United’s basic economy is the worst of any airline. You can’t bring a full size carry-on bag, something which used to be the case with American and JetBlue, but those airlines relented on that restriction. While American allows elites to select premium seats and even get upgraded on basic fares, United doesn’t allow any of that.
But even more onerous is that United doesn’t allow basic economy passengers to check-in online. That means having to go to the airport early enough to check-in with an agent, so that the agent can verify that you’re not traveling with a large carry-on. It’s a surprise that has caused many basic economy passengers to miss their flights when check-in lines are long.
One hack is to have a United credit card, as that comes with a free bag and carry-on, even on basic economy. Due to that, cardholders and elites on basic economy were allowed to check-in online.
But as of tomorrow, United will finally allow all basic economy ticket holders to check-in online.
United tells DansDeals that basic economy customers “will need to put a credit card on file and agree to a $65 charge if they bring a bag to the gate. If they do bring more than one personal item to the gate, the credit card on file will be automatically charged after departure, removing the need for agents to manually charge the customer during boarding.“
I’d rather see United match every other airline on allowing a bag on basic economy, but at least this gets rid of perhaps the most onerous basic economy restriction.
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19 Comments On "Starting Tomorrow, United Will Remove The Most Onerous Part Of Basic Economy Travel"
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What they need to do is cancel basic economy. I’m sick and tired of hearing complaints from people who want to save $50 on a ticket and then whine about all the benefits they think they should be getting.
Congress missed the opportunity to do that when they bailed the airlines out. Should have been one of the conditions for taking taxpayer funds as I wrote then.
https://www.dansdeals.com/more/dans-commentary/bail-airlines-hotels-boeing-ask-return/
Instead, now the airlines brag about how many billions they fleeced from taxpayers while giving up nothing.
They were too busy wasting time, scoring free points by allowing families to have free seats… Another ridiculous policy
Allowing a carry on size bag is a simple necessity, It’s something that has always been.
Btw something that people are unaware of is that when flying United in basic economy across the Atlantic & other international flights you can bring a carry on as usual.
Does that include Mexico and Canada?
FYI, @dan Norse Atlantic Does not have online check in at all!!, + they have a separate agent for each destination meaning toy have to wait in a specific line, most people don’t know that and miss their flight
Norse airline upgraded seat is marginally more expensive and it has a very small line for check in. And the seats are great.
Seats can be slightly better, no free meals, And no kosher food option at all, but if they don’t allow you online check in at all, so You need to arrive at least 1 hour earlier than a standard airline that allows online check-in.
What if a gate agent lies and claims someone had a bag and charges them amd they didn’t. Not sure I’m going to fly United basic economy with this setup.
Yep can’t wait for all the complaints of charges on people’s credit cards for what should or shouldn’t have been
When traveling to Israel with the United Card and you get suitcase#1 for free, are you entitled to get suitcase#2 for free?
Quest or club card yes
*Not a surprise
-1
I’m not sure what the big deal is. Every single time I’ve tried checking in online for basic economy I got the message that I can’t complete check in without bags.
Then a few hours later my app would update with a boarding pass, mitigating the need to see an agent.
I’ve never had to actually see an agent.
I’m glad they’re changing this. It was such a waste of time and the app didn’t clearly inform you that you could not check in online for basic economy.
im tired of hearing excuses from airlines making record profits with ridiculous restrictions. United is dysfuctional, as anyone who ever flew them out of newark is aware with planes constantly stranded all over the tarmac…. Spirit is more reliable than them and is more straightfoward and obvious about the fees…. I cant believe I just wrote that but sadly its what United has become.
what’s the carry-on allowance for award tickets?