While basic economy gets you a seat on the plane, it doesn’t get you much of anything else. Keep reading to find out why you should be wary of this seating option the next time you take flight:
The “Unbundling” Factor
Airlines have become experts at advertising fares that are a lot lower than they really are to confuse the purchaser and increase profits. This method is called “unbundling,” where the airline separates fees tied to specific services such as pre-boarding, checked luggage, carry-on bags, seat assignments, and even reservation changes. So, that awesome “basic economy” price you found? Well, chances are, you’ll wind up paying for all those extras anyway to have a more pleasant flying experience.
Less Flexibility
Another reason to be wary of a basic economy flight is that benefits available under this class are limited. As mentioned above, if you need to change your reservation for some reason, you’ll have to pay an additional fee. You also won’t be refunded if you need to cancel your flight. In addition, the number of miles you earn under a basic economy ticket could be restricted. Lastly, you could find yourself waiting in a long line when you get to the airport because online check-in may not be available.
Restricted Seating
With a basic economy ticket, it’s unlikely you’ll be able to choose your seating assignments at the time of booking. This means your seats will be determined for you the day of departure when you check-in. So, what does this mean for you? Well, you might wind up on a long flight with very little leg room, near the bathroom, or stuck in the middle seat with no arm space –yikes!
No Carry-On
Gone are the days where airlines were just giving passengers free checked bags and numerous carry-ons. Now, you’ll really want to look into your airline’s baggage restrictions and associated fees –especially if you purchase a basic economy ticket. Unfortunately, some airlines will limit you to one personal item that’s small enough to fit under your seat, or none at all. This falls under the “unbundled” method we talked about, so be sure to do some investigating before booking!
Last to Board
Since your seating assignments are determined at the last minute, you can probably guess you’ll be the last to board. This only means waiting in another long line, squishing yourself into a packed aircraft, and having little overhead space for your carry-on if you’re allowed to have one. In fact, in most situations, you’d be lucky to find space in the overhead bins at all!
So, the bottom line? You’ll actually find that it’s almost always less expensive to upgrade to a standard economy ticket when you factor in the cost of checking luggage, making last-minute changes, upgrading services, etc. Shopping around for the best value and not the cheapest is the best way to travel –so be sure to use a travel expert to assist you every step of the way! For more information on booking your next trip, or for a list of custom travel recommendations, contact me today at kate@katestravel.com.
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