The window to pay up for seat selection opens right when you book your flight – earlier than you’ll find on many airlines. If there’s one upside to United basic economy, it’s the ability to pay for a seat assignment. Read more about checking in online with United! Yes, that’s right: No online check-in when flying United basic economy.
It’s the most restrictive measure of any basic economy fare in the U.S.īecause you can’t bring a carry-on bag onboard, you have to finalize checking in for your flight at the airport. And United executives say they have no plans to change this, even as both Delta and American allow carry-ons for all basic economy passengers. Unless you’re flying across the Atlantic Ocean, all you get is a small personal item like a backpack when flying United basic economy. Let’s start with the bad news: No carry-ons. Read more: No, You’re Not Getting a Good Deal on a Basic Economy FareĪ few things about United basic economy fares are worth highlighting even further.
On United and other airlines, you’re paying the same amount but getting less with basic economy. And unfortunately, basic economy fares are generally priced at what main cabin fares once were. These fares are a huge cash cow for United and other airlines. That alone is proof that United is merely looking to force flyers to pay up for a main cabin economy fare – generally another $60 to $70 or more on a round-trip ticket. Unless if you’re flying to Europe, you won’t get a carry-on bag. And there are no signs that it will get any better. United’s Basic Economy is easily the worst among the major U.S.
Baggage: Get a personal item for free pay $30 each way for a checked bag (or $60 each way to Europe).There’s no way to spin this one: United has the most restrictive basic economy fares out there. airlines – and it wasn’t particularly close.īut why is it so bad? What do you get, and what don’t you get? And how can you make United basic economy a little less painful? Let’s break it down.
We gave it the lowest score in our battle of basic economy that compared all three major U.S. United has the single most punitive restrictions for basic economy flyers, so it pays to be hypervigilant about what you get and what you don’t. And United basic economy fares are easily among the worst. For more information check out our Advertising Disclosure.īasic economy fares have reshaped travel, as airlines charge travelers more for what they once got for free. The content on this page is accurate as of the posting date however, some of the offers mentioned may have expired. We may receive compensation when you click on links to those products. This post contains references to products from one or more of our advertisers.