Last edit by: Kacee
The TATL -LGT Fares will be called Basic Economy Effective 12/11/2018, Additional Restrictions will Apply
Now even more ways to fly across the Atlantic -- Atlantic Joint Venture offering with Air Canada and Lufthansa Group
Will earn 50% PQMs, 100% PQDs, RDMs, Lifetime miles and segment credit toward 4 UA segments needed for elite status
-- BE and TATL BE earns will be the same
BE uses N fares, TATL BE / -LGT can be a number of the lower discount economy fare classes
No changes -- dates, fare class, truly non-refundable ... and no upgrades
Other -LGT restrictions
Normal TATL fares include a free check bag -- -LGT fares do not for non-elites / non-credit card holders
No Premier seating benefits - i.e., no free Economy Plus
To aviod TATL BE fares
United's Basic Economy - Discussion, Q&A, ...
Benefit impact of restricted economy fares on UA Elites (Basic Econ, -LGT, Light Econ
Now even more ways to fly across the Atlantic -- Atlantic Joint Venture offering with Air Canada and Lufthansa Group
New ways to fly across the Atlantic Effective June 5, 2018, United Airlines in line with Atlantic Joint Venture partners Air Canada and Lufthansa Group, will introduce a new fare option in select trans-Atlantic markets.
Created for our customers who may be more price-sensitive, these lowest-priced fares are the first step towards a Basic Economy product on trans-Atlantic United flights. The fare includes the same inflight experience as standard United Economy but with important restrictions that you'll want to review carefully before booking.
Created for our customers who may be more price-sensitive, these lowest-priced fares are the first step towards a Basic Economy product on trans-Atlantic United flights. The fare includes the same inflight experience as standard United Economy but with important restrictions that you'll want to review carefully before booking.
What is the new fare option?
For customers traveling between the United States or Canada and select European countries in specific lower Economy booking classes, the new fare option will not include a complimentary first checked baggage allowance, upgrades or the ability to make changes following purchase.
Customers purchasing this fare for travel ticketed and operated on United will be eligible for advance seat assignments, one standard carry-on bag and one personal item, and the same United Economy cabin experience and services, including dining options, Wi-Fi for purchase and inflight entertainment.
What date is the fare option applicable?
The fare option is applicable for first ticket and first travel date on or after June 5, 2018, for all points of sale. The first bag fee does not apply to tickets purchased before June 4, 2018
.
How is the fare option identified?
For all Atlantic joint venture carriers, the last 3 characters of the fare basis code will be -LGT, and the fare type code is ERU/EOU.
For point of origin U. S. the fare is planned for booking classes K , L and T.
For point of origin E.U. and Canada, the fare is planned for booking classes K, L, T, S and W. Booking classes are subject to change and may vary by route.
The fares will vary from market to market and depend on availability. Customers traveling between the U.S. or Canada and Europe will be able to see if this fare is available on their flight when booking.
What are the conditions of the new fare option?
The new fare has some important restrictions compared to a standard United Economy ticket:
The fare does not include a free baggage allowance for checked baggage.
The fare is non-refundable and non-changeable except as stated in the United 24-hour flexible booking policy.
The fare cannot be combined with any other fare type.
The fare is not eligible for upgrades to a premium cabin (complimentary, purchased or instrument).
For customers traveling between the United States or Canada and select European countries in specific lower Economy booking classes, the new fare option will not include a complimentary first checked baggage allowance, upgrades or the ability to make changes following purchase.
Customers purchasing this fare for travel ticketed and operated on United will be eligible for advance seat assignments, one standard carry-on bag and one personal item, and the same United Economy cabin experience and services, including dining options, Wi-Fi for purchase and inflight entertainment.
What date is the fare option applicable?
The fare option is applicable for first ticket and first travel date on or after June 5, 2018, for all points of sale. The first bag fee does not apply to tickets purchased before June 4, 2018
.
How is the fare option identified?
