Update, 8/24: American is now selling basic economy fares to Tel Aviv, leaving Air Canada and El Al as the remaining carriers not selling a basic economy fare between North America and Israel.
Worse yet, while Delta and United provide free checked luggage for cardholders, American doesn’t provide free baggage for international basic economy.
Will El Al match this, or will they use this as a massive competitive advantage compared to the US carriers?
Originally posted on 8/1:
Last November, Delta introduced the first basic economy fares on nonstop flights between North America and Tel Aviv.
I was surprised that Delta stuck with them, given that no other airlines matched them for the past 9 months, but apparently, passengers stuck with Delta despite the change.
American even dropped their basic plus bag fares in the interim.
But now that United has seen Delta’s success with basic economy fares to Israel, they have adopted the “if you can’t beat ’em, join ’em.”
Overnight, they launched basic economy fares in all markets to Israel, including their nonstop markets of Chicago, Newark, San Francisco, and Washington DC.
And no, they didn’t lower fares. They just marked their lowest fares as basic economy. Expect to pay an extra $100-$200 to get regular economy tickets.
While United does allow a carry-on in basic economy to Israel, they don’t allow complimentary seat assignments, checked bags, free changes, or full PQPs.
Changes will cost $199 round-trip plus the difference in fare and the 1st checked bag will cost $75 each way. Seat assignments will cost extra too, though you will be seated next to your kids under 12 years old.
- United℠ Explorer Cardholders and Chase United Business Cardholders will get a free checked bag for the cardholder and a companion, as well as priority boarding, even on basic economy fares.
- United Quest℠ Cardholders and United Club℠ Infinite Cardholders will get 2 free checked bags for the cardholder and a companion, as well as premier boarding, even on basic economy fares.
Not only are Delta and United often more expensive than American and El Al, their cheapest fares are now basic economy fares, versus standard economy on American and El Al:
For now, no airlines are selling basic fares for nonstop flights originating from Israel to North America, they only apply for flight going from North America to Israel.
Hopefully those airlines can take advantage of this opportunity instead of the typical monkey-see, monkey-do game of just matching Delta and United.
Want to let United know how you feel about this development?
Tweet at them and let them know if you’ll be buying tickets on American and El Al due to this change:
You can like and retweet the tweets below to let United know:
Hey, @united please remove basic economy fares on your routes to Israel.
You added them today and prices haven't gotten any cheaper, it's just a ploy to get consumers to pay more for the same service. @ELALUSA & @AmericanAir sure are looking like the best airlines to fly to…
— DansDeals (@DansDeals) August 1, 2023
This one hurts bad!
9 months ago @Delta introduced economy basic fares from the US to Tel Aviv. No other airline copied them, and in fact, @AmericanAir even dropped their basic plus bag fees in the interim.
But just now @united has added their own basic economy fares for their…
— DansDeals (@DansDeals) August 1, 2023
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57 Comments On "[Now Matched By American] BRUTAL! United Joins Delta In Selling Basic Economy Fares To Israel"
All opinions expressed below are user generated and the opinions aren’t provided, reviewed or endorsed by any advertiser or DansDeals.
#RaceToTheBottom
This presents a good opportunity to not offer basic economy and show they are different than the big 3 US airlines.
Ouch
At least we keep on bailing them out
Why the hell would anyone fly in economy with United over a low cost carrier???? Especially if the price is almost double. This is ridiculous.
LCC to TLV?
People who have to connect at least…..(if you dont have a nonstop option)
Why is lifemiles not working today????
Unfortunately there will always be people that will always pick for cheapest option(not always by choice) thus ensuring BE sticks around. I’ve never seen an airline ditch it.
Next they will shrink the leg room and then sell Basic Economy Extra Space fare with priority (2nd to last) boarding.
AA ditched it to TLV.
Let’s see how long that lasts now.
The world can thank Delta for implementing basic economy a few years ago and ruining travel for everyone.
1st was killing Europe award prices, now basically economy to Israel that’s brutal, I wonder what’s next…! also why is business sometimes cheaper then premium economy?
Hows is this not collusion?
Epic #fail on @United once again, their devaluations and constant hits, making me as a 1k member really regret always trying to maintain (read, pay more) for this status that’s becoming more and more worthless.
Yea, privileges, but not worthwhile anymore. I’ll pay as I need.
@Dan, is it back to the travel agent days? Let them book what’s best, forget status and…?
Pretty much.
As far as I am concerned, the extra 1″ seat width in Delta outweighs the disadvantages of basic economy.
