Want a cheap flight ticket? Book United Airlines Basic Economy with travel experts’ assistance at +1 (800) 419-9920.
Many travelers don’t want to splurge on flight tickets, especially on short routes where their main aim is just to reach the destination rather than enjoying the luxury for a brief time on the flight. For those budget-conscious travelers, United Airlines Basic Economy is the best choice because basic economy is the cheapest fare on United Airlines, which is one of the biggest airlines in the world.
Choosing basic economy United Airlines has two main advantages. Firstly, passengers get the experience of traveling on a major airline like United, and secondly, they don’t have to spend a lot. However, passengers in basic economy get the least priority and perks at the airport and on the flight compared to other passengers.
To avoid any surprises during your trip, it’s important to enlighten yourself with the restrictions and limitations of the United Airlines Basic Economy class beforehand.
What Is Basic Economy On United?
Basic economy is actually one of the two fares of United’s economy class, which comes at the lowest price and maximum restrictions. It is primarily tailored for passengers who don’t need any additional perks or facilities to travel and prioritize savings. The ultra-cost-saving price of basic economy on United makes it a popular choice among travel-savvy individuals and travelers who remain tight on budget.
Therefore, United Airlines restricted all the additional perks and allowed only essential amenities on basic economy in order to keep it cheap yet effective and convenient. If you are supposed to travel in this cost-effective class, you need to check out the key United basic economy restrictions and benefits.
Learn more: Get United Airlines First Class Flight Tickets and Benefits
United Basic Economy Restrictions
- Seat Selection: United basic economy seat selection is not included in the ticket of basic economy passengers, who have to pay an additional United basic economy seat selection fee to sit on their favorite or preferred seat; otherwise, the airline assigns random seats to them, which may spoil your mood on the trip. Moreover, United basic economy family seating is also not offered, meaning family members may be separated on the flight. So be smart and select your seat in advance, even if you are traveling in basic economy. For hassle-free seat selection, contact AwareTravels at +1 (800) 419-9920.
- Baggage: The United Airlines basic economy baggage restriction allows only a personal item that can fit under the seat. Kindly note that the United basic economy personal item size can not exceed 9 x 10 x 17 inches. United basic economy baggage allowance does not allow passengers to bring checked and carry-on bags unless passengers are on United basic economy international flights en route to specific destinations in Latin America and the Caribbean, where a carry on United basic economy bag is permitted for the overhead bin. On other international routes, passengers need to pay extra charges for the United basic economy carry on bag.
- Boarding: When it comes to boarding the flight, passengers who purchased a United Airlines basic economy ticket have to wait until other class passengers have boarded the flight, as they are in the last boarding group.
- Cancellation & Change Flight: Unlike premium economy and business class, a United Basic Economy ticket can not be canceled or changed. Basic economy passengers don’t get the flexibility to modify their booking once it is confirmed.
- Upgrade: After the booking of basic economy, passengers can not upgrade their ticket to Premium Economy or any other higher class. Only they can switch from basic economy to standard economy.
- MileagePlus: Basic economy on United Airlines is not eligible for the benefits of MileagePlus Upgrade Awards and Premier Qualifying Flights.
United Basic Economy Benefits
- Basic economy on United Airlines keeps travel budget healthy as its tickets are very cheap.
- The United basic economy seats are wide enough and have standard legroom to give comfort and a standard travel experience.
- Passengers who don’t need frills on the flight can really make the most of this saver fare, especially on short routes.
- Travelers who purchase United basic economy tickets are also eligible for a 24-hour risk-free period in which they can cancel or change their flight without any additional charges or penalty.
- Although additional amenities have been excluded, the essential travel perks of basic economy, like in-flight entertainment and complimentary snacks become the reason for passengers to relish their time on the flight.
- On short routes where passengers don’t need to carry all their stuff, they an travel with just their one personal item, which fits under the seat in front of them.
- Basic economy passengers get the same experience as standard Economy passengers without spending extra.
