Basic economy tickets get riskier during holiday travel — what flyers need to know

Travel is looking dicier than ever this holiday season. Experts predict record numbers at the airport while airlines are still reeling from the shutdown. The timing for these disruptions couldn’t be worse.

According to Deloitte’s Annual Holiday Travel Survey, 54% of Americans plan to travel over the holidays this year. That’s 5% more travelers than in 2024. Here’s when things get trickier. 31% of respondents said they are in a worse financial shape than last year, and spending is down 18%. This means travelers are searching for ways to save money. In many cases, this will mean considering basic economy fares. These fares can be risky, but for some travelers, they make sense.

What are basic economy tickets?

Basic economy tickets are a lower-cost version of standard economy tickets. Sounds good, right? The answer depends on your situation.

Although basic economy tickets are offered at a reduced price, there are strings attached. The fine print varies between carriers, but each airline has a strict set of rules and restrictions. If everything goes right, those restrictions are probably tolerable, but if there’s a hiccup with your holiday travel, these tickets can negatively impact your plans.

Why holiday travel is riskier with basic economy

The holiday season highlights every limitation of basic economy fares. Late boarding groups mean overhead bins are often filled by the time the traveler reaches their row. Winter weather increases the likelihood of delays, yet most basic economy tickets cannot be changed without steep financial penalties.

Travelers who want to sit together are likely to find their seats scattered across the aircraft unless they upgrade. And because holiday connections often run tighter than usual, a seat near the back may add minutes to deplaning, when every minute counts. Some airlines don’t even offer free carry-ons, so you’ll have to spend extra money checking your suitcase. Still, in some cases, these tickets might make sense.

How to decide if it’s worth the savings

Some travelers are ideal candidates for basic economy even during the holidays. If you’ve got a short nonstop flight (or a long layover), a small personal item, and a willingness to sit apart from your companions, basic economy tickets may be worth considering. Here’s what to expect from basic economy tickets on four different airlines to help you evaluate your choices.

United Airlines Basic Economy

United’s Basic Economy waits to assign seats during check-in, increasing the likelihood that you’ll be crammed into middle seats at the back of the plane. Although families with young children may be able to contact the airline about sitting together, in most cases, you can count on sitting separately from the rest of your party.

Additionally, United’s Basic Economy customers are not allowed to bring a carry-on bag on board. They are required to check it at the airport, with prices starting at $35 per bag.

Lastly, changes aren’t permitted with United basic economy tickets. If you cancel within 24 hours of booking, you’ll receive a full refund. After that, you’ll only receive a partial refund if you wish to cancel or switch to a different flight.

American Airlines Basic Economy

American’s Basic Economy is similar to United’s. Tickets are refundable for 24 hours; after that, they can’t be changed, although in some cases you may be able to receive a flight credit for canceled tickets or make same-day flight changes if you pay a fee. Therefore, these tickets are best for travelers who are 100% confident about their plans.

If you want to select a seat, you’ll have to pay an additional fee. Otherwise, your seat will be assigned at check-in, so once again, there’s a good chance you’ll be in the middle seat. This also makes it much more challenging to sit with your companions. Although American grants Basic Economy customers a complimentary carry-on, you’ll be in the last boarding group, so there’s a good chance the overhead bins will be full.

Delta Airlines Main Basic

Delta’s Main Basic allows a carry-on bag, which differentiates it from United, but you still won’t receive a seat assignment until check-in. Travelers will also board with the last group. If the bin space is full, you’ll be forced to check your carry-on at the gate.

Main Basic tickets are non-refundable after 24 hours. At that point, you may be offered the chance to change your flight or cancel for a fee, but the option is not guaranteed. Like the other airlines, your seat won’t be assigned until check-in.

Delta also limits certain perks. For instance, you aren’t permitted to enter the lounge with a Main Basic ticket, even if you’re usually granted access through a membership or credit card.

Alaska Airlines Saver Fare

Alaska Airlines Saver Fares have similar boundaries. Seats are assigned after check-in, boarding is with the last group, and changes are not permitted after 24 hours. The exception is same-day flight changes, which might be allowed for a fee.

Alaska Airlines Saver Fares do not allow standby. This may not seem important, but during the holidays, when weather and crowds often lead to cancellations and delays, standby flights may be the best option.

The bottom line

Basic economy fares aren’t right for everyone. They work best when passengers understand the restrictions that come along with the tickets. This allows travelers to decide whether it’s worth working with the limitations over the holidays.