Feb 9, 2019, 5:12 pm
Last edit by: WineCountryUA
This is an archive thread -- the active thread is United's Basic Economy - Discussion, Q&A, ...
Important Note: these fares became available 21 Feb 2017 for MSP for travel beginning 18 Apr 2017. More markets were added 19 April 2017 for travel starting 9 May 2017.
Related thread: Basic Economy Airport and Plane Experiences (First or Second Hand)
If you booked before the dates above, you did not have a BE fare. If purchased on united.com you will see a warning like:
4. MileagePlus members will earn full Premier qualifying dollars, 50% Premier qualifying miles and 0.5 Premier qualifying segments for each flight, as well as lifetime miles and toward the four-segment minimum.
Link to UA's description of how these fares will work: Basic Economy.
Here are the key facts:
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
Important Note: these fares became available 21 Feb 2017 for MSP for travel beginning 18 Apr 2017. More markets were added 19 April 2017 for travel starting 9 May 2017.
Related thread: Basic Economy Airport and Plane Experiences (First or Second Hand)
If you booked before the dates above, you did not have a BE fare. If purchased on united.com you will see a warning like:
4. MileagePlus members will earn full Premier qualifying dollars, 50% Premier qualifying miles and 0.5 Premier qualifying segments for each flight, as well as lifetime miles and toward the four-segment minimum.
Link to UA's description of how these fares will work: Basic Economy.
Here are the key facts:
- No seat assignments until check-in. Seats will be assigned by the system and cannot be changed.*NEW* When purchasing a Basic Economy ticket, you will not receive a complimentary seat assignment but may be able to purchase advance seat assignments during booking and up until check-in opens. 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
- Carry on limited to 1 personal item unless the customer is a MP Premier member, primary cardmember of a qualifying MileagePlus credit card, or Star Alliance *G
- 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 will not be eligible for Economy Plus or premium cabin upgrades. This includes all forms of upgrades (CPU,supported or purchased). Likewise for E+ access (elite or purchased).
- 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
- Companions on same PNR will have same boarding group and carryon if one on the PNR has a waiver
- No combinability with regular economy fares or partner carriers. Interline travel is not permitted.
- Tickets will earn RDMs (based on fare and status), PQMs (50% of distance), PQSs (0.5), PQDs, in addition it will count for minimum 4 segment and lifetime miles (New as of Dec 2018)
- Basic Economy tickets will use booking code 'N'
- 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.
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}
Oct 2, 2018, 12:14 am
#3406
Join Date: Jun 2004
Programs: united airlines
Posts: 4,967
Clearly, I haven't kept up with UA developments.
In 2 weeks, we are flying to WY in BE. I think it is an "N" ticket. Would that be right?
A few days after we get home, we are off to France. When I purchased the tickets, I didn't look into the fare class (why would I?). I saw the fare was very good in comparison to other UA economy fares and those of other carriers at that time, so pulled the trigger. I'm getting E+ and only a slightly curtailed free baggage allowance (fee for 2nd bag). So that's "Economy Light"? How can I look at my record and see the fare class? What is the code for "Economy Light"?
Thanks.
In 2 weeks, we are flying to WY in BE. I think it is an "N" ticket. Would that be right?
A few days after we get home, we are off to France. When I purchased the tickets, I didn't look into the fare class (why would I?). I saw the fare was very good in comparison to other UA economy fares and those of other carriers at that time, so pulled the trigger. I'm getting E+ and only a slightly curtailed free baggage allowance (fee for 2nd bag). So that's "Economy Light"? How can I look at my record and see the fare class? What is the code for "Economy Light"?
Thanks.
Oct 2, 2018, 1:38 am
#3407
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 21,362
A few days after we get home, we are off to France. When I purchased the tickets, I didn't look into the fare class (why would I?). I saw the fare was very good in comparison to other UA economy fares and those of other carriers at that time, so pulled the trigger. I'm getting E+ and only a slightly curtailed free baggage allowance (fee for 2nd bag). So that's "Economy Light"? How can I look at my record and see the fare class? What is the code for "Economy Light"?
For premier members / Chase card holders, the baggage restrictions don't apply if checking in with United (that is: you still get however many free bags are conferred by your status). However, the "no changes" part (including upgrades, same-day confirmed change, etc) still applies.
You should probably be able to figure it out from your receipt, but the surest way is to call United and ask if you have the "Economy (1st Bag Charge/ No Changes)" fare.
Oct 2, 2018, 7:03 am
#3408
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: SFO
Programs: COdbaUA Platinum 2MM
Posts: 5,532
Oct 2, 2018, 9:10 am
#3409
Moderator: United Airlines
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA Plat 1.99MM, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Plat/LT Gold, Hilton Silver, IHG Plat
Posts: 66,769
Oct 2, 2018, 9:18 am
#3410
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: SFO
Programs: COdbaUA Platinum 2MM
Posts: 5,532
VDBs are down 50% to 70% per BTS data, summarized in VDB thread wiki
Oct 2, 2018, 12:18 pm
#3411
Join Date: Jan 2017
Location: SFO/SJC/OAK
Programs: OZ Diamond (*G), KQ Asante Gold (ST+), Hilton Diamond, IHG Diamond, Marriott Gold
Posts: 1,510
Oct 2, 2018, 1:32 pm
#3413
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: MSP
Programs: DL PM, UA Gold, WN, Global Entry; +others wherever miles/points are found
Posts: 14,392
By the facts, both VDB and IDB are significantly down. Circumstantially, VDB payments per pax also way up (see the VDB thread and many reports of several thousand dollar ETCs).
Oct 2, 2018, 2:13 pm
#3414
Join Date: Feb 2015
Programs: united
Posts: 1,636
Access your reservation on united.com and click on baggage fees.
Oct 8, 2018, 8:53 am
#3415
Join Date: Oct 2018
Posts: 2
Was just wondering if anyone had any experience with checking in with basic economy recently? When you check in at the counter with a full size carry on do you just show the agent your united card so you can bring it with you on the plane? Also I saw in this thread some reference to only needing to be a card holder and not actually having to book with the united card while the UA page says you have to book with the card to get the carry on. Does anyone have any datapoint for what actually happens (last time when i flew basic economy with united in April, it let me check in online so did not have to meet with agent to verify carry on baggage even though booked with a different card). Thanks!
Oct 8, 2018, 9:32 am
#3416
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 21,362
Was just wondering if anyone had any experience with checking in with basic economy recently? When you check in at the counter with a full size carry on do you just show the agent your united card so you can bring it with you on the plane? Also I saw in this thread some reference to only needing to be a card holder and not actually having to book with the united card while the UA page says you have to book with the card to get the carry on. Does anyone have any datapoint for what actually happens (last time when i flew basic economy with united in April, it let me check in online so did not have to meet with agent to verify carry on baggage even though booked with a different card). Thanks!
With a qualifying credit card on file, you will get boarding group 2, which is part of your credit card benefits and overrides the Basic Economy boarding group 5. The no-carry-on / check in with an agent policy is only for boarding group 5; that's why you were allowed to check-in online before (and will be again).
Oct 16, 2018, 11:10 pm
#3418
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Los Angeles, CA; Philadelphia, PA
Programs: OZ Diamond
Posts: 6,133
Do *Gs get free baggage on BE fares? What about other no status companions on same PNR? TIA.
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