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}
Jul 27, 2017, 10:25 pm
#2236
Moderator: Budget Travel forum & Credit Card Programs, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: YYJ/YVR and back on Van Isle ....... for now
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So how do you explain not allowing advance seat assignments, and not allowing pax to pay a fee for advance seat assignments? That is just plain irrational from a revenue perspective, unless your goal is to make the fare so unattractive that passengers will pay $20 more just to avoid it.
To combine your question and assertion, the $20 surcharge for non N is about the same as ULCCs charge for selecting seats and having a full size carryon, so apparently I'm missing the point.
IMHO, Spirit, Frontier, Norwegian at al are trying to disrupt with ultra low fares with no carryon, no luggage, no changes a la carte pricing, and US3 want a piece of that.
As several posters pointed out, measly $20 ($40 roundtrip) isn't worth it to most, yet some want to have their cake and eat it too (figuratively, not literally).
And BTW, this is PEANUTS compared to going to revenue v. miles flown model, so really not sure what the fuss is all about.
And yes, I am a Budget Traveler, and somewhat frugal, so if I can see the logic .....
Last edited by WineCountryUA; Jul 28, 2017 at 12:56 am Reason: merging consecutive posts by same member -- please use multi-quote
Jul 27, 2017, 10:43 pm
#2237
Join Date: Jan 2017
Location: SFO/SJC/OAK
Programs: OZ Diamond (*G), KQ Asante Gold (ST+), Hilton Diamond, IHG Diamond, Marriott Gold
Posts: 1,511
Again, you are allowed your opinion
To combine your question and assertion, the $20 surcharge for non N is about the same as ULCCs charge for selecting seats and having a full size carryon, so apparently I'm missing the point.
IMHO, Spirit, Frontier, Norwegian at al are trying to disrupt with ultra low fares with no carryon, no luggage, no changes a la carte pricing, and US3 want a piece of that.
As several posters pointed out, measly $20 ($40 roundtrip) isn't worth it to most, yet some want to have their cake and eat it too (figuratively, not literally).
And BTW, this is PEANUTS compared to going to revenue v. miles flown model, so really not sure what the fuss is all about.
And yes, I am a Budget Traveler, and somewhat frugal, so if I can see the logic .....
To combine your question and assertion, the $20 surcharge for non N is about the same as ULCCs charge for selecting seats and having a full size carryon, so apparently I'm missing the point.
IMHO, Spirit, Frontier, Norwegian at al are trying to disrupt with ultra low fares with no carryon, no luggage, no changes a la carte pricing, and US3 want a piece of that.
As several posters pointed out, measly $20 ($40 roundtrip) isn't worth it to most, yet some want to have their cake and eat it too (figuratively, not literally).
And BTW, this is PEANUTS compared to going to revenue v. miles flown model, so really not sure what the fuss is all about.
And yes, I am a Budget Traveler, and somewhat frugal, so if I can see the logic .....
Jul 28, 2017, 12:17 am
#2238
Join Date: Jul 2014
Programs: Jeff is Deaf
Posts: 541
Had a Basic Economy trip this past weekend -- for a two-day trip with warm temperatures, booked at the last minute at a genuinely low price, cramming everything into one backpack is easy.
Everything was straightforward on Sunday's outbound, including the two emails from UA warning me about the fare limitations. Checked in online.
Today, as I'm leaving for the airport, the online check-in abruptly ends at this screen (emphases in the original text):
I was not checking a bag, and at this point it was too late to get to the airport kiosk/counter to check-in. (I did indeed arrive at the airport 35 minutes before departure, precisely the moment the flight went to gate control.) So this was essentially telling me that I must pay the $25 bag fee just to check-in, or else forfeit the ticket. In the end, the counter agent made a few phone calls and got me onto a better flight.
Ironically, Spirit makes you check-in online, and charges a fee for kiosk or counter check-in. But United's competing product forces customers to go the high-touch, costly route!
Everything was straightforward on Sunday's outbound, including the two emails from UA warning me about the fare limitations. Checked in online.
Today, as I'm leaving for the airport, the online check-in abruptly ends at this screen (emphases in the original text):
I was not checking a bag, and at this point it was too late to get to the airport kiosk/counter to check-in. (I did indeed arrive at the airport 35 minutes before departure, precisely the moment the flight went to gate control.) So this was essentially telling me that I must pay the $25 bag fee just to check-in, or else forfeit the ticket. In the end, the counter agent made a few phone calls and got me onto a better flight.
Ironically, Spirit makes you check-in online, and charges a fee for kiosk or counter check-in. But United's competing product forces customers to go the high-touch, costly route!
As I am traveling carry on only I like to arrive 30 minutes prior and just head straight to precheck.Cutting it close arriving at airport, hate to miss my flight due to this stupid IT trick.
