American Airlines Basic Economy: What Are The Restrictions, And Is It Worth It?

Nowadays, all major airlines in the United States offer some sort of basic economy fares. In this post, I’d like to take a detailed look at American Airlines basic economy, to reflect what it’s like nowadays. Separately, I’ve covered similar fares offered by Alaska, Delta, JetBlue, and United.

What is basic economy, and why does it exist?

Basic economy was introduced many years back as a way for major US airlines to better compete with ultra low cost carriers, like Allegiant, Frontier, Spirit, etc. At least that was the claim, with the idea being that basic economy comes at a lower cost, but with more restrictions.

Basic economy is ultimately a tool for airlines to better segment the market. Those looking for the cheapest fares might book American basic economy rather than a competitor, while the airline hopes that most consumers are willing to “buy up” to more expensive fares, which come with fewer restrictions.

Another consideration is that nowadays a large portion of airline profits come from loyalty programs. Getting people onto aircraft and getting them to sign-up for the loyalty program makes it easier to market credit cards to more people. So there’s huge value to just getting people onto aircraft, even if their tickets directly aren’t that profitable.

Restrictions with American basic economy fares

If you choose to book an American Airlines basic economy ticket, what restrictions are you agreeing to? Below is what you can expect, in no particular order.

Pay for seat assignments

American Airlines basic economy tickets don’t allow free seat assignments in advance for most customers. You’ll be automatically assigned a seat at check-in (which can either be at the airport, or starting 24 hours out via online check-in).

However, when booking a basic economy fare:

• All passengers can pay to assign a seat at the time of booking
• AAdvantage elite members who are eligible can select Main Cabin Extra seats at the time of booking at no cost; this includes Concierge Key, Executive Platinum, Platinum Pro, and Platinum members, while AAdvantage Gold members can select Main Cabin Extra within 24 hours of departure
• Those traveling with children 14 and under will automatically be assigned seats together, as part of American’s family seating commitment

Board the plane last

If you book a basic economy fare on American Airlines, you’ll generally be in boarding group eight or nine, which are the last boarding groups. The downside to boarding last is that there might not be space for your carry-on, so you may have to gate check it.

However, when booking a basic economy fare:

• AAdvantage elite members and those with a co-branded AAdvantage credit card that has an early boarding benefit are exempt from this
• All AAdvantage members can at least board with group six
• Basic economy passengers can pay for priority boarding, with the cost varying by flight

No free ticket changes

Several years back, we saw American Airlines eliminate change fees on a vast majority of fares. This is great, because it means you can cancel your ticket, and then apply the credit toward a future itinerary.

American basic economy fares come with more restrictions in that regard. American basic economy fares can be changed for a fee of $99, though only if they’re domestic, if your travel hasn’t yet started, and if you booked directly through American.

All other American basic economy fares are “use it or lose it,” meaning that if you need to change your travel, you’ll just forfeit the total ticket amount.

No mileage earning & status qualification

American AAdvantage awards miles based on how much you spend rather than based on how far you fly, and ordinarily, tickets earn 5x AAdvantage miles and Loyalty Points (the metric of status qualification).

Unfortunately nowadays American doesn’t award any AAdvantage miles or Loyalty Points for basic economy fares. This is a new policy for tickets booked as of December 17, 2025, as previously American awarded 2x AAdvantage miles and Loyalty Points on basic economy fares. So if you care about earning miles or elite status, then basic economy fares on American aren’t for you.

What’s not restricted in American basic economy?

If you book an American basic economy ticket, here’s what’s included as usual, among other things:

• The same food and drinks
• The same carry-on allowance as other passengers (one carry-on bag, and one personal item)
• The ability to standby for other flights at no cost
• Elite benefits, including eligibility for upgrades

American Airlines basic economy FAQs

Before I share my thoughts on the value proposition of basic economy, let me answer some common questions about American Airlines basic economy.

What American routes have basic economy?

Nowadays American Airlines basic economy fares are available in virtually all markets, including on domestic flights, as well as on most international flights (both short haul and long haul). On flights to Europe, you may also find these fares on American’s transatlantic joint venture business partners, including British Airways, Finnair, and Iberia.

However, not all flights or markets will have basic economy available. If basic economy is available, you’ll see it listed as the first pricing option. Just because a flight doesn’t have basic economy doesn’t mean it won’t be cheap. For example, it’s not uncommon to see sub-$100 fares that are in regular economy, rather than basic economy. Conversely, you’ll also often find basic economy fares that aren’t cheap at all.

How much cheaper are American basic economy tickets?

The price premium for avoiding basic economy on American Airlines can vary significantly. I’d say it’s most common to see a $30-50 one-way premium for regular economy over basic economy for domestic and short haul international flights, and somewhere around a $100 one-way premium on long haul international flights.

For example, take the below flight from Tampa to New York, where the cost is $59 vs. $99.

