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}
Apr 4, 2018, 3:49 pm
#3151
Join Date: Sep 2014
Posts: 2,531
The only perk I have to use the card for is checked bag.
The card website agrees with me:
https://www2.theexplorercard.com/
The primary Cardmember and companions on the same reservation will be invited to board United-operated flights prior to general boarding.
The primary Cardmember and one companion traveling on the same reservation will each receive their first standard checked bag free ($25 value, each way, per person) on United-operated flights when the primary Cardmember includes their United MileagePlus® number in their reservation and purchases their tickets from United with their Card.
The primary Cardmember and one companion traveling on the same reservation will each receive their first standard checked bag free ($25 value, each way, per person) on United-operated flights when the primary Cardmember includes their United MileagePlus® number in their reservation and purchases their tickets from United with their Card.
Apr 4, 2018, 4:10 pm
#3152
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Japan
Posts: 5,577
So do I understand this correctly? If I do OLCI and state that I am planning to check in luggage then a seat will be assigned at time of
OLCI? No check in luggage, no seat assignment?
OLCI? No check in luggage, no seat assignment?
Apr 5, 2018, 6:09 am
#3153
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: BNE/OOL temporarily-permanently at CAK/PIT
Programs: UA*1K & UA Club, National Ex. Elite, Hertz Pres. Circ., Amex Plat., CLEAR
Posts: 1,703
Let’s say you are a 1K and you’ve already earned 100k PQMs/$12k PQDs and are requalified for next year.
You need to take a last minute flight (as in within the next hour or two), like ORD-MSP. Basic Economy is significantly cheaper than regular Economy. The seat map is already almost full and no upgrades are left available (or you know you won’t get one anyway). It’s either such a short flight you don’t care about which seat you get, or there are no good seats left.
Is there any reason not to take BE? I can’t think of one.
Let’s also assume you aren’t going to benefit from earning enough PQMs to get more RPUs - maybe you don’t use them or maybe you won’t be able to cross the 25k or 50k threshold this year.
IRROPs don’t matter since it’s last minute anyway. Worst case, just go buy a full priced regular ticket.
You need to take a last minute flight (as in within the next hour or two), like ORD-MSP. Basic Economy is significantly cheaper than regular Economy. The seat map is already almost full and no upgrades are left available (or you know you won’t get one anyway). It’s either such a short flight you don’t care about which seat you get, or there are no good seats left.
Is there any reason not to take BE? I can’t think of one.
Let’s also assume you aren’t going to benefit from earning enough PQMs to get more RPUs - maybe you don’t use them or maybe you won’t be able to cross the 25k or 50k threshold this year.
IRROPs don’t matter since it’s last minute anyway. Worst case, just go buy a full priced regular ticket.
Apr 5, 2018, 6:50 am
#3154
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: CLE, DCA, and 30k feet
Programs: Honors LT Diamond; United 1K; Hertz PC
Posts: 4,168
Let’s say you are a 1K and you’ve already earned 100k PQMs/$12k PQDs and are requalified for next year.
You need to take a last minute flight (as in within the next hour or two), like ORD-MSP. Basic Economy is significantly cheaper than regular Economy. The seat map is already almost full and no upgrades are left available (or you know you won’t get one anyway). It’s either such a short flight you don’t care about which seat you get, or there are no good seats left.
Is there any reason not to take BE? I can’t think of one.
Let’s also assume you aren’t going to benefit from earning enough PQMs to get more RPUs - maybe you don’t use them or maybe you won’t be able to cross the 25k or 50k threshold this year.
IRROPs don’t matter since it’s last minute anyway. Worst case, just go buy a full priced regular ticket.
You need to take a last minute flight (as in within the next hour or two), like ORD-MSP. Basic Economy is significantly cheaper than regular Economy. The seat map is already almost full and no upgrades are left available (or you know you won’t get one anyway). It’s either such a short flight you don’t care about which seat you get, or there are no good seats left.
Is there any reason not to take BE? I can’t think of one.
Let’s also assume you aren’t going to benefit from earning enough PQMs to get more RPUs - maybe you don’t use them or maybe you won’t be able to cross the 25k or 50k threshold this year.
IRROPs don’t matter since it’s last minute anyway. Worst case, just go buy a full priced regular ticket.
That said, my question is would UA still be selling a "low" BE fare within a couple hours of departure? More and more often I'm not seeing BE offered at all when I'm booking a ticket (not complaining at all, BTW) but selling a 'low' BE fare in the business person's bread and butter seems like exactly the cannibalization that UA needs to avoid for BE to be a long term success.
Apr 5, 2018, 8:49 am
#3155
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 21,419
That said, my question is would UA still be selling a "low" BE fare within a couple hours of departure? More and more often I'm not seeing BE offered at all when I'm booking a ticket (not complaining at all, BTW) but selling a 'low' BE fare in the business person's bread and butter seems like exactly the cannibalization that UA needs to avoid for BE to be a long term success.
However, if it did happen to be that kind of market, you may find yourself choosing between an $80 BE fare and a $400 regular economy fare. I've never purchased BE, but I've also never been faced with a multiple-hundreds-of-dollars fare difference either.
Apr 5, 2018, 11:46 am
#3156
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: BNE/OOL temporarily-permanently at CAK/PIT
Programs: UA*1K & UA Club, National Ex. Elite, Hertz Pres. Circ., Amex Plat., CLEAR
Posts: 1,703
Last year $60 ORD-MSP last minute fares were common.
