Ready or not, United Airlines passengers who book flights in the airline’s fanciest seats are about to have a lot more options. And by options we mean more types of rates (and restrictions) for browsing.
Like TPG first reported earlier this monthThe Chicago-based airline brings the “basic” idea behind basic economy class to its business and premium economy class cabins.
And those tickets started going on sale by the end of this year.
In the future, you will have to choose: buy a regular Polaris ticket or save some money for a “Polaris Base” ticket? Premium Plus Regular or “Premium Plus Base”?
Read more: United’s new Polaris Studios are finally here: First look at the airline’s sleekest plane yet
With these new reduced fare options, you could possibly spend $2,000 on a lie-flat seat without being allowed to select your seat and without earning miles for your trip.
Here’s what we’ve learned about these new “base” rates and what you should know before purchasing one.
Premier Rating and Mileage Restrictions
For starters, all basic United fares, from business class to economy cabins, will have strict restrictions on earning miles.
Earlier this month, the United States implemented a new and strict basic economic policy: miles are not earned unless you have premier elite status or carry one of their co-branded credit cards.
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We learned that the policy will also apply to the airline’s new Polaris Base and Premium Plus Base tickets.
Members and Premier cardholders will earn miles, but at a reduced rate compared to full-fare tickets.
United mileage earning rate for Polaris Base, Premium Plus Base and Basic Economy tickets
| Elite Status Level | Profit rate | Earning rate for eligible cardholders |
|---|---|---|
|
None |
3 miles per dollar |
|
|
2 miles per dollar |
5 miles per dollar |
|
|
3 miles per dollar |
6 miles per dollar |
|
|
4 miles per dollar |
7 miles per dollar |
|
|
6 miles per dollar |
9 miles per dollar |
As with basic economy tickets, MileagePlus members who book a base fare in the airline’s premium cabins also won’t get Premier-qualifying flights for status.
However, they will continue to gain qualification points for the Premier.
TPG Deep Analysis: Basic economics and the ‘evolution’ that is sweeping cheaper airline fares
Polaris Base Rate Restrictions
If you book a basic Polaris ticket, you will face additional restrictions compared to a regular ticket.
- You will have to pay a fee if you want to select which Polaris reclining seat you want.
- You will receive one free checked bag instead of two.
- Ticket changes are not allowed.
- You won’t get access to the Polaris Lounge, but you will be able to enter the less exclusive United Club.
- you can’t upgrade to the carrier’s extra-large Polaris Studio suites (that is, if you’re on one of the new planes that have these ultra-luxurious seats).
Don’t like the sound of those rules? The cost savings may influence you.
On this sample flight from United’s Houston hub to Lima, Peru, you could save $400 by opting for the reduced ticket instead of the standard one.
Here’s a comprehensive chart that United has released to help you decide which Polaris fare is right for you. The airline now offers “basic”, “standard” and “flexible” fares, which are beginning to be implemented across its international network.
Premium Plus Base Fare Restrictions
The other cabin getting a new base option is United’s long-haul premium economy product, Premium Plus.
As with Polaris, you’ll have three options (basic, standard, or flexible) to choose from.
Here are the key restrictions you should know about Premium Plus Base rates:
- You will have to pay if you want to select your seat.
- You will receive one free checked bag instead of two.
- Ticket changes are not allowed.
- Upgrades with money, miles or PlusPoints are not allowed.
Looking forward
You may not see this full menu of options on all long-haul United international bookings. The airline just started rolling out these base fares on more flights, so you can expect to see them more and more in the coming months.
The airline has not announced a base fare offering for its domestic-style first-class cabin, which is also a fixture on many short-haul international destinations.
United is not alone. Delta Air Lines already offers a basic fare in its Comfort cabin with extra legroom and has made it clear that a similar fare class will be introduced in all of its cabins, including its Delta One suites, in the near future.
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