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}
May 28, 2017, 11:12 am
#1741
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: Tel Aviv (TLV), Chicago (ORD)
Programs: United Premier 1K, Starwood/Marriott Gold
Posts: 248
Should there be more specific fare classes for Basic Economy?
This was just a random thought I had...
So BE books into (N) fare class. But from what we can see now, BE is only -$15 from the lowest published economy fare. So basically if I was on a flight that was at a $150 (W) fare, and $135 (N) fare, I am really buying a (NW) or (WN) fare.
This is similar to upgrades. If I buy an L fare and am upgraded, I credit as a (ZL) class.
Not sure if this would have any benefit... this is probably just a stupid question but wanted to see what other people thought.
So BE books into (N) fare class. But from what we can see now, BE is only -$15 from the lowest published economy fare. So basically if I was on a flight that was at a $150 (W) fare, and $135 (N) fare, I am really buying a (NW) or (WN) fare.
This is similar to upgrades. If I buy an L fare and am upgraded, I credit as a (ZL) class.
Not sure if this would have any benefit... this is probably just a stupid question but wanted to see what other people thought.
May 28, 2017, 11:17 am
#1742
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: GVA (Greater Vancouver Area)
Programs: DREAD Gold; UA 1.035MM; Bonvoy Au-197; PCC Elite+; CCC Elite+; MSC C-12; CWC Au-197; WoH Dis
Posts: 52,140
I don't understand what you're getting at. You either buy a W or an N. What's adding WN and NW supposed to help and what do they mean?
May 28, 2017, 11:21 am
#1743
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Houston
Programs: UA Plat, Marriott Gold
Posts: 12,694
No. The ZL thing is some stupid legacy system nonsense.
May 28, 2017, 11:23 am
#1744
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 11,470
I think what you're getting at is that it's silly to peg BE (N fares) to the lowest currently available fare if that fare is relatively expensive. However, in UA's perspective W is still a 'cheap' fare. In my mind it's not, but that's how things are.
To the broader point, though, UA seems to agree—and to have recognised the error—as they were originally filing BE all the way up to 'YN' fares, and they've stopped doing that.
edit: Also, let me just take one more chance to state how disingenuous I feel this whole BE nonsense is. It's simply a convoluted fare increase.
To the broader point, though, UA seems to agree—and to have recognised the error—as they were originally filing BE all the way up to 'YN' fares, and they've stopped doing that.
edit: Also, let me just take one more chance to state how disingenuous I feel this whole BE nonsense is. It's simply a convoluted fare increase.
Last edited by fumje; May 28, 2017 at 12:11 pm Reason: typo
May 28, 2017, 11:55 am
#1745
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: Tel Aviv (TLV), Chicago (ORD)
Programs: United Premier 1K, Starwood/Marriott Gold
Posts: 248
May 29, 2017, 10:39 am
#1746
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Denver, CO - for now..
Programs: UA - Silver and dropping...
Posts: 80
Am low Silver on UA but still book E so I can choose my seat. On my last two bookings I've gotten the dreaded 'all complimentary seats have been taken' message. Literally the only benefit difference for me between BE and E is the seat choice. Both times have skipped to another carrier and saved the ~$25/difference on the flight AND gotten to select my seat. Their prices don't seem cheaper than competition, as others have said, you just get less on United for the same price. I'd love to say others won't follow but when these companies are run by institutional shareholders.. I'm sure it will catch-on - it means more money. I'm sure most of you read the article in the NYTs this weekend on the topic...
May 29, 2017, 10:49 am
#1747
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: Houston/DC
Programs: UA 1K, 1MM
Posts: 564
Alright, I was trying to give UA the benefit of the doubt on these BE fares (and was hoping it did not infiltrate my travel routes), but it is now going to affect me 
I fly XXX-IAH-WAS almost exclusively and had not seen any BE fares on that route until today. I was searching far out into the fall & could routinely see K fares for $137 OW on my travel dates. Now they are showing up as $137 BE fares and the up-charge to get them out of BE is $20 (a 15% fare increase to make them them MP eligible).
