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Our site may earn compensation when a customer clicks on a link, when an application is approved, or when an account is opened with our partners, and this may impact how or where these products appear. While we don't cover all available credit cards, our editorial team creates and maintains all of the analysis of these cards, and our content is not influenced nor subject to review by any credit card company, bank or partner prior to (or after) publication. Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information.
Augusta Stone is a credit cards writer for TPG. She joined the TPG team in 2023 and is excited to take points and miles beginners with her on a journey toward maximizing rewards.
also contributed to this story
August 12, 2025 • 14 min read
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Quick summary
Basic economy fares on major U.S. airlines come with significant restrictions, such as limited seat selection, last boarding groups and baggage fees.
Holding an airline's co-branded credit card can help bypass some of these limitations, including free checked bags, earlier boarding and carry-on allowances.
Each airline's policy varies, but most allow cardholders to access benefits even when booking the lowest fare class.
Some airlines require you to pay for your ticket with the co-branded card to receive these perks, while others only require card membership.
What to consider
Policies differ by airline regarding carry-on and checked baggage, seat selection and boarding priority for basic economy fares.
Eligibility for benefits may depend on whether you use the co-branded card for the purchase or simply have it linked to your loyalty account.
Advance seat selection and upgrades are generally not included, even with a co-branded card.
What you'll miss from the article
A detailed airline-by-airline breakdown of which basic economy restrictions can be avoided with a co-branded card and how to maximize these benefits.
Generated by AI with support from our editorial team.
Comments
By commenting, you agree to our Community Guidelines to help create a positive space for conversation. The responses below are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser, our partners, or The Points Guy (“TPG”). They have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of these parties. All responses are submitted by individual contributors, and neither the bank advertiser, our partners, nor TPG are responsible for ensuring that all posts and/or questions are answered.
There’s no doubt that basic economy is infuriating. From carry-on baggage restrictions on some airlines to a lack of seat selection, it’s a step down from what travelers are used to getting when flying.
Airlines are also doing a good job of making basic economy sound really bad, so you’ll want to pay more for their standard economy offerings.
Despite unpleasant things like checked baggage fees, there’s a way to use credit cards to avoid some of the pain points of basic economy. Let’s go airline by airline to see how.
Alaska Airlines
Alaska Airlines' basic economy fares are called "Saver fares." They have minimal amenities and typically save you $15-$30 each way compared to the Main Cabin fare.
Unlike some stricter airlines, Alaska allows you to bring a full-size carry-on bag for free. But you’ll still be boarding in Alaska’s final boarding group, and you're only allowed to make same-day confirmed changes for a fee (other changes are not allowed). Upgrades with miles are not allowed, while complimentary upgrades for elite members may be available two hours before departure.
SEAN CUDAHY/THE POINTS GUY
Alaska Airlines charges a $35 fee for the first checked bag and $45 for the second on all its flights. However, cardholders of the Atmos™ Rewards Ascent Visa Signature® credit card and the Atmos™ Rewards Visa Signature® Business Card aren't subject to some basic economy restrictions. They can check a first bag for free for themselves and up to six additional passengers on the same reservation when they book using their card.
That makes these cards well worth the annual fee, even if you only travel with Alaska a few times a year.
Passengers without status
Saver fare
Main Cabin
Saver fare and a cobranded card
Boarding group
F
D-E
C
Carry-on baggage allowance
1
1
1
Checked baggage allowance
0
0
1 for each for you and up to six additional passengers
American Airlines offers basic economy fares on all domestic routes and flights to/from Canada, the Caribbean, Central America, Europe, Mexico and South America.
Basic Economy restrictions mean that you’ll be assigned a seat at check-in (likely a middle seat), you’ll earn fewer elite-qualifying miles/segments and you’ll board in the final boarding group. The ticket is also not eligible for any flight changes or refunds. There is an exception for domestic travel booked by AAdvantage members, as cancellations made within these parameters are eligible to receive a travel credit for a fee.
ZACH GRIFF/THE POINTS GUY
You are allowed to bring a carry-on bag on board.
Elite members are exempt from certain restrictions — but what if you don't have status? Then, you can use one of these eligible cards to get an even better boarding group than standard economy and get the checked baggage allowance awarded by the credit card.
All of the mentioned American Airlines credit cards help you bypass the restrictions of basic economy when flying American.
*The information for these cards has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Passengers without status
Basic Economy
Main Cabin
Basic Economy and a cobranded card
Boarding group
9
6-8
4-5
Assigned seat
Select for a fee, or assigned
Limited selection
at booking
Selection depends on certain cards' benefits
Carry-on baggage allowance
1
1
1
Checked baggage allowance
0
0-1
1
Flight changes or refunds
None, with few exceptions for a fee
Fees apply
None, with few exceptions for a fee
With a cobranded AAdvantage card, you’ll jump the bulk of economy passengers (in groups 6-8) and board in Group 4; this gives you a great chance of finding space in the overhead bins. Plus, you’ll get a free checked bag on domestic flights.
