Utilizing credit cards to navigate basic economy

It's undeniable: basic economy can be incredibly frustrating. With restrictions on carry-on luggage and no option for seat selection, it falls short of what travelers have come to expect.

Airlines are skilled at making basic economy appear unattractive, encouraging you to upgrade to standard economy. Despite the drawbacks, like checked baggage fees, credit cards can help alleviate some of the challenges of basic economy. Let’s explore the options by airline.

Alaska Airlines

In 2019, Alaska Airlines introduced basic economy fares, referred to as "Saver Fares." These fares come with limited perks. Opting for basic economy instead of a main cabin fare can usually save you between $15 and $30 per flight.

In contrast to some stricter airlines, Alaska allows you to carry a full-size bag at no extra cost. However, you'll still be in the final boarding group, with no seat changes or refunds available after 24 hours. Complimentary upgrades are also off the table.

Alaska Airlines imposes a $35 fee for the first checked bag and $45 for the second on all flights. However, holders of the Alaska Airlines Visa Signature® credit card and the Alaska Airlines Visa® Business card can bypass some basic economy limitations, like checking one bag for free for themselves and up to six additional passengers on the same booking when using their card.

This makes these credit cards a worthwhile investment, even if you only fly with Alaska a few times annually.

For more information, check out our comprehensive Alaska Airlines Visa review and Alaska Airlines Visa Business review.

American Airlines

American Airlines provides basic economy fares across all domestic routes as well as flights to and from Mexico, South America, Central America, the Caribbean, Canada, Europe, and Africa.

With basic economy, you'll receive a seat assignment at check-in (often a middle seat), won't qualify for upgrades, earn fewer elite-qualifying miles/segments, board in the last group, and the ticket is non-changeable and non-refundable. However, you can bring a carry-on bag onboard.

In American Airlines' basic economy overview, there’s an important note:

"Members with AAdvantage® status and eligible Citi® / AAdvantage® or AAdvantage® Aviator® Mastercard® cardholders are exempt from specific restrictions.

Those holding AA elite status can retain their boarding group and checked-bag privileges."

But what if you lack status? In that case, using one of these eligible cards can secure you a better boarding group than standard economy, along with the checked baggage allowance provided by the card.

Eligible cards:

• Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard® (refer to rates and fees)
• Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard®*
• Citi® / AAdvantage Business™ World Elite Mastercard® (refer to rates and fees)
• Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® American Express® Card (not available to new customers)*
• Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® Visa Signature (not available to new customers)*
• AAdvantage Aviator Red Mastercard*
• AAdvantage Aviator Silver Mastercard*
• AAdvantage Aviator Business Mastercard*

All the American Airlines credit cards listed enable you to sidestep basic economy restrictions when flying with American.

*The information about these cards has been independently gathered by Dinogo. The details provided on this page have not been reviewed or endorsed by the card issuer.

Instead of spending an extra $30 or more per flight for standard economy, you can utilize a cobranded credit card like the Citi / AAdvantage Platinum Select World Elite Mastercard to avoid being placed in the last boarding group due to basic economy fares.

You’ll instead board ahead of most economy passengers (in Groups 6-8) and enter in Group 4, increasing your chances of finding space in the overhead bins. Additionally, you’ll receive a free checked bag on domestic flights.

You don’t need to purchase your flights with the cobranded card to receive these perks — American Airlines will link your credit card to your AAdvantage account and automatically apply the benefits. This allows you to use a credit card that offers superior travel protection for booking flights, like the Chase Sapphire Reserve®, which provides up to $500 in expense reimbursement for delays exceeding six hours.

The drawback of using the cobranded card is that you still cannot select your seat for free. You’ll have the option to pay for seat selection 48 hours before your flight, or else AA will assign you a seat at check-in.

Delta Air Lines

Delta is the pioneer among legacy carriers when it comes to basic economy, having introduced it in 2012. Delta's basic economy features the least stringent restrictions. With Delta's offering, you won’t receive advance seat assignments, upgrades, or any flight changes (after the mandatory 24-hour window). However, you can choose your seats during check-in and bring a carry-on bag.

There are still benefits to obtaining a cobranded Delta credit card if you’re looking at basic economy. While Delta’s basic economy fare allows a carry-on, you may need to gate-check it since you’ll be boarding in Group 8. With a cobranded card, you’ll enjoy a free checked bag and priority boarding on Delta flights, greatly increasing your chances of finding space in the overhead bins.

Eligible cards:

• Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card
• Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card
• Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card
• Delta SkyMiles® Gold Business American Express Card
• Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card
• Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card

Indeed, you can obtain a card with a $0 introductory annual fee for the first year, followed by $150 (Delta SkyMiles Gold card, see rates and fees or Delta SkyMiles Gold Business, see rates and fees) to avoid checked bag fees and the hassle of gate-checking. Similar to American, you don’t need to buy your ticket with your Delta credit card to enjoy the free checked bag — simply holding the card and including your Delta SkyMiles number in your booking is sufficient.

What’s the drawback of opting for the cobranded card? No advance seat selection. Delta’s basic economy fares allow for seat selection at check-in, but you might not have a seat assigned until you reach the gate.

United Airlines

Among all major airlines, United's basic economy is the least favorable. While American Airlines has made concessions by allowing basic economy passengers to carry on a bag, United still restricts basic economy travelers to a personal item only (except on long-haul international flights). Additionally, the pricing for basic economy fares can be outrageous.

So, what does United's basic economy offer? Not much: an automatically assigned seat at check-in (with no possibility to change), no carry-on bags, no upgrades, and no changes or refunds. You also can't check in online (except for transatlantic flights) unless you're willing to pay for a checked bag.

A United credit card can alleviate some of the drawbacks of basic economy. Similar to American and Delta, you'll move up from the last boarding group to an earlier one. Plus, you'll regain the ability to bring a carry-on bag and receive a first checked bag for free — or even two with certain cards.

Eligible cards:

• United℠ Explorer Card
• United℠ Business Card
• United Club℠ Infinite Card (provides up to two free checked bags)
• United Quest℠ Card (offers up to two free checked bags)
• United Club Business Card (includes up to two free checked bags)

Information regarding the United Club Business has been independently gathered by Dinogo. The card specifics on this page have not been verified or endorsed by the card issuer.

It's essential to remember that you must use your cobranded United card to pay for flights in order to receive the checked baggage benefit. Unfortunately, using the cobranded card does not allow for seat selection or upgrades.

Southwest Airlines

It's important to highlight that among the major airlines, Southwest is the only one that doesn't offer a basic economy class.

In summary

Basic economy fares have become widespread across U.S. legacy airlines, applying to all domestic routes and many international ones. However, possessing a cobranded airline credit card can help you sidestep some of the drawbacks of basic economy without upgrading to standard economy.

If you prefer to carry on a bag without gate-checking it and want a free checked bag, simply obtain an eligible cobranded card and book the lowest fare. With priority boarding benefits, you'll access the overhead bins before those who paid extra for standard economy but lack a cobranded card.