basic economy

Tag Archives for basic economy.

Troubling: Starting Tuesday, United Airlines Requires $65 Pre-Authorization For Basic Economy Passengers To Check-In Online

by Gary Leff on August 2, 2024

Aug 02 2024

United Airlines offers less value on a basic economy ticket than competitors do. They don’t allow basic economy passengers to bring a regular carry-on bag on, and they haven’t allowed basic economy passengers to check in online, wasting passengers’ time. Fortunately they’re relaxing the online check-in rule but they’re doing it in a strange and troubling way.

Most people don’t realize that basic economy restrictions aren’t the same across airlines and that United Airlines offers much worse value than competitors.

JetBlue Makes Basic Economy Better, Drops Carry-On Bag Restrictions

by Gary Leff on June 18, 2024

Jun 18 2024

Basic economy matters as a way to differentiate corporate travelers (who generally pay more) from leisure customers (who are price sensitive). The old methods of Saturday night stay and 14-day advance purchase no longer hold.

But customers aren’t as stupid as airlines assume, or maybe even used to be. They compare the offerings of airlines – at the same price, nearly everyone offered better value than JetBlue. Certainly Delta – which has free wifi, too – offered better value in both New York and Boston than JetBlue’s basic fares. That hurts JetBlue, which wins only when customers go out of their way to choose them over competitors.

Bait and Switch: New American Airlines Deceptive Pricing Trick Exposed

by Gary Leff on May 23, 2024

May 23 2024

American Airlines has started hiding the ball on basic economy restrictions when you book travel on their website. They’re showing lower prices than what passengers can expect to pay, and find there’s a bait and switch when they click through only to learn that they were seeing basic economy fares and American hadn’t told them when they first displayed schedule and price.

I genuinely don’t understand what American Airlines is thinking here.

United Airlines Denies Boarding, Keeps Passenger’s Money Over Basic Economy Check-In Ban

by Gary Leff on May 16, 2024

May 16 2024

United Airlines denied boarding to a passenger and wouldn’t provide a refund – because they were traveling on a basic economy ticket and weren’t checking a bag.

Ultimately, she bought a ticket on American Airlines and her duffel bag fit just fine under her seat and as you’ll see in the video she ultimately made it to Key West, Florida after a ‘planes, trains and automobiles’ experience.

Soaring with the West Coast Alliance: American Airlines Improves Upgrades For Alaska Airlines Elites

by Gary Leff on March 15, 2024

Mar 15 2024

Alaska Airlines passengers flying on American are now eligible for upgrades even when buying American’s basic economy fares.

Why United Airlines Offers Less Value Every Time For Passengers Flying The Cheapest Tickets

by Gary Leff on February 3, 2024

Feb 03 2024

United is the only airline that restricts full-sized carry on bags on basic economy fares. American and Delta offer better value that United on their cheapest tickets. And of course Southwest Airlines doesn’t have basic economy, and includes two checked bags at no extra charge on all tickets.

Delta Devalues SkyMiles Again, Starts Booking Cheapest International Awards As Basic Economy

by Gary Leff on April 21, 2023

Apr 21 2023

Delta has begun imposing basic economy restrictions on their cheapest coach awards for international travel. Not only does Delta charge a ton of miles for travel, they now will require you to pay for seat assignments and pay a fee to cancel and redeposit your miles unless you spend even more. They’re uncompetitive with American and United in this regard.

American Airlines Denies Plan To Bring Back Carry On Restrictions To Basic Economy

by Gary Leff on December 5, 2022

Dec 05 2022

American Airlines was showing that basic economy fares didn’t include a carry on bag to some customers checking in, though they hadn’t updated their website or made any announcement to this effect.

Demand Flexibility For Basic Economy Fares When The Passenger Gets Sick!

by Gary Leff on November 6, 2022

Nov 06 2022

Most people have gotten back to normal. That includes the airlines, judging from the photos all over twitter of dirty planes. Pandemic travel waivers are over, and basic economy fares are back.

Delta Won’t Award Miles On The Cheapest Fares Anymore – Yes, That’s A Bad Thing

by Gary Leff on December 10, 2021

It’s not ‘unfair’ of Delta, they can reward whatever they wish. There’s no bait and switch here. In that sense it’s “reasonable.” But defenses of Delta complaint ‘not baiting and switching’ with a recommendation that consumers accept the move.

Realize the bundle of value that Delta is offering on the cheapest fares is falling, and factor that when comparing their alternatives