Nov 15, 2016, 1:38 pm
Last edit by: WineCountryUA
Related thread: Basic Economy Airport and Plane Experiences (First or Second Hand)
If purchased on united.com you will have to accept a warning about choosing Basic Economy and there will be orange "Basic Economy" highlights everywhere during the booking process.
Link to UA's description of how these fares will work: Basic Economy.
Here are the key facts:
To avoid domestic BE fares ITA Matrix ~bc=N . Ignoring them on international flights is much trickier because they do not have a consistent pattern in the fare basis; it appears to change by market / region. (That said, as UA is lifting BE from legacy GDS systems, it may result in them disappearing from ITA Matrix anyway).
Google Flights -- select 1 Carry-on bag
NO UNUSED TICKET MAY BE USED TOWARD THE PURCHASE
OF A BASIC ECONOMY TICKET.
-------
NO RESIDUAL VALUE MAY BE USED TOWARD THE PURCHASE
OF A BASIC ECONOMY TICKET.
How is this different from buying up BE to regular economy?
related threads
New UA/*A TATL -LGT Economy fare - no free first bag, no changes/upgrades allowed
Benefit impact of restricted economy fares on UA Elites (Basic Econ, -LGT, Light Econ
Pre-announcement speculation thread (now closed) New "Budget Economy" fares
United's Basic Economy - Discussion, Q&A, ... {Archive}
If purchased on united.com you will have to accept a warning about choosing Basic Economy and there will be orange "Basic Economy" highlights everywhere during the booking process.
Link to UA's description of how these fares will work: Basic Economy.
Here are the key facts:
- No free seat assignments until check-in. Seats will be assigned by the system. Flyers (including elite) have the option to purchase regular economy and preferred economy (white seats with black triangle on seat map) seats after ticket purchase. E+ seats are not available for purchase until check-in. If you don’t purchase an advance seat assignment, your seat will be automatically assigned to you prior to boarding, and you won't be able to change your seat once it's been assigned.
- No guarantee of adjacent seats with companions
- No voluntary ticket changes after 24 hour purchase period including SDC (occasionally 1K's have successfully used Same Day Standby and received a confirmed seat without penalty)
- Carry on limited to one personal item unless the customer is a MP Premier member, primary cardmember of a qualifying MileagePlus credit card, or Star Alliance *G, or traveling on an international BE product
- Customers ineligible for carry-on who bring one to the gate will be charged a $25 convenience fee to gate-check in addition to standard baggage fees (source: @united twitter)
- Customers are not eligible for premium cabin upgrades either via CPU, mileage upgrade award or PlusPoints
- Customers will board in the last boarding group (currently Group 5) unless the customer is a MP Premier member, primary cardmember of a qualifying MileagePlus credit card, or Star Alliance *G, or traveling on an international BE product
- Companions on same PNR will have same boarding group and carry-on if one on the PNR has a waiver
- No combinability with regular economy fares or partner carriers. Interline travel is not permitted.
- Normal PQPs / RDMs based on fare and elite multipliers
- No PQFs
- Flight(s) do count towards the 4 flight minimum for UA-operated
- Full Lifetime mileage
- Domestic Basic Economy tickets will use booking code 'N'. International BE can be in any class.
- Online check-in only with paid checked bag, otherwise need to see a United representative to verify the onboard bag allowance and receive a boarding pass
- Canceling a basic economy ticket will receive a flight credit for the price of the ticket, minus a fee. For domestic flights, the fee is $49.50 for one-way tickets and $99 for roundtrip tickets. For international flights, the fee is $99.50 for one-way tickets and $199 for roundtrip tickets
To avoid domestic BE fares ITA Matrix ~bc=N . Ignoring them on international flights is much trickier because they do not have a consistent pattern in the fare basis; it appears to change by market / region. (That said, as UA is lifting BE from legacy GDS systems, it may result in them disappearing from ITA Matrix anyway).
