4 Considerations When Booking Basic Economy

As many seasoned travelers are aware, basic economy has changed considerably since airlines introduced this low-cost fare option over the past decade.

Initially, airlines viewed basic economy as a strategy to compete with budget carriers, and the core idea has largely stayed the same: you pay a lower fare compared to a main cabin ticket, but you forfeit some services—or at least, complimentary access to them.

Nevertheless, airlines frequently adjust what is included in a basic economy fare, as well as what extras can be purchased after opting for the lower-priced ticket.

There have been some encouraging updates in 2024. Most notably, United Airlines has finally permitted passengers with no-frills tickets to check in online for their flights, a privilege previously unavailable to them.

Basic economy rules vary across airlines and have changed over time. Therefore, I find it useful to keep a mental checklist of considerations when deciding whether it’s worth it to save some money (or even a significant amount) by opting for a basic economy ticket ... or if a full-fare economy ticket would be the wiser choice.

Here are the key factors I take into account.

The allowance for a full-size carry-on bag

This is often a deal breaker for many travelers who are hesitant about checking luggage.

Traditionally, a frequent basic economy policy among airlines has been to limit full-size carry-on bags and access to overhead bins. This means the only free item you can bring on board is a personal bag that fits under the seat.

Like most travelers, a small backpack usually doesn't meet my needs—at least for most trips.

For this reason, I generally avoid basic economy on airlines that restrict overhead bin access with their basic fares. However, I might reconsider if I have a credit card that grants me a free checked bag or elite status that allows me to bypass the basic bag limitations entirely.

The disappearance of carry-on rules

Luckily, restrictions on carry-on bags are much rarer among major network airlines than they were just a few years ago.

Among the Big Three legacy carriers—American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and United Airlines—only United limits complimentary overhead bin access on basic fares. Even JetBlue recently declared it would eliminate the restrictive policy on its Blue Basic fares.

However, you will still encounter these policies with the most basic fares on nearly all budget airlines.

On the opposite end, Southwest Airlines is the most accommodating U.S. airline overall regarding baggage. The airline permits two free checked bags and allows every passenger to bring a full-size carry-on at no charge.

Seat selection

A common frustration among travelers with basic economy is the absence of complimentary seat selection.

If you're worried about being stuck in a middle seat or want to sit beside a family member or travel partner, choosing basic economy can be risky. Nonetheless, some airlines have implemented family seating-friendly changes to their seat assignment policies in response to pressure from the Biden administration.

Having an airline credit card or elite status can also be beneficial in navigating seat selection limitations in basic economy.

However, if I'm going to end up paying for a seat anyway, I typically choose to "upgrade" to the main cabin and avoid basic economy entirely.

Loyalty benefits and earning

A crucial consideration for me when deciding on a basic economy ticket is whether I can take advantage of my loyalty perks, accumulate miles, and make strides towards elite status during my travels.

Some airlines introduce loyalty program incentives and drawbacks into the basic economy decision-making process.

For example, Delta Air Lines prevents basic economy travelers from earning SkyMiles on their flights. Additionally, these passengers do not gain access to the Delta Sky Club before or after their journey, even if they are members.

The regulations vary from one airline to another.

Members of American Airlines AAdvantage accrue miles and Loyalty Points, but at a lower rate than those in the main cabin.

United's basic economy travelers earn MileagePlus miles and Premier qualifying points, but not qualifying flights.

While you may prefer the lowest fare, you certainly wouldn't want to purchase a flight that doesn't contribute to an airline's loyalty program. Therefore, this is a key consideration when determining if basic economy is worthwhile. It often depends on the price difference between basic economy and regular economy.

Itinerary flexibility

A defining characteristic of basic economy tickets is their limited flexibility when it comes to making adjustments (beyond the 24-hour grace period after booking, which all passengers are entitled to under U.S. Department of Transportation rules).

The rigidity of basic economy tickets stands out even more now: Most U.S. airlines have eliminated change fees for full-fare tickets in recent years. However, basic economy travelers still typically do not have the option to make changes.

If you need to cancel a basic economy ticket, you might receive some money back as future trip credit, but you're often faced with a hefty cancellation fee (sometimes nearing $100).

If I suspect that I may need to alter or cancel my trip before departure, basic economy is definitely off the table.

If I feel extremely confident that the trip will proceed without issues or have little concern about not receiving a refund, I might choose the no-frills ticket.

Conclusion

With fluctuating policies over the years and differences among airlines, it can be challenging to choose between basic economy and full-fare economy tickets. Therefore, it’s wise to identify which services and benefits matter most to you, allowing you to make the most informed choice about the right ticket type.