Perspective | How to avoid basic economy class airfares

By Christopher Elliott Christopher Elliott Email Bio Follow Columnist April 25 Basic economy class airfares are getting complicated.

Elwell is not alone. The three major carriers — Delta Air Lines, American Airlines and United Airlines — have slowly increased the number of “basic” economy class fares available to passengers. Alaska Airlines late last year added basic “Saver” fares, and JetBlue plans to introduce a new basic offering this year. The increased variety is adding to the complexity.

As I noted when they were introduced in 2015, basic-fare tickets are not necessarily a cheaper type of economy class ticket. Take Delta’s basic tickets. The same E-class fares a decade ago came with a seat assignment, two checked bags and the ability to change a reservation. The airline didn’t discount the tickets in exchange for the new restrictions. Instead, it asked customers whether they would be willing to pay the same fare with new limits, and enough passengers said yes.

For Gilbert, who handles flight arrangements for his office, avoiding basic economy means initially researching fares on a third-party website like Orbitz. Online agencies often, though not always, flag these fares for users. “I know the prices displayed are usually for the basic seats with restrictions,” he says. Then he visits the airline website to book the tickets directly. Airlines often warn passengers about the restrictions on basic tickets, although the disclosures vary.

The Google Flights search engine, another helpful tool, allows you to search by criteria such as the ability to take a carry-on bag. That eliminates some of the most restrictive basic tickets and entirely excludes discount carriers such as Allegiant Air, Frontier Airlines and Spirit Airlines.

Hmmm, let's see...buy not basic economy class airfares?

This is why I only fly SouthwestAir.👍 You know exactly what you're paying for and you're not nickle and dimed during your travel.

Finance Finance Latest News, Finance Finance Headlines

Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.

Perspective | Trump wants to copy the worst thing Turkey does with its economyErdogan has turned Turkey's central bank into a political tool. It has not worked well for the economy. I'm surprised this country hasn't gone further down Turkey's path at this point. DerangedDonald Opinion: Orange Man Bad.
Source: washingtonpost - 🏆 95. / 72 Read more »