Calculator: How Much Does That Basic Economy Seat Really Cost?

Many or all of the products on this page are from partners who compensate us when you click to or take an action on their website, but this does not influence our evaluations or ratings. Our opinions are our own.

Published · 1 min read
Profile photo of Sam Kemmis
Written by Sam Kemmis
Senior Writer
Profile photo of Mary M. Flory
Edited by Mary M. Flory
Lead Assigning Editor
Fact Checked

Confused by airline bag fees? Not sure what “basic economy” means and how much extra you’ll pay for bags, carry-ons or seat assignments? You’re not alone. Airlines have made it increasingly difficult to determine how much you’ll end up paying for a given ticket.

We created this calculator to help make sense of basic economy fares and the fees you’ll pay to add on things like bags or seat selection. It includes ways to offset these add-on fees, such as airline branded credit cards and elite status.

You can use the calculator to help determine which ticket will actually be cheaper. For example, if United is charging $100 for a round-trip ticket in basic economy and Southwest is charging $150 for its economy cabin, the calculator can show which fare is really cheaper for you (hint: It’s probably Southwest).

It also shows the tradeoffs in price and convenience of booking basic economy fares. For example, United charges $25 each way for overhead carry-ons in basic economy, but such fees are waived when booking with most branded credit cards.

Some important notes:

  • The calculator only applies to flights within the United States. International bag fees are different for most airlines.

  • These fees are subject to change. We’ll update the calculator when airlines announce changes, but make sure to check the official policy for your fare before booking a ticket.


How to maximize your rewards

You want a travel credit card that prioritizes what’s important to you. Here are some of the best travel credit cards of 2024:

[Limited Time] New Cardholders Can Get up to $1,050 in Chase Travel℠ Value

✈️ Our Nerds say it's "nearly a must-have for travelers" because of its big sign-up bonus, high-value points and money-saving perks like hotel credit and rental car insurance.

🤑 Better yet, it's offering one of the best bonuses ever right now, only for a limited time...

Get more smart money moves – straight to your inbox
Sign up and we’ll send you Nerdy articles about the money topics that matter most to you along with other ways to help you get more from your money.