bag | carry-on roller suitcase
I have flown a decent amount over the last couple of years. I don’t travel for work, so I’ve had to pay for it all on my own dime (or by way of rewards points from credit cards – stay tuned next week to learn more about this!). Since this is the case, I like to find the cheapest airline tickets that I can possibly find at the most desirable times. This brings me to the topic of this blog post – basic economy airline tickets.
You may have seen more and more Basic Economy fares when looking to book a flight in the past year. It has become an option across the biggest airlines in the United States. I’ve flown basic economy on American, Delta and United. I chose basic economy for my almost week-long trip from Raleigh to Denver and it was a non-stop fair on United Air for $120 round-trip. This was a fantastic deal, and I couldn’t pass it up! I did have to check a bag because I was staying for a week which added an extra $60 to the trip, but still, I saved $50-$100 on my travel. It’s always good to save on the traveling to the destination part of a vacation so you can have more fun while you’re actually there (or just pocket that money!).
So what does basic economy even mean and how is it different from regular economy? Basic Economy does not have a universal meaning across airlines. It can mean different things depending on your airline. The one universal trait that Basic Economy fairs share is that it is the cheapest way to fly on major airlines. Some airlines let you bring a carry on, while others don’t, and most do not let you choose your seat. Most are also non-refundable tickets. I believe you are not allowed the option to upgrade your seat either or you won’t be upgraded even if you have status. Below I break down what it means to fly basic economy on the most popular airlines.
If you are going somewhere that you will have to check a bag anyway (like I did going to Colorado) then basic economy is a great option for you, or if you can just use a “personal item” to fit all of your things in, this fare works well, too! I use this bag (pictured above) for my personal item which honestly probably stretches the limit, but it fits under the seat so it works for me! I keep my computer, my purse, cosmetics, book, water, etc. It holds a lot!
I am flying Delta Basic Economy to Florida in March with my boyfriend. We decided that in order to save $50 each, we didn’t have to sit beside each other. So if you don’t mind this, or you’re flying solo, I recommend this fare to save some money!
For international flights, I prefer to be able to choose my seat because I like Window seats if I’m flying for more than four hours, so I will not do basic economy or I’ll pay to choose my seat if it makes sense. When flying internationally, definitely read all of your options because extra costs can add up quickly, especially if you have to pay to check bags when most economy tickets include one checked bag.
Overall, I’m pro basic economy tickets when it makes sense. It is important to understand what you’re getting yourself into before you book it though, so read the basics below and also refer to your airlines policies.
Basic Economy by Airline
United Airlines Basic Economy
- No carry-on bag other than a personal item like a purse or backpack that you can fit under the seat.
- No seat selection, and your seat is assigned after check-in. You will not be sitting with you group or family.
- Board in last group.
- Non-refundable fare and no changes are allowed.
- Upgrades are not available.
- Full details for United Airlines Basic Economy here.
Delta Basic Economy
- Let’s you bring on a personal item and a carry on bag! The carry on bag is a game changer here for Delta.
- Cannot choose your seat and you will find your seat assignment after you check-in.
- Non-refundable flight and no changes are allowed.
- You are not eligible for upgrades by status or by paying to a more premium cabin.
- See full details for Delta here.
American Basic Economy
- One carry-on and one personal item allowed
- You cannot choose seats without paying a fee. If paying a fee, you can choose 48 hours before flight for domestic flights
- Non-refundable and no changes are allowed
- Board in last group
- Not eligible for upgrades
- For Mileage members, certain qualifications count for .5 of what they would on a regular economy flight.
- See full details for American here.
Have you had any bad experiences on basic economy? Let me know in the comments!
xoxo,
Cortney