"I flew United's 'basic economy' and discovered a huge problem with the ticket"

[T_R_Oglodyte]

from Business Insider:

I flew United's 'basic economy' and discovered a huge problem with the ticket

• United Airlines began rolling out its basic-economy ticket — which has a number of limitations such as a no-carry-on-bag policy — in early 2017.
• In May 2017 I purchased a one-way ticket on United's basic-economy tier.
• During the purchasing and travel process I learned an important lesson about paying attention to pricing and budgeting when it comes to airfare.

 

[rickandcindy23]

I looked at the United basic economy tickets coming back from Orlando to Denver for the 10 of us. The price was very cheap, but we each have a checked bag and a carry-on bag. So in the end, it was cheaper to fly SW, even with the regular economy including a carry-on bag. It was still extra to check a bag on United. There seems to be no option for a ticket including a checked and carry-on bag with United.

 

[PigsDad]

I just purchased a United flight, and the difference between Basic Economy and Economy was only $6. No brainer. The roundtrip is on a CRJ, so no point in upgrading to economy plus because none of the seats (even the exit row) have additional leg room. E+ only gets you bulkhead, which I hate (can't stretch out my legs).

Kurt

 

[PigsDad]

There seems to be no option for a ticket including a checked and carry-on bag with United.

If you have the United CC, you get a free checked bag.

Kurt

 

[rickandcindy23]

If you have the United CC, you get a free checked bag.

Kurt

Used to have that card. I should have kept it. Would that be good for all 10 of us on the same itinerary? Our son could get the card too, I guess.

The bulkhead seats are usually a bit more room, but of course you cannot put your feet under the seat.

Frontier and Spirit have started a bad trend in economy fares.

 

[PigsDad]

Used to have that card. I should have kept it. Would that be good for all 10 of us on the same itinerary? Our son could get the card too, I guess.

I think is is only good for the cardholder +1, but not positive.

Kurt

 

[Luanne]

I think is is only good for the cardholder +1, but not positive.

Kurt

Yep, just plus one. Alaska Airlines is good for up to six, but have to be on the same locator number, not just the same itinerary.

 

[Luanne]

I looked at the United basic economy tickets coming back from Orlando to Denver for the 10 of us. The price was very cheap, but we each have a checked bag and a carry-on bag. So in the end, it was cheaper to fly SW, even with the regular economy including a carry-on bag. It was still extra to check a bag on United. There seems to be no option for a ticket including a checked and carry-on bag with United.

My daughter is flying home from Vancouver today, on United. She got a package that included: economy plus seating, priority boarding, access to the United Club lounge and one free checked bag.

 

[T_R_Oglodyte]

The writer appears to be at least a somewhat frequent traveler. The article shows that the United website clearly showed her fare options, and the associated rules and restrictions. The author just clicked through, without checking the details, which any experienced traveler knows is always important. Yet the focus of the article is that there is a was a "huge problem with the ticket".

IMNSHO, there was no problem at all with the ticket. The ticket she received was exactly what was described - nothing was hidden. The only "problem" is that she was careless. Even then she could have gotten a full refund and turned around and rebooked the ticket in the economy class she wanted; she says she didn't do that because she was afraid she might lose her seat. But again, if United is selling basic economy tickets for a flight, that's a clear indication that United has empty seats on the plane that they trying to fill. Thus, there is almost zero chance that the plane is suddenly going to have slim availability less than 24 hours after she purchased her ticket.

As an experienced traveler, she should know that in that circumstance she should go into the reservation system and do a trial booking to see if the flight is available and what fare is being offered. That simple step would have told her what the likely outcome would be if she did cancel and rebook.

********

This author does not strike me as a good resource for travel tips.

 

[bizaro86]

The main problem there appears to be user error on the part of the person booking.

 

[beejaybeeohio]

I just purchased a United flight, and the difference between Basic Economy and Economy was only $6. No brainer. The roundtrip is on a CRJ, so no point in upgrading to economy plus because none of the seats (even the exit row) have additional leg room. E+ only gets you bulkhead, which I hate (can't stretch out my legs).

Kurt

We are in the Denver United Club after disembarking an Embraer that did have premium econmy wiht more legroom than we did in regular.

If you have the United CC, you get a free checked bag.

Kurt

Plus, as replied above, here I am thanks to my CC in the United Club enjoying a chardonnay before we board our flight to PDX!

 

[LisaH]

I have bought basic economy tickets twice. The first time I was able to secure an Economy plus (E+) seat way before the flight by calling UA. Second time I was assigned an E+ seat again 24 hours prior to departure. I am a lifetime Gold member.

 

[PigsDad]

We are in the Denver United Club after disembarking an Embraer that did have premium econmy wiht more legroom than we did in regular.

Yes, the Embraer jets do have some E+ seats w/ extra leg room, but the CRJs that we are flying do not, unfortunately. It is only about 1.5 hours flying time, so its not that bad.

Kurt

 

[PigsDad]

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