United basic first class fares are on their way. The airline is adding a cheaper "base" tier to United First on domestic flights and to United Business on short-haul international routes to Canada, Latin America and the Caribbean, with the change rolling out this fall.
The idea will sound familiar to anyone who's booked basic economy. You get the same seat and the same service on board, but fewer of the perks that used to come with the ticket.
What Each Tier Includes
First and business class tickets on these routes will now come in three tiers: base, standard and flexible. United says all three include the same onboard experience, so the seat, the meal and the drinks don't change.
Base is the cheapest. It includes one checked bag and a carry-on, but choosing your seat costs extra, and you can't change or refund the ticket. Standard adds free seat selection, a second checked bag and the ability to change your flight, though it still can't be refunded. Flexible includes everything in standard, plus refunds.
On United Business routes, all three tiers also include access to United Club lounges.
Fare Tiers
What United's First Class Fares Include
| Base | Standard | Flexible | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seat selection | Fee | Free | Free |
| Checked bags | 1 | 2 | 2 |
| Carry-on | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Flight changes | No | Yes | Yes |
| Refunds | No | No | Yes |
All three tiers get the same seat and onboard service. On United Business routes to Canada, Latin America and the Caribbean, every tier also includes United Club access.
Contrail
Why It Matters
United already uses the same three tiers on Polaris, its long-haul business class, and on its Premium Plus premium economy. Those arrived earlier this year, so domestic first class was the obvious next step.
The catch is what used to be standard. Free seat selection and the ability to change your flight came with every first class ticket, and now they only come with the pricier tiers. Critics say that quietly raises the cost of the first class experience travelers are used to. United says the change is about giving customers the choice to pick the experience that best matches their needs.
What to Do
If you're booking first class on United, check which tier you're buying before you pay, especially if your plans might change or you care where you sit. A base fare can still be a good deal on a short trip with fixed plans, as long as one checked bag is enough and you're fine paying for a seat.
