Basic Economy Fares: What You Get & Why You May Want to Avoid Them

Like it or not, basic economy fares are here to stay.

Airlines launched these no-frills fares over the last decade to compete with budget carriers like Spirit and Frontier. Whether you're flying domestically or heading to the Caribbean or Europe, these fares are basically unavoidable now. Basic economy prices might look good on paper – and you're still getting a normal economy seat and service. But it's important to keep in mind these fares come with some restrictions from baggage to boarding.

And one restriction sticks out more now than ever. With few exceptions, basic economy fares cannot be changed nor canceled. With uncertainty still clouding travel, that may mean it's worth paying a bit more for a standard economy fare that can be changed or canceled for free … just in case your plans change or things go wrong in 2022 or 2023.

Read more: How to Book Travel Smarter as Pandemic Uncertainty Looms

But every airline handles these fares a bit differently. Here's what you need to know about basic economy fares on major U.S. airlines.
 

Alaska Airlines Basic Economy

Alaska Airlines was among the last of the big U.S. carriers to roll out a basic economy offering. And it even has a different name: Alaska calls them Saver Fares.

It may be different in name, but these fares are quite similar to what you'll find flying other major airlines. Prior to July 2022, Alaska had allowed limited seat selection at the back of the plane, but that has since been eliminated when Alaska downgraded its basic economy saver fares.

• Baggage: Get a personal item and carry-on bag for free; pay $30 each way for a checked bag.
• Seat Selection: Assigned at check-in.
• Boarding: Final boarding group.
• Earning Alaska Mileage Plan Miles: Yes.
• Earning Status: Yes.
• Upgrades: Not eligible for complimentary upgrades.
• Ticket Changes and Cancellation: Not allowed, except for within 24 hours of booking.

Buying a Saver Fare rather than a main cabin fare will typically save you $15 to $40 each way. And naturally, Alaska Airlines does its best to convince travelers to opt up for the main cabin economy fare. Airlines measure the success of basic economy based on how many passengers pay to avoid it.
 

For many years, Alaska was more generous with basic economy than any other airlines when it came to seat selection. While most airlines don't allow basic economy flyers to pick a seat at all, travelers with an Alaska saver fare could freely pick the best seats remaining at the back of the plane –  or pay a bit more for a seat closer to the front.

Those days are over. Alaska quietly ended that perk in July 2022. Now, travelers on an Alaska basic economy fare can no longer pick a seat – or even pay extra for one in advance.

Read more about Alaska Airlines basic economy fares!

American Airlines Basic Economy

When American Airlines first rolled out its Basic Economy offering years back, it was incredibly restrictive. So restrictive that, like United, you were not able to bring a carry-on bag on board with you, and you didn’t receive an advance seat assignment.

Luckily, that changed back in 2018 when American relaxed their carry-on baggage restriction and started allowing them on Basic Economy tickets, following Delta’s lead. And American has even made it easier to pick a seat in advance – if you're willing to pay for it.

• Baggage: Get a carry-on bag and personal item for free; pay $30 each way for a checked bag (or $75 each way to Europe).
• Seat Selection: Available for a fee at time of booking, starting at $9 or 10 each way. Otherwise, seats are automatically assigned at check-in.
• Boarding: Final boarding group (Group 8 or 9 depending on route).
• Earning AAdvantage Miles: Yes.
• Earning Status: Yes, but you’ll earn half the Elite Qualifying Miles and Elite Qualifying Segments as a standard economy fare.
• Upgrades: Yes.
• Ticket Changes and Cancellation: Not allowed, except for within 24 hours of booking.

As you can see, American practically begs you to skip a basic economy fare and instead opt for a standard main cabin fare. This kind of upsell effort is common across the major airlines.

While the price tag can vary, you can typically count on paying roughly $35 each way to avoid basic economy on a domestic flight … and much more when traveling internationally. Oddly, basic economy fares have disappeared lately from many AA domestic routes – and even some flights down to Mexico, the Caribbean, and South America. That's a win for consumers.

On the bright side, American has also made basic economy slightly less painful by allowing travelers to purchase a seat assignment right away. Previously, you had to wait until seven days before your flight. Now you can pay for a seat assignment when you’re booking your flight. And American is one of the few airlines that allows travelers with elite status to get an upgrade even on a basic economy ticket.

Read our full guide to American Airlines basic economy!

Delta Basic Economy

Long a leader within the airline industry – in good ways and bad – Delta started the slide into basic economy by rolling out these no-frills fares way back in 2013.

While there's no question basic economy on Delta has restrictions, it's more generous than what most other airlines offer … except in one key respect.

• Baggage: Get a carry-on bag and personal item for free; pay $30 each way for a checked bag (or $75 each way to Europe).
• Seat Selection: Seats are typically assigned at check-in or at the gate, but you can also pay for seat selection on many flights or pick your own for free after check-in.
• Boarding: Boards last in Delta’s new boarding order.
• Earning SkyMiles: No.
• Earning Delta Medallion Status: No, basic economy flights no longer earn Medallion Qualifying Miles (MQMs), Medallion Qualifying Segments (MQSs) and Medallion Qualifying Dollars (MQDs).
• Upgrades: Not eligible for complimentary upgrades if you have Delta Medallion status or paid upgrades.
• Ticket Changes and Cancellation: Free only within 24 hours of booking. Otherwise, Delta basic economy fares can now be canceled for a fee.