Google Flights -- select 1 Carry-on bag
NO UNUSED TICKET MAY BE USED TOWARD THE PURCHASE
OF A BASIC ECONOMY TICKET.
-------
NO RESIDUAL VALUE MAY BE USED TOWARD THE PURCHASE
OF A BASIC ECONOMY TICKET.
How is this different from buying up BE to regular economy?
related threads
New UA/*A TATL -LGT Economy fare - no free first bag, no changes/upgrades allowed
Benefit impact of restricted economy fares on UA Elites (Basic Econ, -LGT, Light Econ
Pre-announcement speculation thread (now closed) New "Budget Economy" fares
United's Basic Economy - Discussion, Q&A, ... {Archive}
United's Basic Economy - Discussion, Q&A, ...Now cancellable for a fee
Apr 25, 2023, 9:22 pm
#256
Join Date: Sep 2022
Posts: 40
In case this is helpful to anyone else:
- Chase ended up not being helpful at all
- We got an amazing UA agent on the phone (called on a Tuesday morning US PST) who was able to "take over" and re-issue the ticket directly with UA for $50, and ultimately issued a voucher for the fare minus the $200 for the change, so a total "loss" of $250 but I don't consider it a loss compared to the alternative of losing all of it -- obviously YMMV but glad we got lucky under very unfortunate circumstances!
Thanks everyone for your tips
- Chase ended up not being helpful at all
- We got an amazing UA agent on the phone (called on a Tuesday morning US PST) who was able to "take over" and re-issue the ticket directly with UA for $50, and ultimately issued a voucher for the fare minus the $200 for the change, so a total "loss" of $250 but I don't consider it a loss compared to the alternative of losing all of it -- obviously YMMV but glad we got lucky under very unfortunate circumstances!
Thanks everyone for your tips
Apr 29, 2023, 5:04 pm
#257
Join Date: Dec 2008
Posts: 586
Looking at buying four tickets to Europe from the US. There are the two of us, our four year old, and my 74 year old mother.
We can save $170 a ticket if we buy two basic economy and two regular economy (we will only need 2 checked bags max). My question is if we want the three of us to sit together (my wife and I and our daughter) - how much are they likey to charge us to purchase a seat were we would end up actually next to each other if we wanted to buy a seat assignment for the one of the basic economy seats?
thanks@!
another question - if we are flying to europe basic economy gets a carry on (not just a personal item) - but our flight is RDU to EWR to CDG- how is the RDU to EWR flight noated in a way that the gate agent doesn't question us?
We can save $170 a ticket if we buy two basic economy and two regular economy (we will only need 2 checked bags max). My question is if we want the three of us to sit together (my wife and I and our daughter) - how much are they likey to charge us to purchase a seat were we would end up actually next to each other if we wanted to buy a seat assignment for the one of the basic economy seats?
thanks@!
another question - if we are flying to europe basic economy gets a carry on (not just a personal item) - but our flight is RDU to EWR to CDG- how is the RDU to EWR flight noated in a way that the gate agent doesn't question us?
Last edited by WineCountryUA; Apr 29, 2023 at 9:52 pm Reason: merged consecutive posts by same member
Apr 29, 2023, 10:06 pm
#258
Moderator: United Airlines
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA Plat 1.995MM, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Plat/LT Gold, Hilton Silver, IHG Plat
Posts: 66,834
Looking at buying four tickets to Europe from the US. There are the two of us, our four year old, and my 74 year old mother.
We can save $170 a ticket if we buy two basic economy and two regular economy (we will only need 2 checked bags max). My question is if we want the three of us to sit together (my wife and I and our daughter) - how much are they likey to charge us to purchase a seat were we would end up actually next to each other if we wanted to buy a seat assignment for the one of the basic economy seats?...
We can save $170 a ticket if we buy two basic economy and two regular economy (we will only need 2 checked bags max). My question is if we want the three of us to sit together (my wife and I and our daughter) - how much are they likey to charge us to purchase a seat were we would end up actually next to each other if we wanted to buy a seat assignment for the one of the basic economy seats?...
