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More and more airlines have introduced stripped-down basic economy fares in the last decade, and American Airlines is no different. Basic economy fares are simple, low-cost tickets. But, as with almost everything in life, you get what you pay for. That said, you may be wondering what the American Airlines basic economy tickets are like — and if it's worth buying up to a Main Cabin fare.
Hot on the heels of Delta and United, American started offering basic economy tickets in 2017. From American Airlines' basic economy carry-on policy to American Airlines' basic economy checked bag rules, here's everything you need to know before you book.
Page Contents
What Is Basic Economy on American Airlines?
Basic economy tickets are the lowest-priced tickets available from American Airlines. Because of the low price point, some limitations and restrictions apply to these tickets.
Your seat is still in the main cabin, and you'll enjoy the same benefits — like free drinks, snacks, and in-flight entertainment — offered to the passengers next to you (who may have paid more for their seats). However, you lose out on benefits like choosing your seat ahead of time, and you won't earn as many AAdvantage miles as you would with a main cabin fare.
American Airlines Basic Economy Restrictions
American Airlines basic economy tickets offer fewer perks than standard main cabin tickets. While both provide seats in the main (economy) cabin of the plane, basic economy tickets have the following rules:
- Seat selection isn't included in your ticket. When purchasing an American Airlines basic economy fare, you will need to pay a fee to choose your seat. Otherwise, seats will be assigned randomly during check-in. The system will give children under 15 a seat next to at least one adult in their party to keep families together. However, keeping the whole family together isn't guaranteed.
- American Airlines basic economy travelers will board last. You'll board in group 8 or 9, depending on your destination. Elite members, AAdvantage credit cardholders, and those who have accrued 15,000 Loyalty Points in the qualification year will board in the group shown on their boarding pass, typically meaning with the first few groups. If you require special assistance or are traveling with children under two years old, you can ask to board early at the gate.
- The only option for changing your ticket is on the day of your flight. If you try to change your flight, fees will apply. American allows basic economy travelers to stand by for a flight at no charge, should that be necessary.
- If you cancel your flight, you typically won't get a refund or a travel credit. However, there are two notable exceptions to this rule.
- If you cancel within 24 hours of booking, which only applies if you booked at least two days before departure, you'll get a refund.
- AAdvantage members flying can cancel a basic economy ticket and receive a travel credit minus a cancellation fee, subject to the following conditions:
- The flight was booked in the U.S. through American.
- The flight was on a marketed and operated American Airlines flight.
- The journey started in one of the 50 U.S. states.
- The cancellation was made on aa.com or in the American app before the departure of the first flight.
American Airlines Basic Economy vs Main Cabin
If you're on the fence about booking a basic economy ticket, let's look at the differences between ticket types.
First, the most notable difference is that a main cabin ticket includes your first checked bag free for transatlantic flights, transpacific flights, flights to Haiti, and flights to South America (excluding Guyana and Suriname). If you've booked a basic economy ticket, checked bag fees otherwise start at $35 per way.
Second, a main cabin ticket lets you change your flight ahead of time, while a basic economy ticket does not. If you need to change your basic economy flight, same-day confirmed changes start at $60. Or if something comes up and you can't take your international flight and need to cancel your basic economy booking, you'll forfeit what you paid for the flight unless you cancel in the 24-hour grace period after booking.
If you cancel your itinerary as an AAdvantage member, you'll get a travel credit for the fare amount minus a cancellation fee. The fee varies by destination, from $99 for a domestic flight up to $199 for a long-haul international trip. However, a travel credit won't be issued if the fee is more than the ticket price. Bottom line: Travel credits are not guaranteed on basic economy cancellations.
Third, seat selection is free for main cabin tickets. Basic economy ticket holders will have to pay an additional fee to select their seats ahead of time. Depending on where your flight is going, you could pay upwards of $160 (or more) for the ability to choose your seat.
AAdvantage credit card holders and elite status members can circumvent some of these restrictions, which we'll cover shortly.
Related: Do American Airlines AAdvantage Miles Expire?
Luggage Restrictions
There are some important baggage rules to be aware of when booking a basic economy ticket with American Airlines.
American Airlines basic economy carry-on policy
You're allowed one carry-on and one personal item. The carry-on must fit in the overhead bins, and the personal item must fit under the seat in front of you.
This rule is the same as the one for main cabin tickets, but there's one thing you'll want to note. Because you'll board last, the overhead bins may be full, and you may be required to gate-check your bag, which can be a hassle at times.
American Airlines basic economy checked bag policy
Checked bags start at $40 per bag per way for most domestic flights, but can cost as much as $75 for long-haul international flights. Depending on where you're going and how many bags you check, you'll want to be keenly aware of how much bags will cost. American's bag fees are posted on its website here.
