There is no doubt that the basic economy is outrageous. From carry-on luggage restrictions on some airlines to lack of seat options, this is more than the pace travelers are accustomed to getting when flying.
The airlines are also doing a great job making the basic economy sound really bad, so you want to pay more for their standard economic products.
Despite unpleasant things like check baggage fees, there is a way to use a credit card to avoid the pain points of the basic economy. Let’s take the airline to the airline and see how.
Alaska Airlines
The basic economic fare for Alaska Airlines is called “Save fare.” They have few facilities, and usually save $15-$30 per approach compared to the main cabin fare.
Unlike some of the more stringent airlines, Alaska allows you to bring a full-size carry-on bag for free. But you will still board the final boarding team in Alaska, allowing you only the same day confirmed fee (other changes). Mileage upgrades are not allowed, while free upgrades for elite members may be provided two hours before departure.
Alaska Airlines charges $35 for the first check bag, and the second on all its flights costs $45. but, Alaska Airlines Signed Credit Card and Alaska Airlines Visa® Business Card Not subject to some basic economic restrictions. They can check the first bag for free and can have up to six additional passengers in the same booking when booking with a card.
Even if you only travel a few times a year with Alaska, this makes these cards worth the yearly charge.
| Passengers without identity | Save fares | Main cabin | Save fares and Common card |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boarding Group | f | de | c |
| Carry-in luggage allowance | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Check luggage allowance | 0 | 0 | Each for you and up to six passengers |
| Flight changes or refunds | Nothing | Charges apply | Nothing |
To learn more, check out our full review of Alaska Airlines Visa and Alaska Airlines Visa Business.
Related: Everything you need to fly Alaska Airlines’ savings fares
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American Airlines
American Airlines offers basic economic fares on all domestic routes and flights to and from Canada, the Caribbean, Central America, Europe, Mexico and South America.
Basic economic restrictions mean you will be assigned at check-in (probably a middle seat), you will get fewer elite qualification miles/segment, and you will be on the final boarding crew. The ticket also does not qualify for any flight changes or refunds. There is an exception to domestic travel booked by Aadvantage members because cancellations performed in these parameters are eligible for the travel credit for the fee.
You are allowed to bring a carry-on bag.
Elite members are exempt from certain restrictions – but what if you don’t have an identity? You can then use one of these qualified cards to get a better boarding crew than the standard economy and get a credit card-granted check bag release.
Qualified card:
All mentioned American Airlines credit cards can help you bypass the basic economic restrictions when flying in the United States.
*The information on these cards has been collected independently by Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
| Passengers without identity | Basic Economy | Main cabin | Basic economic and Common card |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boarding Group | 9 | 6-8 | 4-5 |
| Allocated seats | Select a fee or allocate | Limited choice Booking in |
Choice depends on the benefits of certain cards |
| Carry-in luggage allowance | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Check luggage allowance | 0 | 0-1 | 1 |
| Flight changes or refunds | No, a few exceptions | Charges apply | No, a few exceptions |
With the shared Aadvantage card, you will jump off most of the economic passengers (groups 6-8) and boards in Group 4; this gives you a great opportunity to find space in an overhead bin. Additionally, you will get free shipping bags on domestic flights.
You don’t have to use a common card to pay for your flight to get these benefits. American Airlines binds your credit card to your AADVANTAGH account and automatically applies for these benefits.
This allows you to use credit cards with better travel protection, e.g. Chase SapphireReserve® (See interest rates and fees), which offers up to $500 in expense reimbursement for a delay of more than six hours.
Related: Choose the Best Credit Card for American Airlines Flyer
Delta gas line
Delta was the first traditional operator to start offering a basic economy, with minimal restrictions. With the Delta version, you won’t be able to get pre-seat allocation, upgrades or any changes to your flight (after the required 24 hours). That said, you can choose a seat at check-in and get a carry-on bag.
If you are considering a basic economy, getting a common brand of Delta credit cards still has an advantage. When you get a carry-on bag with the basic economic fare of Delta, you may have to board in Group 8, so you may have to check it out.
With a common card, you will get free checked bags and priority boarding on your Delta flights to ensure almost certain locations in the overhead bin.