United Makes It Easier for Families to Sit Together but this is just for one parent per child.
TATL BE rules will apply to the domestic segment if purchased together. Domestic only BE tickets are are different fare class.
Last edited by WineCountryUA; Apr 29, 2023 at 10:13 pm
Apr 30, 2023, 7:53 am
#259
Join Date: Dec 2008
Posts: 586
UA has a new program -
United Makes It Easier for Families to Sit Together but this is just for one parent per child.
TATL BE rules will apply to the domestic segment if purchased together. Domestic only BE tickets are are different fare class.
United Makes It Easier for Families to Sit Together but this is just for one parent per child.
TATL BE rules will apply to the domestic segment if purchased together. Domestic only BE tickets are are different fare class.
I would rather just pay the $$ to guarantee- just wonder how much it would cost to chose the seat, Gonna try a dummy reservation and see if I can get far enough without paying just to see
Apr 30, 2023, 8:36 am
#260
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2010
Programs: DL, OZ, AC, AS, AA, BA, Hilton, Hyatt, Marriott, IHG
Posts: 19,896
I have never booked a BE fare before, but it's tempting sometimes. What are the odds that I'll be placed in a window seat as a 1K or have elite status?
Apr 30, 2023, 10:00 am
#261
Moderator: Travel Safety/Security, Travel Tools, California, Los Angeles; FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: LAX
Programs: oneword Emerald
Posts: 20,625
They always tell you how much it is going to cost before you pay to select a seat. Even if you don't pay for it when you make the reservation, you can select and pay for a seat at any time after you buy the ticket until you check in for the flight (and possibly later).
Apr 30, 2023, 11:13 am
#262
Join Date: Dec 2008
Posts: 586
just tried - looks like it would be about $60 round trip to book our seat - assuming we can be next to the other parent and kiddo doing that - will save $110 on the ticket - which is worth it
Apr 30, 2023, 1:01 pm
#263
Moderator: United Airlines
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA Plat 1.995MM, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Plat/LT Gold, Hilton Silver, IHG Plat
Posts: 66,834
Also be aware you can not have a single PNR with both BE and non-BE travelers.
The UA child/family policy will link to the person that is on the child's PNR.
And the last caution, less common but need to be aware, is the seating reshuffle may separate people on separate PNRs.
May 4, 2023, 7:20 am
#264
Join Date: May 2004
Location: EWR
Programs: SQ - Gold; HHonors - Silver
Posts: 228
I didn't see this question, so sorry if it's been asked and answered.
I booked tickets for my family of 5 in basic economy from Newark to Portugal. I booked last August and PAID the seat selection fee for the five of us to sit together (before the free family seating stuff). Seat fee + basic economy was still quite a bit cheaper than regular economy so it made sense to pay.
When we took the flights just last month (April), our seats were changed pretty dramatically from what we booked in both directions. However, we were still seated together. Some of that was my doing - after check-in, I looked a few times until finally a seat nearby came open so that I could get us all 5 together. In the end, it worked out. However, I'm wondering if I'm due the seat selection fee back from United.
Customer care is saying NO - we were seated in the cabin that we booked. Here's the exact language from customer care:
"Based on the information provided, we've verified that you were seated in the Economy seat section that you paid for. There's no refund to provide to you. If by chance you submitted the wrong ticket number, please let us know so we can review it further. You can resubmit here and we'll be happy to review your request further."
I'm not sure I understand what paying for a seat assignment gave us here given that we did NOT select a premium seat, just a regular seat where all 5 of us would be together.
And for clarity, I'm SQ Gold. Everyone else is dirt in either SQ or UA.
Thx!
I booked tickets for my family of 5 in basic economy from Newark to Portugal. I booked last August and PAID the seat selection fee for the five of us to sit together (before the free family seating stuff). Seat fee + basic economy was still quite a bit cheaper than regular economy so it made sense to pay.
