Aug 1, 2020, 5:31 pm
Last edit by: Zorak
https://pro.delta.com/content/agency/us/en/products-and-services/other-programs-services/basic-economy.html
For those with Skymiles Select (new sales currently discontinued due to COVID):
https://www.delta.com/us/en/skymiles/skymiles-select
Q. Does Main Cabin 1 Boarding purchased through SkyMiles Select apply to tickets purchased in Basic Economy?
A. Yes, you will receive Main Cabin 1 Boarding on tickets purchased in Basic Economy.
- Medallion Members, others with elite status, and Delta SkyMiles American Express credit card holders continue to enjoy their boarding benefits
- Medallion Members will continue to enjoy waived checked baggage fees, Priority Check-in, Priority Boarding and Medallion mileage bonuses. However, please note Medallion Members will not receive paid or Complimentary Upgrades when flying on a Basic Economy fare.
For those with Skymiles Select (new sales currently discontinued due to COVID):
https://www.delta.com/us/en/skymiles/skymiles-select
Q. Does Main Cabin 1 Boarding purchased through SkyMiles Select apply to tickets purchased in Basic Economy?
A. Yes, you will receive Main Cabin 1 Boarding on tickets purchased in Basic Economy.
How terrible is Basic Economy? Seat Assignments/Boarding/Etc (Consolidated Thread)
Apr 30, 2019, 11:50 am
#46
Join Date: Jul 2008
Posts: 792
Curious, is there some pecking order for assignment of BE seats?
Like would a GA, if two open seats, middle and aisle, give the aisle to the DM?
Sorry if this has been covered in some other thread, but related to OP's question would a DM on a BE fare have a better chance than non status on the same fare?
Like would a GA, if two open seats, middle and aisle, give the aisle to the DM?
Sorry if this has been covered in some other thread, but related to OP's question would a DM on a BE fare have a better chance than non status on the same fare?
Apr 30, 2019, 12:02 pm
#47
Join Date: Sep 2014
Posts: 66
I did an international trip in BE as then Platinum in Fall last year and was able to select a good seat at mobile check-in (aisle seat with nobody next to me in the middle block for uninterrupted sleep TATL) and asked at the lounge before my outbound for a seat assignment for the return flight. The lounge attendant was happy to reserve me an exit row window seat. So for me BE made no difference as those would have been seats I would have selected anyway.
Last edited by Moootz; Apr 30, 2019 at 2:43 pm Reason: typo
Apr 30, 2019, 12:03 pm
#48
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: San Antonio
Programs: DL DM, Former AA EXP now AY Plat, AC 75K, NW Plat, Former CO Gold, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 27,042
Curious, is there some pecking order for assignment of BE seats?
Like would a GA, if two open seats, middle and aisle, give the aisle to the DM?
Sorry if this has been covered in some other thread, but related to OP's question would a DM on a BE fare have a better chance than non status on the same fare?
Like would a GA, if two open seats, middle and aisle, give the aisle to the DM?
Sorry if this has been covered in some other thread, but related to OP's question would a DM on a BE fare have a better chance than non status on the same fare?
Apr 30, 2019, 6:16 pm
#49
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: PIT, BWI, or IPT
Programs: Dividend Miles, WorldPerks
Posts: 1,302
I still remember how naive so many people were in the DL forum when DL rolled out these BE fares "to compete with LCCs"...here we are in 2019 and they are available for nearly every advance purchase itinerary with no LCC in sight. Even on international routes...for the old "pre-BE" pricing.
Last edited by pgh234; Apr 30, 2019 at 6:30 pm
Apr 30, 2019, 6:37 pm
#50
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 23,043
I still remember how naive so many people were in the DL forum when DL rolled out these BE fares "to compete with LCCs"...here we are in 2019 and they are available for nearly every advance purchase itinerary with no LCC in sight. Even on international routes...for the old "pre-BE" pricing.
I still remember people who said that when DL went fare-based mileage earning, they would never fly DL again. And, yet, here they are still flying DL.
