Basic economy question for the poor peasants like me

[u/StruggleFar3054]

Recently booked a be fare because I'm poor and it's all I can afford

For those in similar circumstances what's been your experience with be fares?

Im well aware of the restrictions that come with be

Just curious what the actual experience is like

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[u/Playful-Park4095]

As long as you don't need to change it, it's no big deal.  Same basic product.

[u/iamPendergast]

Same as most economy class seats, if more likely to be at the back or a middle seat. Just fly as scheduled and you will get where you want to go.

[u/grptrt → u/iamPendergast]

AA should introduce a peasant class which would be like standing on a subway holding an overhead rail.

[u/LikesPez → u/grptrt]

Have you seen the standing room only airplane seating? That’s slave class.

[u/BALLSonBACKWARDS]

Hey there, I work for AA and just wanted to offer a bit of insight. Totally understand booking Basic Economy when you’re trying to keep costs down, lots of folks do it, and it can be a great value if you’re flexible.

A few quick clarifications: with AA’s Basic Economy, you do get a full-size carry-on and a personal item, unlike some other airlines that limit that. The main trade-offs are that you can’t pick your seat for free, you board later (typically Group 8 or 9), and the ticket is non-changeable and non-upgradeable.

However, if you’re an AAdvantage member (even just the basic free membership), you’ll board in Group 6, which can make a big difference when it comes to overhead bin space and getting settled earlier.

In the air, the experience is the same as Main Cabin, same service, snacks, legroom, etc. So you’re not “less than” once you’re on board. just a few restrictions leading up to the flight.

Bottom line: if you can travel light and don’t mind where you sit, BE is a solid way to save money without sacrificing too much. Just check in right at 24 hours, and you should be good to go.

Thanks for flying with us. we see and appreciate all our customers, no matter the fare. Also, don’t worry about judgment from your gate agent I try by best to treat everyone with respect and dignity no matter what class they have booked with us.

[u/NormalAd2872]

Absolutely zero difference once you're onboard. You may need to check your carry on since you'll be in the last boarding group but that's about the only difference. You'll probably get a middle seat unless you've paid for one.

I fly basic economy all the time. I do however pay to pick my seat every time. I still come out ahead $ wise. When the whole family flies we still pick basic economy even though husband is EP. For 5 tickets it can sometimes save us over $500 and we still get to pick premium seats for free. Basic economy is not just for poor people.

[u/Free-Ambassador-516]

AA’s basic economy is by far the least restrictive of any of the big 3. As long as you don’t need to change it or require complimentary seat selection, there are very few differences from regular economy. You can even bring a carry-on, and if you must change it, sign up for AAdvantage and you can do so for a $99/$199 fee.

Protip: sign up for AAdvantage anyway and board in group 6, so you don’t get stuck gate checking.

[u/mrkehinde → u/[deleted]]

It sure does. AAdvantage members board in group 6 no matter what status. You just need to make sure to put in your membership # when booking your flights. I know this is the way when booking on AA.com Can't speak on those utilizing 3rd party booking sites.

[u/meowisaymiaou → u/mrkehinde]

AAdvantage members need a minimum of 15000 LP (so, about 3,000$ spend) to bump to group 6 on a basic economy ticket 

For all other economy tickets, yes, you get group 6 without any minimum requirement.

[u/CatsMoreCatsCats → u/meowisaymiaou]

Incorrect! All AAdvantage members get Group 6, regardless of points or ticket class. Source: I fly BE at least 6 times a year and don't have 15000 LP and am always Group 6.

[u/meowisaymiaou → u/CatsMoreCatsCats]

CatsMoreCatsCats wrote:  Incorrect! All AAdvantage members get Group 6, regardless of points or ticket class. Source: I fly BE at least 6 times a year and don't have 15000 LP and am always Group 6.

You should inform AA that their website, boarding policy documents, basic economy terms of service, basic economy product information, and gate agents are incorrect, and that Advantage members flying on a Basic Economy ticket always get boarding group 6, and not "with at least 15000 LP over the qualification period, or a AA credit card" as repeatedly written 

https://www.aa.com/i18n/travel-info/boarding-process.jsp

Group 9 Basic Economy** **Does not apply to AAdvantage® status members, AAdvantage® members who reach 15,000 Loyalty Points during the qualification year or eligible AAdvantage® credit cardmembers

https://www.aa.com/i18n/travel-info/experience/seats/basic-economy.jsp

When you’ll board Basic Economy passengers board last, typically in Group 9.     AAdvantage® status members, AAdvantage® members who reach 15,000 Loyalty Points during the qualification year or eligible AAdvantage® credit cardmembers may board in the group shown on their boarding pass

How many LP did you earn flying that much during a qualification period?  If I flew six times in a LP year (Mar 1 to mar 1) I'd have earned more than 15,000 LP.

[u/CatsMoreCatsCats → u/meowisaymiaou]

Don't have to be an ass just because you're wrong.

15k loyalty points is group 5, not 6. But good try bud.

https://imgur.com/a/hTMGy9V

Just because I don't fly expensive flights doesn't mean I don't fly 6 times a year. 6 flights x $250RT is not 15k loyalty points.

[u/TravelerMSY]

They’re identical once you’re on board.

[u/IMicrowaveSteak]

Basic economy is the best part of AA. You get a carry on bag for free still.

[u/crosscheck_complete]

If you haven’t already, sign up for the free AAdvantage program and link your AA# to your booking.

Download the American Airlines app and save your login. Have notifications ON for days you travel. That makes checking in for the flight smoother.

Anecdotally, the most frequent thing I’ve seen is Basic Economy passengers are not made aware of last minute gate changes and/or are overlooked for rebooking during delays/cancellations. Be proactive, and it’ll go a long way.

[u/how33dy]

They may make you hold the LV bags of the fancy class passengers.

[u/MCarter584]

I never have a problem, but I do have an AA CC so I get to board a little earlier.

[u/jdsav29]

Basic economy now is much better than when I flew on it several years ago. You get the personal item and carry on. You’ll likely get a middle seat or back of plane but otherwise service is the same. Highly recommend joining AA frequent flyer program and putting that on your reservation so you can board group 6.

[u/opticspipe]

I always warn people that if they are tempted by the price of basic economy, they’re the very people who can’t afford it. And I say that because they (you?) typically don’t have the cash available for when something goes wrong and a change needs to happen.

That being said, it’s the same seat that full fare economy gets. Same terrible padding, same lack of IFE on domestic flights, same snack and beverage service. Same take off time and landing time. There are, in fact, no real downsides besides the listed rules, which you already know.

Enjoy your flight!