BE fares on the higher fare classes are nothing new. Typically up to L and up to K or Q on some routes. They've been doing this for probably a couple years now.

I am curious if others have experienced this, I have gotten Comfort+ seats on 3 different flights because those were the only open seats available when I checked in. I didn't get any additional miles or anything but still. Another 3-4 flights, I was assigned "preferred" seats (not the best seats but still). I don't allow the app to check me in automatically and wait until I have arrived at the airport. It hasn't happened every time but I am just wondering if others have had this happen to them.

In addition to the quote forwarded by Renes Points, one can find it in the award fare rules, here from a 14K DTW-MCO r/t, FARE CODE - ESXR070PENALTIES

CANCELLATIONS TICKET IS NON-REFUNDABLE IN CASE OF CANCEL/NO-SHOW. NOTE - TICKET MAY NOT BE APPLIED TOWARDS PURCHASE OF ANY OTHER TICKET. UNUSED COUPONS HAVE NO RESIDUAL VALUE. CHANGES CHANGES NOT PERMITTED.

There's a terms and conditions hyperlink where one selects the outbound Basic Economy segment, with a Basic Economy/Main Cabin comparison and a Accept Restrictions check box.