Apr 30, 2019, 7:12 pm
#51
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: PIT, BWI, or IPT
Programs: Dividend Miles, WorldPerks
Posts: 1,302
Personally, I fly DL quite a bit less than I used to. Many routes I fly can connect on DL for a BE fare...or fly WN non-stop for the same price. The choice is clear. Before BE fares (and award chart elimination, SkyPeso devaluation, and FCM) when you earned based on (200% for GM+) mileage, I would connect on DL 100% of the time. No...I am certainly not a high value customer.
Apr 30, 2019, 9:48 pm
#52
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: San Diego
Programs: IHG Spire Amb, HH Diamond, DL Diamond and 1MM
Posts: 3,610
Don't Buy Basic Economy!
Seeing some attractive fares and wondering what I would lose as a Diamond if I book an international ticket in basic economy. My understanding is the main drawback is no complimentary upgrades, but since this is international woudln't matter anyway. Having said that, how would seat selection work - at booking or at check-in? Insta-"upgrade" to comfort plus, or only at check-in if seats remaining? Same MQMs? Same lounge access - i.e. Virgin Clubhouse/Arrivals at LHR? Eligible for global upgrades certs?
May 1, 2019, 5:40 am
#53
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: PIT/WAS
Programs: Delta GM
Posts: 256
I still remember how naive so many people were in the DL forum when DL rolled out these BE fares "to compete with LCCs"...here we are in 2019 and they are available for nearly every advance purchase itinerary with no LCC in sight. Even on international routes...for the old "pre-BE" pricing.
May 1, 2019, 6:39 am
#54
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Maryland
Programs: DL-Diamond, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 459
The big disadvantage is seat selection. For example, there are exactly six decent economy seats on an A350. Pick a BE fare, and I promise you they will be gone by the time you arrive at the gate to beg the agent for a "good" seat. The international 767's are 2-4-2 in coach. Pick a BE fare, and you will be in the middle four.
767 with it's 2-3-2 is best configuration available in any long haul aircraft (Y class)
PS. I never book BE just had to correct the 767 seating
May 1, 2019, 7:01 am
#55
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: PIT, BWI, or IPT
Programs: Dividend Miles, WorldPerks
Posts: 1,302
I have paid $250-$600 RT for every TATL flight I have ever taken. Most from WAS and a few from PIT in the 2011-2017 era. $250 RT to WAW and $400 RT to IST (twice) were my favorite.
May 1, 2019, 7:18 am
#56
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: KATL
Programs: DL, WN, AA, Marriott, Hertz, National, Chic-fil-A
Posts: 234
Back to original post, other than simply buying the ticket for whatever reason drew you to your destination, I see little other reason to expect anything more than transportation with a BE fare. If you’re fine with that, go for it. I don’t like having to wait for a GA to assign my seat, or in case of a very overbooked flight, risk being one of the first to be IDB if not enough people give up their seats.
May 1, 2019, 8:01 am
#57
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: NYC
Posts: 27,230
May 1, 2019, 6:14 pm
#58
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: San Antonio
Programs: DL DM, Former AA EXP now AY Plat, AC 75K, NW Plat, Former CO Gold, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 27,042
Back to original post, other than simply buying the ticket for whatever reason drew you to your destination, I see little other reason to expect anything more than transportation with a BE fare. If you’re fine with that, go for it. I don’t like having to wait for a GA to assign my seat, or in case of a very overbooked flight, risk being one of the first to be IDB if not enough people give up their seats.
May 1, 2019, 6:48 pm
#59
Join Date: Nov 2018
Location: San Francisco
Programs: DL
Posts: 466
May 1, 2019, 9:34 pm
#60
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: San Antonio
Programs: DL DM, Former AA EXP now AY Plat, AC 75K, NW Plat, Former CO Gold, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 27,042
They may have changed it, or it was being used incorrectly. Either way as you say, in practice it means the same.