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}
Jun 28, 2017, 12:02 pm
#2041
Join Date: Apr 2011
Programs: WN, AA, UA, DL
Posts: 1,313
It has to be a minutely small group that will accept BE just as long as status miles are included. That's a very small straw to break the camel's back.
For an infrequent flyer, the only major difference is whether or not you can take a full-size carry-on along for free and game the baggage rules. Neither can guarantee you that the carry-on rides in the cabin.
Jun 28, 2017, 12:13 pm
#2042
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: FLL
Programs: United Premier 1K; Alaska MVP 75K; Hilton Honors Diamond; Hertz Pres Circle
Posts: 667
Don't know if this has been discussed or not, but I had a recent experience trying to get a friend's BE ticket changed. I called the Premier Desk when his flight got cancelled to see if he could get onto a DL flight. I was informed that, when traveling on a BE ticket, UA will not accommodate on another carrier if there is a UA option within 48 hours of originally scheduled departure time and next available was 30 hours later. I asked to speak with a supervisor, who confirmed this information. My friend ended up canceling his trip, which was only going to be 48 hours to begin with. Unless I'm missing something, I don't see poorer IRROP handling as a "term" of a BE fare on the website.
Jun 28, 2017, 12:22 pm
#2043
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Honolulu Harbor
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 14,998
I'm not exactly sure what you expect. Maybe you're missing the fact UA's never really been generous during IRROPs endorsing over to other carriers on most tickets. Of course UA's gonna try and re-book on UA.
Jun 28, 2017, 12:30 pm
#2044
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Oregon
Programs: AA EXP, AS 75K, UA 1MM Gold, HH Diamond, Hyatt Explorist, IHG Plat, National EE, Hertz PC
Posts: 4,001
You know, the more I think about it the more I think this could be a good thing for me. I'm not ever going to buy the BE fares, but the number one problem with orderly boarding and ontime departure is simply too many carry-on bags for the space. Carry-ons were priced too advantageously to checked bags - causing the problem. This will shift the balance and make boarding faster and less of a mess.
Jun 28, 2017, 5:08 pm
#2045
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: SFO South Bay
Programs: UA 2MM
Posts: 3,052
Did DEN to SFO yesterday, 787-8, and heard announcement several times that BG5 will only be allowed one small carry on. Yet first 5 people in that line all had both a carry on and a full size roller suitcase. Many others did too further back in line. I did not wait to see what happened, nor am I sure this really was a BE flight, but found it interesting that none of the people in the GB5 line who had excess baggage reacted in any way to the repeated announcement.
Jun 28, 2017, 6:32 pm
#2046
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: San Francisco
Programs: UA MM Plat, UA 1MM, Hilton Lifetime Gold, Marriott Gold, Hertz Gold, CLEAR, AS MVP Gold
Posts: 3,614
I was informed that, when traveling on a BE ticket, UA will not accommodate on another carrier if there is a UA option within 48 hours of originally scheduled departure time and next available was 30 hours later. I asked to speak with a supervisor, who confirmed this information. My friend ended up canceling his trip, which was only going to be 48 hours to begin with. Unless I'm missing something, I don't see poorer IRROP handling as a "term" of a BE fare on the website.
Jun 28, 2017, 6:36 pm
#2047
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Honolulu Harbor
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 14,998
While waiting for a flight at SFO last week, I did watch a BG5 group board at a nearby 60s gate. Two of the 10 or so BG5ers had more-than-allowed carry ons, ignored the announcements, and both were made to pay $50. I don't think it's uncommon that some are hoping they won't be charged. And I think UA loves to catch 'em. Should make some think the $20 premium to avoid BE is worth it. Either that or switch to Southwest...
Last edited by IAH-OIL-TRASH; Jun 28, 2017 at 6:42 pm
Jun 28, 2017, 6:41 pm
#2048
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: San Francisco
Programs: UA MM Plat, UA 1MM, Hilton Lifetime Gold, Marriott Gold, Hertz Gold, CLEAR, AS MVP Gold
Posts: 3,614
While waiting for a flight at SFO last week, I did watch a BG5 group board at a nearby 60s gate. Two of the 10 or so BG5ers had more-than-allowed carry ons, ignored the announcements, and both were made to pay $50. I don't think it's uncommon that some are hoping they won't be charged.