So basically UA has found a way to charge MP members for their benefits. It is no longer a rebate or loyalty program, you are paying a premium to buy your benefits. If I want to earn the 1700 PQM for that flight and the roughly 1000 RDM, I need to fork over $20. If you figure that it will take me roughly 12 flights to earn the RDM for one domestic saver award ticket. That saver award ticket will now cost me $200 (10 x $20) instead of being "rebate" for my loyalty.
At 4 flghts per month x 12 months x $20 up-charge = $960 more per year for me to stay loyal to UA. Not to mention, I am already paying $95 to Chase to "buy" my Platinum status since I would never make the PQD requirement.
I would almost have preferred a modest fare increase across the board than seeing these BE fares. It is no longer about matching LCC's on certain routes, It appears to be an across the board fare increase if it is infiltrating so many outstation routes. I don't know that it's going to be better with any other airline, but I am going to have to do my homework and reassess my travel plans for 2018.
I fly XXX-IAH-WAS almost exclusively and had not seen any BE fares on that route until today. I was searching far out into the fall & could routinely see K fares for $137 OW on my travel dates. Now they are showing up as $137 BE fares and the up-charge to get them out of BE is $20 (a 15% fare increase to make them them MP eligible).
So basically UA has found a way to charge MP members for their benefits. It is no longer a rebate or loyalty program, you are paying a premium to buy your benefits. If I want to earn the 1700 PQM for that flight and the roughly 1000 RDM, I need to fork over $20. If you figure that it will take me roughly 12 flights to earn the RDM for one domestic saver award ticket. That saver award ticket will now cost me $200 (10 x $20) instead of being "rebate" for my loyalty.
At 4 flghts per month x 12 months x $20 up-charge = $960 more per year for me to stay loyal to UA. Not to mention, I am already paying $95 to Chase to "buy" my Platinum status since I would never make the PQD requirement.
I would almost have preferred a modest fare increase across the board than seeing these BE fares. It is no longer about matching LCC's on certain routes, It appears to be an across the board fare increase if it is infiltrating so many outstation routes. I don't know that it's going to be better with any other airline, but I am going to have to do my homework and reassess my travel plans for 2018.
May 29, 2017, 10:59 am
#1748
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: LAX
Programs: UA Plat MM, CM Plat, Amex Plat, Hertz CP, Hyatt Globalist, SPG Gold, Vons Club
Posts: 6,852
Wow, just looked at several possible itineraries and BE came up as the first choice, lowest price (via Google Flights and on UA). I'm not seeing any discount's from the Normal S,T,L,K Fares that I normally purchase.. just seems like an added +$50-$65RT for me just to use my Platinum Benefits (I do like the SDC and use it often) Perhaps a waiver would be nice for Platinum's and Higher..
May 29, 2017, 7:25 pm
#1749
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: San Diego, CA
Programs: UA 1K MM, AA Gold, SPG Plat, HH Gold
Posts: 991
Only BE
One SAN-DTW only has BE available. No Y or F.
May 29, 2017, 7:34 pm
#1750
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: IAH
Programs: DL DM, Hyatt Ist-iest, Stariott Platinum, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 12,795
I'm seeing BE fares on a route that appears to have no LCC competition. IAH-BNA in August. The differential is "only" $15 but still
May 29, 2017, 7:39 pm
#1751
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 21,417
Interesting. I see the same thing when I look at that as the outbound leg of a RT, but it works fine when selected as a one-way.
What's happening is this: Because the stop in Chicago is longer than four hours, and there are other valid ORD-DTW flights before UA555, ORD counts as a stopover. Most UA domestic fares disallow stopovers, so what you end up with is two fares ticketed end-on-end. (If you search for this as a one-way, you'll see that it's an H and a U, with a fare break at ORD).
When you add on the leg back to SAN, you've now created a circle trip, and UA has been adding a bunch of restrictions into their tickets to prevent circle trips, or, at least, to make them more expensive. (Circle trips are more commonly purchased by business travelers than leisure travelers). It appears that those restrictions are overwritten when the BE fare is constructed, making it possible to book this, but only in N.
This is likely an unintentional byproduct of an error in the rule that UA is using to create BE fares from non-BE fares. If UA notices it, they'll probably "fix" it by making this flight ineligible for BE also.