However, even in basic economy, you can still enjoy your free checked bag (when flying domestically) and earlier boarding perks if you hold a co-branded American Airlines credit card. This perk alone may be one of the chief reasons to hold an American Airlines credit card.
Mileage Earnings on American Airlines Basic Economy
Even in basic economy, you'll earn AAdvantage miles and Loyalty Points on your flight, but at a different rate than those in the main cabin.
Travelers flying on an American Airlines basic economy ticket will earn AAdvantage miles and Loyalty Points at 2X per dollar spent. If you hold AAdvantage elite status, you'll still earn a bonus, but it will look different from what it usually does in the main cabin. Here's an example.
Let's say you book a $100 flight as an AAdvantage Gold member. You'll earn 2X AAdvantage miles and Loyalty Points per dollar spent, plus a 40% bonus. Essentially, you'll earn miles and Loyalty Points at a rate of 2.8 per base fare dollar. In this example, you'd earn 280 redeemable AAdvantage miles and 280 Loyalty Points. Compare that to the 7 miles / 7 Loyalty Points per dollar earned with main cabin tickets.
Related: Why I’m No Longer Crediting Flights to the American Airlines AAdvantage Program
Benefits of Being an Elite Member or Cardholder
If you're an AAdvantage elite status holder or a co-branded credit cardholder, you might not find basic economy too restrictive. Here are some of the benefits status holders and cardholders can enjoy:
- First checked bag free, plus additional bags free depending on your status. This applies to eligible AAdvantage status members and AAdvantage cardmembers when traveling on flights operated by American Airlines. However, note that AAdvantage cardmembers only get a first checked bag free on domestic American Airlines itineraries.
- Standard boarding group privileges. This includes Group 5 boarding for most cardmembers, and Groups 2–4 for elite members, depending on your status.
- Complimentary Preferred and Main Cabin Extra seat benefits, based on AAdvantage status.
- Complimentary confirmed same-day flight changes are available for AAdvantage Executive Platinum and AAdvantage Platinum Pro members.
- Regular access to upgrade privileges, including systemwide upgrades.
Related: Citi / AAdvantage Platinum Select World Elite Mastercard Review
Bottom Line
American Airlines basic economy tickets are some of the best on the market. For comparison, Delta doesn't even let you earn miles on basic economy tickets.
Although you're giving up some perks when flying on basic economy tickets and earning fewer AAdvantage miles and Loyalty Points on flights. These tickets are still a great choice for travelers who only need the basics and don't require flexibility. On the plus side, AAdvantage credit card holders can take advantage of perks offered by co-branded cards, which also offset the limitations of basic economy tickets.
Do you buy basic economy tickets? Or are the restrictions/reduced earnings too much for you?
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I just booked a Badic Economy ticket on AA.com and it let me choose my seats. No fees or anything.
Nice! Do you have American Airlines (or other Oneworld) elite status? AA’s official policy is stated: “You can choose a specific seat at any time for a fee. AAdvantage® members can choose complimentary seats based on their status. Otherwise, seats will be automatically assigned for free at check-in. We cannot guarantee that companions on the same ticket will be seated together.”
Upgrades with AA miles is important to many. Do you lose this on a BE ticket without status?
Basic economy tickets are still eligible for complimentary elite upgrades and systemwide upgrades. However, basic economy tickets can’t be upgraded with miles: https://awardwallet.com/blog/upgrade-american-flights-aadvantage-miles/
In case we have Gold status as well as the Citi credit card, does it help us get 2 free checked bags instead of 1 when booking basic economy?
I’ve only ever flown domestically, so maybe different destinations/planes offer a different view, but I’ve always been in a one-cabin plane with everyone else and never understood the difference between the different tickets and their prices. We’re all in the same space breathing the same air, yet some people are flying for less than others and it always confused me. Never understood the boarding groups either. Now I’m starting to understand a little better. So what’s the difference, then, between main cabin and business class?
Just traveled on a basic economy ticket with American (2 passengers on same reservation). Both legs of the journey split the seat assignments so that neither of us were allowed to seat together. Have not experienced this on similar “basic economy” fares on United, Spirit, or Frontier. Have other passengers experienced the same situation.
Seems like they will nickle and dime you in any way they can.
Wow. Absolutely NO changes, even with a fee. How consumer (un)friendly. Can’t believe how AA has changed over the years/decade. 🙁
With status I really don’t want to give up some of my perks to save $10. I’ll pass
Personally, I prefer the old bundled fares. I doubt I will take this option.
