How to Choose the Best Fares for Your Trip

Anyone who flies regularly knows that buying a ticket isn’t just about choosing between economy and first class. In Economy, there are different fares – Basic Economy, Main Cabin, Premium Economy, and sometimes even Delta Comfort+, which is somewhere in between. This article talks about the main differences between economy and basic economy, figuring out which one you should buy and why.

What Is the Main Cabin?

When you hear “economy class”, all you think of is the main cabin. This is a standard economy ticket, which usually allows you to put your carry-on baggage in the overhead suitcase, choose your seat and change your booking before your flight. You won’t get any premium benefits with this ticket, but you can get the standard benefits you expect when you fly. Usually, there will be more seats in the main cabin on any particular aircraft than any other, as most passengers choose this option because of its convenience and affordability.

What Is Basic Economy?

Basic economy fares were introduced to compete with low-cost airlines like Spirit and Frontier. These airlines allow travelers to fly at a very low price, but they will have to sacrifice a lot of the comfort they are used to. Basic economy tickets are a way for travelers to both save money and fly with airlines they may be loyal to. However, most things have strict restrictions – the luggage you can take on board, whether you can change your fare, choose your seat, and even earn miles during your trip. The main benefit is that airfares are cheaper, but basic economy only makes sense for specific travelers in specific situations.

“Basic Economy allows customers to save money on tickets and get most of the same in-flight services as Standard Economy, such as drinks, snacks and in-flight entertainment,” United said. ”

On the three major U.S. airlines — Delta Air Lines, American Airlines, and United Airlines — Basic Economy tickets are referred to as “Basic Economy.” However, there are some companies that call them by different names. On JetBlue, these fares are called Blue Basic, while on Alaska Airlines, these fares are called Saver.

Economy Class vs. Basic Economy Class

There is no difference between the actual seats in the main cabin and the basic economy class on almost all airlines. The difference between these fares is beyond the seat – when you board, what you can bring on board and what you can change before your flight.

“The main difference between Basic Economy and Standard Economy is that when you fly Basic Economy, the system automatically assigns you a seat selection and doesn’t include carry-on baggage, unless you’re flying to South America, transatlantic or on an international flight across the Pacific,” United said. It’s important to point out that not only do airlines have different basic economy fares, but they will also vary depending on the route you’re taking.

Price Comparison

One of the most significant differences between Economy Class and Basic Economy Class is the ticket price. On average, you’ll expect to spend around $50 to $60 less on a round-trip basic economy ticket compared to an economy class ticket, but you do have to make a lot of sacrifices to compensate for those savings. For example, if you purchase a Basic Economy ticket, some airlines will not allow you to earn points or miles through their loyalty programs. Many points and mileage enthusiasts, myself included, don’t see this as a fair trade-off. You’re flying, so you want to earn miles and qualify as an elite airline.

It’s also important to note that if you’re not loyal to a particular airline, you can shop around for the cheapest main class fare, making basic economy tickets less appealing.

Seat Selection

If you have a Basic Economy ticket, most airlines other than American Airlines won’t let you select your seat in advance. This means that your seat will be assigned at check-in and you can check your seat assignment in the app or on the display at the gate. If you go this route, you’re more likely to get a middle seat, possibly near the back of the plane. If you’re traveling with friends or family, there’s no guarantee that you’ll be close to each other, even if you’re on the same booking. American Airlines allows you to select your seat on a Basic fare in advance (for a fee). Once you’ve paid that fee, the price difference between Economy and Basic Economy may not be enough to justify purchasing a cheaper ticket.

Priority Boarding

If you book a Basic Economy ticket, you should be the last to board. The only thing that can change is if you are the cardholder of the airline’s co-branded credit card, or if you have obtained elite status with the airline. If you want to board quickly, book an economy class ticket.

Upgrade Availability

With the exception of American Airlines, you can’t get paid or free upgrades on a Basic Economy ticket, including seats with extra legroom. Airline seats seem to be getting closer and closer every year, so if you want to get an exit row or bulkhead seat, you’ll usually need to buy a main cabin ticket.

In-Flight Experience

During the flight, you won’t notice much difference between economy and basic economy. The most significant difference is that since you can’t choose your seat in advance when you purchase a basic economy fare, you may have to endure the dreaded middle seat throughout the flight. If you’re lucky enough to get a window, your flight experience will be the same as if you had purchased a main cabin fare.

Baggage Fees

The amount of baggage you can take on board varies from airline to airline. If you’re flying on Delta Air Lines or American Airlines Basic Economy, you can place one carry-on bag in the overhead compartment above your seat. However, as you will be one of the last to board the plane, there is no guarantee that there will be space left. If the overhead suitcase is full, you will need to check your baggage at the gate and collect it on landing. On JetBlue and United, the restrictions on basic economy fares are more stringent. You are not allowed carry-on baggage at all, only personal items that can fit under the seat in front of you. If you’re going out for a night or two and don’t need to bring much, a basic economy ticket will do. However, if you want to make sure you have a larger bag for your essentials, it’s best to book a main cabin ticket.

Flight Modifications

With the exception of JetBlue, you can’t change or modify your Basic Economy fare on almost all major airlines in the United States. This means that if you need to make any changes, you will have to purchase a brand new ticket. If you’re 100% confident that you don’t need to change your ticket, then a Basic Economy fare may be an option. However, if you have any doubts about your trip, you’re better off paying some extra for the main class fare. Although JetBlue allows you to change its Blue Basic fare, it can cost up to $200, which may be the same price you paid when you originally purchased your ticket.

Keep in mind that most major airlines have eliminated change fees during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. So, if you need to change your main cabin ticket, you only need to pay the possible fare difference. If you’re worried that your travel plans might change, the main cabin is even more worth it.

Choose Your Fare

When you use a flight search engine like Google Flights, you may be excited to see affordable fares for travel around the world. When you click on a ticket, you’ll see an ad fare that might be a Basic Economy ticket. Then, the airline will do everything in its power to convince you to upgrade to economy class. For example, Delta will ask you to tick a small box that indicates that you accept the restrictions of Basic Economy. The box is located below a larger red button that says “Move to main page.” And, even if the seats are the same, airlines only sell a limited number of basic economy tickets per flight.

In general, travelers can book a basic economy ticket without worry if they know that their itinerary will not change and they are willing to sit anywhere on the plane. When I was in college, I was flying Basic Economy on Delta Airlines. I have a Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card with free checked baggage, so I’m glad I got the cheapest ticket for my trip. Now that I’m an adult, I prefer the flexibility and comfort that comes with a higher fare class.