United Airlines is eliminating one of the frustrating restrictions associated with its basic economy offering, as flagged by Zach Griff.
In this post:
United adds online check-in for basic economy
United basic economy comes with several restrictions. One of those is that you can’t check-in online on most itineraries. That’s because basic economy in most markets doesn’t include a carry-on bag, and passengers have to go to the check-in counter to show that they only have a personal item.
Fortunately this policy will be changing shortly. As of August 6, 2024, United will start allowing basic economy passengers to check-in online, either via the website or mobile app, as well as at kiosks. Therefore United passengers will no longer have to wait to have an agent manually verify that they don’t have a carry-on.
There is one catch, though. With this policy change, United basic economy passengers will have to put a credit card on file when they check-in, and they’ll be charged $65 in the event that they show up at the gate with a full size carry-on. That fee is for the standard $40 first checked bag fee if you pay at the airport, plus an additional $25 gate handling fee.
United has reportedly been testing this development at its Chicago (ORD) hub for quite some time, and found that the company’s net promoter score increased when basic economy customers could check-in online. The airline also reportedly didn’t see an increase in the number of people showing up at the gate with a carry-on.
Suffice it to say that this is a positive change — it simplifies the travel process for basic economy passengers, and will also reduce the workload of United agents with checking people in.
United still has the most punitive basic economy policy
What I find interesting is that United continues to not allow basic economy passengers to travel with a carry-on in most markets, but rather they can only take a personal item. The only exceptions are that United MileagePlus elite members, Star Alliance Gold members, and those with a qualifying United MileagePlus credit card, can take a carry-on with them.
Of the “big three” US carriers, United is the only one to have such a policy, as American basic economy fares and Delta basic economy fares include a carry-on item.
In an industry where we so often see airlines match one another to remain competitive, this is something United has stayed consistent with, and I find it to be interesting how United keeps getting away with that. For that matter, United even brags about how it keeps seeing an uptick in basic economy bookings.
Bottom line
As of August 6, 2024, United Airlines will allow basic economy passengers to check-in online, representing a major policy shift for the airline. Passengers will have to provide a credit card during check-in, and in the event that they show up at the gate with a full size carry-on and aren’t eligible to take it, they’ll automatically be charged $65.
This is a positive change that makes things easier for everyone. However, perhaps the bigger takeaway here is that United is in a league of its own when it comes to how restrictive basic economy is.
What do you make of United eliminating its online check-in restriction for basic economy?
Yeah luckily stupidity still knows to do research at least to tell themselves some facts that everyone else would be easily knowing.
So where does the luxury part come in? Or was that meant to ironic and/or sarcastic lol
After reading on OMAAT about the first class Armani hotels and Bulgari hotels now i learned that the United check in for Basic economy is called luxury. Who would say that? (except you)
Tell me you don't understand sarcasm without telling me you don't understand sarcasm.
I just flew United Basic Economy this week to O'hare. They had been testing the online program at O'hare for a while, so I was able to use online check in on my flight from O'hare, but not the flight from my city to O'hare. This is a positive change. I was only flying United Basic Economy to review it for my blog. I will be back to Delta & American by the end of...
I just flew United Basic Economy this week to O'hare. They had been testing the online program at O'hare for a while, so I was able to use online check in on my flight from O'hare, but not the flight from my city to O'hare. This is a positive change. I was only flying United Basic Economy to review it for my blog. I will be back to Delta & American by the end of the month because the refusal to allow a free carry on is a deal breaker for me. Maybe United won't continue to get away with not allowing a free carry on after JetBlue now allows a carry on. I definitely will take my business back to Delta & American.
@Dim Sum feels she is well qualified to speak on all things United now. Detla is too small for the ambitions of Dim Sum. Detla was just a stepping stone for Dim Sum. Next world to conquer is American.
It was always dumb. When me and my partner travelled we took turns checking in at the counter while the other one watched our bags.
Goddamn that's awesome. I never thought of that! So gonna do this
Lower value basic economy pax have long flocked to less premium airlines (like Delta) as they could get more benefits. United, as a more premium carrier, has not had to resort to marketing towards these bottom feeders.
In my experience, once I add the price of a carryon bag to a UA b/e ticket, the total cost is more expensive than other carriers. Oh well.
Delta already offers online check-in for basic economy passengers! Especially those on the ultra-profitable, YEAR-ROUND A350-1000 route to Auckland.
Not getting bored anytime soon, huh?
United is carrying more basic economy passengers because
1. They are adding capacity via larger aircraft and are making the assumption that the incremental capacity they add above the RJs that are being upgauged to mainline can be filled with basic economy passengers and
2. Because Scott Kirby and other UA execs have made it clear that their goal is to eliminate the ultra low cost carriers and take a share of low cost carrier growth.
Feel that this answers *how* UA has the capacity to carry more basic economy passengers, but not why they'd choose UA, compared to another airline that offers a free carry on bag, which is the question Ben posed. Sure, Scott Kirby's goal is to eliminate the low cost carriers, but airline CEO goals and reality often clash -- Doug Parker said AA would never lose money again and we all know how that went. What...
Feel that this answers *how* UA has the capacity to carry more basic economy passengers, but not why they'd choose UA, compared to another airline that offers a free carry on bag, which is the question Ben posed. Sure, Scott Kirby's goal is to eliminate the low cost carriers, but airline CEO goals and reality often clash -- Doug Parker said AA would never lose money again and we all know how that went. What makes passengers choose UA over DL/AA? How have they gotten away with this?
Because United has the capacity and network to win over passengers. Success in the airline industry is about size
United just wants for its need to carry more economy basic passengers to coincide w the failure of ULCCs.
American and Delta are not chasing basic economy passengers and are shrinking their share of that fare even though they offer a better product than United
"Because United has the capacity and network to win over passengers. Success in the airline industry is about size"
So then you do admit the fact that UA has a superior network, especially TPAC, is a big reason why they are winning and growing substantially. Conversely, AA/DL's lack of TPAC network is indeed hurting them, holding back a lot of opportunity.
Delta has a bigger TPAC than United!
The comparison is relative to domestic ULCCs. United is 4th out of the big 4 in the domestic market.
UA burns lots of gas flying the Pacific but carries relatively few passengers compared to domestic
Tim D would rather have his testicles cut off with a rusted butter knife than admit UA (or any airline) is any way better than DL.
Agree as a 2mm and diamond on delta for decades. I am much happier even ATL based on UA. Timm drank the Kool Aid and it did permanent brain damage. The crowd strike situation showed how woeful DL is when compared to AA and UA. Don't expect any truth or Facts from Tim