AwardWallet receives compensation from advertising partners for links on the blog. Terms Apply to the offers listed on this page. Enrollment is required for select Amex benefits. The opinions expressed here are our own and have not been reviewed, provided, or approved by any bank advertiser. Here's our complete list of Advertisers.
Delta basic economy can offer big savings if you're willing to give up some of the benefits included with standard economy tickets. If you're on a budget, these restricted fares can be a fantastic way to travel around the country (or world!) without breaking the bank. Choosing basic economy on Delta can potentially save you hundreds of dollars, but you'll want to make sure you understand the restrictions before you book
Here's what you need to know about Delta's basic economy and how to decide if it's the right choice for your next trip.
What Is Delta Basic Economy?
Delta Air Lines offers three different pricing options for its economy cabin: Main Basic, Main Classic, and Main Extra. Main Basic is Delta's clever new name for what was sensibly called ‘basic economy' before the marketing department got its hooks into the product. Delta Main Basic offers the lowest price and comes with the most restrictions.
When you choose a Delta basic economy fare, you'll be among the last to board, and you won't be able to select your seats or change your flight. Main Basic fares don't earn redeemable SkyMiles or credit towards Delta Medallion status, and you won't be eligible for upgrades or other elite benefits.
Fortunately, your in-flight experience is largely the same — you still have a seat in the main cabin, and you'll receive the same food, beverage, and amenity options as those near you on board. It's also worth noting that Delta's basic economy baggage policy isn't much different from a regular economy ticket for most routes. We'll cover that in more detail below.
Delta Basic Economy Restrictions
Here's a more detailed look how Delta basic economy policies may affect your trip.
Delta basic economy seat selection
Basic economy seating is determined after check-in, so you might not know where you are sitting until you arrive at the airport. If you are traveling on a small plane, it might not be a big issue, but you could be stuck in the middle seat. If you are traveling with others, random seat assignments may be a bigger problem; Delta doesn’t guarantee that you’ll be assigned seats together — even if you’re booked on the same reservation.
If you're willing to pay a fee, it is possible to select a seat within 30 days and up to 24 hours prior to departure, subject to availability. Seat selection fees are charged per passenger and per flight segment, so this could substantially reduce your savings from selecting Delta's cheapest fare in the first place.
Basic economy boarding process
By default, basic economy passengers are assigned to the last boarding group, Zone 8, in Delta's boarding process. There is a decent chance that overhead bins will be completely full by the time you reach your seat — especially on a fully booked flight. In that case, Delta will gate-check larger carry-on luggage at no additional cost. Delta does not allow basic economy passengers to purchase an earlier boarding position.
However, Zone 8 boarding applies only to basic economy passengers who don't hold elite status or carry a co-brand credit card. Either can help you avoid the worst of Delta's basic economy fares. Medallion elites will board with Zones 2, 4, or 5, depending on their status level.
Co-brand cardholders also retain the boarding privileges offered by their Delta card. This perk includes up to eight travel companions traveling on the same reservation.
(Terms apply)
- 2X miles per dollar spent on purchases made directly with Delta
- 2X miles per dollar spent at U.S. supermarkets
- 2X miles per dollar at restaurants worldwide, plus takeout and delivery in the U.S.
- 1X miles on all other eligible purchases
(Terms apply)
- 3X miles per dollar spent on purchases made directly with Delta
- 3X miles per dollar at hotels
- 2X miles per dollar at U.S. supermarkets
- 2X Miles per dollar at restaurants worldwide, plus takeout and delivery in the U.S.
- 1 mile on every eligible dollar spent on purchases.
(Terms apply)
- 3X miles per dollar spent on purchases made directly with Delta
- 1X miles on every eligible dollar spent on purchases.
Basic economy policies for Delta SkyMiles members
Delta Main Basic fares purchased with cash do not earn redeemable miles or credit towards Medallion elite status. If you already hold elite status, you and your travel companions won't be eligible for paid or complimentary upgrades or preferred seat selection. This restriction applies to all Delta basic economy reservations, including award travel, paid fares, Miles + Cash bookings, and Pay with Miles tickets. Elites also give up their rights to same-day changes including same-day confirmed and same-day standby.
That leaves access to Sky Priority® as the only tangible elite benefit that isn't eliminated by choosing basic economy. In addition to retaining your boarding privileges as noted above, elites will still be able to take advantage of dedicated check-in queues, priority security lines (where available), and expedited baggage handling.
No Delta Sky Club® access for basic economy passengers
Basic economy travelers do not get Delta Sky Club access, regardless of how they normally gain entry to the lounge. This restriction applies to elites, co-brand credit card holders, and paid members alike. The only exception we could find to this policy is for Delta Sky Club Lifetime Members who purchased their access before Delta began restricting basic economy passengers in early 2023.
Fortunately, this policy only applies to Sky Clubs. A Delta basic economy ticket won't prevent qualifying Amex cardholders from accessing a Centurion lounge or using a Priority Pass membership to access other lounges that only require a same-day ticket.
It is also worth noting that these restrictions don't apply to Delta elites visiting a partner SkyTeam lounge. Specifically, Delta Gold Medallion members (and higher) can still access lounges that grant access to SkyTeam Elite Plus members. In other words, you may be able to visit an Air France / KLM or Virgin Atlantic lounge with your basic economy ticket.
Main Basic Change and Cancellation Policy
You cannot make any changes to a Delta basic economy ticket. This is not a good fare to book unless you are confident that you won't need to change your itinerary.
With that said, you are allowed cancel a Delta basic fare and receive a partial eCredit as compensation. Refunds to your original form of payment are not allowed unless you cancel within 24 hours of booking — an exception forced on Delta Air Lines by U.S. law.
The cost to cancel can be quite steep, ranging from $99 for shorter flights to €330 for long-haul itineraries originating abroad. If your ticket was cheap, the eCredit might be negligible after paying this fee.
| Origin | Destination | Cancellation Fee |
|---|---|---|
| U.S. or Canada | To Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, or Central America and flights within the U.S. | $99 |
| Caribbean | To the U.S., Canada, Mexico, and Central America (excludes flights within the Caribbean) | $99 |
| Central America | To the U.S., Canada, and within Central America | $99 |
| U.S. or Canada | To other international destinations Including South America, Africa, the Middle East, India, and Asia/Pacific | $199 |
| Caribbean | Within the Caribbean and to other international destinations including, South America, Europe, the U.K., Africa, the Middle East, India, and Asia/Pacific | $199 |
| Central America | To other international destinations, including Mexico, South America, Europe, Asia/Pacific, Africa, the Middle East, and India | $199 |
| Mexico | To Europe, the U.K, the Middle East, India, and Africa | $199 |
| Mexico | To the U.S., Canada, the Caribbean, Central America, South America, and Asia/Pacific | Not permitted |
| South America | Any destination | $330 (tickets issued after Jun 26, 2025) $199 (if issued before) |
| Europe, Morocco, Tunisia, Algeria | Any destination | €300 (tickets issued after June 26, 2025) Not permitted for tickets issued between March 21, 2024 and June 26, 2025 €200 for tickets issued prior to March 21, 2024) |
| United Kingdom | Any destination | £200 |
| Israel, Ghana, Nigeria, Senegal, and South Africa | Any destination | $200 |
| South Korea | Any destination | ₩450,000 KRW |
| Indonesia | Any destination | 4,000,000 IDR |
Delta Basic Economy Baggage
Delta Main Basic and Delta Main Classic passengers pay the same amount for a checked bag on a domestic itinerary. If you're traveling internationally, consider upgrading to the Main Classic ticket to avoid Delta baggage fees.
Carry-on policy
Every Delta passenger, regardless of fare class, can bring one carry-on item and one personal item on board. This is a bit more generous than some of the other major carriers that charge additional fees for a full-size carry-on. Be sure to check the size requirements before you arrive at the airport to ensure your personal item fits in the seat in front of you and the carry-on fits in the overhead bins.
An important caveat — travelers with a Delta Main Basic ticket will be the last people on board. If you have a full flight, the overhead bins may be full, forcing you to gate-check your bag. If you are taking a short trip and can pack in just a personal item, then this won't be a concern.
Checked baggage policy
If you are traveling on a domestic flight within the U.S. and aren't a Delta credit card holder, Medallion member, or active-duty military personnel, you will need to pay $35 for your first standard checked bag and $45 for your second standard checked bag.
The difference between Delta Main Basic and Delta Main baggage policies comes on international itineraries. For example, a checked bag on a Delta Main Basic ticket from New York to Milan would cost $75 for the first checked bag and $100 for the second checked bag. The first checked bag would be free with a Delta Main Classic ticket.
