American Airlines Basic Economy: Is it Worth the Savings?

American Airlines Basic Economy covers the cheapest seats you can access with American Airlines. And these bargain seats can be a great way to save money when traveling for business or leisure. However, before you book the cheapest flight fare, you need to know about certain restrictions and limitations.

In our guide to AA Economy seats, we’ll tell you how to get the best out of your booking and navigate some of the limitations of buying an American Airlines Economy Basic ticket. We’ll also explain how being an American Airlines Credit Card holder or AA Elite member can help you upgrade and improve your booked economy fare.

What is American Airlines Basic Economy?

Before we delve into the details, let's take a look at exactly what AA Basic Economy is and why you should consider it if you are looking to save travel costs this year.

American Airlines Basic Economy fare will entitle you to a main cabin seat, as you would get when booking normal economy fares. However, there are some differences related to when you will board and your reward points.

Your seat, ticket, and flight.

• You will not be able to choose your seat. This will be automatically assigned to you when you check in, (unless you are willing to pay an extra fee.)
• AA will not allow you to change or cancel your ticket after 24 hours have passed from your purchase. (You can make changes to flights to Europe, but this will come with an added fee.)
• You will be placed into a low-priority boarding group such as group 8 or 9.
• As with all other AA passengers, you can fly same-day standby for free.
• You will be allowed 1 carry-on bag and 1 personal item.
• There will be no free checked bags for domestic flights, or flights to Canada, Mexico, The Caribbean, Central America, or Europe. (There are some exceptions, for example, flights to Alaska, Puerto Rico, and Cuba.)

If you want certain seats for your comfort or want guaranteed group seating for children under 15, then booking a basic economy flight may be an issue (although there are some workarounds!)

Your Points Earning Potential

• If you book an American Airlines Basic Economy seta, you will not be able to earn points towards a future membership status. For example, EQMs (Elite Qualifying Miles), EQDs (Elite Qualifying Dollars), or EQS (Elite Qualifying Segments.)
• You will earn 2x AA rewards miles for each dollar you spend on economy basic seats.

So, now that you know the basics. It’s time to delve in and discover if the savings you make on AA Basic Economy flights are worth it. Or whether the extra fees you will pay (for example for checked bags and seat choice), might mean you are better off booking a higher-status seat.

Is The American Airlines Economy Basic Price Worth It?

The answer to this question is more complex than it may first appear. First of all, due to the variability of flight prices – you will need to do your own individual checks to see if the total of your economy basic ticket plus add-ons is still cheaper than other tickets on AA of other airlines.

The other thing to consider is whether you are fine with traveling with only one piece of carry-on luggage and one personal item. You’ll also need to consider whether you are okay with any assigned seat, or if you are willing to pay more for a window placement. And you may also struggle with the no-cancellation policy if you think your travel dates may not be entirely nailed down.

However, if you already have an elite or Oneworld membership, there are some workarounds that you can use to bypass some of the limitations of a basic economy ticket.

AAdvantage Elite Membership

If you book your flight while logged into your AAdvantage Elite membership you will be able to access a whole host of benefits when you book, and that is also true of their basic economy tickets. Elite status members will be able to use the following benefits to elevate their economy experience:

• Use your upgrade privileges to move to a more expensive seat than the one you booked.
• Move to a seat in Main Cabin Preferred or Main Cabin Extra with your AA Elite seat privilege.
• Improve your boarding group as an AA Elite member.
• Change your confirmed flight on the same day.
• Access free checked bags for your flight.

How many free checked bags you are allowed, your boarding group priority will depend upon the card you hold:

• Group 4 boarding and one free checked bag – AAdvantage Gold holders.
• Group 3 boarding and two free checked bags – AAdvantage Platinum & AAdvantage Platinum Pro holders.
• Group 2 boarding and three checked bags- AAdvantage Executive Platinum holders.

Oneworld Elite Membership

If you have an Oneworld elite membership, you will also be able to remove some of the limitations of an AA Economy Basic seat. As with AA elite status membership, you can upgrade both your boarding group and the number of free checked bags allowed on your flight.

• Group 4 Boarding and one free checked bag – Oneworld Ruby Status.
• Group 3 Boarding and two free checked bags – Oneworld Sapphire membership.
• Group 2 Boarding and three check bags – Oneworld Emerald level.

Can I Upgrade My American Airlines Basic Economy Ticket with My Credit Card?

Another way to improve your economy basic experience is to use an AA partner credit card. You’ll be able to access free checked bags for you and your fellow travelers. Here are some of the credit cards that will allow you to access complimentary checked bags when you arrive for your flight:

• Citi AAdvantage Platinum Select World Elite Mastercard – One free checked bag for cardholders and four of your fellow travelers.
• CitiBusiness AAdvantage Platinum Select Mastercard – One complimentary checked bag and up to four fellow travelers.
• AAdvantage Aviator Red World Elite Mastercard – One free checked bag for you and four travel companions.
• AAdvantage Aviator World Elite Business Mastercard – One checked bag for cardholders and up to four of your fellow travelers.
• Citi AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard – One free checked bag for your fare and those of up to eight of your travel companions.
• AAdvantage Aviator Silver Mastercard - One free checked bag for you and for up to eight of your travel companions.

Tips for Traveling with a Basic Economy:

• Pack Light: Stick to carry-on luggage to avoid additional fees.
• Arrive Early: Arrive at the airport early to ensure a smooth check-in process.
• Be Patient: Be prepared for longer wait times and potential delays.
• Consider Elite Status: If you have elite status with American Airlines or a partner airline, you may be able to enjoy certain perks, such as priority boarding and checked baggage allowances.

Comparing Basic Economy to Other Airlines

While American Airlines offers Basic Economy, many other airlines have similar fare classes with varying restrictions. It's worth comparing fares and restrictions across different airlines to find the best deal for your specific needs.

By understanding the limitations of Basic Economy and weighing the pros and cons, you can make an informed decision about whether this fare class is right for your next trip.

Takeaway - American Airlines Basic Economy: Is it Worth the Savings?

If you are looking for the cheapest possible ticket on an American Airlines flight, then AA Basic Economy is the logical choice. But before you book, you should make sure that you have factors in the extra fees for services you might need such as checked bags or seat choice.

These may still be cheaper than other bargain flights, so it is always worth checking. However, if you are traveling with so little luggage it will fit under the seat in front of you and have no preference in terms of seating and boarding – then it could very well be the cheapest available option for you.

Members of AA Elite AAdvantage or Oneworld Elite memberships will be able to access free checked bags and boarding group upgrades without paying extra fees, making this a handy travel hack for keeping airline costs down.

Whether American Airlines' cheapest fare is worth the savings for you will ultimately depend upon whether you need flexibility for when you fly, how you feel about having your seats assigned, and whether you can travel very lightly. If neither of these issues is a dealbreaker, then checking out American Airlines Basic Economy fares is a smart choice for all of your future flights.