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Basic economy fares are often the least expensive fares you’ll find. If you’ve booked a basic economy fare on American Airlines, you may have some questions. Specifically, you may wonder what restrictions you face and whether there are ways to avoid these restrictions. This guide aims to answer all of your questions. New to The Points Guy? Sign up for our daily newsletter to stay up to date on points, miles and credit cards. What's basic economy?(Photo by Zach Griff/The Points Guy)American Airlines’ basic economy is the carrier’s lowest-priced main cabin fare. It comes with some restrictions on baggage, seating, boarding order and your eligibility to change. This guide will answer common questions about these restrictions. American Airlines waives some basic economy restrictions for elite members and holders of eligible AAdvantage Aviator or Citi / AAdvantage credit cards. I’ll discuss these exceptions in sections dedicated to elite members and cardholders near the end of this guide. Related: Comparing basic economy fares across US airlines Can I check a bag?Yes, but it’s going to cost you:
The costs for checked baggage are the same for basic economy and Main Cabin fares on most routes. Notable exceptions that waive the first checked bag fee for Main Cabin fares include transatlantic flights, flights to/from South America (excluding Guyana) and flights to/from Panama. See the chart for checked baggage fees on American’s website for more details. Related: How to avoid checked baggage fees on major domestic airlines
Sign up for our daily newsletter Can I bring a carry-on?Yes, your ticket allows one personal item and one carry-on item. Your personal item must be no larger than 18 by 14 by 8 inches and should fit under the seat in front of you. Meanwhile, your carry-on bag must fit in the overhead bin and cannot be larger than 22 by 14 by 9 inches. Related: Keep calm and carry on: Our 13 favorite travel carry-ons Can I select a seat?Yes, but it will cost you. You can choose a specific seat at any time during or after booking for a fee. Main Cabin Extra seats provide a bit more legroom. (Photo by JT Genter/The Points Guy)If you don’t choose to pay to select a seat, American Airlines will automatically assign you a seat for free at check-in. American Airlines has the following policy for families traveling in basic economy: If you’re a family traveling with children under 15, and do not already have seats assigned, our system will search for seats together automatically before the day of departure. We’ll try our best to keep you together, but if seats are limited, we’ll assign seats so children under 15 are next to at least 1 adult. Basic economy seats aren’t different from other standard seats in coach. Instead, they’re the seats that aren’t selected by other passengers before you check in. Contributor Brian Biros recommends not picking a seat in hopes of scoring a free upgrade. After all, you might luck into a preferred seat or a Main Cabin Extra seat. But I recommend paying to select seats if you really want a window or aisle seat, need extra legroom or want your group to sit together. Related: A beginners guide to American Airlines economy seats When can I board?Basic economy passengers generally board in the last boarding group, which is Group 9 for flights within the U.S., Canada, Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean, and Group 8 for flights to/from Europe, South America and Africa. You may be required to gate-check your carry-on bag, but doing so will be free. However, if you are an AAdvantage member, you’ll board in Group 6. Related: Why I always board last, no matter where I’m sitting on the plane Can I change my flight?Economy seats on an American Airlines Boeing 787-8. (Photo by Katie Genter/The Points Guy)Although American Airlines has removed most change fees, the carrier excluded basic economy. American Airlines doesn’t allow any changes to basic economy fares within the U.S., Canada, Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean. And although American Airlines allows travelers to make changes after paying a fee when traveling to/from Europe, South America and Africa, the American Airlines fee chart lists a charge of up to $750 for voluntary changes to an international ticket before the day of travel. So, the change fee almost certainly won’t be worth it. American Airlines’ global coronavirus waiver no longer applies to basic economy airfare. Note, however, that if you’re an AAdvantage Member, you can apply the value of any unused ticket booked between Jan. 1, 2020, and Dec. 31, 2021, to any trip before Dec. 31, 2022 (also note that you have to book the ticket before Sept. 30, 2022). Related: How to avoid airline change and cancellation fees Can I cancel my flight?No, except if 1) you cancel the ticket within 24 hours of purchase, 2) American changes your flight schedule by 61 minutes or more, 3) you or your traveling companion dies, or 4) because of military orders. In these cases, American Airlines may refund the purchase price to your original form of payment if you can provide valid documentation. However, thanks to American Airlines’ global coronavirus waiver, you can cancel basic economy tickets booked between March 1, 2020, and Jan. 31, 2021, for any reason. Related: Leniency in basic economy: TPG readers share success stories and tips Do I still earn miles?Yes! For travel after Jan. 1, 2022, basic economy fares earn award miles and Loyalty Points. Related: Where to credit your basic economy flights for maximum returns Does having a cobranded credit card help?Having an American Airlines credit card can decrease the negatives of flying on a basic economy fare. (Photo by Isabelle Raphael/The Points Guy)Yes, having one of the eligible cobranded American Airlines credit cards can improve your basic economy experience. As a holder of one of these cards, you’ll get the following benefits even when flying on a basic economy fare:
Note that you only need to have an eligible card — you don’t have to purchase your ticket with the eligible card. So you can get the boarding and baggage benefits of a cobranded American Airlines credit card even when you pay for your ticket with a card that provides travel protections such as trip delay protection and baggage delay protection. If you’re looking for a card that provides Group 4 or 5 boarding and your first checked bag free on domestic itineraries, consider getting one of the following cards:
The information for the CitiBusiness AAdvantage Platinum Select card, AAdvantage Aviator Red card and AAdvantage Aviator Business card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. Related: AA, Delta and United lounges have limited access to customers flying with them: Here’s what to do Does having elite status help?Yes, having AAdvantage or Oneworld elite status helps. Specifically, elite members get the following benefits even when flying on a basic economy fare:
In short, if you have AAdvantage elite status, it might make sense to book basic economy if the fare is significantly lower. Related: Credit cards that can help you earn airline elite status Bottom lineAmerican Airlines’ basic economy fares come with restrictions. But, travelers with elite status or an eligible American Airlines credit card can escape many of the inconveniences of basic economy. Specifically, these passengers receive their customary baggage allowance and boarding zone provided by their elite status or eligible credit card. In particular, having a credit card such as the Citi / AAdvantage Platinum Select World Elite Mastercard provides the first checked bag free on domestic flights and Group 5 boarding. So, you could get enough value to justify the card’s annual fee after saving checked baggage fees on just a couple of domestic flights. Related: Why now is the perfect time to reconsider basic economy fares Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities. Is there any way to change a Basic Economy flight?Flight changes and cancellations
Your Basic Economy ticket doesn't allow you to change your domestic flight, even with a fee, and you also won't be eligible for same-day changes or standby. That's why it can be risky to book a Basic Economy ticket.
Are American Airlines Economy tickets changeable?Here's what you can expect: No more change fees for all domestic, short-haul international and select long-haul international flying on Premium Cabin, Premium Economy and Main Cabin fares. Basic Economy fares bought on or after April 1, 2021 are non-refundable and non-changeable.
Can you cancel a Basic Economy ticket on American Airlines?American Airlines will not allow you to cancel a Basic Economy ticket unless it is canceled within 24 hours from the time it was purchased.
How much does it cost to change an economy flight on American Airlines?Airline flight change fees for economy fares. |
Can i change my basic economy ticket american airlines
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