Wow, you can’t even reserve a seat until the last 48 hours, and there is an extra fee. Only seats left will probably be center seats. And if you have to ask how much the fee is, you probably can’t afford it.
Guess it could be good for tiny/skinny people who have an AA credit card so that they can still bring something with them on their travels without paying a fee.
If you’re pinching pennies on your airfare, why fly American (or Delta or United for that matter). With basic fares you get nothing, no chance of elite levels, may as well go with the airline offering the lowest fare at the best time of day. They are not loyal to you, why should you be to any one of them?
Another “enhancement” from legacy airlines. Bring on the foreign competition I say.
Just more reasons in my “pro” column to get another card..
No surprise the airline companies are reviewing their price-policies.
Anyway, the bad thing in the American basic economy is the fact you can’t bring with you a cabin luggage, even though it’s not clear if you can (and put it under the seat).
Is the first checked bag free with all AA credit cards? I have the Citi AA Gold WorldElite Master Card and was wondering if this card will get me a free checked bag and priority boarding. Thanks!
It is not / you card will not.
Wow! Everyday AA is more looking like a Low Cost Airlines. Since January, travels MÍA-CCs-MÍA dont bring anymore meals included In The fare
I do think this is a great idea offering low fares where you only get under seat space for a bag. If a few people choose this option it might make the whole baggage storage issues easier, and stop luggage needing to be gate checked sometimes.
I do have a Citi AA card so I can avoid most of the fees but the major concern for me is the seat assignment. Most of my travels are with family and breaking up group is definitely not acceptable. 🙁
I guess the sweet spot on this would be to book last minute on a pretty empty plane. Though, it all depends on the price.
This sounds like the Spirit business model.
This is awful Once again giving less and less to the occasional traveler. We had gone from no food being served to no luggage allowed.
The basic economy strategy will still exist but luckily just a couple of days ago the DOT put forth a potential new piece of legislation that would make declaring the price of all of the ancillary fees (baggage fees, ticket change fees, seat selection fees, check-in fees, fee differences at the airport instead of online) MANDATORY during the purchase of the ticket to an extent even more than now. So while the airlines will break the fare down into its separate elements those prices will still have to be readily visible to the consumer during the ticket purchase process which should help make buying a basic economy fare a lot more straightforward and will help to prevent people from being caught off-guard by fees they didn’t know about
If the basic economy fares are actually substantially lower than the regular main cabin fares, then I think this is a pretty good option for those of us who don’t travel with large carry-ons and don’t care about seat assignments.
the downhill slide of the travel experience continues. pretty soon we will be placed in coffin-like boxes and loaded my some machine. Ultimately we’ll get a sleeping drug injection and then shrink wrapped and stacked like cordwood.
Seriously, I expect to start paying for chair rental in waiting areas, soft drinks on flights and access to intra-airport conveyances (escalators, moving sidewalks, trams, etc.) in the near future.
So now I have another reason to think about keeping AA card open
Unless the price difference is really all that drastic I can only see this being useful in very limited situations.
This seems like a push to get AA card holders. The $95 annual fee could easily be justified with the overhead bin for the large personal item, free first checked bag and the group 1 boarding. Might be worth looking into if you have the credit card. Otherwise, pack light and get used to the middle seat by the lav!
Is the First Checked bag free with AA credit card?
Yes, it is.
I suspect most of us who read this site and others aren’t going to be the type to book this fare. That said, there may be some benefit for those out there who are just needing a cheap flight somewhere, and aren’t necessarily concerned about comfort, amenities, etc. Will it work? We’ll see. In the end the market will speak.
Not that bad you still earn reduced millage.
It seems that this option might be attractive if you are a holder of a AA co-branded credit card. You would still board with group 1 or 2 and you can have a overhead bin carry-on with no fee.
Hope their basic E doesn’t become as bad as BA..
This is consisten with the debundling of the airline ticket and the travelling experience into a myriad ancillary revenue streams
I wonder how much the total will be if you add all the stuff they remove? I’m thinking it will be higher than the “normal fare” after all the fees (w/ taxes) get added to the basic economy fare.
I think this is the fear that many have — at least I do.
Not bad if you have status or a card, but a double edged sword here – hard to maintain status since you aren’t earning full miles. If these tickets only save a few bucks wouldn’t be worth it unless you only fly a few times per year and don’t care about miles. In this case, an airline credit card would still give you good seats, boarding and carry ons.
if have aa credit card, then will not be much difference with regular economy. The next question is, how much less is basic economy gonna be…
Personally, it’d be hard for me to book basic economy. Booking this fare seems that you’d likely end up in a middle seat somewhere in the back.