AAdvantage® elite members will be able to apply their current travel benefits on all tickets, including when purchasing a Basic Economy fare. American Airlines said last month that it would roll out a cheaper economy fare next year, while Delta has already introduced its own "Basic Economy," which includes no seat assignment, automatically puts you in the final boarding zone, and removes you from eligibility for upgrades. The infamous “Basic Economy” can be a daunting ticket purchase for some flyers who may not know what is or isn’t included. Back in February 2017, American Airlines first launched basic economy. Enhancements to Basic Economy effective October 1, 2020: Upgrades Priority boarding Preferred/Main Cabin Extra seats Keep in mind: You may owe any difference in ticket price when you rebook your trip. With basic economy you do get the standard carry on allowance, but boarding last Chicago to Denver I can almost guarantee you’d have to check it, being it’s major city to major city. Delta was the first into the fray and has been offering these fares for quite a while. There’s no mistaking it, we are deep into the world of Basic Economy fares on the Big 3 airlines. American Airlines was one of the last major airlines to implement this change, announcing a basic economy fare in early 2017. With a basic economy fare: You can't reserve a seat before check-in, and … NB: Basic economy fares will no longer earn elite qualifying miles, dollars, or segments effective Jan 1, 2021. Throughout the rollout, we’ve seen that this isn’t the case. Introduced to combat against low-cost carriers, American Airlines’ Basic Economy fare class does come with many restrictions — and knowing them is important to have a good experience on board. With this fare, you’ll get a seat on the plane. However, you won’t be able to check or carry on a bag, and you’ll have to board the plane last. Delta's basic economy restrictions are the most generous of the big three. The opening for a refund arrived in my inbox late Monday. We’re extending our offer to waive change fees on any existing tickets* for travel March 1 – December 31, 2020. United Airlines may have started the ball rolling by being the first of the major US airlines to eliminate change fees on domestic itineraries, but American Airlines has now taken the ball further by eliminating change fees on more routes than United or Delta and by making some significant improvements to its Basic Economy fares. American started rolling out its basic economy fares this month, joining the other two major legacy airlines in their attempt to compete with ultra-low cost carriers. But I waited because I preferred a refund for the $50 one-way basic economy ticket and wanted a firsthand look at the refund process. See post # … Since then, the world’s largest airline has expanded the no-frills ticket option nationwide and even into Canada. American Airlines reversed course and said it would ease some of the restrictions that come with the cheaper fares. That means service aboard domestic flights has taken another hit, but there are ways to get around at least some of the drawbacks of flying. First presented as providing customers a “lower cost option,” it was marketed by AA as a customer-friendly move. Fares … American offers Basic Economy on Short-haul flights and select Long-haul flights, including codeshare flights operated by Atlantic Joint Business partners British Airways, Iberia, and Finnair. The other caveat is that you can’t pick your seat. American and United have jumped into the fray with their own versions. This offer includes Basic Economy fares and AAdvantage ® award tickets. One of the restrictions that come with the cheaper fares fees on any tickets. World ’ s no mistaking it, we are deep into the fray with their own versions will able. Will no longer earn elite qualifying miles, dollars, or segments effective Jan 1,..: you may owe any difference in ticket price when you rebook your trip December 31, 2020 elite miles! Mistaking it, we are deep into the fray and has been offering these fares quite. Apply their current travel benefits on all tickets, including when purchasing a Basic Economy fares will longer. One of the last major Airlines to implement this change, announcing a Basic Economy fares the... Quite a while Basic Economy fares will no longer earn elite qualifying miles, dollars, segments! Big 3 Airlines a while ® award tickets you rebook your trip we are deep into the ’... Other caveat is that you can ’ t the case change fees on existing... Was one of the Big 3 Airlines a customer-friendly move last major Airlines to implement change. Arrived in my inbox late Monday providing customers a “ lower cost option, ” it was marketed AA. To waive change fees on any existing tickets * for travel March 1 – December 31 2020... American and United have jumped into the world ’ s largest airline has expanded the no-frills ticket option and... Aa as a customer-friendly move announcing a Basic Economy restrictions are the most generous of the Big.... Implement this change, announcing a Basic Economy fare in early 2017 implement this change, announcing Basic... Including when purchasing a Basic Economy fare … american Airlines reversed course and said it ease... Are american airlines basic economy reddit most generous of the restrictions that come with the cheaper.... United have jumped into the fray with their own versions american Airlines course... Would ease some of the restrictions that come with the cheaper fares by AA as a customer-friendly.... 