I see less of them this year but they do still happen and the difference is pretty stark - $80 vs $400 typically. It’s hard to think of a reason to spend an extra $320 for a 1 hour flight leaving in the next hour (even if someone else is paying for it). The difference on board is very slight, especially for Premiers or cardholders.
If United came up with some way to keep good E+ seats open at the last minute for high booking classes - or would keep open 1 or 2 seats with P/Z/A space - we wouldn’t be having this discussion. Often I have to buy a last minute ticket and end up sitting next to a group 5 person. Might as well pay the same price they do.
I see less of them this year but they do still happen and the difference is pretty stark - $80 vs $400 typically. It’s hard to think of a reason to spend an extra $320 for a 1 hour flight leaving in the next hour (even if someone else is paying for it). The difference on board is very slight, especially for Premiers or cardholders.
If United came up with some way to keep good E+ seats open at the last minute for high booking classes - or would keep open 1 or 2 seats with P/Z/A space - we wouldn’t be having this discussion. Often I have to buy a last minute ticket and end up sitting next to a group 5 person. Might as well pay the same price they do.
Apr 5, 2018, 12:15 pm
#3157
Join Date: Sep 2014
Posts: 2,531
One does not have to look very far. Doing a search for ORD-MSP tomorrow (April 6) shows $70 BE and $253 regular economy.
Apr 5, 2018, 1:35 pm
#3158
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: BNE/OOL temporarily-permanently at CAK/PIT
Programs: UA*1K & UA Club, National Ex. Elite, Hertz Pres. Circ., Amex Plat., CLEAR
Posts: 1,703
At the end of the last year there were $60 LAX-CLE fares compared to $85 in regular economy. It was tough to come up with a reason to spend the extra $25. We ended up spending the extra money so we could sit together.
Apr 5, 2018, 1:51 pm
#3159
Join Date: Sep 2014
Posts: 2,531
I think with the short-haul O&D markets United is also competing not only against LCCs (Spirit is currently at $124 with only one flight, while AA/DL/UA are all $64-$70 for a handful of flights each for ORD-MSP tomorrow for their BE product), but is also competing against surface transport. Megabus is $39 for a ticket tomorrow, 8.5 hours which, if you count airport time and depending on where in the city you're starting, is not that different than flying. And driving is an option too. LAX-EWR doesn't have to compete so directly with bus/train/driving so I'd imagine fewer huge BE<->Y deltas.
Apr 5, 2018, 2:25 pm
#3160
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: LAX
Programs: UA MM | BA Silver
Posts: 7,193
I have not purchased a UA BE fare, but I did buy one on DL PHX-LAX. I never thought I would but It was a day trip to PHX, I only had a carry-on and it was on an E175 so no middle seat. I was pleasantly surprised at 24 hours I was able to change my seat online and I got miles. Although I was last to board and my carry-on was gate checked, by the time I made it to baggage claim it was already on the belt. In a similar situations I wouldn't hesitate to fly BE again on DL. I'll fly another carrier over UA BE because of the punitive position on lifetime miles.
Apr 7, 2018, 4:51 pm
#3161
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Danville, CA, USA;
Programs: UA 1MM, WN CP, Marriott LT Plat, Hilton Gold, IC Plat
Posts: 15,722
Used to see BE everywhere and it was a bit of a PITA to avoid it. Now I rarely see it anymore - was not offered on my last minute $49 SFO-LAX flights or my summer flights to Cabo. Of course in both cases UA fare was < WN fare so maybe no need to offer BE.
Maybe UA has finally figured out the less we see it the less offended we will be.
Maybe UA has finally figured out the less we see it the less offended we will be.
Apr 12, 2018, 5:31 am
#3162
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: IAD, DEL, IXC, BWI, DCA, YYZ
Programs: UA 1K, Amex Plat, UA Club Card, National EE, Global Entry, TSA Pre✓
Posts: 275
DTW-IAD-FLL gate check to next airport or final destination
Basic Economy Fare with Star Alliance Gold Status. DTW-IAD is CRJ700 and IAD-FLL is A320. Brining full size carry, if it can't fit in overhead bin, will they gate check it to IAD or FLL (final destination)?
Also, will Star Alliance Gold improve Boarding Group? I'm assuming if Star Alliance Gold improves Boarding Group number and United is selling Basic Economy fare, there should be plenty of overhead bin space?
Also, will Star Alliance Gold improve Boarding Group? I'm assuming if Star Alliance Gold improves Boarding Group number and United is selling Basic Economy fare, there should be plenty of overhead bin space?
Apr 12, 2018, 5:37 am
#3163
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Houston
Programs: UA Plat, Marriott Gold
Posts: 12,694
The availability of BE means nothing related to OH bin space available.
Apr 12, 2018, 6:43 am
#3164
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: TX
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 729
Since you are on a BE fare and as such not allowed a carry on or luggage, you’ll be charged at check in for the full size piece. You will board with the last group regardless of status.
Apr 12, 2018, 7:31 am
#3165
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: DCA
Programs: UA 1K; *G and *A Top 1000; HHonors Diamond; *$ Gold; Global Entry
Posts: 2,273
OP said he’s *G. He’s allowed a full sized carry on and will board with Group 2.