I am back to flying every month.
It was my goal as a blogger.
Later, I hope to fly more frequently than that too.
This year’s goal for 2024 will be to put more stamps in my passport, and visit more countries.
I am a regular girl with a regular day job until I become a full time entrepreneur.
My schedule is more flexible than the average person, but I still work a full time job.
In order for me to fly every month or even more often later, I save money on flights.
I keep my flights as close to $100 as possible.
One way I do this is by flying primarily Basic Economy.
For the past two years, all my flights except an American Airlines award flight have been in Basic Economy.
This is usually an average of $60 or more savings on a round trip flight.
This $60 savings can be the different between $150 flight and a $210 flight.
That is worthwhile for me.
Later, I plan to fly Frontier, Spirit, and other low cost carriers for $40 round trip.
Basic Economy is not for everyone though.
Some people, like families who need to sit with small children, probably should not fly Basic Economy (unless they change something for families later).
Should you fly Basic Economy?
Here is more information to make your decision.
What Is Basic Economy?
Basic Economy was created by the legacy airlines to compete with discount carriers like Frontier and Spirit.
Basic Economy and regular economy are the same cabin.
For instance, if you bought a regular economy ticket you may be sitting next to someone in a middle seat who bought a Basic Economy ticket.
Basically, the seat selection is one of the main differences.
You are not allowed to select your seat until the last minute if you buy a Basic Economy ticket.
This might mean the dreaded middle seat is all that is left
So, Basic Economy is not a separate part of the plane.
It is all economy.
It is more about your seat selection as well as other distinctions I will explain below.
Again, you are in the economy section of the plane, usually referred to as Main Cabin.
That is different from First Class and Economy Plus.
Here are some key differences:
- seat selection usually not allowed on Basic Economy until 24 hours before departure again
- may end up in a middle seat
- board last
- won’t be able to bring a free carry on airlines like United and JetBlue
- not allowed to change your ticket
- can’t upgrade your seat
- may not earn miles (delta) or as many miles
I will explain these restrictions more in detail for each airline in a later section.
Basically, you may get a middle set, will board last, and won’t be able to change your ticket.
Who Should Avoid Basic Economy?
People with small children should probably avoid Basic Economy again.
You will not be able to sit together.
I think airlines are moving toward keeping families together though.
Until that happens, if you need to sit with small children, you probably should avoid Basic Economy though.
Here are other groups who should avoid Basic Economy:
- must sit together as a group
- must have the ability to upgrade
- want to change your ticket
- have a long flight
Who Should Fly Basic Economy?
Again, during the past 2 years, I have flown almost nothing but Basic Economy.
As I said earlier, I used American Airlines award miles for a one way flight.
American Airlines does not put people in Basic Economy if using award miles.
Basic Economy works for me again.
Again, to fly every month or more, I try to keep my round trip prices around $100-$150.
Here is who should fly Basic Economy:
- travel alone
- don’t mind a middle seat
- won’t change your plans
- don’t have elite status
- don’t mind boarding last
- don’t mind not sitting with a travel partner
Note Airlines Don’t Always Enforce Restrictions
Again, the last two years I have flown almost only Basic Economy.
I have noticed that airlines don’t always enforce restrictions.
First, I have been offered an upgrade to a better seat, even first class and Economy Plus on every flight.
On my flight last March from LaGuardia to Charlotte on American Airlines, I paid just $13 to get a window seat when I checked in.
The flight to LaGuardia had an annoying seat mate who kept the window shades down.
I could not see the New York skyline view.
So, I decided to pay $13 on the return flight.
That was only because of the New York City skyline too.
Next, Basic Economy is not supposed to refund miles.
On two occasions, I changed my Delta award flight.
I got my miles refunded both times.
I don’t think that would happen with a cash ticket though.
So, basically a lot of stuff is not enforced.
Keep this in mind when you make your decision.
Basic Economy Restrictions By Airline
Here is a list of things you can and cannot do on each airline.
It is just a quick summary.
I will write a more in depth guide later.
JetBlue
- No free carryon (only personal item)
Delta
- Get free carry on
- Won’t earn miles
American
- Get free carry on
- Earn partial miles
United
- Like JetBlue, no free carry on, only free personal item
- Will earn miles
Changing Your Ticket: The Only Reason For Me to Go Regular Economy
Since the pandemic, airlines have made it easier to change your ticket.
They will even give you a waiver during bad weather.
I have had no need to change my ticket so far.
This would be the only reason I would pay for a regular economy seat.
Again, I don’t fly with small children though.
American Airlines is making positive changes to it’s loyalty program.
It now allows people to pay $90 to change their ticket.
So, maybe this won’t be an issue in the future on other airlines.
Summary
To fly every month, I need keep my cash tickets as close to $100 as possible (if not using award mies).
Regular economy round trip is usually an extra $60 or more.
For me, this could be the difference between paying $150 and $210.
That cost is not worthwhile for me
Again, I have never had to change an airline ticket.
That would be the only reason to fly regular economy.
Again, I don’t fly with small children.
I even manage to avoid the dreaded middle seat on most flights.
I check in 24 hours in advance.
Usually, most airlines let you check in 24 hours before a fight.
I am a window seat kind of girl.
I might not get a window seat all the time.
A lot of times, I get at least an aisle though.
When I end up in the dreaded middle seat, it is really not the end of the world.
So, if you don’t mind the dreaded middle seat.
You can board last.
You don’t care about upgrades
You don’t travel with small children.
You won’t change your ticket.
Basic Economy might be for you like it is for me.
Airlines don’t want you to buy Basic Economy tickets.
They want you to pay more for regular economy.
I plan to fly enough international business and first class flights using award miles in the future.
When flying domestic economy, Basic Economy works fine for me.
The average consumer does not know they are flying Basic Economy.
They just select the lowest fare.
So, I hope this post helps you make your decision.
As usual, if this post was useful, please share it on social media below.
