3 things I think about when booking basic economy

Basic economy has changed a lot since airlines added the low-cost fare option a decade ago.

The general principle has remained the same, that you pay a lower ticket price than you would for a main cabin ticket, but you will lose some of the services on your flight.

What is included with a basic economy fare, what isn't included, and what you can add for a fee have all been changed by airlines.

Everything you need to know about the rules of basic economy with American, Delta and United can be found in the guides.

Considering how basic economy policies differ from one airline to another, not to mention how they've changed through time, I find it helpful to have a mental checklist of factors I consider when evaluating whether it's worth saving a little.

It's important to know what factors are most important to you in order to make the best decision. The factors I consider are listed below.

1. The complimentary full-size carry-on bag

If you have always shied away from checking a bag whenever possible or moved in that direction after the baggage chaos of this past summer, going without a bag can be a great way to go. You need a carry-on suitcase that can fit in the overhead bin if you don't have a small backpack or purse.

In the past, airlines have restricted free baggage to a personal item that can fit under the seat and charged for anything else.

Most of the time, I need a full-sized bag. If I am traveling on an airline with restrictive baggage policies, I will stay away unless it is an airline with which I have elite status or a co- branded airline credit card checked baggage perk.

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Nowadays, carry-on baggage restrictions are less common on the biggest US airlines. United is the only airline that restricts overhead bin access in basic economy.

2. Loyalty perks and earning

I think about whether I will be able to enjoy my loyalty perks, earn miles and progress toward elite status while traveling on a basic economy fare when I decide whether to book it or not.

I stayed away from basic economy when I was first trying to get elite status with American Airlines because they only gave half credit on elite segments when flying with a basic economy ticket. If you fly basic economy, you can now earn Loyalty Points even if you don't fly elite segments.

Some airlines have restrictions in place. Basic economy flyers who go on a trip don't count towards their flights. SkyMiles members are not allowed to earn elite status when flying basic economy.

I'll consider how the airline handles this in making my decision, since you'd hate to pay for a flight and not have it counted in their loyalty program.

I will consider the other perks I enjoy during a flight, whether it is from elite status or a co- branded airline credit card. Sometimes airlines will put strict rules in place for basic economy tickets but allow exceptions for elite members on certain policies; this is not always the case.

Will my benefits still apply even though basic economy restrictions are in place? Is it possible for me to enjoy complimentary upgrades? Is it possible for me to board in my priority group as opposed to the last group on the plane, as basic economy tickets are almost universal? Does my free checked bag benefit still apply?

I might go with the cheaper ticket if those questions are answered affirmatively.

3. Itinerary flexibility

Basic economy tickets lack flexibility when it comes to making changes beyond the 24 hour grace period after booking.

The inflexibility of basic economy tickets compared with other tickets is all the starker, now that airlines have relaxed their change and cancellation policies on most tickets, compared with before the Pandemic.

If you cancel a basic economy ticket voluntarily, you may be able to get some of your investment back, but you will often have to pay a cancellation fee. Most of the time, you will be limited in your ability to change your trip.

Basic economy isn't a good idea if I know I'll need to change or cancel my trip before I leave. I might be willing to book basic economy if I am confident that the trip will go on as planned, and that I won't have to give up any of my money.

One thing to always keep in mind

My basic economy decision equation doesn't take into account whether or not I can choose my own seat on a flight. The airlines usually exclude complimentary seat selection from these discount tickets.

It's likely that you won't be able to guarantee that your family sits together. When you are assigned a seat at check-in, there will be less seat options to choose from.

If seat selection is important to you, you don't need to consider a lot of factors, like basic economy.

Bottom line

Basic economy versus full-fare economy policies can be a lot to keep track of. It's a good idea to know what services and benefits are most important to you so you can choose the right ticket.