When we took the flights just last month (April), our seats were changed pretty dramatically from what we booked in both directions. However, we were still seated together. Some of that was my doing - after check-in, I looked a few times until finally a seat nearby came open so that I could get us all 5 together. In the end, it worked out. However, I'm wondering if I'm due the seat selection fee back from United.
Customer care is saying NO - we were seated in the cabin that we booked. Here's the exact language from customer care:
"Based on the information provided, we've verified that you were seated in the Economy seat section that you paid for. There's no refund to provide to you. If by chance you submitted the wrong ticket number, please let us know so we can review it further. You can resubmit here and we'll be happy to review your request further."
I'm not sure I understand what paying for a seat assignment gave us here given that we did NOT select a premium seat, just a regular seat where all 5 of us would be together.
And for clarity, I'm SQ Gold. Everyone else is dirt in either SQ or UA.
Thx!
May 4, 2023, 10:51 am
#266
Join Date: Apr 2013
Programs: SPG, AA, United
Posts: 1,811
I think that's just a generic canned answer from CS that didn't fully understand your question. I would try again.
May 4, 2023, 11:00 am
#267
Moderator: United Airlines
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA Plat 1.995MM, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Plat/LT Gold, Hilton Silver, IHG Plat
Posts: 66,834
When UA makes certain changes in aircraft / schedule, it may re-assign seating. The exact triggering circumstances are not fully understood but one example is 739s -- that have multiple seat configurations with different E+ seating configurations. UA may switch the scheduled 739 aircraft configuration to another and then re-assign seats. This may cause travelers on separate PNRs to be separated (and occasionally on the same PNR).
There are other situations for seating changes, see Random seat changes to UA itineraries after having an assigned seat [Consolidated]
May 4, 2023, 12:46 pm
#268
Join Date: Apr 2013
Programs: SPG, AA, United
Posts: 1,811
This is also sometimes called a seating sweep.
When UA makes certain changes in aircraft / schedule, it may re-assign seating. The exact triggering circumstances are not fully understood but one example is 739s -- that have multiple seat configurations with different E+ seating configurations. UA may switch the scheduled 739 aircraft configuration to another and then re-assign seats. This may cause travelers on separate PNRs to be separated (and occasionally on the same PNR).
There are other situations for seating changes, see Random seat changes to UA itineraries after having an assigned seat [Consolidated]
When UA makes certain changes in aircraft / schedule, it may re-assign seating. The exact triggering circumstances are not fully understood but one example is 739s -- that have multiple seat configurations with different E+ seating configurations. UA may switch the scheduled 739 aircraft configuration to another and then re-assign seats. This may cause travelers on separate PNRs to be separated (and occasionally on the same PNR).
There are other situations for seating changes, see Random seat changes to UA itineraries after having an assigned seat [Consolidated]
May 4, 2023, 12:52 pm
#269
Join Date: May 2004
Location: EWR
Programs: SQ - Gold; HHonors - Silver
Posts: 228
Yep, that makes sense. I did look further at my ticket and realized that I have 10 "reference" numbers that look an awful lot like UA ticket numbers (start with 016 and have 13 digits in total), so I've sent those 10 to them to see if that provides them greater insight into what's going on. Thx!
May 4, 2023, 1:02 pm
#270
Moderator: United Airlines
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA Plat 1.995MM, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Plat/LT Gold, Hilton Silver, IHG Plat
Posts: 66,834
seat sweeps are not new
In reality, the seat re-assign is not that common, in my 700+ economy flights, well below 1%, just a small handful unless there has been a change to a completely different aircraft type -- that has been more (still rare) common and more understandable. I typically book 2-3-4 months in advance. It may be higher if you are booking 10-11 months in advance (more schedule changes)
In reality, the seat re-assign is not that common, in my 700+ economy flights, well below 1%, just a small handful unless there has been a change to a completely different aircraft type -- that has been more (still rare) common and more understandable. I typically book 2-3-4 months in advance. It may be higher if you are booking 10-11 months in advance (more schedule changes)