Article - Delta is jacking up its baggage fee price

If you purchase their "basic economy" fare, which is a step below regular economy..

No biggie as (stated in first post) this is only for basic economy. With all the extra fees, I am not sure how basic economy is a big saver over main cabin, but hey, it is another choice. I almost always fly Delta and they are really no worse than other airlines (and in some respects better.)

Donna, it's for those in "basic economy" on select flights departing starting on April 10. This does not apply to anyone else.

Doesn't surprise me. It is the continuing competition from the super discount airlines. You pay for everything so Delta has the same type of tickets. Some of the airline will drop the ff points for the deep discount.

Some of the airline will drop the ff points for the deep discount.

In terms of attaining metal status, the cheaper fares (not just the "deep discount" fares) stopped being included several years ago. Dropping FF accrual on less expensive fares is the next step which is short-sighted.

The US legacy carriers already decided to switch to granting miles per dollar spent rather than miles per distance flown instead of linking miles to fare category (with a few exceptions for very expensive or in some cases economy basic tickets) which I'm very glad for since I live in a very expensive airfare market where the first $250 of a ticket only gets you as far as Atlanta, even with a V deep discount standard economy fare bucket.

Well, since Delta doesn't really serve the routes I want, and I don't check luggage, I guess I shouldn't be upset. I looked up some routes to Europe and I didn't see Basic Eco on any of them, but when I looked at flights to Philly, the first three pages listed as "low priced first" were all Basic - Delta, United, and American. Of the three, only Delta allows you a full sized carry-on; the others limit you to only a personal item, nothing in the overhead bin. So you can carry-on on Delta, but since Basic is in the last boarding group, the chances of there being any space in the overhead bins when you board is slim. They will gate check a regulation carry-on free, but they probably check it carefully and if it doesn't meet regulation not only do you have to check it for $60, they add a $25 "gate check" fee. So you better make darn sure it's regulation sized.

Another thing of which people should be aware, is that, with Basic you will not be assigned a seat until check-in or at the gate. In other words, if all seats have already been assigned to others, you will not be allowed to board. You'll be the first one bumped. It's like flying standby.

Another thing of which people should be aware, is that, with Basic you
will not be assigned a seat until check-in or at the gate. In other
words, if all seats have already been assigned to others, you will not
be allowed to board. You'll be the first one bumped. It's like flying
standby.

If you were to fly Delta's basic economy, if you check in 24 hours early online, you can get a seat assignment which would prevent you from being bumped. I was looking at basic economy info and I don't see a restriction on checking in within 24 hours of departure.

Remember we are all doing this to ourselves. We demand, respond to, to cheaper airfares. Something has to give. If I am willing to fly in my underwear, why should I pay for someone to serve me a coke, load my bags, reserve a seat, etc. I am worried that they will try to find someone to charge for heat.

When you book basic economy on Delta, you have a seat on the plane, even if it's not assigned to you until check in or until you reach the gate.

Now carriers do overbook their flights, but Delta usually asks for volunteers to take another flight and offers compensation for anyone doing this.

I don't think I'd want to pay for a checked bag, but I also like to select my seat in advance. So I doubt I'd book basic economy unless I had no other option for a flight.

Is there going to be a basic economy extra charge for "Frank will not fly in his underwear ?"
Would probably make it faster to get through TSA faster, though.
;-)

I don't think I'd want to pay for a checked bag, but I also like to
select my seat in advance. So I doubt I'd book basic economy unless I
had no other option for a flight.

Delta's Basic Economy ticket also charges extra for ticket holders who use the overhead bin for baggage storage.