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}
Aug 20, 2017, 3:51 pm
#2536
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: CLE, DCA, and 30k feet
Programs: Honors LT Diamond; United 1K; Hertz PC
Posts: 4,165
So far the reports have all been free, though it wouldn't surprise me if UA has monetization strategies in the works ("bidding" for E+ in the same vein as "bidding for bumps"/VBP would be one idea) -- this is clearly a program that's generally being tweaked.
Aug 20, 2017, 4:10 pm
#2537
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: TOA
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David
Aug 20, 2017, 4:12 pm
#2538
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: Menlo Park, CA, USA
Programs: UA 1MM 0P, AA, DL, *wood, Lifetime FPC Plat., IHG, HHD
Posts: 6,912
Well, we found an alternative. Use the the UA website and just book as a guest. When the transaction has been completed, call and have them insert the MP#. They did this because they wanted the get the 5 times credit on the AMEX Platinum card ( Expedia wouldn't count ). It worked.
Aug 20, 2017, 5:31 pm
#2539
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Honolulu, HI
Programs: UA 1K 1MM, AA Exec Plat
Posts: 1,240
Aug 20, 2017, 5:37 pm
#2540
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: Menlo Park, CA, USA
Programs: UA 1MM 0P, AA, DL, *wood, Lifetime FPC Plat., IHG, HHD
Posts: 6,912
Aug 21, 2017, 6:07 am
#2541
Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: MSP/ORD
Programs: UA 1MM/GS, Marriott Lifetime Platinum
Posts: 318
Last night I was again looking at ORD-MSP pricing, this time for Sep 27th. On the one flight where G was available, the BE differential was still $40 ($82 vs $42). However, on all of the flights where K was the lowest available fare class, the BE differential had narrowed since my previous observation last week, from $20 to $10 ($90 vs $80).
Aug 21, 2017, 7:15 pm
#2542
Join Date: Aug 2017
Posts: 7
How strict is the small carry on rule? I rarely fly United but I had a voucher expiring from when when united messed up my last trip and didn't realize uniteds basic economy meant no real carry on (my fault for not reading their TOS).
I travel with an osprey farpoint 40 liter backpack which is not close to full, but I'm doubtful it will fit under the seat. https://www.amazon.com/Osprey-Farpoi...dp/B014EBM3KA?. Will I get away with this or would I have to gate check? I'd be okay if they make me check it in at the counter.
I travel with an osprey farpoint 40 liter backpack which is not close to full, but I'm doubtful it will fit under the seat. https://www.amazon.com/Osprey-Farpoi...dp/B014EBM3KA?. Will I get away with this or would I have to gate check? I'd be okay if they make me check it in at the counter.
Last edited by ghetto_economy; Aug 22, 2017 at 4:19 pm
Aug 21, 2017, 8:01 pm
#2543
Moderator: United Airlines
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA Plat 1.995MM, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Plat/LT Gold, Hilton Silver, IHG Plat
Posts: 66,857
Generally enforcement on carryon and personal items have been lax but suspect agents are more vigilant for those in BE boarding group, BG5. If you had status or a credit card earlier boarding privileges, you would probably be OK but if in BG5, I would expect closer scrutiny. May want to check the bag early to avoid the gate fee.
Aug 21, 2017, 8:12 pm
#2544
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 21,413
Welcome to FlyerTalk!
Unless you have status with United -- unlikely, since you say that you rarely fly them -- or you have a qualifying United credit card, Basic Economy means boarding group 5, and boarding group 5 means no carry on (personal item only). You can expect to be required to check in at the counter, where they will remind you of the no-carry-on rule. If they think your bag is too big, they'll make you check it.
Well, someone with status / a Chase United credit card wouldn't have the carry-on restriction in the first place.
Every boarding announcement that I've heard recently has mentioned the carry on policy, and when I look at boarding group 5, it seems that people are complying. I assume that means that enforcement at the counter is pretty good.
When it comes down to it, it's $25 to check the bag at the counter or $50 to check it at the gate. So, you're risking $25 to save $25. It really depends upon your risk tolerance, I suppose.
Unless you have status with United -- unlikely, since you say that you rarely fly them -- or you have a qualifying United credit card, Basic Economy means boarding group 5, and boarding group 5 means no carry on (personal item only). You can expect to be required to check in at the counter, where they will remind you of the no-carry-on rule. If they think your bag is too big, they'll make you check it.
Generally enforcement on carryon and personal items have been lax but suspect agents are more vigilant for those in BE boarding group, BG5. If you had status or a credit card earlier boarding privileges, you would probably be OK but if in BG5, I would expect closer scrutiny. May want to check the bag early to avoid the gate fee.
Every boarding announcement that I've heard recently has mentioned the carry on policy, and when I look at boarding group 5, it seems that people are complying. I assume that means that enforcement at the counter is pretty good.
When it comes down to it, it's $25 to check the bag at the counter or $50 to check it at the gate. So, you're risking $25 to save $25. It really depends upon your risk tolerance, I suppose.
Aug 21, 2017, 8:19 pm
#2545
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Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
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Posts: 56,461
As jsloan notes, you're risking an extra $25 charge if you take it to the gate.
Aug 21, 2017, 8:40 pm
#2546
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Join Date: May 2007
Location: Houston
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Posts: 12,693
Aug 21, 2017, 8:44 pm
#2547
Join Date: Aug 2017
Posts: 7
Thanks for the replies
Might go to the counter and see what they say. Apparently you have to check in there on a basic economy fare if not checking a bag- some scarlet letter .....
I think it's easier to get away with the oversized personal item as its a backpack but we'll see. I'll report back.
On another note, is that basic economy crap coming to any more airlines? Haven't had issues with this carry on on super cheap Asian /European carriers.
Might go to the counter and see what they say. Apparently you have to check in there on a basic economy fare if not checking a bag- some scarlet letter .....
I think it's easier to get away with the oversized personal item as its a backpack but we'll see. I'll report back.
On another note, is that basic economy crap coming to any more airlines? Haven't had issues with this carry on on super cheap Asian /European carriers.
Aug 21, 2017, 9:03 pm
#2548
Moderator: United Airlines
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA Plat 1.995MM, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Plat/LT Gold, Hilton Silver, IHG Plat
Posts: 66,857
Yes, others are adding. The Lufthansa group has Light fares -- only a personal item (with a weight limit). And many others..... now or soon.
Aug 21, 2017, 11:58 pm
#2549
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Join Date: Apr 2013
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Aug 22, 2017, 12:55 am
#2550
Join Date: Feb 2008
Programs: 6 year GS, now 2MM Jeff-ugee, *wood LTPlt, SkyPeso PLT
Posts: 6,526
AA is rolling it out, but only has on a few flights.