Qualified card:
| Passengers without identity | Basic Economy | Main cabin | Basic economic and Common card |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boarding Group | 8 | 6-7 | 5 |
| Allocated seats | Possible to charge for a fee when choosing the potential, but can be allocated at the gate | Select a reservation | Possible to charge for a fee when choosing the potential, but can be allocated at the gate |
| Carry-in luggage allowance | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Check luggage allowance | 0 | 0-1 | 1 |
| Flight changes or refunds | Nothing | No tickets for originating in the United States and Canada | Nothing |
That’s right: you can get a $0 introduction annual fee for the first year, followed by a $150 annual card (Delta Skymiles Gold Card (See rates and fees) or Delta Skymiles Gold Business (See Rates and Fees) Avoid the bag fees for first-time inspections and need to check your bags.
Like American, you don’t need to buy tickets with a Delta Credit Card to get a free shipping bag – just holding the card and including the Delta Skymiles number in your booking is enough.
What are the disadvantages of doing with the Combrand Card method? You won’t get a pre-seat option for free. Delta’s basic economic fare is likely to choose a seat at check-in. However, you may not assign seats until the gate.
Related: Delta Platinum and Delta Reserves
Southwest Airlines
Southwest Airlines has made major changes this year, including the introduction of new base fares. Replaced the previous “Wanna Escape” option, this is a limited privileged disabled option:
- No free shipping bags
- No change on the same day
- Lower point
Southwest Airlines will maintain its current boarding process and open seating settings until January 26, 2026.
Those who book the base fare will last board the plane, either pay to choose a seat or assign their seats until they sign in.
One way to avoid the Southwest basic fare limit is to become a common cardholder. If you have a Southwest credit card, you can still check a bag for yourself and fly on the same booking for free.
Qualified Card:
Information on the Southwest Prime Minister’s Card has been independently collected by Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
| Passengers without identity | Basic | choose | Basic and Common card |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boarding Groups and Positions (until January 26, 2026) | Boarding team (AC) and location (1-60) assigned at check-in | Jobs assigned at boarding team and check-in | Jobs assigned at boarding team and check-in |
| Boarding Group (from January 27, 2026) | 8 | 5-8 | 5 |
| Allocated seats (from January 27, 2026) | Assign at sign-in | Select a standard seat when booking | Selection depends on the specific card |
| Carry-in luggage allowance | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Check luggage allowance | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Flight changes | Must upgrade to option (or higher); fare difference applies | The difference in fare applies | Must upgrade to option (or higher); fare difference applies |
| Flight refund | Flight Credit | Flight Credit | Flight Credit |
To learn more, read our guide to compare the Southwest Card.
Related: Southwest unveiled large credit card refresh: 50% off hiking, but new seating and boarding allowance
United Airlines
Of all major airlines, Manchester United’s basic economy is the worst. Although American Airlines has basic economic passengers carry a carry-on bag, Manchester United still doesn’t allow basic economic passengers to have something bigger than personal belongings (except for some international itineraries and long-distance international flights). Also, the basic economic fare may be ridiculous.
What will Manchester United get from the basic economy? not much. You will get an automatically allocated seat at check-in (no chance of any change), no carry-on bags, no upgrades, no changes or refunds (unless you are satisfied with some travel credits).
Joint credit cards can help alleviate some of the pain in the basic economy. Like the United States and Delta, you will jump from the last boarding group to an early one. And, you’ll get a carry-on bag and get the first free check bag, or two with some cards.
Qualified card:
Information on the United Club business has been collected independently by Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
| Passengers without identity | Basic Economy | economy | Basic economic and Common card |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boarding Group | 6 | 3-5 | 2 |
| Allocated seats | Assign at sign-in | Select a reservation | Assign at sign-in |
| Carry-in luggage allowance | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Check luggage allowance | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Flight changes or refunds | Nothing | Charges apply | Nothing |
You must use your shared card to pay for the flight to be eligible for checked baggage benefits. Unfortunately, the common branded card approach doesn’t allow you to choose a better seat or upgrade.
Related: Best Joint Cards
Bottom line
Basic economic fares are already ubiquitous among traditional American airlines, covering all domestic and many international routes. However, by having a common airline credit card, you can avoid some of the pain of the basic economy without having to buy the standard economy.
If you want to bring a carry-on bag and want to avoid checking out at the door and get a free shipping bag, all you need is to get a qualified contract card and buy the cheapest fare. Thanks to the preferred boarding benefits, you will be able to access the overhead bin before those who pay to get a standard economical payment but don’t have a common card.
Related: Is the airline credit card worth it?
For rates and fees for Delta Skymiles Gold Cards, click here.
For the rates and fees of Delta Skymiles Golden Business Card, click here.
