United Basic Economy - ok in this scenario?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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.

I’m aware the flight will most likely be full- these days it seems like all flights are full. As I said, half full plane was wishful thinking on my part.

[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.

I was exaggerating about being shamed. I’ve got pretty thick skin. Sure, some stuff bothers me, but I don’t think an anonymous message board affects me that much 😊

[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.

Hey, I’ll do you one better, I’m flying red-eye back to DC from LAX next week, and am flying United Basic Economy. 😂

Do whatever works for you. Cheap flights are great if the limitations aren’t a problem for you.

[Anonymous]

At one point, I was a basic economy all the way kind of person. As I’ve added more people to my family, I’ve started to consider how likely are we to need to change something or cancel? Would I rather lose the cost of the whole trip or pay extra for flexibility? Do I need travel insurance? (Maybe not if I’m buying a ticket that allows for changes?) I think the upshot, for me, is that I take fewer flights these days.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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.

I was exaggerating about being shamed. I’ve got pretty thick skin. Sure, some stuff bothers me, but I don’t think an anonymous message board affects me that much 😊

Sounds like it does if you felt strongly enough to jump on to warn OP.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:At one point, I was a basic economy all the way kind of person. As I’ve added more people to my family, I’ve started to consider how likely are we to need to change something or cancel? Would I rather lose the cost of the whole trip or pay extra for flexibility? Do I need travel insurance? (Maybe not if I’m buying a ticket that allows for changes?) I think the upshot, for me, is that I take fewer flights these days.

Even with a Basic Economy fare don’t you still have a credit if you have to cancel?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

I was exaggerating about being shamed. I’ve got pretty thick skin. Sure, some stuff bothers me, but I don’t think an anonymous message board affects me that much 😊

Sounds like it does if you felt strongly enough to jump on to warn OP.

Not really. But if it makes you feel better, you can pretend that I didn’t sleep a wink all night due to the responses I received. If I was on anxiety meds, also imagine that I had to double up on them due to the trauma and shame I experienced.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

I was exaggerating about being shamed. I’ve got pretty thick skin. Sure, some stuff bothers me, but I don’t think an anonymous message board affects me that much 😊

Sounds like it does if you felt strongly enough to jump on to warn OP.

Agree. It also obviously hit a nerve because you felt the need in your thread and this thread to bash the posters who dared not agree with you.

[Anonymous]

Hey - If you can do it kudos.

We never check in bags so I need to not fly Basic and be able to do carry on.

I would die if I could not choose my seats esp on a flight 2+ hours anywhere. I don't care about sitting together as a family and we are small but good F god the seats are SO uncomfortable v the seats that are just a bit wider. We don't do prem econ but not basic econ either.

I think if you aren't used to more and you save a lot, why not. It won't kill you. It would kill me and my family LOL but again - good for you. For me, that's the kind of stuff that I'll spend money on. I won't spend money on a manicure or pedicure but oh yeah, flying in a cramped seat smelling the bathroom for 4 or 5 hours - that's not a good way to start a holiday for me

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Hey - If you can do it kudos.

We never check in bags so I need to not fly Basic and be able to do carry on.

I would die if I could not choose my seats esp on a flight 2+ hours anywhere. I don't care about sitting together as a family and we are small but good F god the seats are SO uncomfortable v the seats that are just a bit wider. We don't do prem econ but not basic econ either.

I think if you aren't used to more and you save a lot, why not. It won't kill you. It would kill me and my family LOL but again - good for you. For me, that's the kind of stuff that I'll spend money on. I won't spend money on a manicure or pedicure but oh yeah, flying in a cramped seat smelling the bathroom for 4 or 5 hours - that's not a good way to start a holiday for me

I'm confused by this -- I wasn't aware that there were other options. As far as I have seen, there is the standard economy seat, sometimes a "premium" economy seat which is slightly wider, and then business and/or first class. I have never looked longingly at the premium economy seats -- they are barely better than standard economy and cost way more, typically. I do spring for the seat selection when I'm travelling with kids, because I don't think anyone would appreciate sitting next to a random unsupervised small child.

[Anonymous]

Basic Economy is fine if it's less than 3 hrs and I'm not in the middle seat (I'm a "full figured" guy with broad shoulders). I'll sell my kids to avoid the middle seat. Aisle is best as I kind of spill into the aisle.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: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.

Economy is fine.

However checked bags for your whole family, no.

Your teens pack and deal with their own stuff and you don't check bags. Everyone takes one roller or backpack that is it.

You are right about one thing you do not travel much.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Hey - If you can do it kudos.

We never check in bags so I need to not fly Basic and be able to do carry on.

I would die if I could not choose my seats esp on a flight 2+ hours anywhere. I don't care about sitting together as a family and we are small but good F god the seats are SO uncomfortable v the seats that are just a bit wider. We don't do prem econ but not basic econ either.

I think if you aren't used to more and you save a lot, why not. It won't kill you. It would kill me and my family LOL but again - good for you. For me, that's the kind of stuff that I'll spend money on. I won't spend money on a manicure or pedicure but oh yeah, flying in a cramped seat smelling the bathroom for 4 or 5 hours - that's not a good way to start a holiday for me

Are you 15? You sound like my teenager with all the “I would die” and “it would kill me” talk. You sound like a valley girl.

[Anonymous]

I simply do not feel I need to write like I received my BA in English from Northwestern while commenting anonymously on this forum. I can talk to a taxi driver as easy as I can to a CEO. You should be a lot less stuffy. Who cares how I'm writing as long as you get the gist of what I'm communicating. You really need me to use big words to answer OPs question here?!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Hey - If you can do it kudos.

We never check in bags so I need to not fly Basic and be able to do carry on.

I would die if I could not choose my seats esp on a flight 2+ hours anywhere. I don't care about sitting together as a family and we are small but good F god the seats are SO uncomfortable v the seats that are just a bit wider. We don't do prem econ but not basic econ either.

I think if you aren't used to more and you save a lot, why not. It won't kill you. It would kill me and my family LOL but again - good for you. For me, that's the kind of stuff that I'll spend money on. I won't spend money on a manicure or pedicure but oh yeah, flying in a cramped seat smelling the bathroom for 4 or 5 hours - that's not a good way to start a holiday for me

I'm confused by this -- I wasn't aware that there were other options. As far as I have seen, there is the standard economy seat, sometimes a "premium" economy seat which is slightly wider, and then business and/or first class. I have never looked longingly at the premium economy seats -- they are barely better than standard economy and cost way more, typically. I do spring for the seat selection when I'm travelling with kids, because I don't think anyone would appreciate sitting next to a random unsupervised small child.

United seats: Basic econ, Econ, Econ Plus, premium, Business, Polaris/First.

Do you not fly much?

I fly Econ Plus when 3+ hrs or so - that's between Econ and Premium as I referenced.