CHICAGO, Feb. 21, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Beginning today,
customers purchasing tickets for travel between Minneapolis/St. Paul and any of United's seven
U.S. hubs (Chicago O'Hare, Denver,
Houston Bush International, Los
Angeles, New
York/Newark, San Francisco and Washington Dulles) have an
additional fare option to choose from – Basic Economy. Intended to
be United's lowest fare, Basic Economy fares provide most of the
same inflight services and amenities that are available with
standard Economy — such as food and beverages, United
Wi-FiSM and inflight entertainment, along with a
few important restrictions which are detailed below. To ensure a
smooth rollout, Basic Economy fares will first be offered in just
one market, Minneapolis, to and
from domestic hubs before expanding to the rest of the U.S.,
Caribbean and short-haul
Latin America.
"The launch of our Basic Economy product is transformational
– offering customers seeking the most budget-conscious fares
United's comfortable and reliable travel experience across our
unmatched network of destinations," said Scott Kirby, president of United Airlines.
"Basic Economy lets you go where you want to go at our lowest
available fare while enjoying United's Economy cabin and the
exceptional inflight service that comes with it."
Is a Basic Economy fare right for you?
Customers choosing to purchase a Basic Economy fare will be
seated in the main United Economy cabin.
- Economy seating: Customers with Basic Economy reservations will
be seated in the United Economy® cabin, which remains
unchanged.
- Checked baggage: Checked baggage policies remain the same as
our standard United Economy fares, and baggage benefits for
MileagePlus Premier members and primary cardmembers of a qualifying
MileagePlus credit card still apply.
- Inflight options: Onboard food, beverage and entertainment
options remain unchanged.
- Award miles: MileagePlus program members will still earn award
miles.
Basic Economy fares have some important, additional restrictions
compared to standard United Economy fares including:
- Seat assignments will be automatically assigned prior to
boarding. Customers traveling together, including families, will
not be able to sit together.
- Carry-on bags limited to one personal item, unless the customer
is a MileagePlus Premier member, or companion traveling on the same
reservation, a primary cardmember of a qualifying MileagePlus
credit card, or Star Alliance Gold
member. Full-sized carry-on bags will not be allowed on board but
will be allowed to be checked for the regular $25 checked baggage fee in the airport
lobby.
- No voluntary ticket changes. Refunds are allowed only as stated
in the United 24-hour flexible booking policy.
- MileagePlus program members will earn award miles; however they
will not earn Premier qualifying credit (miles, segments, or
dollars), or lifetime miles, and no contribution to the four
segment minimum.
- Customers will not be eligible for United Economy Plus or
premium cabin upgrades.
- Customers will board in the last boarding group (currently
Group 5) unless a MileagePlus Premier member, or companion
traveling on the same reservation, a primary cardmember of a
qualifying MileagePlus credit card, or Star
Alliance Gold member.
In addition to Basic Economy, United will continue to offer
standard Economy, Economy Plus, United Business, United First, as
well as the company's reimagined international premium travel
experience, United Polaris. United continues to evaluate a new
Premium Economy experience for domestic and international
markets.
About United
United Airlines and United Express operate more than 4,500
flights a day to 339 airports across five continents. In 2016,
United and United Express operated more than 1.6 million flights
carrying more than 143 million customers. United is proud to have
the world's most comprehensive route network, including U.S.
mainland hubs in Chicago,
Denver, Houston, Los
Angeles, New
York/Newark, San Francisco and Washington, D.C. United operates 737 mainline
aircraft and the airline's United Express partners operate 483
regional aircraft. The airline is a founding member of Star Alliance, which provides service to 192
countries via 28 member airlines. For more information, visit
united.com, follow @United on Twitter or connect on Facebook. The
common stock of United's parent, United Continental Holdings, Inc.,
is traded on the NYSE under the symbol "UAL".
To view the original version on PR Newswire,
visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/united-airlines-launches-new-basic-economy-fare-for-twin-cities-travel-300410905.html
SOURCE United Airlines