United Airlines has gradually made its Basic Economy fares more flexible. Starting tomorrow, you’ll have even more seating options when booking a Basic Economy ticket. Specifically, United will now offer Basic Economy passengers the option of purchasing EconomyPlus seats during check-in.
United Will Sell EconomyPlus To Basic Economy Passengers
When United first introduced Basic Economy, seating was totally at the whim of the gate agent. Pre-assigned seats were not available, even for purchase. Over time, however, United saw a missed revenue opportunity and eventually allowed Basic Economy passengers to pay for advance seat assignments. The restriction, however, was that those seat assignments were limited to “United Economy” only. EconomyPlus (or first class) seats were not available for purchase, as the intent of these Basic Economy fares was to dissuade would-be upgraders from buying them.
But with the pandemic altering demand and more customers seeking social distance onboard, United will make another change to its Basic Economy seating policy. Effective August 26, 2020, customers can purchase EconomyPlus at check-in.
With United’s new standby automation technology, Basic Economy passengers are automatically cleared 30 minutes prior to takeoff. That technology potentially limits getting those seats for free. However, it is worth remembering that sometimes Basic Economy passengers wind up with the best seat on the airplane at no extra charge...
> Read More: One Surprising Reason to Buy United Basic Economy
> Read More: United Airlines Seeks To Eliminate Upgrade Shenanigans With Standby Process Automation
CONCLUSION
United will now sell EconomyPlus seats to Basic Economy passengers. Let this news also be a reminder to MileagePlus Premier Silver members. Silver members are eligible for complimentary EconomyPlus seating, but only at check-in. These members may now have more competition for the same number of seats.
Wonder what pricing will be for E+. Choosing a regular economy seat + basic economy fare currently comes out pretty much even with just buying regular economy fare (example: DEN->PDX $164 BE+seat choice vs. $167 Economy). Assume prices will be higher so there’s still no incentive for an elite to purchase BE, especially including reduced mileage/status earning.
All this does is favor free agent flyers or infrequent fliers who don’t care about reduced premier benefits on Basic Economy fares. As you said it’s a blow to Premier Silvers once flying picks back up, as well as last minute bookers with G/Plat/1K status. Which, to be fair to United, is kind of who they want to attract right now…
Why has Umited added 2000 miles to reward travel? A greedy airline