I flew on delta basic economy to Israel in July. I was very upset that I didn’t earn miles for the trip. Delta does not give miles for basic economy
If its not gonna hurt United AA has to be stupid not to do the same
Unless it brings them more business…
I think the winner out of EWR is El Al. Most folks from NJ are not going to switch to JFK just to fly AA.
And AA would suffer with basic economy – it’s 10 across in economy, oldest planes, worst service so if it’s basic economy like Delta then wouldn’t you just choose Delta which is the more comfortable flight?
Maybe we should just skip flying US airlines to Israel except for enhanced tickets (depending upon how their prices compare – i.e., economy plus, business, etc.). I hate American, in general, although I have flown on American recently (it has to do with my flights to Florida when my father passed away; also, they seem to be the only US airline that wipes out your FF miles and makes you pay to reinstate them…another money grab). I actually prefer Delta’s service over both American and United, although I’m sure people can debate about this for ages. In contrast, I’ve never had a bad flight experience on any foreign carrier I’ve flown to/from Israel.
Just my $0.02 worth.
If u are Preimer and buy basic economy what happens
No free seats, no free changes, no full PQPs.
Can I cancell a BE fare for a ETC or FFC?
Nope, non-refundable after 24 hr risk free period
United we stand, united we fall
How do you know fares were not lowered?
I’ve been tracking fares for a few itineraries, and suddenly I found today that across the board, the same Economy fares had changed to Basic Economy fares, while Economy across the board were $170 higher.
Same
Why do you care Dan, it’s not like you are paying for your flights or flying less than business anyway?
Nobody asked you to join this website. He’s writing for his readers.
You must be from lakewood, ear hnidachas.
It is like the old bait and switch con. They promote the basic (“fly to Israel for only ___”) and then turnaround and badmouth the cheap fare as you proceed to checkout. (“are you sure you want to buy this fare?”) It makes it more difficult to compare the fares especially if you want to fly with more than personal item.
Kayak.com has a feature to include carry on and/or checked bags in its prices.
Google flights from what I can tell only has this for carry ons (even though their help site says they do have it for checked bags)
That could be helpful, but airlines and businesses don’t like comparison shopping for the lowest price and want to sow confusion. Who wants to sit alone in a middle seat all the way to Israel? So by increments the so-called discount ticket evaporates.
Bottom line, is there a difference between Delta BE & United BE on these routes?
Seat width.
a total boycott on UA to TLV should be done to show that this wont fly
Pun intended?
100%
When they cut down from 70 to 50 lb and then from 2 to 1 checkin, this was the natural next step.
Ridiculous that we keep bailing them out with US tax dollars…
It will be tempting for LY to join the party, unfortunately
Those it’s unfortunate. They lost me as a customer (unless they are cheaper even when factoring in the suitcase). Air Canada also changes BTW.
Any minor losses that UA will have from this will be made up from extra CC sign-ups to offset the bag fees and get a getter boarding order (important for carry ons). UA makes a whole lot more $$ off those CC’s than they do off flying people in the back of the bus. I would have the CC benefits plastered all over the BE purchasing process. While it doesn’t help with seat selection or mile earning, it offsets the major expense that people will have out of pocket.
Omg this sucks! Total disaster! Everyone flying on united to Tlv will be paying another 200 bucks might try American out
with most tlv flights full to capacity Is there any decent prices to get for at least premium?
I have nightmares from sitting in middle seat in pcked flight for 12 hours any suggestions?
mileage tickets or sticking to one airline for status (I do fly 5/6 round trips a year)
why is my comment not being posted?
Because we’re not actively approving comments every second of the day?
“You can like and retweet the tweets below””
I think you mean you can like and re”X” the X’s below
Just booked on AA ORD—TLV with stops in LHR next year on Premium Economy for $1,948
Vs 1,750 UA wants for a Basic Economy non-stop – wow!
It’s not the case when originating from Tlv. I just bought 8 tickets from Tlv to ewr for November and there’s the regular basic and seat selection option.
That’s what the post says.
@Dan does it make sense to pay up for regular economy seats at @$200 more per ticket? I have status with United so will get bags included, but not seats with basic economy.
Do these airlines not sell basic economy seats to other international destinations (i.e. Europe and Asia) that you’re calling them out for having it to TLV?
I’m flying El Al for the first time in probably 20 years due to this change by United. I’m a lifetime Gold member and just got downgraded from Platinum 1K for the last 4 years. Can’t see buying a ticket on United to Israel under these conditions
I figured they would join… but also thought they’d still.hinir the free bags with credit card. Shame :/
We are introducing Basic Economy to introduce new, lower pricing, Exhibit A: Flights for $1,500 that don’t include checked baggage or seat assignments. See how cheap it is?