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. American and United introduced their basic economy tickets with a carry-on bag ban. How much did you save by purchasing basic economy instead of regular economy? I took a flight from Boston to California in mid-July on a Basic-Economy fair. how is it a scam? United’s basic-economy fares are subject to the same checked-bag policies as standard economy tickets. Delta never charged extra for carry on bags on basic economy and American just recently allowed carry on bags again for basic economy because they figured people were booking their competitors due to the punitive restrictions. You can not change it. Ask United Airlines and it will quote the fare policy:

If you're traveling on a Basic Economy ticket and bring a full-sized carry-on bag to the gate, your bag will need to checked and you'll be required to pay the applicable checked bag fee plus a $25 gate handling charge (payment by credit card only). I have had the same samsonite shoulderbag for many years, it can get pretty big sometime, heavy aswell. Nothing can be put in the overhead and not only must it fit under the seat, but the dimensions are smaller than many laptops, more the size of notebooks. You won’t be able to put a larger carry on in the overhead bin … Basic Economy. For the first leg of the trip, stopping in Texas, I paid $5 to choose my seat, and I paid $9 for the second leg that got me to AK. In theory, United Airline’s basic economy class sounds like a great idea. Which fare is for me? If you really have to, if you’re an efficient packer, and if flying United, Frontier or Spirit. Not exactly a scam, but the basically raised their fares from $15-60 OW to participate in mileage plus. You may get a nice gate agent that will let you slide but I wouldn't count on it. Either way, it’s best to know before you go. American Airlines took a slightly different approach with their version of Basic Economy. Read our community guidelines. There are some exceptions, which we list below. You'll also have to pay the applicable checked bag fee and a … Instead of paying the $25 check-bag fee, I'll upgrade to economy for $20. Some airlines limit basic economy fliers to one personal item that fits under their seat, which means if you show up to the airport with a full-sized carry-on, you’ll have to pay to check it. Some of their “highlights” include: Seat assignments available at check-in. United Basic Economy Rules. The United Basic Economy appears to be the most strict, offering fewer options, even to frequent flyers with status. No basic economy is still the best basic economy. United Vacations ® is happy to introduce a new fare option when flying with United Airlines ® — Basic Economy. I purchased a Basic Economy flight from Florida to Alaska. Travelers were allowed to bring only a personal item, such as a … I would fly United again; however, I wouldn't buy basic economy, since, like most travelers, I carry a bag with me on trips. I have never been bothered about my carryon.. Delta never charged extra for carry on bags on basic economy and American just recently allowed carry on bags again for basic economy because they figured people were booking their competitors due to the punitive restrictions. No, you cannot bring a carry on on the plane with United Basic Economy, this is one of the main differences between Basic Economy versus standard Economy. If you bring a full-size carry-on bag to the gate, you'll need to check your bag. Elite members can bring a carry-on bag. For example, Delta's basic economy fares allow you to bring a standard carry-on and a personal item, just like any other passenger. With Delta Air Line’s basic economy fare, for example, you are allowed one carry-on bag, whereas United and American only allow a carry-on bag if you’re a premier member or you carry certain co-branded credit cards. Some elite-qualifying credit. Flew San Diego to Denver utilizing United's new Basic Economy plan. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. They will stop you at the gate if you have a carry-on with a basic economy fare. A co-worker had offered me her personal item piece from her luggage set but it is 9.5 x 12 x 16. United Basic Economy fares do not allow for any advanced seat assignment. But, here’s what it’s really like to fly at the extreme bottom of the barrel, and how to survive with no carry-on bag. Obviously with basic economy you are not allowed a carry-on, but I had read that if you have the Untied Explorer card (or other card that gives you priority boarding), that you can usually get on the plane with a carry-on even on Basic Economy, since you are no longer demoted to the last boarding group. United also sells a basic and an economy fare for every seat on a flight, he said, unlike current practice at American and Delta, which appear to have fewer of the rock-bottom fares available. But, here’s what it’s really like to fly at the extreme bottom of the barrel, and how to survive with no carry-on bag. All basic economy is group 5 and it's pretty easy to notice somebody with a carry on when the entire group shouldn't have one. Basic Economy. Basic Economy and carry on bag. and can carry more? TravelPulse reminded that the fare also excludes regular luggage, so travelers need to pay extra for any checked-in luggage going in the hold. They started offering the fares in limited markets at first, but then expanded to most of the US. Should I instead do check bag since it's also 25$? United Airlines Basic Economy is really, really basic. If you want to take a bag larger than a personal item you must check it. Baggage fees vary by destination, but generally speaking, they start at $30 for your first bag, $40 for your second bag and $150 for each additional bag. Reply to: United Economy vs. Pay a little bit less to fly? People buying basic economy tickets will also have a reduced opportunity to earn miles. Probably at a net loss due to the checked bag fee. Oh boy. Ask a question Recent Conversations. It's about 2 weeks before I fly, can I do that now? 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. Rather, your seat assignment will be randomly assigned during check-in. 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