American Airlines Basic Economy: Overview + How To Change

Booking economy tickets on American Airlines can save you a lot of money, especially if you would rather spend your dough on a nice hotel or exotic cuisine instead. Save the spending for when you get to your destination — the airplane trip should be the forgettable part of your vacation.

Be aware that American Airlines Basic Economy tickets can also come with a bunch of restrictions, that if you aren’t careful could add fees or inconveniences on to your trip. Let us show you how to take advantage of the economy ticket prices without getting stuck with the restrictions.

What to Expect with Basic Economy on American Airlines

With the huge savings of an economy ticket comes a lot of restrictions too. Here’s what to expect.

Baggage rules

When American Airlines first began offering Basic Economy tickets, only one personal item was included in the ticket cost. But last year, American Airlines began allowing one carry-on plus one personal item at no additional cost. This sets American airlines apart from many other carriers, which often don’t allow a carry-on bag with their lowest price fares.

Checked bags on American Airlines cost extra for both basic economy and main cabin customers. Only premium economy, business, and first class passengers get complimentary checked bags included with their tickets, but there are some other ways to get free checked bags, which we’ll discuss later on.

Seating and boarding

With your Basic Economy ticket, your seat will be randomly assigned to you at check-in. That means you might get stuck in the middle between two people who have the audacity to take both armrests (I’m speaking from experience here). Families can be split up as well, but American Airlines will assign seats so that children under 15 are next to at least one accompanying adult. If you want to choose a specific seat, you’ll be charged an additional fee.

Your Basic Economy ticket entitles you to board with the last boarding group, which will be either group 8 or 9 depending on where you’re flying. You can pay more for a main cabin seat or an extra legroom seat. However, certain credit cardholders and AAdvantage elite members may be eligible to board earlier. Knowing this, it makes sense to compare the best travel credit cards to get the perks you want.

Flight changes and cancellations

Your Basic Economy ticket allows you to pay extra to change to a same-day flight, but other changes will not be allowed. You also will not be able to get a refund for your ticket, so even though $288 is a great deal to fly across the country, if you have to cancel for illness or a work obligation, you are out of luck.

For international flights, American Airlines does allow flight changes on Basic Economy tickets, but expect a hefty fee.

AAdvantage points and benefits

AAdvantage members can earn points based on the ticketed value of their Basic Economy flight. You can also earn Loyalty Points, which could help toward earning American Airlines elite status.

No upgrade options

Regardless of elite status, customers who book Basic Economy tickets are not eligible for upgrades with American Airlines.

How to change a Basic Economy flight with American

While Basic Economy flights with American Airlines generally can’t be changed, there are a few exceptions. You can make changes or cancel for a refund within 24 hours of purchase if the booking was made at least two days before departure. Expect there to be a hefty fee to make changes, though, which might surpass how much you paid for the ticket in the first place.

If you are an AAdvantage member, you can cancel your flight after the 24-hour period for a fee, but you will receive travel credit rather than a full refund.

How to get around American’s Basic Economy restrictions

Save big on your flight while still feeling like a world-class traveler with these simple ways to upgrade your experience. The following memberships will allow you a free checked bag, faster check-ins, and access to private lounges while you wait for your flight.

1. Become an AAdvantage elite member

AAdvantage is the American Airlines loyalty program, which allows frequent fliers to earn elite status and be eligible for additional perks every time they fly. To reach the first elite tier, which is AAdvantage Gold, you’ll need to earn 30,000 Loyalty Points.

Loyalty Points can be earned by flying, making eligible purchases with co-branded American Airlines credit cards, and taking advantage of offers from American Airlines partners. You typically earn one Loyalty Point for each base mile you earn on purchases with applicable credit cards.

2. Become a Oneworld elite member

Oneworld is an airline alliance with many partner airlines, including American Airlines, British Airways, Iberia, Finnair, and more. To achieve elite status with Oneworld, you need to first reach elite status through one of the loyalty programs of its partner airlines. So if you haven’t flown American Airlines this year, you could still be eligible for perks if you’ve earned enough miles on British Airways, for example.

Oneworld Ruby members will get priority check-in and pre-reserved seating, and Emerald and Sapphire tiers will also get priority boarding, extra baggage allowance, and access to lounges.

