United basic economy fares stand among the worst because, unlike other major carriers, you're not even allowed to bring a carry-on bag onboard. But that's a double whammy: Because of that carry-on ban, United flyers with a basic economy ticket also aren't allowed to check in online, either – only at the airport.
Fortunately, that's changing … but, of course, there's a catch.
Effective Tuesday, Aug. 6, travelers with a United basic economy ticket will finally be allowed to check in online. The Points Guy first reported the change.
That's a big timesaver. Previously, you'd have to check in at the airport so a United agent could confirm you weren't trying to sneak a full-size carry-on bag onboard.
But this is the airline industry, and airlines give nothing away for free. In order to check in online, you'll need a credit card on file … and United will pre-authorize a $65 charge – just in case you decide to try to bring a carry-on bag on the plane anyway.
That $65 charge covers $40 for the bag itself and a $25 gate handling fee. So long as you board the plane with just a personal item like a backpack, the charge should fall off your credit card statement within a few days.
No doubt about it, being able to check in online is an improvement. But the fact remains: These fares are a pain – and United really, really doesn't want you to buy them.
With United basic economy:
- You board the plane last
- You can't pick a seat for free – though seat assignments typically start at just $10 or so each way
- You won't earn Premier Qualifying Flights (PQFs), one of the essential ingredients of building status with United
- You can't change your flight, period, and you'll forfeit $99 to cancel a domestic roundtrip for a voucher – or $199 for an international roundtrip ticket.
- And unless you're flying to Europe, Asia or Australia, Canada, or South America, you can't bring a carry-on bag onboard – just a personal item like a backpack
Read our full guide to flying (& surviving) United basic economy!
These fares exist to lure you in with a cheaper fare, then convince you to pay more for a standard economy ticket that includes all those extras. And no upsell is more powerful than banning carry-on bags.
These days, United stands alone with that restriction. Alaska, Delta, and United all let travelers buying their cheapest tickets bring a carry on. Heck, even JetBlue relented and restored carry-on baggage to its own Blue Basic fares.
But that ban is not changing with United. And at this point, it's unlikely it ever will.
Bottom Line
One of the most annoying restrictions with United basic economy fares is about to fall away.
Starting next Tuesday, Aug. 6, travelers who book United basic economy will be able to skip the airport kiosks and check in online instead. That comes at a cost – a $65 temporary charge on your credit card, just in case you decide to sneak a carry-on bag on the flight.
And there's the rub: United basic economy fares still won't let you bring a carry-on bag onboard. So while this is no doubt an improvement, the main drawback of United's cheapest fares isn't going anywhere.