The Hidden Downside of Always Flying Basic Economy

Maximizing Travel Savings: Hidden Drawbacks of Always Choosing Basic Economy Flights

Regularly flying with basic economy tickets could offer big savings. Most airlines offer basic economy fare, which can save you money on travel costs. But make sure you're aware of the downsides of this ticket type.

You may miss out on airline miles

One significant drawback is the potential loss of airline miles when flying on a basic economy ticket. You could earn significantly fewer miles through your airline's frequent flyer program, which is a major bummer if you're a fan of travel rewards.

Some airlines, like Delta, don't allow flyers to earn miles when flying on a basic economy ticket. So, while you can save some money by purchasing cheaper fares, you may be unable to earn rewards from your trip. This is something to consider if you're a frequent traveler. You'll want to decide whether the savings outweigh the benefits of earning miles when you fly.

You can earn rewards another way

Even if you're earning fewer (or no) miles through your go-to airline's frequent flyer program, there are other ways to earn rewards when you travel.

Many people who travel regularly rely on credit cards. You can redeem your rewards for nearly-free travel to make a further vacation less expensive.

Restrictions to beware of when flying basic economy

In addition to the potential for earning fewer miles, you should consider the restrictions that may come with your basic economy tickets.

Most carriers also don't allow passengers with basic economy tickets to pre-select their seats for free when booking their flights. Instead, you'll need to pay extra for a seat or wait until after check-in for the airline to assign you a seat. Some airlines don't even include a carry-on bag with basic economy tickets.