Basic Economy Fares Don't Lower Ticket Prices, They Increase Ticket Prices

Re:Basic Economy Fares Don't Lower Ticket Prices, They Incre... by Swizec on Monday January 02, 2017 @10:52PM (#13306548)

This is not a solution for almost anyone, but I've found that flying is the one thing where being 5ft2 is really extremely very beneficial. Makes flying totally awesome.

Even economy plus is weird because it just means I can't reach the touch screen without leaning forward :D

You can solve most of the other problems by being super late to your flight. Cuts the waiting and queuing but does mean you have to check your bags. Often this is okay or even preferable because less stuff to haul around airport.

Oh and noise cancellation headphones have changed my life. You can actually hear the stewardess when they talk to you because your ears aren't worn out from the engine noise. It's amazing! Easily the best $300 I ever spent in terms of improving airplanes.

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Re:Basic Economy Fares Don't Lower Ticket Prices, They Incre... by TheRealDunkirk on Monday January 02, 2017 @11:10PM (#13306639)

Last time I flew overseas, there was a 5', petite lady next to me. She put her feet in the safety brochure pocket in the seat in front of her, curled up in her seat, and went to sleep for the duration. As a big guy who can't sleep in public, I was SOOOOO jealous.

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Re:Basic Economy Fares Don't Lower Ticket Prices, They Incre... by kaybe on Tuesday January 03, 2017 @06:38AM (#13308479)

I do that. Sometimes one can run into the rare problem of too much legroom with this. Due to shorter legs, sitting normally for extended time is quite uncomfortable due to pressure on the legs just above the knees.

I'm not small, I'm travel size. ;)

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Re:Basic Economy Fares Don't Lower Ticket Prices, They Incre... by steveklabnik on Monday January 02, 2017 @11:16PM (#13306675)

My partner is much shorter than me, and we fly together a lot; the upgrades matter so much more to me due to the room. First class is almost too big for her, but it's so much nicer for me. Delta's economy plus is big enough to be comfy. Other flights are tolerable, but rough, especially at the frequency I travel.

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Re:Basic Economy Fares Don't Lower Ticket Prices, They Incre... by kristianp on Monday January 02, 2017 @11:55PM (#13306846)

I have been upgraded to 1st class only once in my life. Are free upgrades more common in the US than other countries?

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Re:Basic Economy Fares Don't Lower Ticket Prices, They Incre... by rconti on Tuesday January 03, 2017 @11:43AM (#13310401)

No, they basically don't exist. I'm United Mileage Plus Silver and have never seen an upgrade (although now I get 'free' Economy Plus which just adds a few inches of legroom to the terrible experience). I've had friends put in for first class upgrades for me a number of times and never once seen one.

A "normal" person who doesn't rack up tens of thousands of miles a year will absolutely never see an upgrade.

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Re:Basic Economy Fares Don't Lower Ticket Prices, They Incre... by steveklabnik on Tuesday January 03, 2017 @12:46AM (#13307034)

It Depends. I will say that I get upgraded to first class on domestic flights all the time, but have only gotten two or three international upgrades.

In Delta's case, at least, it depends on how many seats are free, and how you rank. The ranking is based on all kinds of stuff. So for less-flown and less-upgraded routes, it's easy to upgrade. Other routes have more people flying first class by paying and more competition for the free upgrades.

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Re:Basic Economy Fares Don't Lower Ticket Prices, They Incre... by Swizec on Tuesday January 03, 2017 @12:38AM (#13306998)

If you have one of those mileage credit cards and put everything including rent on the card, it can go pretty fast.

Or if you travel a lot for work.

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Re:Basic Economy Fares Don't Lower Ticket Prices, They Incre... by umanwizard on Tuesday January 03, 2017 @10:23AM (#13309680)

How are you able to pay your rent on a credit card without an additional 2-3% (at least) fee?

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Re:Basic Economy Fares Don't Lower Ticket Prices, They Incre... by Hydraulix989 on Tuesday January 03, 2017 @12:43PM (#13311036)

That math might work out if you consider the value of the miles you're getting.

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