Or take the below flight from Miami to Seattle, where the cost is $120 vs. $170.

To look at an international example, take the below flight from New York to London, where the cost is $234 vs. $334.

Does American basic economy allow a carry-on?

Yes it does. When basic economy was first introduced, these tickets allowed you to bring onboard a personal item, but not a full size carry-on. That restriction is no longer in place.

Does American basic economy allow a free checked bag?

Basic economy fares to most regions don’t allow a free checked bag. While that would otherwise be the case on most fares within the US, this even applies on most international flights.

There are two exceptions, which allow you to have free checked bags:

• You’re allowed one free checked bag on basic economy tickets to Asia
• If you’re an elite member or have a co-branded credit card with a checked bag benefit, you can still take advantage of that as usual

What’s the difference between main cabin and basic economy?

When I talk about basic economy, I typically compare it to regular economy. That’s simply marketed as “main cabin” at American Airlines. There’s nothing more to it. Main cabin is the same thing as economy.

Is there a difference between basic economy and economy?

This will sound silly to some, but some people do wonder “so where on the plane is the basic economy cabin?”

Basic economy is purely a different ticket type, and there’s not a separate cabin for basic economy passengers. Rather, basic economy passengers are seated throughout the plane, like everyone else.

Is American Airlines basic economy worth it?

When American Airlines first launched basic economy, it was extremely restrictive — you wouldn’t get a carry-on bag, and almost no elite benefits were honored. Fortunately basic economy isn’t nearly as punitive as it used to be, even though these flights don’t earn miles and don’t count toward elite status.

In many ways that makes it easier to calculate the value of basic economy. That’s especially true when you consider that you can pay for seat assignments and other perks, meaning you can essentially recreate the regular economy experience on a basic economy ticket, with the exception of the ability to make ticket changes at no cost, and to earn miles or have tickets count toward status.

Let me share my take on the value of basic economy, both for elite members and non-elite members.

Basic economy as an AAdvantage elite member

As an AAdvantage elite member, I’d have no qualms booking basic economy if the savings were significant enough. You can still assign seats, you’re still eligible for priority boarding, and you can still score complimentary upgrades.

You’re giving up two main things. First of all, you’re not earning any AAdvantage miles or Loyalty Points. Everyone will calculate the value of that differently, based on their situation. Personally, I value AAdvantage miles at 1.5 cents each, meaning:

• At a minimum, you’re forgoing a 7.5% return on your spending, as travelers ordinarily earn 5x miles per dollar spent
• Executive Platinum members earn up to 11x miles per dollar spent, which would be like forgoing a 16.5% return on spending
• That says nothing of the value of Loyalty Points, which is much more variable, depending on your situation

Second of all, you’re giving up ticket flexibility. Domestic basic economy tickets will cost $99 to change, while international basic economy tickets can’t be changed at all. With basic economy often costing $30-50 less than regular economy, it comes down to whether it’s worth paying that much extra for ticket flexibility, after factoring in the value of the miles and Loyalty Points you’re forgoing.

Basic economy if you don’t care about status

Aside from ticket flexibility and mileage earning, as a non-elite member the biggest question is how much you value not boarding last and/or not being able to select seats:

• You can always pay for these things individually, and compare costs
• It’s not like you’d otherwise be among the first to board on a regular economy ticket; for that matter, becoming a member of AAdvantage allows you to board with group six
• Even on regular economy tickets, there are few seats that can be assigned for free

Using the above example of a Tampa to New York flight where the fare difference between basic economy and regular economy is $40, I had a look at the cost to assign seats on a basic economy ticket. Standard seat assignments cost $19-21, while the most expensive Main Cabin Extra seats cost $49.

So you’d pay $40 extra one-way to avoid basic economy, or alternatively you could pay $19-21 to assign a seat. Or to look at it differently, you could put those $40 savings toward a $49 Main Cabin Extra seat, and you’d get the best economy seat in the house. However, you’d still be left with limited ticket flexibility and no mileage earning.

Bottom line

Basic economy is a tool that airlines use to maximize yields. They know they’ll attract some people with very low fares, while they know that others are willing to pay a premium to avoid these restrictions.

The good news is that basic economy has become much less punitive since it was first introduced, in terms of taking advantage of elite benefits, in terms of being able to customize your experience, and even in terms of making changes.

In the case of American Airlines, there are two main disadvantages. You earn no AAdvantage miles and Loyalty Points on these tickets. Furthermore, your tickets have less flexibility. While other tickets can be changed for free, basic economy tickets can be changed for $99 domestically, and can’t be changed at all internationally.

Personally I think it’s worth paying the premium for flexibility and miles (both redeemable and status qualifying), but everyone will have to crunch the numbers based on their own situation.

Under what circumstances do you end up buying basic economy tickets? How do you do the math?