To check how much a bag would cost, you can use the calculator on Delta's baggage page.
Delta Credit Card Benefits for a Basic Economy Ticket
If you hold a Delta credit card from American Express, you can avoid two of the biggest drawbacks of flying basic economy. Cardholders keep their Zone 5 priority boarding group despite the basic economy fare and are still eligible to check their first bag for free. Both benefits are extended to other passengers traveling on the same itinerary with the primary cardholder.
For travelers who will often consider a basic economy ticket, the Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card or Delta SkyMiles® Gold Business American Express Card are an ideal choice. These have the lowest annual fees of the Delta cards while still offering benefits that apply when flying basic economy. The other Delta cards come with excellent perks, but you won't be able to take full advantage unless you book a higher fare class.
- Earn 50,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $2,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.
- Enjoy a $0 introductory Annual Fee for the first year, then $150.
- Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
- $200 Delta Flight Credit: After you spend $10,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year, you can receive a $200 Delta Flight Credit to use toward future travel.
- Earn 2X Miles on Delta purchases, at U.S. Supermarkets and at restaurants worldwide, including takeout and delivery in the U.S. Earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.
- You can check your first bag free on Delta flights, saving up to $70 on a round-trip Delta flight per person. For a family of four that's a potential savings of up to $280 per round-trip flight.
- Receive Zone 5 Priority Boarding on Delta flights; board early, stow your carry-on bag and settle in sooner.
- $100 Delta Stays Credit: Get up to $100 back per year as a statement credit after using your Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card to book prepaid hotels or vacation rentals through Delta Stays on delta.com.
- Take up to $50 off the cost of your flight for every 5,000 miles you redeem with Pay with Miles when you book on delta.com.
- Receive a 20% savings in the form of a statement credit on eligible Delta in-flight purchases after using your Card.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- With Send & Split®, you can send money and split your Card purchases with any other Venmo or PayPal user, directly from the Amex App. Enroll today.
- Apply with confidence. Know if you're approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you're approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
- Terms Apply.
- Rates & Fees
- 2X miles per dollar spent on purchases made directly with Delta
- 2X miles per dollar spent at U.S. supermarkets
- 2X miles per dollar at restaurants worldwide, plus takeout and delivery in the U.S.
- 1X miles on all other eligible purchases
Delta Basic Economy vs Main Cabin
If you're considering a Delta Main Basic ticket, the next step up will be the Main Classic branded fare, which doesnt come with any of the restrictions discussed so far. The price difference between the two classes of service can vary widely, so the right choice will depend on your route and your tolerance for the basic economy restrictions.
If you book through Delta.com, basic economy will be clearly labeled, and you'll need to check a box to accept the restrictions. However, that may not be the case if you book your ticket through an online travel agency or another third party. Basic economy fares use the booking code “E”; however, the fare basic code may show X, V, or other classes.
Casual Delta flyers who don't care about earning miles or missing out on elite status benefits should focus on whether they might need to change their itinerary and how much it's worth to avoid boarding last with a random seat assignment. You can potentially cancel a Delta Main Basic ticket for an eCredit after paying a fee. If you have a Delta Main Classic ticket, you can cancel it for an eCredit equal to the full amount of your ticket. If you book a Delta Main Extra ticket, you can get a refund to your original form of payment.
Those with the right Delta credit card can avoid the last boarding group and will still get a free checked bag even while flying in basic economy. If you hold elite status, you'll give up substantially more — especially at the top-tier, where complimentary upgrades are more likely if you opt for at least a Main Classic ticket.
Final Thoughts
Delta Main Basic comes with heavy restrictions and generally isn't a great option for most travelers. Although I regularly traveled in Delta's basic economy throughout college, especially after basic economy awards were rolled out in 2018, the sacrifices might not be worth the savings.
If you are a solo traveler who doesn't mind possibly being in a middle seat and packs light, booking a Delta Main Basic ticket could be advantageous. If not, you are likely better off with a Delta Main ticket (or first class).
For rates and fees of the cards mentioned in this post, please visit the following links: Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card (Rates & Fees), Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card (Rates & Fees), and Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card (Rates & Fees)
The comments on this page are not provided, reviewed, or otherwise approved by the bank advertiser. It is not the bank advertiser's responsibility to ensure all posts and/or questions are answered.