American Airlines Basic Economy: What you need to know about baggage, boarding and more
American Airlines began selling basic economy tickets in 10 markets in 2017. Today, you’ll find basic economy tickets on most routes. And even though it’s been around for more than seven years, you might still have questions about American Airlines’ basic economics fare class and what it entails. So let’s explore what you should know before booking or flying this limited class.
What is basic economy on American Airlines?
Basic Economy is American Airlines’ lowest Main Cabin fare. In exchange for lower fares, American Airlines basic economy comes with some restrictions on seating, boarding order, miles earned, and eligibility to change or cancel flights your.
American Airlines waives some basic economic restrictions for elite members and those who qualify AAdvance credit card. Throughout this story, I’m going to assume you don’t have one Oneworld elite status or AAdvantage credit card. So if you have one or both of those, check out the sections dedicated to elite members and cardholders near the end of this guide.
Related: 4 things I think about when booking basic economy tickets
American Airlines basic economy carry-on baggage policy
All American Airlines passengers, including those in basic economy, may bring a maximum of one personal item and one carry-on item on board.
Your personal item must be no larger than 18 x 14 x 8 inches and must fit in the seat in front of you. Meanwhile, your carry-on bag must fit in the overhead compartment and be no larger than 22 x 14 x 9 inches.
Of course, medically necessary items such as diaper bags (one for each child), breast pumps, soft-sided breast milk coolers, child safety seats, strollers, medical equipment, and Moving items are not counted as personal items or carry-on baggage. -on items even if you fly American Airlines basic economy fare.
Related: Below are things you should bring in your hand luggage when traveling
American Airlines basic economy baggage policy
American Airlines basic economy passengers typically do not receive free checked bags even on routes where Main Cabin passengers do. So you’ll have to pay to check your bags when flying on American Airlines’ basic economy fare.
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Here are the prices you can expect to pay:
| Land | Bag 1 | Bag 2 | Bag 3 | Bags of 4 or more |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States, Puerto Rico and US Virgin Islands | $40 | $45 | $150 | $200 |
| Haiti | $35 | $65 | $200 | $200 |
| Canada, Caribbean (except Cuba and Haiti), Central America (except Panama), Guyana, Mexico and Suriname | $35 | $45 | $200 | $200 |
| Panama, Colombia, Ecuador and Peru | $45 | 100 USD | $200 | $200 |
| South America (except Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, Peru and Suriname) | $60 | 100 USD | $200 | $200 |
| Transatlantic and transpacific | $70 | 100 USD | $200 | $200 |
However, you can save $5 on your first checked bag fee on some routes when you purchase a checked bag at online check-in. Check American Airlines baggage fee page for the latest prices and details.
Related: How to avoid checked baggage fees on major domestic airlines
Choose American Airlines basic economy seats
American Airlines basic economy fares do not include seat selection, but you can pay to select a specific seat at any time during or after booking.
If you do not choose to pay to choose your seat, American Airlines will automatically assign you a free seat at check-in. You may not be able to sit with other passengers in the same booking if you have not paid to seat together.
However, if you are a family traveling with children under 15 years old, American’s system will automatically find shared seats before departure date. If it cannot find shared seating for your entire group, it will assign each child under 15 a seat next to at least one adult.
Related: Where is the best seat on the plane? Here’s how to choose your seat every time you fly
Boarding group for American Airlines basic economy class
Basic Economy passengers usually board in the last boarding group, Group 9.
You may be asked Check your carry-on baggage It’s time to check in to Group 9 but doing so will be free of charge.
Related: Which airline credit card offers the best priority boarding perks?
Redeem for American Airlines basic economy tickets
One downside to American Airlines basic economy fares is that they often cannot be changed.
You can only change your American Airlines basic economy ticket in two cases. The first is if you want to make changes within 24 hours of booking. In this case, you can change your booking (if you made the booking at least two days before departure) but must pay any difference in fare resulting from the change. Second, you can change your ticket for an undisclosed fee if your basic economy travel originates from Europe (except Finland, Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania).
Related: How to avoid airline change and cancellation fees
Cancel American Airlines basic economy tickets
You can cancel an American Airlines basic economy ticket and receive a refund to your original form of payment if you book at least two days before departure and cancel within 24 hours of booking.
After 24 hours have passed, you can still cancel your American Airlines basic economy ticket and receive a travel credit equal to your ticket price minus the $99 fee. To qualify for this travel credit, all of the following must be true:
- Your AAdvantage number must be on your booking before you cancel.
- Your travel must be booked directly in the United States with American Airlines.
- Your travel must also be on flights marketed and operated by American within the 50 states of the United States.
- You must cancel on the American website or app before the first flight departs.
If you don’t meet these criteria, you can’t cancel your basic economy ticket. So I don’t book basic economy on American Airlines unless I’m confident I’ll be taking that flight.
Related: The ultimate guide to canceling flights and getting refunds with major US airlines
Does American Airlines Basic Economy earn miles?
AAdvantage members earn 2 miles per dollar on ticket price (including base fare and carrier-imposed fees but excluding taxes and government-imposed fees) when flying in basic economy on flights marketed and operated by American Airlines. These miles qualify as Loyalty Points and AAdvantage elite members will earn elite rewards on these miles.
However, 2 miles per dollar is significantly less than the 5 miles per dollar you’ll earn on a Main Cabin economy fare. So this needs to be taken into account when deciding whether the price difference between basic economy and Main Cabin economy is worth it.
Related: How to earn miles in the American Airlines AAdvantage program
American Airlines credit cards come with benefits when flying basic economy
Select American Airlines credit card can improve your basic economic experience. With a qualifying AAdvantage card, you’ll receive the following benefits even when flying on American Airlines basic economy fares:
- The first checked bag is free for you and up to a number of companions in the same booking when traveling domestically on flights marketed and operated by American Airlines (number of companions varies depending on card)
- Boarding group 5, except Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard® (see exchange rates and fees), Group 4 boarding provider
Note that you only need one qualifying card – you don’t need to buy basic economy tickets with a qualifying card. So you can get the boarding and baggage benefits of a co-branded American Airlines credit card even if you pay for your ticket with a different card travel rewards card.
If you’re looking for a pass that offers Group 4 or 5 boarding and a free first checked bag for domestic itineraries, consider getting one of the following passes:
Information about the Citi/AAdvantage Platinum Select and AAdvantage Aviator Red World Elite Mastercard has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Related: How to use credit cards to beat the basic economy
Elite deals when flying basic economy class on American Airlines
Have America’s elite status or another Oneworld elite status that helps alleviate some of the negative aspects of the underlying economy. Specifically, elite members receive the following benefits as normal even when flying on American Airlines basic economy fares:
- Normal boarding group
- Standard checked baggage benefits
- Regular upgrade privileges
- Complimentary Priority and Main Cabin seating selection benefits based on elite status
- Free same-day confirmed flight changes for AAdvantage Platinum Pro and Executive Platinum members
However, you’ll only earn 2 miles per dollar on basic economy fares instead of the 5 miles per dollar you’ll earn on most other fares.
Related: Credit cards can help you achieve airline elite status
Bottom line
Basic economy fares on American Airlines come with restrictions. However, travelers have elite or qualified status American Airlines credit card can get rid of many inconveniences of basic economy. Specifically, these passengers receive the regular baggage allowance and boarding area provided by their elite status or qualifying credit card even when flying in American Airlines basic economy .
