As airfare prices continue to rise, it's no surprise that many travelers are opting for the cheapest fares they can find, and for many travelers that means purchasing a much cheaper basic economy ticket from an airline. It's basically a simple ticket designed to help travelers save money and fly more affordably - and in theory, these tickets sound great. For the right trip, it can help travelers save hundreds of dollars on the flights they really need to take, which is obviously ideal. In practice, however, they can be tricky. If your situation doesn't require one, there's no point in buying one, and in fact, it may not save you any money at all. So when is a basic economy ticket really worth it, and when does it end up costing more?
First, you need to fully understand what a basic economy ticket is. While guidelines sometimes vary depending on the airline, a basic economy ticket usually means you can buy a ticket on the flight, but you won't get an assigned seat (unless you pay more), and you're only allowed Ride with a fraction of the seats. carry-on bag (unless you pay to check your bag, or in some cases even put your carry-on bag in the overhead bin on the plane), you are the last boarding group for the flight and you do not have the option to upgrade or get a refund or change your flights (unless you pay more), and you can't have group or family seats (...unless you pay more). Basic Economy covers the cost of your flight and that’s it. Anything else you want costs extra—or, sometimes, you just can't get it.
For many travelers, booking a basic economy ticket is not worth it most of the time. Sometimes, the savings don't add up correctly - for example, if you need to check a bag. You can save $50 on the price of your ticket by booking basic economy, which sounds great in theory, but if you need to check a bag, you could end up spending $80 more—a fee that's included in a regular economy ticket.
So, when is it worth traveling in basic economy? In short, if you know you're a relaxed traveler (or just taking a quick trip), and if you're not a fussy traveler who needs a window seat, board as early as possible.
It might also be worth it if your flight is short, especially if you don't mind random seat assignments. Do you really need to feel completely comfortable on a two-hour flight? Maybe not. In this case, saving money may help.
But if you're taking a long-haul flight and do need to check a bag, you don't have to worry about basic economy: you'll end up paying extra to check your bag, and you'll probably end up feeling uncomfortable. You don't want to be stuck with your seat assignment for hours on end. superior.
If you're a no-frills flyer, be sure to consider basic economy when you have no luggage to check or need overhead bin space. You can save some cash and still have a great trip. Otherwise, if you do need to check a bag, take another look at the price difference between a basic economy ticket and a regular economy ticket, and make sure the money you save on the ticket will actually be deposited into your bank account.