For all Atlantic joint venture carriers, the last 3 characters of the fare basis code will be -LGT, and the fare type code is ERU/EOU.
For point of origin U. S. the fare is planned for booking classes K , L and T.
For point of origin E.U. and Canada, the fare is planned for booking classes K, L, T, S and W. Booking classes are subject to change and may vary by route.
The fares will vary from market to market and depend on availability. Customers traveling between the U.S. or Canada and Europe will be able to see if this fare is available on their flight when booking.
What are the conditions of the new fare option?
The new fare has some important restrictions compared to a standard United Economy ticket:
The fare does not include a free baggage allowance for checked baggage.
The fare is non-refundable and non-changeable except as stated in the United 24-hour flexible booking policy.
The fare cannot be combined with any other fare type.
The fare is not eligible for upgrades to a premium cabin (complimentary, purchased or instrument).
Are there any exemptions from the first bag fee?
The following customers are exempt from the fee when checking in with United and traveling on United or United Express for the first segment of a trans-Atlantic itinerary:
MileagePlus Premier members
Chase MileagePlus cardholders
Members of the U.S. military
Star Alliance Gold members
The following customers are exempt from the fee when checking in with United and traveling on United or United Express for the first segment of a trans-Atlantic itinerary:
MileagePlus Premier members
Chase MileagePlus cardholders
Members of the U.S. military
Star Alliance Gold members
-- BE and TATL BE earns will be the same
BE uses N fares, TATL BE / -LGT can be a number of the lower discount economy fare classes
No changes -- dates, fare class, truly non-refundable ... and no upgrades
Other -LGT restrictions
Normal TATL fares include a free check bag -- -LGT fares do not for non-elites / non-credit card holders
No Premier seating benefits - i.e., no free Economy Plus
To aviod TATL BE fares
ITA Matrix Google Flights -- select 1 Carry-on bag
related threadsUnited's Basic Economy - Discussion, Q&A, ...
Benefit impact of restricted economy fares on UA Elites (Basic Econ, -LGT, Light Econ
TATL Basic Economy (renamed Dec 2018); all BE to earn 50% PQMs, earn 100% PQDs
#316
Join Date: Nov 2017
Posts: 3,359
On a similar note: I find the notion of "no changes permitted" absurd -- the point of nonrefundable+change fee is that you're agreeing to fly on the indicated time and date, or are willing to incur a significant penalty otherwise. In other words: with LGT-fares, I now have to pay a little bit more for the privilege of being able to pay a not-insignificant sum to change my ticket.
Safe Travels,
James
#317
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 21,186
I fail to see how these measures help anyone but the airline.
Hence my rebate proposal rather than reducing the upfront cost of standard economy. I'd be incentivized to not check bags, and I get an ETC that encourages me to fly UA again in the near future. For example, the hypothetical LAX-IAD runs in the neighborhood of $260 BE, $300 otherwise; if I paid for full economy and agreed not to check a bag, I'd get say, a $15 ETC. This assumes that Basic Economy is profitable on its own (rather than being a loss leader).
Unbundling is bad for 99% of consumers. You may not care about checking a bag, but you might care about getting a seat assignment, access to overhead space, early boarding, water on the plane, or whatever other nickel and dime charges "complete unbundling" ends up entailing.
#318
Join Date: Nov 2017
Posts: 3,359
LH group already offers a "Business Basic" -- they just don't call it that. Some P fares are non-changeable, non-refundable, use-it-or-lose it. And some LX J seats require a payment to reserve unless you're HON.
I fail to see how these measures help anyone but the airline.
I fail to see how these measures help anyone but the airline.
What good does that do you when UA raises its fares by $15 to compensate?
Unbundling is bad for 99% of consumers. You may not care about checking a bag, but you might care about getting a seat assignment, access to overhead space, early boarding, water on the plane, or whatever other nickel and dime charges "complete unbundling" ends up entailing.
Unbundling is bad for 99% of consumers. You may not care about checking a bag, but you might care about getting a seat assignment, access to overhead space, early boarding, water on the plane, or whatever other nickel and dime charges "complete unbundling" ends up entailing.