Jul 28, 2017, 12:39 am
#2239
FlyerTalk Evangelist
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Yes - if you eligible to carry on a full size bag you can check in online.
Jul 28, 2017, 5:23 am
#2240
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: CLE, DCA, and 30k feet
Programs: Honors LT Diamond; United 1K; Hertz PC
Posts: 4,164
So how do you explain not allowing advance seat assignments, and not allowing pax to pay a fee for advance seat assignments? That is just plain irrational from a revenue perspective, unless your goal is to make the fare so unattractive that passengers will pay $20 more just to avoid it.
1- Make the fare unattractive/encourage the upsell as it's possibly the most tangible benefit for the "average" passenger.
2- Reduce 'gate Tetris' for non-BE passengers (a larger number of open seats to allow families/groups on non BE fares to seat themselves together in advance and reducing the amount of handling by GAs at the gate to try and seat together.
Lincoln
Jul 28, 2017, 7:49 am
#2241
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: EWR
Programs: Marriott Bonvoy Lifetime Gold (Current Platinum), United Mileage Plus, Avis Preferred
Posts: 850
I really feel that UA needs to add the check-in restrictions to the list of services that BE fares do not include. It appears from all reports that non-status, non CC holding flyers who are traveling on BE fares, and who are not paying for a checked bag are prevented from checking in online.
It's fine that UA is imposing these restrictions, but not fine that they are not upfront about it.
It's fine that UA is imposing these restrictions, but not fine that they are not upfront about it.
This is the sort of thing that can unintentionally submarine whatever perception around BE fares that UA is trying to sell. Airline bashing journalism is so hot right now that this issue is ripe for a hit piece on United.
Jul 28, 2017, 8:21 am
#2242
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: PSM
Posts: 69,232
You may recall Scott Kirby's comments in the Q2 '17 earnings call bemoaning the fact that "others" were not as rapid in their deployment of Basic Economy, leading to a competitive disadvantage for United. AA's President Don Isom confirmed in his company's call this morning that AA did see a "modest share shift" as a result but that the total revenue was "very marginal." Most telling: AA also believes that it will make more money by completing its BE rollout rather than holding back and trying to poach the occasional customer defection away from OAL's.
n.b. The link above is to my blog or to one which I am a regular contributor. FT rules require that I disclose that in the post.
n.b. The link above is to my blog or to one which I am a regular contributor. FT rules require that I disclose that in the post.
Jul 28, 2017, 8:47 am
#2243
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: BNA
Programs: HH Gold. (Former) UA PP, DL PM, PC Plat
Posts: 8,184
I think one of the major drivers of the BE fares is to reduce turn times, increasing utilization and decreasing delays, by having a block of passengers without large carry ons. It seems to be working from what I've seen on the 737. Far fewer last minute gate checks on most flights.
Jul 28, 2017, 8:52 am
#2244
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Join Date: Apr 2013
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I think one of the major drivers of the BE fares is to reduce turn times, increasing utilization and decreasing delays, by having a block of passengers without large carry ons. It seems to be working from what I've seen on the 737. Far fewer last minute gate checks on most flights.
Jul 28, 2017, 9:16 am
#2245
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: CLE, DCA, and 30k feet
Programs: Honors LT Diamond; United 1K; Hertz PC
Posts: 4,164
I think one of the major drivers of the BE fares is to reduce turn times, increasing utilization and decreasing delays, by having a block of passengers without large carry ons. It seems to be working from what I've seen on the 737. Far fewer last minute gate checks on most flights.
Interestingly in EDI yesterday I heard the BA version of the "looking for volunteers to check bags" which included the enticement to "priority board along with our Bronze Card holders" for those choosing to check their carryon at no charge.
Jul 28, 2017, 9:32 am
#2246
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Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: PSM
Posts: 69,232
Not sure what the value proposition is to being in a coach seat earlier if I don't need to store a bag, though.
As for reduced carry-ons, I believe the company said something like 10-15% reduction in gate-checked bags so far. That's not enough to move the needle for on-time performance IMO, but I also believe that number is soft.
Jul 28, 2017, 10:15 am
#2247
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Jul 28, 2017, 10:18 am
#2248
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Jul 28, 2017, 10:34 am
#2249
Join Date: Dec 2016
Location: San Fransisco, CA
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 172
For me, the single biggest issue is that, unlike a LCC, I can't buy out of the BE limitations. A lot of my flights are booked for me and I'd be happy to pay the surcharge, but I wouldn't be given the option.
Jul 28, 2017, 12:16 pm
#2250
Moderator: Budget Travel forum & Credit Card Programs, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: YYJ/YVR and back on Van Isle ....... for now
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Seriously though, I was in that positon as well, though that was back in CO days when they only gave 50% EQM unless booked in higher class and/or on CO.com IIRC (it's been a while).
And if they really are out to generate extra revenue, they ought to allow pax to buy up, especially if within 24 hours.