United's basic economy tickets are no longer 'use it or lose it'
United just relaxed a major restriction with its basic economy fares.
Historically, when airlines introduced these fares, they stripped out many of the traditional inclusions with coach tickets, like advance seat assignments and carry-on bags, for a lower price than regular economy.
Another major restriction with these tickets was that they're also "use it or lose it" — if you needed to move your flight by a day or switch your departure airport, you'd be forced to purchase a whole new ticket.
Well, that's no longer the case for United's basic economy fares. The Chicago-based carrier just added a way for flyers locked into these restrictive fares to make itinerary modifications, as confirmed by a carrier spokesperson.
If you purchased a basic economy ticket and you need to make changes, you can purchase a "Switch to Economy" upgrade. Once you've upgraded, you'll be able to make changes to your ticket.
After paying the non-refundable upgrade fee, you won’t pay any additional change fees or service charges to switch to a new flight of equal or lesser value. Note that if the new flight is more expensive than your current ticket, you'll be charged the fare difference between the original fare and the new fare.
You'll also receive a future travel credit if you switch to a cheaper flight, but note that the upgrade fee is not included in the calculation of your fare.
Also, once you've upgraded, you can cancel your flight and use the value of your fare towards future travel before your ticket's expiration date. You won't receive a refund back to your original form of payment unless the flight is canceled or significantly delayed by United.
Note that basic economy tickets are covered by United's 24-hour flexible booking policy. If you notice you need to cancel your ticket within 24 hours of booking, you can request a refund, even for the most restrictive tickets. After the 24-hour window, you'll need to purchase the "Switch to Economy" offer to make itinerary modifications.
More: Comparing basic economy fares across U.S. airlines
While the "Switch to Economy" upgrade offer now includes changes for United's basic economy tickets, it also comes with some other valuable benefits that were first introduced when the program launched in February 2021.
In addition to including itinerary changes and modifications, switching to standard coach will allow you to:
- Bring a full-sized carry-on item.
- Receive a complimentary seat assignment prior to check-in, with the ability to further upgrade to an extra-legroom seat or first-class recliner.
- Enjoy Premier elite benefits, like free extra-legroom seats and upgrades.
- Earn Premier Qualifying Flight (PQF) credit.
For an upcoming flight from Fort Lauderdale (FLL) to Denver (DEN), United was charging $119 for basic economy and $159 for a standard coach ticket. The "Switch to Economy" upgrade offer was $45, a five-buck surcharge compared to the fare difference between the two tickets.
If you're comfortable with all the other basic economy restrictions, it could definitely make sense to stick with basic economy, and only upgrade to standard coach if your plans ultimately change.
You’ll find the option to upgrade when managing your flight on the United website or mobile app. Note that you won’t earn Premier Qualifying Points (PQPs) on the non-refundable upgrade service charge.
The option to upgrade to coach is limited to domestic tickets and short-haul international flights to Mexico, the Caribbean and Central America.
While every major U.S. airline introduced a no-change-fee policy in late 2020, the major restriction to this unprecedented flexibility is that basic economy tickets are excluded. Though airlines had limited-time waivers during the height of the pandemic that covered basic economy ticket, those have since expired.
On American and Delta, basic economy tickets remain "use it or lose it." Hopefully, they'll follow United's lead and offer ticket changes for a nominal upgrade fee.
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- 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.
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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
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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.