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Flight Tip Friday
Tips for Airline Tickets
#5: Beware of Basic Economy
Everywhere you look, it’s cheap this and cheap that. Airlines started taking advantage of the idea of “cheap”, and created basic economy as a new ticket class. While sometimes significantly cheaper than regular economy tickets, basic economy comes with a bunch of sacrifices. Here’s what you need to be aware of when booking a basic economy flight.
Airlines That Offer Basic Economy
Mostly, American air carriers have created a class of ticket called basic economy. United Airways was the first to roll it out, with Delta and American Airlines following suit not too long after. Other airlines include Alaskan Airways and Hawaiian Airlines.
Plus there are the airlines that are essentially all basic economy fares, including Allegiant Air, Frontier Airlines, Spirit Airlines, and Sun Country Airlines. These airlines sell basic fares with the options for add on purchases. They took the idea from budget airlines like Ryan Air and Norwegian who sell cheap international flights but with restrictions.
Restrictions on Basic Economy
Normal ticket from NY to LA is roughly $350. You see it for $200. Great deal right? Stop! Read the warnings. It’s usually not as simple as all that. In this case, you definitely get what you pay for. Basic fares come with a whole lot of restrictions.
- No Seat Selection - basic fares usually don't let you pick your seat until check in. Even then your seat choices are restricted. Be prepared for a middle seat.
- No Carry-on Bag Allowance - Many basic economy tickets are restrictive on carry on luggage. Not only are you asked to check your bag, but you also have to pay extra for the gate check.
- Last Boarding Group - Most basic fares get called last boarding order. That means waiting longer and less overhead space.
- No Upgrades - Basic fares usually have restrictions on purchasing discounted upgrades. There are also restrictions on free upgrades for frequent flier card holders with status.
- No Liability - Some basic economy fare rules say that the airline is not responsible for what happens in case of a cancellation. This means they may have the ability NOT to accomodate you in case of an airline cancellation, forcing you to spend hundreds of dollars to buy a new last minute ticket.
Last Words
Here’s the truth. Basic economy fares are great for college kids flying home for the weekend to see their families. However, for the average traveler, the concessions are not worth the savings. It just cuts too many corners.
When you’re searching for flights, most domestic airlines and Google Flights allow you to restrict the search to exclude basic economy. This is an incredibly useful tool. Make sure you’re not booking it by accident by utilizing those search filters.
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