Editor’s note: This is a recurring post, regularly updated with new information. Responses have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by the bank advertiser. Update: Some offers mentioned below are no longer available. This card gets you a free checked bag on every United flight – along with a bag for one companion booked on the same reservation. You’re welcome to bring snacks and soft drinks to enjoy during your flight. It is a ripoff. Editorial Disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airlines or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities. Terms apply to the offers listed on this page. Click Here to get more details on the United Explorer Card. Boarding dead-last with a normal basic economy fare can be a drag, as it often means you won’t have room to stow your carry on. This guide will answer common questions about these restrictions and the basic economy experience on United, but be sure to also check out … United Airlines Basic Economy fares come with some pretty harsh and limiting rules so its good to know that a number of United Airlines co-branded credit cards will help negate a few of the rules and hopefully make the United Basic Economy experience a little less terrible. See, Comparing basic economy fares across U.S. airlines, 4 reasons someone in your family needs a United credit card, How to avoid checked baggage fees on major domestic airlines, How to tell if your backpack counts as a personal or carry-on item, Flying United? Editorial Note: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airlines or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities. Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard®. Doing so now is particularly compelling due to the increased bonuses currently available: Both cards provide a carry-on bag and priority boarding in Group 2 for you and each of your companions traveling on the same reservation. If you bring a full-size carry-on bag to the gate, you'll need to check your bag. The United Explorer Credit Card is currently offering a welcome bonus of 40,000 United miles after spending $2,000 in the first three months of membership. Don’t switch seats once you’re on board. The United Explorer Credit Card from Chase can be a powerful weapon to beat these basic economy fares. If you manage to satisfy all these requirements, you’ll defeat basic economy by getting the following benefits even when flying on a basic economy fare: The information for the United Club Business Card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. Note that some basic economy restrictions are waived for Star Alliance elites and cardholders of United cobranded credit cards, two of which currently offer increased bonuses. Yes, but only if you use a cobranded United credit card to purchase your ticket, are the primary cardholder of this card at the time of check-in and provide your United MileagePlus number when you purchase the flight. United Basic Economy cost $12 each way to select a seat on this flight This brings the total price of $360.23 close to the price of a standard economy ticket of $377. Buyer beware. The United Basic Economy carry-on luggage allowance is not very generous, and United Airlines are pretty strict at enforcing their rules. United’s Polaris business class now uses the same fare codes as domestic first class. But it’s not all bad news. Yes, you’ll earn award miles based on the fare and your MileagePlus status, as well as full Premier qualifying dollars, lifetime miles and accrue toward the four-segment minimum. Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. He loves to help others understand the confusing world of travel, airlines, and points and miles. And United Airlines is among the worst offenders. And the perks don’t stop at beating basic economy, as this card also includes a $100 credit that covers an application for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck. Related: The best ways to avoid airline change and cancellation fees on paid flights. Featured photo by Zach Honig/The Points Guy. Photo by Zach Honig/TPG. United first introduced basic economy on select flights last February, and then extended it to almost all domestic flights last May.. United (in particular president Scott Kirby) was quite smug about the introduction of basic economy. Well, it looks like United has admitted they were wrong, and that basic economy isn’t working as they had expected. It’s quite interesting to see how United has modified their basic economy concept since introducing it early last year. While United Premier elites can typically assign Economy Plus seating for free, those who purchase basic economy fares can’t partake in that benefit. United has two types of economy fares: economy and basic economy. However, you will not receive your subscription benefits if your itinerary consists of Basic Economy fares. There are ways you can ease the pain of United basic economy – and there’s a silver lining when it comes time to pick a seat. If a seat is available, we’ll assign you one before departure. If you want to take an earlier United flight on the same day, you’ll be able to join the standby list for free, departing from anywhere in our network. How strict is United Basic Economy? United States Department of Labor. Basic Economy United Vacations ® is happy to introduce a new fare option when flying with United Airlines ® — Basic Economy. The size limit a United personal item is 17 x 10 x 9 inches. For the outbound, I booked the cheapest flight between the two cities, whi… You may not purchase Economy Plus seating. This site does not include all credit card companies or all available credit card offers. And no one wants to be separated from their travel companion – or jammed between two strangers in the middle seat. Editorial Disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airlines or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities. You’ll only be able to check in for your flight online if you’re checking a bag or traveling on a trans-Atlantic flight. And United Airlines is among the worst offenders. What is United basic economy? But holding the United Explorer card changes that. Yes. However, you’ll only earn 50% Premier qualifying miles and 0.5 Premier qualifying segments. The .gov means it's official. United was the second of the “Big Three” U.S. airlines (after Delta and before American) to introduce basic economy, in part to better compete with ultra-low-cost carriers like Spirit, Frontier and Allegiant. But the ability to pay for a seat from day one is unrivaled. Don’t switch seats once you’re on board, Yet another reason not to book United basic economy, United Airlines updates its boarding process, creates new signage, The best ways to avoid airline change and cancellation fees on paid flights, How to refund a nonrefundable airline ticket, United Airlines makes big changes to how we earn elite status, upgrades, The 9 best credit cards for flying United, Last-minute strategies for United Premier elite status, eligible cobranded United Airlines credit card, Jordan Aviation could launch US flights with a former Emirates plane, How pilots keep their skills sharp during COVID-19 downtime, You can now add select Chase business cards to Apple Pay, Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express, 40,000 miles after you spend $2,000 on purchases in the first three months of account opening, 25,000 miles after you spend $10,000 total on purchases in the first six months of account opening, 50,000 miles after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first three months of account opening, 50,000 miles after you spend $25,000 total on purchases in the first six months of account opening, One carry-on bag no larger than 9 x 14 x 22 inches for you and each of your travel companions traveling on the same reservation, Priority boarding for you and your travel companions traveling on the same reservation, First checked bag free for you and one travel companion traveling on the same reservation when you book your tickets using your United Explorer Card or United Explorer Business Card, First and second checked bags free for you and one travel companion traveling on the same reservation when you book your tickets using your United Club Card or United Club Business Card, United Explorer Card ($95 annual fee that’s waived the first year, see, United Explorer Business Card ($95 annual fee, see, United Club Business Card ($450 annual fee), Your normal boarding group for you and your travel companions traveling on the same reservation, The United Explorer Card, which comes with a limited-time offer of up to 65,000 miles after meeting tiered minimum spending requirements (ends Jan. 22, 2020), with the $95 annual fee waived the first year, The United Explorer Business Card comes with up to 100,000 miles after meeting tiered minimum spending requirements, $95 annual fee. Economy seating: Customers with Basic Economy reservations will be seated in the United Economy® cabin, which remains unchanged. Disclaimer: The responses below are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser. Per @e_russell on Twitter, here’s what United said about the performance of basic economy at a global transportation conference: Basic Economy improves ability to optimize revenue through customer choice and is a tool to more effectively compete for price sensitive customers The restrictions are as follows: Only earn 1/2 of the miles that you would earn on a normal economy flight (this includes qualifying miles if you are are after status with the airline). Read more about the changes Our … Responses have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by the bank advertiser. This guide will answer common questions about these restrictions and the basic economy experience on United, but be sure to also check out Benji Stawski‘s review of United’s basic economy. Beware when you book because the lowest fare is now this totally restrictive basic economy fare. Kyle Potter is the executive editor of Thrifty Traveler. No flexibility in it at all. If you’re looking for a card that provides these benefits, consider making sure you’re the primary cardholder on one of the following cards before you purchase your next United basic economy fare: Related: The 9 best credit cards for flying United. If it’s important for your family to sit together, please consider purchasing advance seat assignments, if available, or selecting another fare. On trans-Atlantic flights operated by United and United Express, your carry-on baggage allowance is the same as for standard economy tickets. If you don’t have elite status with United or carry one of their credit cards, here are some examples of baggage fees: Related: How to avoid checked baggage fees on major domestic airlines. We’re limiting food and drink service on board based on flight length and destination. Unlike with Delta, you can’t move around the cabin to get an available seat for free after the 24-hour check-in window opens when flying basic economy with United. For frequent flyers, fare classes are the key to mileage earnings and elite credits, too — a basic economy customer (“N” class) will earn far less than a business traveler on a full-fare “Y” ticket, for example. Use our Mileage Plus Rewards Calculator. