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.
TPG featured card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 3X | Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Delta SkyClub access when flying Delta
- Annual companion ticket for travel on Delta (upon renewal)
- Ability to earn MQDs through spending
- Various statement credits for eligible purchases
Cons
- Steep annual fee of $650
- Other Delta cobranded cards offer superior earning categories
- Earn 100,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $6,000 or more in purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership and an additional 25,000 bonus miles after you make an additional $3,000 in purchases on the Card within your first 6 months, starting from the date that your account is opened. Offer Ends 04/01/2026.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members receive 15 Visits per Medallion® Year to the Delta Sky Club® when flying Delta and can unlock an unlimited number of Visits after spending $75,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year. Plus, you’ll receive four One-Time Guest Passes each Medallion Year so you can share the experience with family and friends when traveling Delta together.
- Enjoy complimentary access to The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. and select international locations (as set forth on the Centurion Lounge Website), Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. (see the Centurion Lounge Website for more information on Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge availability), and Escape Lounges when flying on a Delta flight booked with the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card. § To access Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 90 minutes of their departing flight (including layovers). To access The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 3 hours of their departing flight. Effective July 8, 2026, during a layover, Card Members must arrive within 5 hours of the connecting flight.
- Receive $2,500 Medallion® Qualification Dollars with MQD Headstart each Medallion Qualification Year and earn $1 MQD for each $10 in purchases on your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card with MQD Boost to get closer to Status next Medallion Year.
- Enjoy a Companion Certificate on a Delta First, Delta Comfort, or Delta Main round-trip flight to select destinations each year after renewal of your Card. The Companion Certificate requires payment of government-imposed taxes and fees of between $22 and $250 (for itineraries with up to four flight segments). Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. Delta Basic experiences are not eligible for this benefit.
- $240 Resy Credit: When you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card for eligible purchases with U.S. Resy restaurants, you can earn up to $20 each month in statement credits. Enrollment required.
- $120 Rideshare Credit: Earn up to $10 back in statement credits each month after you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card to pay for U.S. rideshare purchases with select providers. Enrollment required.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
- With your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, receive upgrade priority over others with the same Medallion tier, product and fare experience purchased, and Million Miler milestone when you fly with Delta.
- Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees. Enjoy international travel without additional fees on purchases made abroad.
- $650 Annual Fee.
- Apply with confidence. Know if you're approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you're approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees