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}
#2206
Moderator: Travel Safety/Security, Travel Tools, California, Los Angeles; FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: LAX
Programs: oneword Emerald
Posts: 20,623
I just received the following email from United:
Dear TWA884,
Your upcoming travel to XXX was booked on a Basic Economy ticket. These lower-priced fares provide most of the same inflight services that are available with standard Economy – and you’ll still earn award miles. As a primary cardmember of a qualifying MileagePlus® credit card, you will also continue to receive benefits that other travelers don’t receive with Basic Economy:
These Basic Economy restrictions still apply:
Thank you for choosing United®. We look forward to seeing you on board.
Your upcoming travel to XXX was booked on a Basic Economy ticket. These lower-priced fares provide most of the same inflight services that are available with standard Economy – and you’ll still earn award miles. As a primary cardmember of a qualifying MileagePlus® credit card, you will also continue to receive benefits that other travelers don’t receive with Basic Economy:
- Full-sized carry-on bags are permitted1
- Priority boarding privileges2
These Basic Economy restrictions still apply:
- Seat selection, Economy Plus® and upgrades are not available3
- Group and family seating is not available
- Flight changes are not allowed4
- You will not earn toward Premier® qualification or lifetime miles5
Thank you for choosing United®. We look forward to seeing you on board.
#2207
Moderator: Budget Travel forum & Credit Card Programs, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: YYJ/YVR and back on Van Isle ....... for now
Programs: UA lifetime MM / *A Gold
Posts: 14,428
Originally Posted by UAL.com
– and you’ll still earn award miles
#2208
Join Date: Apr 2014
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#2209
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#2210
Moderator: Travel Safety/Security, Travel Tools, California, Los Angeles; FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2009
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#2211
Moderator: Budget Travel forum & Credit Card Programs, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: YYJ/YVR and back on Van Isle ....... for now
Programs: UA lifetime MM / *A Gold
Posts: 14,428
Thanks.
Please post a mini report (even a real report) in the BE experience thread
My only booked flights right now are Canada-Asia (got in on far from BE $2K Biz fares from YVR ) and Canada-US, so no BE for me for now.
I do see that both AA and DL have BE on Canada routes. Interesting as LCCs don't fly to Canada
Please post a mini report (even a real report) in the BE experience thread
My only booked flights right now are Canada-Asia (got in on far from BE $2K Biz fares from YVR ) and Canada-US, so no BE for me for now.
I do see that both AA and DL have BE on Canada routes. Interesting as LCCs don't fly to Canada
#2212
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.
#2213
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: SJC / DPS
Programs: AS G75K, UA Silver
Posts: 1,757
Has anyone else actually noticed a lowering of the BE spread in recent days? My SFO-SEA flights dropped $5, and I noticed an insane $50 spread on SFO-MCO that has since been dropped to $25 or so.
Seems that UA is walking back how ambitious they were initially...
Seems that UA is walking back how ambitious they were initially...
#2214
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: SWFL
Programs: United 1k
Posts: 266
Just had a funny thought. They should have an airline that just sells BE seats, no first class, they could call it Ted.
#2215
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: PHL, EWR
Programs: UA Gold; AA; Amtrak Select Plus;HH Diamond;Hyatt Disc;Hertz PC; Total Wine Grand Reserve!
Posts: 2,401
#2216
Suspended
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: DCA
Programs: UA US CO AA DL FL
Posts: 50,262
Remember, there is nothing special about BE. It is simply a fare basis with fare rules.
Last edited by WineCountryUA; Jul 28, 2017 at 1:00 am Reason: split post
#2217
Moderator: Travel Safety/Security, Travel Tools, California, Los Angeles; FlyerTalk Evangelist
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#2218
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This is a new class of ticket that comes with a whole new set of policies. And I can totally see UA enforcing stricter IRROPS rebooking policies. Remember, all rebooking is discretionary. Under the CoC, UA always has the alternative of simply refunding the ticket.
#2219
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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Posts: 14,428
#2220
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: What I write is my opinion alone..don't read into it anything not written.
Posts: 9,686
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.