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. United only allows you a personal item with a basic economy ticket and their personal item is smaller than typical personal item size limits from other airlines. United has the single most punitive restrictions for basic economy flyers, so it pays to be hypervigilant … It will also override the basic economy restrictions for carry-on bags to let you bring one on board. For many people, this is the most frustrating part of the basic economy. View the current offers here. You can change Basic Economy and all other international travel without change fees if the ticket is issued by March 31, 2021. Certainly, it’s fine for individuals who travel lightly and don’t care where they sit. Related: Yet another reason not to book United basic economy. After agreeing to go on a quick trip to Las Vegas with some friends, I had to figure out how I would get there from Los Angeles. The one hitch with this benefit is that, unlike other airline co-branded cards, you have to pay for your flight with your United card to get the checked bags. For flights departing in 2020, members will earn full Premier qualifying points for basic economy tickets, inclusive of fare and surcharge if applicable, but will earn no Premier qualifying flights. For more TPG news delivered each morning to your inbox, sign up for our daily newsletter. The United Explorer Card comes with a limited-time bonus of up to 65,000 miles (ends Jan. 22, 2020): And the United Explorer Business Card comes with up to 100,000 miles: Related: 4 reasons someone in your family needs a United credit card. United's new basic economy fare is awful. Advance seat assignments may be available for purchase during booking and until check-in opens. The difficulty is finding a backpack that fits within the United Airlines personal item size dimensions. Selecting a seat is oftentimes reasonably priced, but if you don’t opt to purchase a seat assignment, a seat will be automatically assigned prior to boarding, for free. The Points Guy will not sell your email. So, you’re preparing for a trip and notice you’ve booked a basic economy fare on United Airlines. Please view our advertising policy page for more information. While United Basic Economy has its restrictions, this cost savings can help people travel or travel more frequently. For domestic flights, only one personal item such as a shoulder bag, purse, laptop bag or other item that is no larger than 9 x 10 x 17 inches is allowed. On United and other airlines, you’re paying the same amount but getting less with basic economy. Carry-on bags: Basic economy (or “Economy Light”) on Swiss includes a personal item and a full-size carry-on bag that must be 8 kilograms (17.6 pounds) or less. This includes Complimentary Premier Upgrades, Instant Upgrades, PlusPoints upgrades, MileagePlus Upgrade Awards, Star Alliance Upgrade Awards, and Paid upgrades. The Economy Plus subscription is valid for all segments in the subscribed region on all United- and United Express-operated flights where Economy Plus seating is available. Yes. This guide aims to answer all of your questions. What a terrible idea. Sadly, … But these rates – and the ability to pay for your pick from the moment you book your flight – put Delta and American fares to shame. ... Economic Releases . You can also check out our guides to basic economy on Delta Air Lines and American Airlines. You’ll board in the last boarding group, unless you have elite status or select credit cards. From the time you purchase your flight until the check-in window opens 24 hours before departure, you can pay for a seat assignment. United has two types of economy fares: economy and basic economy. United Airlines Carry-On Allowance. However, the United basic economy experience can be made better with elite status or an eligible cobranded United Airlines credit card when the card is used to book the flight. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you're on a federal government site. By the books, you don’t get to pick your seat when flying basic economy. The card’s annual fee of $95 doesn’t kick in until the second year. While United’s new basic economy fare could save you $40 – 60 per round trip flight (and only if you don’t pay to check a bag), traveling on a basic economy fare means not being able to check in online in advance (unless you check a bag), and earning significantly fewer base miles and … The credit card offers that appear on the website are from credit card companies from which ThePointsGuy.com receives compensation. Most backpacks are wider than the United Airlines personal item size and small backpacks usually are not designed as travel bags. He joined the company in 2018 after spending years covering state and national politics for The Associated Press. Families who are trying to be cost-efficient will have to battle one dreaded aspect of traveling with a group: basic economy tickets often don’t include the ability to choose your own seat. Basic economy fares have reshaped travel, as airlines charge travelers more for what they once got for free. Upgrades of any type are not allowed for Basic Economy fares or Economy (first bag charge/no changes allowed) fares. Not only will the number of available seats shrink as your departure approaches, but the price for a seat will likely increase, too. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site (including, for example, the order in which they appear). You are not permitted to bring a carry on size bag with a basic economy fare. A RED VENTURES COMPANY. If you’re a basic economy passenger and bring a carry-on to the gate, you’ll pay a $25 gate service fee per item plus the applicable checked bag fee. My husband and I plan to travel this summer with our 7-year-old daughter between San Francisco and Austin (3-and-a-half hours each way). United’s website states that travelers on the same reservation — including families with young children — may not be able to sit together unless advance seat assignments are purchased: With Basic Economy, if you do not purchase advance seat assignments, we’re not able to guarantee that your family will be able to sit together. Seats: Basic economy does not include a seat assignment, though a preferred seat can be booked up to 48 hours before departure for a fee of $12 to $40, depending on the leg. Plus, you and one travel companion traveling on the same reservation get your first checked bag free. United Airlines basic economy fares are more restrictive and punitive than any of the other U.S. carriers. This means you can bring a carry on item that is no larger than 9 x 14 x 22 inches as well as a personal item that is no larger than 9 x 10 x 17 inches. But with the right tools and knowledge, you can make them less painful. You can pay less than $20 to ensure you’re sitting next to a child or companion flying United even with basic economy fares. If you fall into either of these groups, see the specific section related to your group to see which restrictions are waived for you. Please view our advertising policy page for more information. Yes, but it’ll cost you. While Delta and American allow you to bring a carry-on bag when flying basic economy, United does not. So if you’re a frequent United flyer, those credit cards are … More on that in a bit. Basic Economy may be booked on various fare classes. Required fields are marked *. There’s no way to spin this one: United has the most restrictive basic economy fares out there. But United offers the most generous ability to pick a seat for a reasonable fee even when you’re flying basic economy. Basic economy provides a lower-priced fare but may place restrictions on seat assignment, boarding, carry-on baggage, upgrades, changes, refunds, elite earning and elite benefits. Any additional items must be checked at ticket counters; if you take them to the gate you’ll pay a $25 gate service fee per item plus the applicable checked bag fee. Note: You will earn reduced PQS,PQMs, and award miles in Basic Economy. The fees for a seat will vary by flight, but they typically start at about $9 for a middle seat, $10 for a window seat, and $12 for an aisle seat. You'll also have to pay the applicable checked bag fee and a … On the flip side, United’s co-branded credit cards pack some serious punch to beat basic economy. Instead, this budget ticket only permits … ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. There are some exceptions, which we list below. United has the single most punitive restrictions for basic economy flyers, so it pays to be hypervigilant about what you get and what you don’t. Basic Economy. | Privacy Policy | Terms of Use. If you're traveling on a Basic Economy ticket, you can only bring one personal item on board. Unfortunately, … 1 personal item: FREE 1 standard carry-on bag: Standard Economy: FREE; Basic Economy: No bag included (excluding transatlantic flights where a standard carry-on is included*) *Any Basic Economy Fare passenger that brings a full-sized carry-on bag to the gate will be required to check their bag and pay the applicable checked bag fee plus a $25 gate … Your email address will not be published. If you’re not checking a bag or traveling on a trans-Atlantic flight, you’ll need to finish checking in at the airport to prove that you don’t have more than one personal item. Basic economy provides a lower-priced fare but may place restrictions on seat assignment, boarding, carry-on baggage, upgrades, changes, refunds, elite earning and elite benefits. By paying for your reservation with this card, you’ll board in the second group rather than in the fifth and final group, as basic economy passengers typically do. But that’s worth it, as checked bags cost $30 each way for domestic flights within the U.S. An official website of the United States government Here is how you know . Many of the credit card offers that appear on the website are from credit card companies from which ThePointsGuy.com receives compensation. It is filled with "no"--no choice of seats, no changing seats, no upgrades, no normal size carry on, last to board. Basic Economy, a new Economy fare option created for customers who may be more price-sensitive, is available on select routes in addition to standard Economy. (United