Safe Travels,
James
#320
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 21,186
Sticking this here because I believe it's going to be a cross-airline thing as soon as they can work out the kinks.
The AC earning chart has been updated so that flying a TATL BE fare on AC earns 50% PQM, regardless of fare class, just like UA. I don't see the changes on the other JV partners yet, but I expect it's a matter of time.
The AC earning chart has been updated so that flying a TATL BE fare on AC earns 50% PQM, regardless of fare class, just like UA. I don't see the changes on the other JV partners yet, but I expect it's a matter of time.
#321
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: U.K.
Programs: QR P; HH D; IHG SpAmb
Posts: 770
Booked some Economy (no changes/refunds/upgrades) TA tickets several months ago. Now shows as BE when i look up the booking in my account...
While it still shows full PQM earnings i now cannot select other seats in E+ only "preferred" seats - is there a workaround for this (apart from contacting UA)?
While it still shows full PQM earnings i now cannot select other seats in E+ only "preferred" seats - is there a workaround for this (apart from contacting UA)?
#322
Join Date: Sep 2014
Posts: 2,530
United 2017 RASM: 13.51 cents
#324
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 21,186
I stand by my statement -- I'm paraphrasing G4's CEO, IIRC. UA's RASM number includes a lot of customers that would never consider Spirit, plus a lot of markets where they're not even an option. When the average NK customer is making a choice between NK and UA, that customer will end up paying more to fly NK (or G4, or F9..). They're just doing it in smaller pieces.
The savvy customer can save money with NK. The average customer will not.
Provided you're happy with Spirit comfort and service, sure. You can't have it both ways.
The savvy customer can save money with NK. The average customer will not.
Provided you're happy with Spirit comfort and service, sure. You can't have it both ways.
#325
Join Date: Nov 2017
Posts: 3,359
Even with the introduction of Economy Basic to TATL flights, a lower Economy Basic k fare will inevitably result in a lower Normal k fare (i.e. checking today I saw some flights around $444 USD in Normal k between Heathrow and LA. I doubt these types of deals appeared in the so called "golden age" of travel when RDM was based on distance, and all P fares were double!
Safe Travels,
James
#326
Join Date: Nov 2017
Posts: 3,359
Has anyone tried booking these Economy Light fares on the European airlines, namely OS and how PQM accrual works for them? I currently see the same UA flights at the same prices with UA and OS where the UA site calls it Economy Basic whereas the OS site mentions it as Economy Light which I interpret to meaning the cheap Economy fares before Dec 11th happened. This might be a potential loophole around the 50% PQM restriction of Economy Basic fares.
Safe Travels,
James
Safe Travels,
James
#329
Join Date: Nov 2017
Posts: 3,359
Q: Are my Basic Economy ticket purchases eligible for Premier qualifying dollars and other accruals toward Premier status?
A: Yes, MileagePlus members will earn Premier qualifying dollars, Premier qualifying miles, Premier qualifying segments as well as lifetime miles and accrue toward the four-segment minimum but note that the accruals will be lower than for other tickets. MileagePlus members will also earn award miles based on the fare and their MileagePlus status. See the Earning Miles on United Flights page for more details.
A: Yes, MileagePlus members will earn Premier qualifying dollars, Premier qualifying miles, Premier qualifying segments as well as lifetime miles and accrue toward the four-segment minimum but note that the accruals will be lower than for other tickets. MileagePlus members will also earn award miles based on the fare and their MileagePlus status. See the Earning Miles on United Flights page for more details.
-James
#330
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: U.K.
Programs: QR P; HH D; IHG SpAmb
Posts: 770
My guess, and other members in the FT community can chime in here, is that the UA will consider each BE segment as a segment for the purpose of the 4 segment minimum and BIS will accrue at 100% similar to how it currently is (i.e. class of service doesn't impact BIS accrual nor # of segments towards 4 segment minimum).