The LCC thing was a smokescreen. Neither DL nor UA is limiting their BE fares to routes where they face LCC competition. If all UA wanted to do was to offer these in response to (U)LCC fares, there were many easier ways to do it than what they did. Their intent all along was to raise fares.
What's happening is this: Because the stop in Chicago is longer than four hours, and there are other valid ORD-DTW flights before UA555, ORD counts as a stopover. Most UA domestic fares disallow stopovers, so what you end up with is two fares ticketed end-on-end. (If you search for this as a one-way, you'll see that it's an H and a U, with a fare break at ORD).
When you add on the leg back to SAN, you've now created a circle trip, and UA has been adding a bunch of restrictions into their tickets to prevent circle trips, or, at least, to make them more expensive. (Circle trips are more commonly purchased by business travelers than leisure travelers). It appears that those restrictions are overwritten when the BE fare is constructed, making it possible to book this, but only in N.
This is likely an unintentional byproduct of an error in the rule that UA is using to create BE fares from non-BE fares. If UA notices it, they'll probably "fix" it by making this flight ineligible for BE also.
The LCC thing was a smokescreen. Neither DL nor UA is limiting their BE fares to routes where they face LCC competition. If all UA wanted to do was to offer these in response to (U)LCC fares, there were many easier ways to do it than what they did. Their intent all along was to raise fares.
Last edited by jsloan; May 29, 2017 at 7:43 pm Reason: Add response to new message
May 29, 2017, 8:11 pm
#1752
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,478
The LCC thing was a smokescreen. Neither DL nor UA is limiting their BE fares to routes where they face LCC competition. If all UA wanted to do was to offer these in response to (U)LCC fares, there were many easier ways to do it than what they did. Their intent all along was to raise fares.
May 29, 2017, 10:06 pm
#1753
Moderator, Omni, Omni/PR, Omni/Games, FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Between DCA and IAD
Programs: UA 1K MM; Hilton Diamond
Posts: 67,145
I have corporate travel coming up to MCO. Going to be interesting to see if the corporate engine shows the BE fares or not. I think I can swing the argument that the fare differential is on par with the bag fee roundtrip if it comes to that...
May 29, 2017, 10:39 pm
#1754
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: SW Colorado
Programs: UAL Silver Hilton Diamond Hyatt Plat
Posts: 164
That's what I'm seeing, my regional airport GJT or MTJ are all BE fares even though completion is not there, no low cost carriers to get to DEN. Real mind game. Not happy at all.
May 29, 2017, 10:50 pm
#1755
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: MSP
Programs: DL PM, UA Gold, WN, Global Entry; +others wherever miles/points are found
Posts: 14,424
What's happening is this: Because the stop in Chicago is longer than four hours, and there are other valid ORD-DTW flights before UA555, ORD counts as a stopover. Most UA domestic fares disallow stopovers, so what you end up with is two fares ticketed end-on-end. (If you search for this as a one-way, you'll see that it's an H and a U, with a fare break at ORD).
When you add on the leg back to SAN, you've now created a circle trip, and UA has been adding a bunch of restrictions into their tickets to prevent circle trips, or, at least, to make them more expensive. (Circle trips are more commonly purchased by business travelers than leisure travelers). It appears that those restrictions are overwritten when the BE fare is constructed, making it possible to book this, but only in N.
When you add on the leg back to SAN, you've now created a circle trip, and UA has been adding a bunch of restrictions into their tickets to prevent circle trips, or, at least, to make them more expensive. (Circle trips are more commonly purchased by business travelers than leisure travelers). It appears that those restrictions are overwritten when the BE fare is constructed, making it possible to book this, but only in N.
SAN UA CHI 143.26TAA7AWEN UA DTT 169.30HAA7AKEN UA X/WAS UA SAN 375.82HEA7AFEN USD 688.38 END ZP SAN ORD DTW IAD XT 51.62US 16.40ZP 11.20AY 18.00XF SAN4.50 ORD4.50 DTW4.50 IAD4.50
I think .bomb is just wrong here. (also the trivial case of YUA prices)