It happened to me weeks ago: I needed to reschedule my trip home at the last minute and, having booked on a travel site, I knew my options for rebooking would be limited.
I anticipated paying a hefty fee to change the dates of my flights. Having selected the cheapest flights available, I knew that refunds were out of the question.
After being ping-ponged between the booking site and the airline, I was told at the last minute that no refunds would be provided. Unfortunately, and to my surprise, rebookings were also off the table.
I couldn’t change my flight time or date.
As a long-time traveler and bona fide cheapskate, I wasn’t entirely shocked. But I did spend a solid hour on the phone haranguing a KLM agent for the ins and outs of its ticket tier system.
When I hit ‘buy’ months earlier, I had done so with the understanding that I could still move my flights in case of emergency.
Nope. Not anymore.
As of 2024, airlines are segmenting ticket sales according to a range of amenities. The cheapest option has never given you much wiggle room for canceling flights and getting refunds—but now, the cheapest ticket also bars you from switching your flight to a later date for a fee.
There’s no single economy class. There’s basic economy, standard economy, enhanced economy, economy plus, and more.
Welcome to the new world of flight ticket tiers. If you want to avoid expensive mishaps like mine, here’s what you need to know.
Are economy ticket tiers different on travel sites versus airline sites?
Generally speaking, you’ll pay less when booking airfare on travel sites. That’s because they leverage the cheapest routes from various airlines and string them together for you, creating a Frankenstein itinerary.
By contrast, buying flights from airlines usually comes with a steeper price tag but more assurance.
Neither matters in the case of ticket tiers. Every airline determines its ticket tier, and every travel site honors that arrangement when you finalize your purchase. Some airlines have two or three tiers while budget airlines might offer up to five.
Whether or not you’re buying flights on a travel site or straight from an airline, you need to pay close attention to the ticket tier.
Ticket tiers: the most common tiers in 2024
Economy ticket tiers
I can already hear me rasping at my grandchildren, “Back when I was your age, there was one economy class!”
For now, let me rant about the most common economy ticket tiers that you’ll see in the United States and Europe.
- Basic economy: This is the cheapest tier available. It bars you from doing things like canceling the flight, rebooking the flight, selecting seats, and checking bags. Some airlines will still let you select seats and check bags, but at an exorbitant cost. I think basic economy seats are ideal for short and cheap domestic flights.
- Standard economy: This mid-range option lets you select seats and check bags, both of which are included in the ticket price. Some airlines also let you make last-minute changes and cancellations with a standard economy ticket. I’d buck up for a standard economy seat for longer journeys—but read the fine print to make sure those rebookings and cancellations will be honored.
- Enhanced economy or economy plus: These tickets come with bigger seats, more legroom, and added amenities like a free glass of wine. I’ve seen savvy fliers pay extra for enhanced economy seats on flights that aren’t entirely full, which helps guarantee them more leg space—or even the whole row to themselves. That being said, I don’t think I’d pay more for an enhanced economy ticket unless I wanted to be really aggressive about guaranteeing added space.
Fare packages
A few airlines also offer add-on packages that you can purchase with economy seats. These are basically modular tiers that you pay extra for.
- Main Plus: This package usually includes a free checked bag and extra legroom with seats in select rows. It’s great for those worried about staying comfortable on long flights.
- Main Select: This package usually focuses on making your ticket more flexible. A Main Select package lets you access priority boarding, along with making last-minute changes to your booking. If you’re uncertain about your travel plans but want to buy your ticket, add the Main Select package—trust me, it’s better than losing the entire ticket and payment later on.