Jun 28, 2017, 6:45 pm
#2049
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Honolulu Harbor
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 14,998
It does look like the majority of BG5ers are compliant with the terms they've been hit over the head with multiple times (multiple times during booking process, post-booking emails, pre-trip email, check in).
Last edited by IAH-OIL-TRASH; Jun 28, 2017 at 6:54 pm
Jun 28, 2017, 6:47 pm
#2050
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: ORD-LAS
Programs: UA MM 1K, Hyatt Globalist, Marriott Titanium Elite
Posts: 4,419
While waiting for a flight at SFO last week, I did watch a BG5 group board at a nearby 60s gate. Two of the 10 or so BG5ers had more-than-allowed carry ons, ignored the announcements, and both were made to pay $50. I don't think it's uncommon that some are hoping they won't be charged. And I think UA loves to catch 'em. Should make some think the $20 premium to avoid BE is worth it. Either that or switch to Southwest...
Jun 28, 2017, 7:00 pm
#2051
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,416
Of course, the same benefit can be accomplished by allowing pax to check a bag for free. See Southwest Airlines.
Jun 29, 2017, 12:48 am
#2052
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
Of course they're different. That's not the point. But if UA BE is unacceptable for a frequent flyer, I don't know how DL's BE would be. The ticket itself is not much different. They are highly equivalent.
It has to be a minutely small group that will accept BE just as long as status miles are included. That's a very small straw to break the camel's back.
For an infrequent flyer, the only major difference is whether or not you can take a full-size carry-on along for free and game the baggage rules. Neither can guarantee you that the carry-on rides in the cabin.
It has to be a minutely small group that will accept BE just as long as status miles are included. That's a very small straw to break the camel's back.
For an infrequent flyer, the only major difference is whether or not you can take a full-size carry-on along for free and game the baggage rules. Neither can guarantee you that the carry-on rides in the cabin.
. I'd be booking domestic BE 100% of the time on UA if status miles were included. Elite status ensures I'm exempt from most of the restrictions. UA irrops also isn't too bad domestically. Internationally it's a different deal, as UA has awful performance on long hauls out of most hubs.
Jun 29, 2017, 11:21 am
#2053
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: EWR
Programs: Marriott Bonvoy Lifetime Gold (Current Platinum), United Mileage Plus, Avis Preferred
Posts: 850
I have just seen the premium for regular economy fares over BE jump from $15 to $20 each way for EWR-MCO round trips in Novmeber.
Jun 30, 2017, 11:26 am
#2054
Join Date: Jan 2016
Programs: UA 1K; *G, AA Plat
Posts: 1,700
Basic Economy More Expensive than Normal Economy?
Can someone explain why this is happening / what this means?
Searched UA.com for a one way flight:
Where: LAX - ORD
Date: 08/17
Filtered by: "Nonstop Only"
It shows that a basic economy ticket costs $258 while a normal economy costs $243. Screenshot attached.
Why? How? Huh? It's a little early for Saturday website shenanigans and I assume this isn't normal...
Searched UA.com for a one way flight:
Where: LAX - ORD
Date: 08/17
Filtered by: "Nonstop Only"
It shows that a basic economy ticket costs $258 while a normal economy costs $243. Screenshot attached.
Why? How? Huh? It's a little early for Saturday website shenanigans and I assume this isn't normal...
Last edited by laxmillenial; Jun 30, 2017 at 11:31 am
Jun 30, 2017, 12:05 pm
#2055
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Oregon
Programs: AA EXP, AS 75K, UA 1MM Gold, HH Diamond, Hyatt Explorist, IHG Plat, National EE, Hertz PC
Posts: 4,001
Can someone explain why this is happening / what this means?
Searched UA.com for a one way flight:
Where: LAX - ORD
Date: 08/17
Filtered by: "Nonstop Only"
It shows that a basic economy ticket costs $258 while a normal economy costs $243. Screenshot attached.
Why? How? Huh? It's a little early for Saturday website shenanigans and I assume this isn't normal...
Searched UA.com for a one way flight:
Where: LAX - ORD
Date: 08/17
Filtered by: "Nonstop Only"
It shows that a basic economy ticket costs $258 while a normal economy costs $243. Screenshot attached.
Why? How? Huh? It's a little early for Saturday website shenanigans and I assume this isn't normal...