United introduced Basic Economy fares a few months ago and it seems the fares with all their restrictions are here to stay. In fact, United recently doubled down on basic economy and expanded the fares to even more markets. This expansion comes just after United announced the rollout of these restrictive fares has been less than successful.
For the past few months I’ve avoided writing about United Basic Economy fares. I wanted to wait and see if United would backtrack and loose the restrictions with time. Since that clearly isn’t happening, I think it’s a good idea to finally fully dive in and explain just how terrible United Basic Economy fares are.
Introduction To United Basic Economy Fares
United Basic Economy fares are the most restrictive class of service offered by the airline. The new fares maintain the same limitations as standard United Economy, but introduce more restrictions. United claims the introduction of the fares helps the airline compete with low-cost carriers, but most people quickly realized they are simply a way to get passengers to spend more money with the airline.
According to The Points Guy these fares are currently available on at least 100 domestic routes, but that number continues to grow. There are even rumors that basic economy fares will eventually expand to international routes as well. Now that you have a basic understanding of basic economy fares, it’s time to explain why you shouldn’t book them.
No Seat Selection OR Upgrades
One of the first things you’ll notice when booking a basic economy fare is the lack of seat selection. When booking a basic economy fare United does not allow you to pre-select a seat. In fact, United won’t allow you to select a seat at any point in time. Seats are randomly assigned upon check-in and is unchangeable once assigned.
Furthermore, basic economy fares aren’t upgradable in any way shape or form. Passengers, regardless of elite status, won’t have access to Economy Plus seating and can’t use any form of upgrade to move into a higher class of service. Even worse, passengers won’t even be able to pay for Economy Plus seats. Also, passengers with an Economy Plus subscription won’t have access to Economy Plus seats. When booking a basic economy fare, you’ll find the below image on the payment page to remind you of this restriction.
I find this policy utterly ridiculous, especially when coupled with all of the other limitation. It seems absurd that passengers who already pay for the Economy Plus subscription or elite members won’t have any access to Economy Plus seats. I understand punishing non-loyal customers, but punishing your most loyal customers seems like a poor long-term business decision. Obviously they want these passengers to pay more to get the benefits they’ve come to expect. I’m guessing that over time loyal customers will tire of being nickel-and-dimed and ultimately choose another primary carrier.
Groups and Families Can’t Sit Together
This restriction might be the one that frustrates me the most. Per United:
Please note that customers traveling in a group, including families, will not be able to sit together.
At this point the airline isn’t even trying to pretend these basic economy fares are good for anyone. I can’t believe United won’t let families sit together. Even if United doesn’t hold firm at the airport to this policy, I bet that language alone gets parents to pay the extra $20 per passenger. Honestly, I can’t believe anyone at United can sleep at night adding this language to their basic economy fares. It’s clearly a scare tactic to convince parents to pay more for airline tickets when traveling as a family.
United Prohibits Full Size Carry-On Baggage
As much as I don’t like Basic Economy, I understand this restriction. Passengers who purchase basic economy typically have to board last and by then the overhead bins fill up. My issue is with how United implements the restriction.
When checking in to your flight United asks if you have to check a bag. When you say “yes” you won’t get a boarding pass until you visit a check-in agent at the airport. If you need to check a bag you’ll have to arrive at the check-in counter at least 45 minutes prior to your scheduled departure. If you miss this 45 minute window you’ll incur an additional $25 gate check fee. Keep in mind the up charge to standard economy may end up being much less than $50 each way which in that case would be worth it.
In United’s defense, the airline makes it very clear (on their website) that you’re booking a basic economy fare. When selecting one of these tickets you’ll see this box on the payment page to remind you of the no carry-on bag restriction.
Only One Personal Item Allowed
On top of not allowing a carry-on, United only allows one personal item. A personal item is a purse, shoulder bag, laptop bag, or backpack with maximum dimensions of 9 inches x 10 inches x 17 inches. The item must be stored in the area under the seat in front of you, but this isn’t exactly enforceable once on board.
It’s important that gate agents consider shopping bags personal items as well. If you already have a personal item bag and then proceeded to purchase a few things at the airport, each bag is technically a personal item. I’ve seen many people temporarily denied boarding for having too many bags after going on an airport shopping spree.
No Refunds Or Flight Changes
Although discount economy tickets also have this restriction, it seems basic economy fares are even more limiting. I’m not exactly sure what happens to basic economy customers during IROPS, but my guess is that they’ll be last on every imaginable standby list. If you purchase a basic economy flight you better make sure not to miss your flight.
No Elite Qualifying Credit or Lifetime Miles
If it wasn’t clear that United’s basic economy fares are simply a ploy to get loyal customers to spend more this restriction solidifies that argument. Any customer who purchases a basic economy fare won’t receive elite qualifying miles or lifetime miles for their flight.
This restriction is so insane it almost doesn’t seem real. For years airlines have rewarded loyalty, but it’s clear United no longer cares about their elite members. I could understand rolling this policy out near the end of a qualifying year, but to introduce these fares mid-year seams criminal.
I’m just imagining the situation of someone who’s been flying United all year to earn elite status who now has to pay an extra few dollars each trip just to make sure they’ll earn the status they want. Even worse, I’m picturing people with 750,000+ lifetime miles who now question ever flying United again because of this restriction.
Final Thoughts
If it isn’t clear already, United’s basic economy fares are utterly terrible especially for United loyalists. United designed these fares to make the most loyal customer pay more for the same product they’ve been buying for years. Not awarding elite credits and not allowing upgrades of any kind make this point clear. Additionally, these fare penalize families taking vacations together. Not allowing families to sit near each other is simply awful. United is clearly targeting loyal customers and families to make them pay more for their fairly terrible on-board product.
I’m not one to say I’ll never fly xyz airline again, but I can’t see myself willingly flying United again. Flying United as a long-term strategy simply doesn’t make sense anymore. If flying domestically I’d much rather fly Southwest these days anyway. Southwests Rapid Rewards program continues to reward loyal customers which apparently is no longer the point of loyalty programs. At this point, the only reason to fly United is to credit flights to Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer, but that’s a topic for a different day.
