United Releases Next Batch of Basic Economy Routes
Update: Some offers mentioned below are no longer available. View the current offers here.
Update 4/19/17 3:22pm: United has confirmed that Basic Economy is now on sale in more than 100 domestic markets. So if you haven't spotted this fare yet, there's a very good chance you'll see it pop up soon.
When United Airlines first detailed its new Basic Economy fares in November 2016, travelers prepared to trade amenities and mileage earning for lower fares — that hasn't exactly panned out.
When the Chicago-based carrier announced the first flights that would feature Basic Economy fares, they were all on nonstop routes between Minneapolis (MSP) and some United hubs, such as Denver (DEN). Now, there's a new slew of United Basic Economy routes.
The new BE fares appear on many leisure routes between United hubs and other cities for travel dates beginning May 9, 2017. We've reached out to United to clarify which routes now feature a Basic Economy option, but we have yet to hear back. For all of the new routes we've found, the maximum savings you'll get on every ticket from the next-lowest economy fare is exactly $15 (with the exception of one — $28 on EWR-MIA).
Here are some examples of where we've found the BE fare now being offered. Note that this isn't an exhaustive list — we'll update this post with additional routes once we hear back from United:
Newark (EWR) to Orlando (MCO)
Chicago (ORD) to Denver (DEN)
Washington, D.C. (IAD) to Orlando (MCO)
Denver (DEN) to Houston (IAH)
San Francisco (SFO) to Orlando (MCO)
Fort Lauderdale (FLL) to Chicago (ORD)
Newark (EWR) to Miami (MIA)
Whether or not saving $15 (or a little more) for booking one of these BE tickets is worth it is up for debate and could entirely depend on the traveler and your preferences.
As a reminder, a United Basic Economy ticket doesn't allow you to get an advance seat assignment and offers no ticket changes, no refunds (except for the Department of Transportation-mandated 24-hour refund rule), no elite mileage earning, elite segment earning or elite dollar earning and no eligibility for upgrades. In addition, BE fares get Group 5 boarding and only one carry-on item that fits the size requirements of a personal item (no roller bags). However, those last two rules are waived for elite flyers and those with the United MileagePlus Explorer Card or the United MileagePlus Explorer Business Card.
As a reminder, Google Flights will tell you if you're selecting a Basic Economy fare. When you search for and select a fare, you'll see a notification from Google Flights that carry-on baggage is limited:
These Basic Economy fares, which are now offered on all three of the domestic legacy carriers, are meant to compete with low-cost carriers such as Spirit and Frontier. Be sure to check your options, as even though these are labeled BE fares, they may not be less expensive than the low-cost carrier options. And with the added charges that can come with a BE fare, you might not be better off booking one of these tickets. Only time will tell if the legacy carriers will lower their pricing enough to be comparable with low-cost-carrier options, but customers should be aware of what they're getting for the price they pay.
Have you purchased a United Basic Economy fare?
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| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
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You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.