You don’t have to pay for your flights with the cobranded card to get these benefits. American Airlines will tie your credit card to your AAdvantage account and apply these benefits automatically.
Delta was the first legacy carrier to start offering basic economy, and it has the least harsh restrictions. With Delta’s version, you don’t get advance seat assignments, upgrades or any changes to the flights (after the required 24-hour period). That said, you can choose your seats at check-in for a fee and get a carry-on bag.
SEAN CUDAHY/THE POINTS GUY
There are still advantages to getting a cobranded Delta credit card if you’re considering basic economy. While you get a carry-on bag with Delta’s basic economy fare, you might have to gate-check it, as you’ll be boarding in Group 8.
With a cobranded card, you’ll get two free checked bags (first checked bag on flights worldwide and second checked bag on U.S. domestic flights) and priority boarding on Delta flights, ensuring an almost certain spot in the overhead bins.
Potential to choose at check-in for a fee, but may be assigned at the gate
Choose at booking
Potential to choose at check-in for a fee, but may be assigned at the gate
Carry-on baggage allowance
1
1
1
Checked baggage allowance
0
0-1
2
Flight changes or refunds
None
None for tickets originating in the U.S. and Canada
None
That’s right: You can get a card with a $0 introductory annual fee for the first year and then $150 per year afterward (Delta SkyMiles Gold card (see ) or Delta SkyMiles Gold Business (see ) to avoid first-checked bag fees and the need to gate-check your bag.
As with American, you don’t have to purchase your ticket with your Delta credit card to get the two free checked bags — just holding the card and including your Delta SkyMiles number in your reservation is enough.
What is the downside of going with the cobranded card approach? You won't receive free advance seat selection. Delta’s basic economy fares have the potential to choose seats at check-in for a fee; however, it’s possible that you may not get a seat assigned until the gate.
Southwest has made major changes this year, including the introduction of a new Basic fare. Replacing the former 'Wanna Get Away' option, this is a no-frills choice with limited perks:
No free checked bags
No same-day changes
Lower points-earning
KEVIN CARTER/GETTY IMAGES
Southwest will maintain its current boarding process and open seating setup until Jan. 26, 2026. For flights from Jan. 27, 2026, the airline assign seats, similar to its major competitors.
Those who book Basic fares will board last and either need to pay to select a seat or wait until their seat is assigned at check-in.
A way to avoid restrictions with Southwest's Basic fare is to be a cobranded cardholder. If you have a Southwest credit card, you can still check one bag for yourself and up to eight guests flying on the same reservation for free.
The information for the Southwest Premier card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Passengers without status
Basic
Choice
Basic and a cobranded card
Boarding group and position (flights until Jan. 26, 2026)
Boarding group (A-C) and position (1-60) assigned at check-in
Boarding group and position assigned at check-in
Boarding group and position assigned at check-in
Boarding group (flights from Jan. 27, 2026)
8
5-8
5
Assigned seat (flights from Jan. 27, 2026)
Assigned at check-in
Choose a standard seat at booking
Selection depends on specific card
Carry-on baggage allowance
1
1
1
Checked baggage allowance
0
0
1
Flight changes
Must upgrade to Choice (or above); fare difference applies
Fare difference applies
Must upgrade to Choice (or above); fare difference applies
Of all the major airlines, United’s basic economy is the worst. While American Airlines lets basic economy passengers bring a carry-on bag, United still doesn’t allow basic economy passengers anything larger than a personal item (except on certain international itineraries and long-haul international flights). Plus, the basic economy fares can be absurd.
And what do you get with United’s basic economy? Not much. You'll receive an auto-assigned seat at check-in (with no chance to change), no carry-on bags, no upgrades, and no changes or refunds (unless you settle for a partial travel credit).
ZACH GRIFF/THE POINTS GUY
A United credit card can help ease some of the pain of basic economy. Like with American and Delta, you’ll jump from the last boarding group to an earlier one. And, you’ll earn back a carry-on bag and get a first free checked bag, or two with certain cards.
The information for the United Club Business has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Passengers without status
Basic economy
Economy
Basic economy and a cobranded card
Boarding group
6
3-5
2
Assigned seat
Assigned at check-in
Choose at booking
Assigned at check-in
Carry-on baggage allowance
0
1
1
Checked baggage allowance
0
0
1
Flight changes or refunds
None
Fees apply
None
You must use your cobranded United card to pay for your flight to qualify for the checked bag benefit. Unfortunately, the cobranded card approach doesn’t let you select a better seat or get upgrades.
Basic economy fares have become ubiquitous on U.S. legacy airlines, covering all domestic routes and many international ones. However, by having a cobranded airline credit card, you can avoid some of the pain of basic economy without having to buy up to standard economy.
If you like to bring a carry-on bag — and want to avoid checking it at the gate — as well as get a free checked bag, all you need is to get an eligible cobranded card and buy the cheapest fare. Thanks to priority boarding benefits, you’ll get access to the overhead bins before those who paid extra to get standard economy but don’t have a cobranded card.
