Flying - basic fare vs economy or "plus"

[Anonymous]

I am looking at tickets for a late summer trip. Probably on Jet Blue or American. Both look to have 3-4 tiers of tickets, from basic to mid level to first class.

Is there any reason to pay extra for mid-level instead of basic other than the advertised benefits? I.e. if the basic ticket doesn't get you an assigned seat in advance, are you more likely to get bumped from the flight if it's overbooked? Does having mid-level over basic give you priority if your flight is cancelled? If it's worth the extra $ I can pay it, just don't want to waste $.

[Anonymous]

Basic is terrible. You can only put a small bag under your seat, do not get miles, board last, get stuck in the middle. Unless you are a poor college student or are otherwise poor...avoid like the plague

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Basic is terrible. You can only put a small bag under your seat, do not get miles, board last, get stuck in the middle. Unless you are a poor college student or are otherwise poor...avoid like the plague

Only United restricts carry-on bag size with basic economy tickets. American and JetBlue both allow normal sized carry-ons.

That said I book regular economy for flexibility and ability to choose seats

[Anonymous]

I always book regular economy since I fly alone or with my teen and don’t want for us to be stuck in the middle literally, plus more flexibility with changes. However I know at least two instances (single person and a family of 4) where people buy basic and vouch for it. One doesn’t mind the middle and doesn’t have much carryon; the other family just says they seat us together or 2 and 2 anyway.

[Anonymous]

If your flight is cancelled, you do have lower status than those who paid more. If you book with their partner credit card and have decent status in their mileage club, that will help your poor pauper situation.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Basic is terrible. You can only put a small bag under your seat, do not get miles, board last, get stuck in the middle. Unless you are a poor college student or are otherwise poor...avoid like the plague

Only United restricts carry-on bag size with basic economy tickets. American and JetBlue both allow normal sized carry-ons.

That said I book regular economy for flexibility and ability to choose seats

Does United still offer basic? I know they did back in the fall but the last couple times I have booked tickets basic wasn't even an option.

[Anonymous]

I book basic everywhere. There are carry on restrictions on the vast majority of airlines for basic, definitely including jet blue. I travel super light and paying for anything more than basic is generally a waste of money. I skip 1 out of every 5 flights (and rebook a full new one) and it still works out to being a much better deal. Why flush money?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I book basic everywhere. There are carry on restrictions on the vast majority of airlines for basic, definitely including jet blue. I travel super light and paying for anything more than basic is generally a waste of money. I skip 1 out of every 5 flights (and rebook a full new one) and it still works out to being a much better deal. Why flush money?

Same. Basic gets you a lot of the same things as regular. It’s a gimmick to pay more.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Basic is terrible. You can only put a small bag under your seat, do not get miles, board last, get stuck in the middle. Unless you are a poor college student or are otherwise poor...avoid like the plague

Only United restricts carry-on bag size with basic economy tickets. American and JetBlue both allow normal sized carry-ons.

That said I book regular economy for flexibility and ability to choose seats

Does United still offer basic? I know they did back in the fall but the last couple times I have booked tickets basic wasn't even an option.

Depends on the route, they don't offer it on all flights. But they do on most.

[Anonymous]

Just flew United Basic. dH and I both had window seats 1 row apart. We checked 1 bag for $30 but saved over $100. Who cares when you get on the plane with no carry on.

We looked at seat selection and at that time there were only middles available so we did basic and got assigned windows. I actually had an empty seat next to me.

[Anonymous]

Don’t do basic with minor children. Or at least, children you’d be upset to be seated away from.

Read the restrictions and see if you can deal with it. That’s really all there is to it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Don’t do basic with minor children. Or at least, children you’d be upset to be seated away from.

Read the restrictions and see if you can deal with it. That’s really all there is to it.

Airlines have to seat you with your kids. Don’t pay more to do that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Don’t do basic with minor children. Or at least, children you’d be upset to be seated away from.

Read the restrictions and see if you can deal with it. That’s really all there is to it.

Just check in when prompted and you should be fine. Chill.

[Anonymous]

Pay the extra to choose your seat.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Don’t do basic with minor children. Or at least, children you’d be upset to be seated away from.

Read the restrictions and see if you can deal with it. That’s really all there is to it.

Airlines have to seat you with your kids. Don’t pay more to do that.

No they don’t.