Let's start with the bad news. Delta went farther than almost any airline when it comes to basic economy: As of early December 2021, Delta basic economy fares no longer earn SkyMiles nor credits toward elite status with Delta.

And Delta has begun charging even more than its competitors to avoid basic economy: The Atlanta-based airline now regularly charges an additional $80 roundtrip to avoid basic economy and move to a more-inclusive main cabin fare. On international routes, that upcharge can be $150 or more. Just as with American, those prices vary – and you may not find basic economy on some routes these days.

But it's not all bad news. In many ways, Delta basic economy is much more generous than what you'll get flying its competitors. Unlike United and JetBlue, you can bring a full-size carry-on bag onboard with your basic economy ticket. Delta also now allows basic economy flyers to cancel their flights for a Delta eCredit … for a price: You'll forfeit $99 on most fares or $199 on long-haul international flights.

And few airlines are better when it comes to picking a seat than Delta. That's because Delta gives you two ways to pick a seat with a basic economy fare – including one way to do it for free!

Read our full guide to flying Delta basic economy.

JetBlue Basic Economy

After more than a year of planning and teasing, JetBlue finally unveiled its version of basic economy called “Blue Basic” in late 2019.

JetBlue was among the last of the major U.S. airlines to offer basic economy. And as promised, the restrictions on these fares weren't quite as punitive as you'd find on other airlines – at least initially. But that has changed.

JetBlue recently took a page out of United's book and now bans travelers with a basic economy ticket from bringing a carry-on bag on board (except for London flights). That means you can only bring a small personal item like a purse or backpack.

• Baggage: Get a personal item for free; pay $35 each way for a checked bag (or $65 each way to London). No carry-ons allowed unless flying to/from London.
• Seat Selection: Pay for advance seat selection, free within 24 hours of departure.
• Boarding: Boards last.
• Earning TrueBlue Points: Yes, but only 2x per $1 spent (compared to 6x points per $1 on other fares).
• Ticket Changes and Cancellation: Pay $100 to change or cancel almost any JetBlue basic economy ticket – or $200 for flights to/from South America or London. Free cancellation within 24 hours of booking.

JetBlue basic economy is clearly a mixed bag. The downside of not being able to bring a carry-on bag is enormous. It's one of the most punitive restrictions you'll find with these fares. And JetBlue will charge you a whopping $65 penalty if they catch you trying to sneak one onboard.

On the plus side, JetBlue allows basic economy flyers to pay for a seat selection – or pick the best of what's left within 24 hours of departure. And JetBlue is the only airline that allows basic economy tickets to be changed or canceled. You'll have to pay $100 to do it (or $200 for an international ticket), but that could easily be worth it.

Read more about JetBlue basic economy – aka Blue Basic fares!

Southwest Airlines Basic Economy

Psych!

Southwest Airlines doesn't offer basic economy. And the airline's top executives have repeatedly said they never will.

“That’s not what we do,” Southwest CEO Gary Kelly said during a quarterly earnings call a few years ago. “We’re not going to charge for bag fees.”

That means Southwest flyers will continue to get two checked bags on every flight. Their novel boarding process means you'll get to pick your seat – at least the best of what's left by the time you get on board. And you'll still be able to change or cancel your reservation without a fee.

United Airlines Basic Economy

Despite the constant battle for U.S. domination, United's basic economy fares are a step below both Delta and American.

A basic economy ticket on United means you can only bring a personal item – no carry-on bag – and you also won't earn elite status on domestic flights. You can't even check-in online with a United basic economy fare.

That's why United was the clear loser in our Battle of Basic Economy.

• Baggage: Get a personal item for free; pay $30 each way for a checked bag (or $75 each way to Europe). No carry-ons allowed unless flying to Europe.
• Seat Selection: Available for a fee, starting at $10. Otherwise, seats are automatically assigned.
• Boarding: Final boarding group.
• Earning United MileagePlus Miles: Yes.
• Earning Status: You’ll earn Premier Qualifying Points (PQPs) but not Premier Qualifying Flights (PQFs).
• Upgrades: Not eligible for complimentary upgrades with United status.
• Ticket Changes and Cancellation: Not allowed, except for within 24 hours of booking.

So let's not spin this one. United basic economy is clearly the worst of the bunch.

No carry-on bag unless you're flying to Europe. You can't even check-in online – you'll have to finalize check-in at the airport so an agent can verify you aren't trying to bring a carry-on bag with you.

That's pretty brutal. If there's one plus to United basic economy, it's that you can buy a seat assignment for a fairly reasonable fee from the moment you buy your ticket. But these days, United isn't alone offering that option.

Read our master guide to flying (and beating) United basic economy.

Bottom Line

Basic economy has shaken up the airfare world. By offering these bare-bones fares, airlines are trying to compete with budget carriers on price while pitting flyers with new restrictions – largely in hopes that they'll pay up to upgrade.

And these days, basic economy is more dangerous than ever. With just one exception, no airline allows you to change or cancel a basic economy ticket. With all the potential hiccups in travel as we emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic, that may simply be too risky.