United Basic Economy - ok in this scenario?

[Anonymous]

I've been googling and see the general consensus is to NEVER book United Basic Economy. But I think it might be ok for our trip, what do you think?

Family of 5, hardly ever fly, don't care about status, when we board or how we check-in.

3 kids are teens, so we don't need to sit together. All small people, so don't think we really care where we sit either.

Short trip, usually pack 1 checked bag for whole family, maybe 2. Rest of us will just take a backpack with electronics.

Savings is $90 per ticket (domestic), so adds up over 5 tickets

The main con I see is not being able to change flights without a fee, but I think the $90 per ticket over 5 tickets makes this worth it.

[Anonymous]

we've done it. It was fine.
My son and I once got the two middle seats in the very back row. But we survived.

[Anonymous]

i always book the cheapest - its fine

[Anonymous]

My husband and I did it. We checked one bag and had two backpacks on the plane. We both ended up with window seats.

[Anonymous]

You can still pay and reserve seats - it is typically cheaper to do that than buy regular economy.

[Anonymous]

Basic Economy is fine. I think biggest drawback is no/minimal accrual for status, which you don’t care about.

Also, be careful with trying to save money on DCUM. I posted yesterday about saving money by booking a red eye flight and got shamed, The savings for four tickets was $2,000, which is pennies in DCUM, but a lot of money to my family.

[Anonymous]

It’s fine, OP. We fly domestically on United Economy all the time. A few hours here or there is not a hardship. We’re also small, so legroom is not an issue.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Basic Economy is fine. I think biggest drawback is no/minimal accrual for status, which you don’t care about.

Also, be careful with trying to save money on DCUM. I posted yesterday about saving money by booking a red eye flight and got shamed, The savings for four tickets was $2,000, which is pennies in DCUM, but a lot of money to my family.

I don’t think you got shamed. People were pointing out that you and the kids won’t get enough sleep in the plane so it can be a pretty rough day when you get to this coast. For a lot of people, it’s worth paying more to avoid it. Obviously, YMMV.

[Anonymous]

op here, thanks for the responses. They have been reassuring.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Basic Economy is fine. I think biggest drawback is no/minimal accrual for status, which you don’t care about.

Also, be careful with trying to save money on DCUM. I posted yesterday about saving money by booking a red eye flight and got shamed, The savings for four tickets was $2,000, which is pennies in DCUM, but a lot of money to my family.

I don’t think you got shamed. People were pointing out that you and the kids won’t get enough sleep in the plane so it can be a pretty rough day when you get to this coast. For a lot of people, it’s worth paying more to avoid it. Obviously, YMMV.

I guess I exaggerated about being “shamed.” Maybe “derided?” Anyway, it’s fine. I guess the comment(s) that cast me as cheap and an amateur flier made me chuckle. It’s just DCUM is so if you’re not flying first class and going to Europe twice a year and Aspen for your ski trips, you’re doing it wrong.

[Anonymous]

It’s fine, OP, for all the reasons you state. Not sure what other expenses are involved in this trip, but you might want to get “cancel for any reason” travel insurance which would cover the flights if you need to cancel - I believe it would be about the cost of one or one and half of those $90 upgrades so may be worth (esp since it would cover your other trip expenses - hotel, can rental etc).

[Anonymous]

I fly a ton and well often book basic economy. It’s totally fine and well worth the savings, especially if you’re sure you’ll take the trip. If you had young kids they’ll seat at least one parent with the kid automatically.

[Anonymous]

You clearly understand the rules and you're OK with them, so it should be totally fine.

Problems arise when when people try to book basic economy and then complain that they can't pick a seat next to their kid and are horrified the mean gate agent didn't let them bring their rolly bag on board.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Basic Economy is fine. I think biggest drawback is no/minimal accrual for status, which you don’t care about.

Also, be careful with trying to save money on DCUM. I posted yesterday about saving money by booking a red eye flight and got shamed, The savings for four tickets was $2,000, which is pennies in DCUM, but a lot of money to my family.

I don’t think you got shamed. People were pointing out that you and the kids won’t get enough sleep in the plane so it can be a pretty rough day when you get to this coast. For a lot of people, it’s worth paying more to avoid it. Obviously, YMMV.

I guess I exaggerated about being “shamed.” Maybe “derided?” Anyway, it’s fine. I guess the comment(s) that cast me as cheap and an amateur flier made me chuckle. It’s just DCUM is so if you’re not flying first class and going to Europe twice a year and Aspen for your ski trips, you’re doing it wrong.

If you think you were shamed or derided by the majority of posters, you need thicker skin. Most people were just saying they dislike short west coast/east cost red eyes (I was one of those posters), and also that your plane will not be empty. You are being more judgmental than most of the people who replied to you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Basic Economy is fine. I think biggest drawback is no/minimal accrual for status, which you don’t care about.

Also, be careful with trying to save money on DCUM. I posted yesterday about saving money by booking a red eye flight and got shamed, The savings for four tickets was $2,000, which is pennies in DCUM, but a lot of money to my family.

I don’t think you got shamed. People were pointing out that you and the kids won’t get enough sleep in the plane so it can be a pretty rough day when you get to this coast. For a lot of people, it’s worth paying more to avoid it. Obviously, YMMV.

I guess I exaggerated about being “shamed.” Maybe “derided?” Anyway, it’s fine. I guess the comment(s) that cast me as cheap and an amateur flier made me chuckle. It’s just DCUM is so if you’re not flying first class and going to Europe twice a year and Aspen for your ski trips, you’re doing it wrong.

If you think you were shamed or derided by the majority of posters, you need thicker skin. Most people were just saying they dislike short west coast/east cost red eyes (I was one of those posters), and also that your plane will not be empty. You are being more judgmental than most of the people who replied to you.

+1. People basically told you this. And that if you booked expecting it to be empty, it’s unlikely but not impossible.