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 dont 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}
#1351
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2001
Programs: DL 1 million, AA 1 mil, HH lapsed Diamond, Marriott Plat
Posts: 28,190
Native Delta.com searches have had the capability for years. Pick a fare class higher than E from the Advanced Search page, or pick 'Main Cabin' from the same page.
#1352
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: SFO
Programs: UA Platinum, AF, Chase, Hyatt Explorist
Posts: 1,085
Only recently did Delta add an "upgrade" button to this page.
It would be nice if they also had ability to upgrade from BE to C+ before booking without having to start over with a native search too, but at least the ability to upgrade to main cabin is there now.
#1353
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: DFW
Programs: UA peon (+decades 1K), AA Exec Plt
Posts: 1,115
Has Anyone Forced to Buy A BE Fare?
Has anyone been forced to buy a BE fare because of company policy?
#1354
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: PSM
Posts: 69,232
It has been there since around when UA and AA introduced their BE fares. I wish it showed before you clicked or that those fares could be excluded, but at least you get a warning at some point.
#1355
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: WAS
Programs: UA Silver, Marriott Gold, IHG Silver, Hilton Silver, Hertz PC, National Exec Elite, Avis PC
Posts: 1,275
Now that I see BE fares just came online out of EWR, I tried a search in Concur for an ORD trip in June. Lowest fare I can buy in my company's instance of Concur for this trip is H/V, whereas on UA.com, after clicking that you are really really sure, you can book N/N for $30 less. Still doesn't touch the EWR-MDW fare on WN, which is $200 less.
#1356
Join Date: May 2012
Location: ORF, RIC
Programs: UA LT 1K, 3 MM; Marriott Titanium; IHG Platinum
Posts: 6,878
UA App changed, too
On United App, there is an option that allows you not to search the BE fares. So, the BE train has left the station and there will be no return.
#1357
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: New York, NY, USA
Programs: UA 1K - 2.1MM, HH LT Diamond, IHG Diamond, Bonvoy LT Titanium, Hyatt Glob
Posts: 766
ORD-LGA fares in Basic Economy N (e.g. $63.20) were the exact same price in G yesterday. Essentially, they raised all ticket prices by $15
#1358
Join Date: Aug 2009
Posts: 1,080
On Tuesday, Economy IAH to MSY for most flights was $55 for 5/12/17 departure. The next day when I went online to book, The $55 Eco seats were still there but the BE seats were now showing at $40. So, in this case, they didn't raise Econ when they added the BE seats.
I stuck with the Eco so I could use my E+ prescription and be eligible for CPU.
I stuck with the Eco so I could use my E+ prescription and be eligible for CPU.
#1359
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Programs: UA-1k, 1mm, Marriott-LT Platinum, Hertz-Presidents Circle
Posts: 6,355
I don't even want to read about this basic economy....because DYKWIA???????
#1360
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: MSP
Programs: DL PM, UA Gold, WN, Global Entry; +others wherever miles/points are found
Posts: 14,323
On Tuesday, Economy IAH to MSY for most flights was $55 for 5/12/17 departure. The next day when I went online to book, The $55 Eco seats were still there but the BE seats were now showing at $40. So, in this case, they didn't raise Econ when they added the BE seats.
I stuck with the Eco so I could use my E+ prescription and be eligible for CPU.
I stuck with the Eco so I could use my E+ prescription and be eligible for CPU.
#1361
Join Date: May 2014
Location: LAS
Programs: DL GM
Posts: 283
Came here noticing the fares changed to Basic Economy on some routes (ORD-LAX/NYC) I was watching. Hilariously the same price before it turned into Basic Economy, and as others said they basically raised Economy prices at least $15. Also still much more expensive than Spirit on the same route. So much for competing with ULCCs. Hell, for the same price, why not just fly any other carrier at the same price without BE.
#1362
Moderator: United Airlines
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA Plat 1.99MM, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Plat/LT Gold, Hilton Silver, IHG Plat
Posts: 66,567
#1363
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Houston
Programs: UA Plat, Marriott Gold
Posts: 12,650
I'm sort of amazed at all the claims that fares previously were the same price all the time for every flight all day, and now those are the BE fares. I've never seen such fare consistency flight to flight or day to day as people are claiming existed.
#1364
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: MSP
Programs: DL PM, UA Gold, WN, Global Entry; +others wherever miles/points are found
Posts: 14,323
A few markets (ORD-MSP, LAX-MSP, IAH-MSY have been reported) instead add a new -BN fare by subtracting the differential from the existing fare and filing that.
#1365
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: PWM
Programs: AA Plat
Posts: 1,332
BE rolled out to SAN last night!
Looks like only IAH, DEN, ORD for now. Won't affect me thank God as I always have to connect. But ya know what they say: First they came for MSP and I said nothing...