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Ready or not, United Airlines passengers booking flights in the airline’s fanciest seats are about to have a lot more choices. And by choices, we mean you’ll have more fare types — and restrictions — to navigate.
As TPG first reported earlier this month, the Chicago-based airline is bringing the “basic” idea behind basic economy to its business-class and premium economy cabins.
And those tickets are starting to go on sale for later this year.
Going forward, you’ll have to choose: Buy a regular Polaris ticket, or save some cash for a “Polaris Base” ticket? Regular Premium Plus — or “Premium Plus Base?”
Read more: United’s new Polaris Studios are finally here: First look at the airline’s swankiest plane yet
With these new skinny fare options, you could conceivably spend $2,000 for a lie-flat seat but not be allowed to actually select your seat — or earn zero miles for your trip.
Here’s what we’ve learned about these new “base” fares, and what you should know before you buy one.
Mileage, Premier qualification restrictions
For starters, all of United’s basic fares — from the business-class cabin to coach — will have tough mileage-earning restrictions.
Earlier this month, United rolled out a strict new basic economy policy: no miles earned, unless you have Premier elite status or carry one of its cobranded credit cards.
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We’ve learned that policy will also apply to the carrier’s new Polaris Base and Premium Plus Base tickets, too.
Premier members and 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 tier | Earning 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 |
Like with basic economy tickets, MileagePlus members who book a base fare in the carrier’s premium cabins will also not earn Premier Qualifying Flights (PQFs) toward status.
They will, however, continue to earn Premier Qualifying Points (PQPs).
TPG deep dive: Basic economy and the ‘evolution’ that’s sweeping over airlines’ cheapest fares
Polaris Base fare restrictions
If you book a base Polaris ticket, there are additional restrictions you’ll face compared to a regular ticket.
- You’ll have to pay a fee if you want to select which lie-flat Polaris seat you want.
- You’ll get one free checked bag instead of two.
- No ticket changes allowed.
- No Polaris Lounge access, but you will be able to enter the less exclusive United Club.
- No upgrades to the carrier’s extra-large Polaris Studio suites (that is, if you’re on one of the new planes that have these ultraluxe seats).
Don’t like the sound of those rules? The cost-savings may sway you.
On this sample flight from United’s Houston hub to Lima, Peru, you could save $400 by opting for the slimmed-down ticket instead of the standard one.
Here’s a full chart United has published to help you decide which Polaris fare is right for you. The carrier now offers “base,” “standard” and “flexible” fares, which are beginning to roll out across its international network.
Premium Plus Base fare restrictions
The other cabin gaining a new basic option is United’s long-haul premium economy product, Premium Plus.
Like with Polaris, you’ll have three options (base, standard, flexible) to choose from.
Here are the key restrictions to know about Premium Plus Base fares:
- You’ll have to pay if you want to select your seat
- One free checked bag instead of two
- No ticket changes
- No upgrades with money, miles or PlusPoints
Looking ahead
You may not see this full menu of options on all long-haul international United bookings. The carrier has just started to roll out these base fares to more flights — but expect to see them more and more over the coming months.
The carrier has not announced a basic fare offering for its domestic-style first-class cabin, which is also a fixture on many shorter-haul international destinations.
United isn’t alone. Delta Air Lines already offers a basic fare in its extra-legroom Comfort cabin, and has made clear a similar fare class will be coming to all of its cabins in the near future, including its Delta One suites.
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