travelers who aren't checking a bag must visit an airport kiosk or boarding counter to receive a boarding pass.) You may have a lot of questions about what this fare allows and how your experience may be different from any previous trips you’ve taken with United. According to United, for Basic Economy fares: Seats will be assigned prior to boarding. Your email address will not be published. Customers traveling together, including families, will not be able to sit together. These cards easily justify themselves if you use them to book United basic economy fares just a few times each year. Related: United Airlines updates its boarding process, creates new signage. All rights reserved. And, Premier members of the MileagePlus program, Star Alliance Gold members and the primary cardmember of a qualifying MileagePlus credit card, like the United Explorer Business Card, may bring a carry-on and a personal item on board. United’s Basic Economy is bar none the most restrictive and customer unfriendly basic economy out there. Related: Comparing basic economy fares across U.S. airlines. No, refunds are not allowed except as stated in the United 24-hour flexible booking policy. © 2021 THE POINTS GUY, LLC. For an explanation of our Advertising Policy, visit this page. The one exception to this rule is on trans-Atlantic flights operated by United and United Express. Sometimes. basic-economy - United Hub Your health and safety is our top priority Learn more Collapse the ticker bar © 2021 Thrifty Traveler. The cheapest option to commute between the two cities would be to take the Megabus, but since I’m not the biggest fan of five- to six-hour bus rides and the price difference usually isn’t too significant, I started looking at flight options. Disclaimer: The responses below are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser. For this reason, we don’t suggest Basic Economy for families who want to … While Basic Economy provides the same level of inflight service as standard Economy, this lower-priced option has some important restrictions on seating, carry-on baggage, MileagePlus member benefits – including Premier member benefits – and … When flying on a basic economy fare, Premier members and Star Alliance elites get the following benefits: However, elite status holders will not receive any of the the following when flying on a basic economy fare: Related: Last-minute strategies for United Premier elite status. United “Customers who book Basic Economy an onboard experience similar to our standard economy, but there are some restrictions associated with this fare such as complimentary advance seat assignments. It is not the bank advertiser’s responsibility to ensure all posts and/or questions are answered. Baggage fees vary based on itinerary; you can calculate the fees for your flight here. Basic Economy; Basic Economy Temporary changes to food and drink service. This post contains references to products from one or more of our advertisers. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site (including, for example, the order in which they appear). Related: United Airlines makes big changes to how we earn elite status, upgrades. A backpack is allowed when traveling on a United Airlines basic economy ticket. Elevate your journey across the globe and get United. We may receive compensation when you click on links to those products. This item must go under the seat. There’s no doubt about it: United basic economy fares are restrictive. Make sure to verify if Basic Economy at booking time. This site does not include all credit card companies or all available credit card offers. Created for our customers who may be more price-sensitive, our lower-priced Basic Economy fares provide most of the same inflight services and amenities that are available with standard United Economy ® fares — such as food and beverages, United Wi-Fi℠ and inflight entertainment — but with some important restrictions that you'll want to be sure to review carefully before booking: Get our daily email for the latest in travel, flight deals, and how to save on your next trip. Basic economy fares have reshaped travel, as airlines charge travelers more for what they once got for free. So, if you haven’t booked your ticket yet, or you plan to flying United basic economy again, you may want to consider getting a United Airlines credit card. And the ability to pack in a carry-on bag is a huge perk. We gave it the lowest score in our battle of basic economy that compared all three major U.S. airlines – and it wasn’t particularly close. … If you’re new to The Points Guy, check out our points and miles guide for beginners. Related: How to refund a nonrefundable airline ticket. The key to success, though, is understanding the rules for United Basic Economy before purchasing a … If your basic economy fare isn’t a nonstop flight, beware that you’ll have to pay separately for each segment of the trip. Related: Flying United? Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Related: How to tell if your backpack counts as a personal or carry-on item. Basic Economy is a new tier of plane ticket United started offering late last year. If you want to make sure you get a certain seat, you’re better off paying for an assignment right away. While United basic economy ticket or more of our advertisers the gate, you ’ re board! 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