Read more: Best Ways to Book Group Travel Flights on United Airlines
Can You Change Basic Economy Flight United?
The direct answer to this question is no, because Basic Economy is a non-changeable fare on United Airlines. Thus, you can not simply process the United basic economy change flight, and the same is for the United basic economy change date. To change a flight or date with a United basic economy fare, you need to use the 24-hour flexible window in which you can cancel your flight to get the full refund and book another flight.
The other method to change a United Airlines basic economy flight is first to upgrade your basic economy booking to Economy, which gives you flexibility for changing flights and prevents you from paying the United Basic Economy change fee.
Can I Cancel A Basic Economy Ticket On United?
Whether you can cancel a basic economy ticket on United or not depends on the time of United basic economy cancellation and how far in advance it was booked. It is because basic economy tickets on United are non-cancelable after the initial 24-hour flexible window has passed.
If the risk-free 24-hour window has closed, you can not cancel your basic economy ticket on United. If the 24-hour window is still open, you will be able to cancel the basic economy ticket only if you bought the ticket in advance for at least seven days. In the 24-hour risk-free window, no United basic economy cancellation fee applies.
Is United Basic Economy Refundable?
No, United Airlines’ basic economy is not refundable. Even though United basic economy is non-refundable, passengers still can get a full refund of their ticket by cancelling it within a 24-hour risk-free window, given that the ticket was purchased at least seven days before the departure.
Beyond this risk-free window, the United basic economy cancellation may offer travel credit, which depends on the flight’s route, because United flights starting outside the US have a stricter cancellation policy. Thus, if a passenger does not cancel the United basic economy ticket and misses the flight as well, the value of the ticket will be forfeited.
See this also: United Airlines Name Change Policy: Step-by-Step Process
What’s The Difference Between Basic Economy And Economy On United?
In the United Economy vs Basic Economy, the latter is more restricted, while the former has some flexibility. Therefore, basic economy is available at the lowest price, and Economy, which is also known as Main Cabin, is slightly higher in price than basic economy.
However, both economy fares offer the same cabin and seat experience. Now, you might be wondering what makes Main Cabin more convenient than basic economy. Here is the key difference between basic economy and economy on United:
|
Key Feature |
United Airlines Basic Economy |
United Airlines Economy (Main Cabin) |
|
Baggage |
No carry on bag is allowed. Only a personal item can be taken inside the cabin. |
One carry on bag and one personal item are allowed. |
|
Seat Selection |
Seats can not be selected in advance. |
Seats can be booked during the flight booking. |
|
Boarding |
Passengers board the flight last. |
Passengers board the flight before basic economy passengers. |
|
Cancellation & Refund |
United Airlines basic economy ticket can not be canceled, and no refund is offered. |
Passengers have the flexibility to change or cancel the flight, given that specific terms and conditions apply. |
|
Price |
It is the cheapest fare of United Airlines. |
It is slightly higher than basic economy. |
How To Book United Basic Economy Ticket?
Booking a ticket on United Airlines to travel in basic economy class is not a big deal. In fact, United has added a spring to its bow by allowing passengers to use a travel agency for a hassle-free and effective booking but we don’t simply rule out the method of booking United basic economy through the official website. Here are the steps for both methods:
Through Travel Agency
- Get in touch with your trusted travel agency, AwareTravels.
- Ring the phone with a call at +1 (800) 419-9920 toll-free number.
- Speak with our agent and share your trip details.
- While coordinating with the agent, ask to select Basic Economy.
- Make a payment for the price of a basic economy ticket.
Through Official Website
- Visit the official website of United.
- Search flights by entering your trip’s departure, destination, and dates.
- It is a must to select the Basic Economy fare while checking the fares for your flight.
- Kindly go through the terms and conditions of the Basic Economy fare.
- Conclude the process by entering the passenger’s personal info and paying the ticket amount.