3. Get an American Airlines credit card

If you’re looking to reach elite status through AAdvantage and avoid some of the restrictions on your Basic Economy ticket, getting an American Airlines credit card can help you reach your goal much faster.

Between the generous welcome offers and higher rewards rates associated with these cards, you might be surprised how quickly you can reach the tier you want. And many of these cards also come with additional travel perks and savings opportunities that you can start enjoying now.

For example, even though Citi^® / AAdvantage^® Platinum Select^® World Elite Mastercard^® has a $99 (waived first year) annual fee, if you fly three times or more a year, this card will save you money on checked bags. At the airport, American Airlines charges $40 for your first checked bag on a domestic flight. 

Even the Citi^® / AAdvantage^® Executive World Elite Mastercard^® with its hefty $595 annual fee can be worth it for frequent travelers who take advantage of the complimentary food, wi-fi, and showers in the select Admiral Club lounges. Plus, priority check-in and screening will save you time when you hit the airport during a rush.

Here are some of the best airline credit cards co-branded with American Airlines.

Comparing AA Basic Economy to other airlines

American Airlines introduced Basic Economy fares in February of 2017, joining other major airlines in offering an affordable, no-frills ticket. But in doing so, the carrier did away with many of the features included in main cabin ticket prices.

This four-day roundtrip flight from Los Angeles to New York can cost as little as $288 per person — a $105 savings from a main ticket. The same trip with Delta cost $253, but its economy offerings were much stricter than American Airlines. Booking economy with Delta means no earned miles or access to Delta Sky Club. Basic Economy flights still earn points and lounge access with certain American Airlines credit cards and memberships.

United Airlines also offered the same trip from Los Angeles to New York for $253 with similar exclusions as Delta. United Airlines states it offers tools to allow children under 12 to sit with family members, whereas American Airlines ensures children 15 and under sit with at least one guardian.

FAQs

Bottom line

When considering whether to purchase a Main Cabin or Basic Economy ticket, consider the cost. If you can get a domestic Basic Economy ticket for a steal, we say go for it, especially if you can get around some of the restrictions with your elite status or credit card. Then again, if you want peace of mind (or extra leg room), paying more for a higher class ticket might be worth it to you.

It’s a good strategy to look at everything that’s available to you as a cardmember or elite AAdvantage member and consider what restrictions you’re willing to live with to get a lower price. Whether you choose to save money on a Basic Economy ticket or pay for extra perks, we hope you enjoy your flight!

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Earn American Airlines AAdvantage® miles

American Airlines AAdvantage^® MileUp^® Card

4.0

FinanceBuzz writers and editors score cards based on a number of objective features as well as our expert editorial assessment. Our partners do not influence how we rate products.

American Airlines AAdvantage^® MileUp^® Card

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Rates and fees

Current Offer

Earn 15,000 American Airlines AAdvantage® bonus miles after making $1,000 in purchases within the first 3 months of account opening

Annual Fee

$0

Rewards Rate

2 AAdvantage® miles for each $1 spent at grocery stores, including grocery delivery services; 2 AAdvantage® miles for every $1 spent on eligible American Airlines purchases; and 1 AAdvantage® mile for every $1 spent on other purchases

Benefits and Drawbacks

Benefits

• $0 annual fee
• Earns Loyalty Points for American Airlines elite status
• 25% back on in-flight food and beverage purchases

Drawbacks

• No travel or purchase protection
• 3% foreign transaction fee
• No checked bag benefit

Card Details

• Earn 15,000 American Airlines AAdvantage® bonus miles after making $1,000 in purchases within the first 3 months of account opening.
• 0% Intro APR for 15 months on balance transfers; after that, the variable APR will be 20.49% - 29.49%, based on your creditworthiness. Interest will be charged on purchases unless you pay the balance due, including balance transfers, by the due date each month.
• Balance transfer fee of either $5 or 5% of the amount of each credit card balance transfer, whichever is greater. Balance Transfers must be completed within 4 months of account opening.
• No Annual Fee
• Earn 2 AAdvantage® miles for each $1 spent at grocery stores, including grocery delivery services
• Earn 2 AAdvantage® miles for every $1 spent on eligible American Airlines purchases
• Save 25% on inflight food and beverage purchases when you use your card on American Airlines flights

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