How to Get the Most of Your Delta Basic Economy Ticket

Hey Travel Junkies,

If you’re looking to save money when paying cash for a flight, you might find yourself booking a basic economy ticket. Generally, a basic economy ticket comes with a seat on the plane and little else.

If you’re considering a flight in Basic Economy on Delta, you may be wondering how to get the most out of the low fare. Amongst its competitors, Delta probably has some of the most reasonable restrictions on basic economy tickets.

Despite its policies, it’s important to know how to get the most out of the basic economy experience.

If you’ve been keeping up with our series on beating basic economy, you know by now that the best way to beat any basic economy flight is by using (or even just having) an airline co-branded credit card.

Make sure you check out how you can beat American Airlines Basic Economy and do the same with United — this one isn’t quite as simple.

Let’s start by going over the relevant benefits you get from American Express’ co-branded Delta cards. After that, we’ll take a look at Delta’s Basic Economy restrictions and how these card benefits can help you beat Delta Basic Economy.

If you need some help tackling basic economy on other airlines, we have we covered with guides to American Airlines and United.

The Delta Best Credit Cards to Beat Delta Basic Economy

American Express offers six Delta credit cards — three personal, three business — that can help you beat Delta Basic Economy.

• Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card
• Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card
• Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card
• Delta SkyMiles® Gold Business Card
• Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business Card
• Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business Card

With each of these Delta co-branded credit cards, your first checked bag will be free. Even better, up to 8 family members or friends traveling on the same reservation as you can also receive a free checked bag. Large families may find significant value from this benefit when booking Delta Basic Economy.

You will also receive priority boarding benefits. You’ll get to board in Zone 1 instead of Zone 4. Priority boarding is a much bigger benefit when you fly Delta Basic Economy than with any other major U.S. airline as you’ll see below.

To get your free bag and priority boarding benefits, you just need to attach your SkyMiles number to your reservation. Your cardmember benefits will be applied automatically.

There’s a lot of other great perks that come with each credit card, but you’ll find that complimentary checked bags and priority boarding will have the biggest impact when flying Delta Basic Economy. Let’s look at the Delta Basic Economy rules to see why.

Delta Basic Economy Rules

Basic Economy on Delta has the fewest restrictions when compared to other U.S. legacy carriers. I’ve seen numerous complaints about United and American Basic Economy, but rarely do I see as many complaints from those flying Delta Basic Economy. With more forgiving rules, you’ll understand why.

Delta Basic Economy Baggage Fees

Delta does charge baggage fees for basic economy flyers, but the fees are the same as if you were flying on a regular main cabin ticket. Baggage fees start at $25 for a one-way ticket within the U.S. for your first checked bag.

The only exception is for basic economy flights from the U.S. & Canada to Europe or North Africa, where main cabin customers will receive their first checked bag free. Basic economy travelers must pay $60 for their first checked bag each way.

What really sets Delta Basic Economy apart is that you are allowed to bring a carry-on item. American and United only allow you to bring a personal item that can be stored under your seat.

If the overhead bin space is full, you’ll be forced to gate-check your carry-on bag but Delta won’t charge you to gate-check your bag in this case. This is a significant difference between Delta and its competitors.

If a carry-on bag isn’t enough and you want to check a bag, you won’t have to pay the fee for your first bag just by having a Delta co-branded credit card. This can save you $50 per person for round-trip domestic flights, and $120 per person for round-trip flights to Europe or North Africa.

Delta Priority Boarding

Unsurprisingly, Basic Economy flyers board in Zone 4 — the last group to board. Remember how you get a free carry-on even when you book a basic economy fare? If you’re one of the last to board the plane, it’s unlikely that there will be space remaining and you might be forced to gate-check your bag.

If you have a tight connection, waiting for a gate-checked bag can really throw a wrench into your plans. Thankfully, with one of the co-branded Delta SkyMiles cards we mentioned above, you’ll receive Zone 1 priority boarding.

This will allow you to board after elite status members but before other main cabin passengers. This is a huge perk when flying Basic Economy on Delta as it means you’re all but guaranteed space in an overhead compartment.

Delta Basic Economy Seat Assignment

When flying Basic Economy, your seat will be assigned at check-in. There’s no option to select your seat before check-in, even if you’re willing to pay more.

This is one of the biggest drawbacks to Basic Economy and there’s no way around. For solo travelers, it might not be a big issue, but it could be problematic for families wanting to sit together.

If you want to sit together, you may want to reconsider flying Basic Economy. There’s no guarantee that seats will be assigned together. If you’re seated separately, your only options will be to plead your case to the gate agent or to your fellow flyers.

Delta Basic Economy Final Thoughts

Delta’s Basic Economy product has some big differences compared to its competitors. Namely, you get to bring a full-sized carry-on bag. When you have a co-branded Delta credit card, you can check a bag for free if you want but, if you choose to stick with a carry-on, then your priority boarding benefits will virtually guarantee that there will be overhead space for your bag.

Unfortunately, there’s no way to select your seat in advance with Delta but that’s the case with American and United as well.

While you can’t beat every aspect of Delta Basic Economy with a co-branded credit card, they can certainly go a long way in helping you have a more enjoyable experience.

Travel in Style,

Travis