Also check out: Easy Steps to Book United Airlines Unaccompanied Minor Flight
Can I Upgrade My Basic Economy Ticket United?
Yes, you can upgrade your basic economy ticket on United Airlines, but there is a catch. Since the basic economy ticket on United Airlines is non-changeable, if you want a United upgrade from basic economy, you first need to add United Economy benefits by paying a fee. This will unlock several options for you, including seat selection, flight change, and full-fledged MileagePlus benefits.
After this, you will be able to purchase an Economy Plus seat that is more comfortable and has extra legroom during check-in, but without using the MileagePlus Upgrade Awards. Note that all upgrades on United Airlines are subject to availability. If an Economy Plus seat is not available, you can’t upgrade your basic economy ticket.
Final Thoughts
United Airlines basic economy suits best those travelers who are not worried about their convenience and comfort on the journey but are highly concerned about their budget because it is a cost-effective fare available at the lowest price among all United fares. If you are also ready to sacrifice your comfort on the trip and are desperate to travel economically, you should go ahead with the booking of United basic economy, which comes with the most restrictions and meager flexibility.
Whether you need to check the price of basic economy on United or book a flight, call us at +1 (800) 419-9920 and get experts’ assistance.
You may also be interested in:
1. Book Cheap Delta Airlines Basic Economy Flight Ticket
2. How to Book Cheap American Airlines Basic Economy Tickets?
FAQ’s
Is United Economy the same as Basic Economy?
No, United Economy and Basic Economy both are distinct fares, where the former offers some facilities and additional perks like a free carry-on bag, seat selection, and ticket cancellation, which are lacking in the latter. However, standard economy and basic economy are both parts of the United Economy class, but basic economy is the lowest-tier fare. Therefore, passengers need to pay a fee to add carry-on bag while traveling in United Basic Economy.
Does United Basic Economy include carry on?
No, Basic Economy on United Airlines is the most restricted fare that does not even allow a carry on bag for free inside the cabin. Passengers can only take a personal item inside the basic economy cabin. If they want to include a carry-on bag, they need to pay additional charges.
What does basic economy mean on United?
Traveling in basic economy on United means less expense and more benefits because you pay for the lowest-cost fare of the airline and get a few essential perks like complimentary food & drinks, an entertainment system on the flight, a personal item allowance, and standard seats that are comfortable on short routes. However, passengers are often restricted because they can't select a seat, cancel a flight, bring a carry-on bag, or board a flight quickly.
Does United Basic Economy include personal item?
Of course, a personal item is included in the booking of a United Airlines basic economy ticket, but the irony is that it is the only baggage allowance because neither a checked bag nor a carry-on bag is allowed for free. Furthermore, a personal item in basic economy on United Airlines is free as long as it fits under the seat in front of the passenger and its size does not exceed 9 x 10 x 17 inches.
Does United give miles for basic economy?
Yes, passengers who are members of MileagePlus program earn miles for traveling in basic economy on United Airlines, but the United basic economy earn miles on the basis of fare paid, not the distance of the flight. For every dollar spent on the fare of United basic economy or flights operated by United Express, a MileagePlus member earns 5 miles, but the Premier Qualifying Points are offered for flying in basic economy.
How much is a checked bag on United Basic Economy?
Since a checked bag is not included in the perks of United Basic Economy, passengers have to pay additional charges for it, which depend on the flight’s route. Generally, basic economy passengers pay a fee of $35 for the first bag on a flight within the US and $40 on a flight to Canada. The charges further increase to $45-$50 for adding a second checked bag. It is worth noting that a checked bag on United basic economy may also be free for flights with destinations like China.
Can I choose my seat on United Basic Economy?
Nope, seat selection in advance is not part of the perks offered with United Basic Economy, so you can not select your seat for free. While traveling in basic economy on United Airlines, you will be assigned a random seat at the gate or check-in. However, you have the liberty of purchasing your favorite seat in United Airlines basic economy class in advance.
