United Airlines Basic Economy

[flamingeaux]

Firstly Thanks to everyone who answered my questions about the hotels.

Now I have another question, because I'm trying not to let my anxiety get the better of me.


We have Basic Economy tickets, under 2 reservations 1 reservation includes me, DH, DS, and my mom.  The other has my bro, SIL, and their girls 10,6,2.  Under the Basic Economy info, the site says they strive to put under 15 with an accompanying adult.  Do they usually succeed? 

[Deleted]

I’ve heard lots of stories of them not doing it. If only middle seats are left that’s what they’ll assign everyone. They can call ahead and try to get the younger 2 kids early assigned near a parent but I wouldn’t count on it.

[pmwife]

They told me that families would not be seated together. We opted to buy seats ahead of time so that the younger kids were with a parent.

[goldengirlz]

It probably depends on the flight. When you look at the seat map online, do you see lots of empty seats or mostly middles in the back? That will give you an idea of what the airline has to work with ...

[just]

I wouldn't bank on it. If any of you want to sit together, I'd pay for the seats.

[Deleted]

Jul 21, 2019 19:05:10 GMT -5 just said:

I wouldn't bank on it. If any of you want to sit together, I'd pay for the seats.

This is what I would do as well. They can try, but if the flight is full, they may have to request that people move seats, and sometimes people aren't very accommodating depending on the length of the flight. 

For me, the certainty of knowing we have seats together outweighs the cost. 

[goldengirlz]

Jul 21, 2019 19:16:40 GMT -5 @princessbubbleyum said:

Jul 21, 2019 19:05:10 GMT -5 just said:

I wouldn't bank on it. If any of you want to sit together, I'd pay for the seats.

This is what I would do as well. They can try, but if the flight is full, they may have to request that people move seats, and sometimes people aren't very accommodating depending on the length of the flight. 

For me, the certainty of knowing we have seats together outweighs the cost. 

Does United let you “upgrade” to full fare after purchasing basic economy? It sounds like it’s a bit late for a lecture ...

In general, though, I agree with you 100% and this is kind of a soapbox issue for me. Like, I paid for my seat. There is zero chance I am moving because someone else thought they could save money by banking on my goodwill.

[Deleted]

I think you do have some options up through check in. If that’s the case I would figure out who all absolutely needs a seat assignment and who can wait until they’re assigned.

[Whitecaps]

They "strive," but not very hard. I wouldn't count on it.

[frlcb]

Jul 21, 2019 21:17:05 GMT -5 goldengirlz said:

Jul 21, 2019 19:16:40 GMT -5 @princessbubbleyum said:

This is what I would do as well. They can try, but if the flight is full, they may have to request that people move seats, and sometimes people aren't very accommodating depending on the length of the flight. 

For me, the certainty of knowing we have seats together outweighs the cost. 

Does United let you “upgrade” to full fare after purchasing basic economy? It sounds like it’s a bit late for a lecture ...

In general, though, I agree with you 100% and this is kind of a soapbox issue for me. Like, I paid for my seat. There is zero chance I am moving because someone else thought they could save money by banking on my goodwill.

Delta doesn’t so I imagine United doesn’t either.

[Deleted]

FYI From their website: Complimentary seat selection and upgrades are not available
When you choose a Basic Economy ticket, your complimentary seat will be automatically assigned prior to boarding, and you won't be able to change your seat once it's been assigned. Advance seat assignments may be available for purchase during booking and up until check-in opens. You will not be eligible to purchase Economy Plus® seating or receive Economy Plus subscription benefits. 

[wildrice]

I am sorry to say I had a horrible customer service experience with them with basic economy last time I flew with united. We didn't have kids, so maybe not 100% your question, but we were on a flight that was maybe 2/3 full, with several rows that had multiple open seats together (like only the window seat was taken but the middle and aisle were both empty) and they refused to let H and I sit together when I asked nicely if they would be able to switch our seats to do so. I was basically told that because I bought the cheap tickets, I had signed up for sitting apart and they wouldn't do anything. Never mind that our flight was delayed over 4 hours and it would have been nice of them to accommodate us in exchange for our trouble... It honestly felt like the intent was to punish us for not upgrading, since there was no logistical reason they couldn't accommodate my request (in this particular circumstance - I realize on a full flight there is very good reason why they wouldn't be able to accommodate!).

Anyway the agent was really rude about it and we ended up sitting together anyway once we boarded because there were literally tons of open seats together for us to sit in. So. I wouldn't count on United doing anything nice or out of goodwill. I honestly will try to avoid flying with them in the future over this.

I've had no trouble with other airlines seating us together without reserving seats when the plane isn't full, though.

[flamingeaux]

I would normally have liked to reserve seats, but my mom is basically paying for this trip to see her family for me, my siblings, and our families. We were really not in a position to pay for it ourselves, but this is also probably the last chance I'll get to see some of these family members alive. Although it's not the answers I was hoping for, I appreciate everyone's honesty.

[Deleted]

Jul 22, 2019 10:34:56 GMT -5 flamingeaux said:

I would normally have liked to reserve seats, but my mom is basically paying for this trip to see her family for me, my siblings, and our families. We were really not in a position to pay for it ourselves, but this is also probably the last chance I'll get to see some of these family members alive. Although it's not the answers I was hoping for, I appreciate everyone's honesty.

I think they don't necessarily charge the same card when you make changes like seat fees. Would your mom be offended if you covered the seat fees on your own? It doesn't make the gift any less generous - just adds some comfort in terms of your knowledge of knowing at the minimum the youngest kids are with an adult. 

[erbear]

Jul 21, 2019 8:40:13 GMT -5 pmwife said:

They told me that families would not be seated together. We opted to buy seats ahead of time so that the younger kids were with a parent.

That's what I did when I was traveling solo with the kids. I went with the more expensive tickets to guarantee that we would be seated together rather than try to convince someone to switch with me. The money was worth the lack of anxiety about it.

[majesty318]

If you have the confirmation number, just log in and you can pay to pick your seats for anyone that definitely needs to be together. I was checking out how much seat selection costs for a trip to Rome (cause I want aisle) and it was only $24. If you are flying somewhere closer, it's probably even cheaper.

I would not hope for the best with them or ask anyone to move.

[pinkpeony08]

When I did this, they did put me with my kids. From other people I have talked to, they will put families with kids together because no one wants to be sitting apart from their kids nor does anyone want to be sitting with kids who don't have parents with them. I would guess they won't accommodate adults who want to sit together though.

[mcsangel2]

Just FYI if you didn't know, basic economy means you can't bring a carry on bag (just a personal item, i.e. a purse). You'll have check your bags. If you bring it with you to the gate, they'll make you gate check it and charge you $25 per bag.