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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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