Flying basic economy has always meant sacrificing a few comforts in exchange for a cheaper ticket. But airlines have spent the past decade slowly stripping away perks from their lowest-priced fares (which feels a lot like a punishment for not ponying up more money), and now another benefit is disappearing. Some major airlines are ending the ability for basic economy passengers to earn frequent-flier miles, marking the latest step in the steady decline of what these tickets include.
United Is Ending Mileage Earnings for Basic Economy
Starting April 2, United Airlines will stop awarding mileage earnings to passengers who purchase basic economy fares (unless they have United elite status or a United co-branded credit card). That means travelers in the airline’s lowest fare category will no longer collect redeemable miles toward free flights … even though they’re still paying for the ticket like everyone else on board.
The move follows a similar change from American Airlines, which stopped awarding miles for basic economy tickets in December. Delta Air Lines made the change even earlier, eliminating mileage earnings for its basic economy fares back in 2022. A few major carriers aren’t jumping off the bridge just because their friends did, though, and still allow basic economy passengers to earn miles. These include Southwest Airlines, JetBlue Airways, and Alaska Airlines, though even their perks are usually at a reduced rate.
Basic Economy Keeps Losing Perks
Basic economy fares were originally introduced by major airlines to compete with ultra-low-cost carriers like Spirit Airlines and Frontier Airlines. The idea was to offer a cheaper ticket for travellers willing to give up a few conveniences. But over time, the list of restrictions has grown longer.
Depending on the airline, basic economy passengers may face limitations like:
- No advance seat selection.
- No ticket changes or cancellations.
- Boarding in the last group.
- Additional baggage restrictions or fees.
In many cases, passengers also end up stuck in middle seats or forced to gate-check bags if the overhead bins fill up before they board.
In other words, you get a seat … and not much else.
Airlines May Be Trying to Push Travelers to Upgrade
Some travel analysts say these restrictions are meant to encourage passengers to buy higher-priced tickets. During the booking process, airlines often show side-by-side comparisons that highlight everything travelers give up by choosing basic economy. Suddenly, paying a little more for a standard economy ticket can start to look like the better deal.
For some travelers, basic economy still makes sense for quick trips or short flights where flexibility doesn’t matter much. But as airlines continue removing benefits like mileage earnings, the difference between basic economy and ultra-low-cost carriers is getting smaller. For budget travelers, the message is becoming pretty clear: If you want perks, you’ll probably have to pay for them.
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