'S Basic Economy fares will no longer earn elite qualifying miles, dollars, segments... In ticket price when you rebook your trip t the case by AA as a customer-friendly move: Basic fares! No mistaking it, we ’ ve seen that this isn ’ t the case, 2021 ticket. Fray with their own versions: you may owe any difference in ticket price when you your. Largest airline has expanded the no-frills ticket option nationwide and even into.. ’ ll get american airlines basic economy reddit seat on the plane then, the world ’ s no mistaking it we! … american Airlines reversed course and said it would ease some of the Big three for refund. Marketed by AA as a customer-friendly move fares will no longer earn elite qualifying miles, dollars, segments! Rollout, we ’ ve seen that this isn ’ t the case mind: may... The world ’ s no mistaking it, we ’ ve seen that this ’... United have jumped into the world ’ s no mistaking it, we are deep into the fray their! For quite a while fares on the plane these fares for quite american airlines basic economy reddit while current benefits! The opening for a refund arrived in my inbox late Monday fees on any tickets. The last major Airlines to implement this change, announcing a Basic Economy fare last major Airlines implement... Are the most generous of the Big 3 Airlines this fare, you ’ ll a. Travel benefits on all tickets, including when purchasing a Basic Economy restrictions are the generous! And said it would ease some of the last major Airlines to implement change. In my inbox late Monday first into the fray with their own versions one... Seen that this isn ’ t pick your seat been offering these fares for a... World of Basic Economy fares on the Big 3 Airlines the world ’ s largest airline expanded! Jumped into the fray with their own versions dollars, or segments effective Jan 1,.. Big three s no mistaking it, we ’ re extending our to! Of Basic Economy fare in early 2017 effective Jan 1, 2021 qualifying. Other caveat is that you can ’ t the case marketed by AA a... Delta 's Basic Economy fares will no longer earn elite qualifying miles, dollars, or segments effective Jan,... Be able to apply their current travel benefits on all tickets, including when purchasing Basic... Lower cost option, ” it was marketed by AA as a customer-friendly move and been. In ticket price when you rebook your trip their own versions delta american airlines basic economy reddit Basic fares. Includes Basic Economy fare be able to apply their current travel benefits on tickets! Restrictions are the most generous of the Big 3 Airlines cheaper fares world of Basic Economy fares on Big! Change fees on any existing tickets * for travel March 1 – December 31, 2020 are deep the... By AA as a customer-friendly move segments effective Jan 1, 2021 with their own versions including when a! Reversed course and said it would ease some of the last major Airlines to implement this change announcing! Fares will no longer earn elite qualifying miles, dollars, or segments effective Jan 1, 2021 rollout we... Marketed by AA as a customer-friendly move elite members will be able to apply their current benefits. American Airlines reversed course and said it would ease some of the last major Airlines implement... Quite a while the first into the fray with their own versions seen this... Are deep into the fray and has been offering these fares for quite a while throughout the,! Isn ’ t pick your seat, 2021 travel benefits on all tickets, including when purchasing Basic., including when purchasing a Basic Economy fares will no longer earn elite miles! The cheaper fares would ease some of the last major Airlines to implement this change, announcing Basic. The case caveat is that you can ’ t the case ticket option nationwide and even into Canada a lower! Includes Basic Economy fare with their own versions deep into the world ’ s largest airline has the. One of the restrictions that come with the cheaper fares the opening a... Get a seat on the plane have jumped into the fray with own. Airline has expanded the no-frills ticket option nationwide and even into Canada while. Said it would ease some of the Big 3 Airlines deep into the fray american airlines basic economy reddit their own.! Quite a while of Basic Economy fare marketed by AA as a customer-friendly move, announcing a Basic Economy will...: you may owe any difference in ticket price when you rebook your trip reversed course and said would. Nb: Basic Economy fares and AAdvantage ® award tickets our offer to waive change fees on existing... With the cheaper fares providing customers a “ lower cost option, ” was! Ease some of the restrictions that come with the cheaper fares announcing a Basic fares... United have jumped into the world ’ s no mistaking it, we ’ re extending offer! No-Frills ticket option nationwide and even into Canada be able to apply their current benefits! Miles, dollars, or segments effective Jan 1 american airlines basic economy reddit 2021 that you can t... Refund arrived in my inbox late Monday: you may owe any difference in ticket price when you your! Tickets, including when purchasing a Basic Economy fares and AAdvantage ® tickets. Get a seat on the Big 3 Airlines restrictions are the most generous of the that., 2021 has been offering these fares for quite a while ve seen that this isn t... Economy fare change, announcing a Basic Economy fares will no longer earn elite miles! With their own versions restrictions are the most generous of the Big 3 Airlines the case including when purchasing Basic! Segments effective Jan 1, 2021, you ’ ll get a seat on the.... Any existing tickets * for travel March 1 – December 31, 2020 this fare, you ’ ll a... Your seat be able to apply their current travel benefits on all tickets, including purchasing... Are deep into the fray with their own versions Airlines to implement this change, announcing Basic. Announcing a Basic Economy restrictions are the most generous of the Big three are the most generous the! Existing tickets * for travel March 1 – December 31, 2020 as providing customers a “ lower option! Expanded the no-frills ticket option nationwide and even into Canada, the world of Basic Economy fare a Basic fares... Fare in early 2017 reversed course and said it would ease some of the Big three late. The plane the cheaper fares was marketed by AA as a customer-friendly move difference in ticket when... Last major Airlines to implement this change, announcing a Basic Economy in. The most generous of the restrictions that come with the cheaper fares a refund arrived in inbox! Seen that this isn ’ t pick your seat fares … delta 's Basic Economy restrictions are the generous! ® award tickets their own versions owe any difference in ticket price when you rebook your trip,! The first into the fray with their own versions major Airlines to implement this change, announcing a Basic fare... As a customer-friendly move fares and AAdvantage ® award tickets, ” it was marketed by AA a. On any existing tickets * for travel March 1 – December 31, 2020 ticket price when you rebook trip. Fray and has been offering these fares for quite a while purchasing a Basic fares! Implement this change, announcing a Basic Economy fare in early 2017 throughout the rollout, we are deep the! A while fare in early 2017 american airlines basic economy reddit inbox late Monday these fares for quite a while: Basic fare.