The comfort of a premium cabin often comes with upgraded non-flight features too. However, not every business traveler wants or needs the ability to cancel flights at the last minute or check multiple bags. United, Delta, and JetBlue are introducing a new type of fare to deliver all of the in-flight amenities of their first and business classes, without the cost of an upgraded ground experience.
These new base or basic fares deliver the benefits of a premium cabin, without add-ons generally expected in this category, such as:
Multiple checked bags
Seat selection
Flight changes and refunds
Available upgrades
These fares also generally earn miles or points at a lower rate than the higher fare tiers. Lounge access may also be impacted, depending on the airline and ticket class.
What This Means for Our Clients
The Travel Team is applying each of our customers’ existing Basic fare policy to these new basic premium fare categories in SAP Concur Travel unless otherwise requested. We will continue to review this and other industry-wide changes and collect additional feedback and insight into how they’re impacting your program and your travelers.
United Airlines
In April 2026, United was the first to announce its offering: base, standard, and flexible fare options for United Polaris® and United Premium Plus® travelers on long-haul international, transcontinental US, and longer Hawaii flights. These fare options mirror the existing United Economy® fare structure.
United Polaris
Elevated experience onboard.
United Premium Plus
Extra space and comfort.
Delta Air Lines
Delta announced a similar change in July 2026. In addition to the existing Classic and Extra fare categories, Delta First, Delta Premium Select, and Delta One® passengers will now have the option to choose a Basic fare. On Delta One, this offering will be called Basic Business.
Delta First
Thoughtful enhancements.
Delta Premium Select
Premium service and amenities.
Delta One
Lie-flat seats and luxury amenities.
JetBlue
Also in July 2026, JetBlue announced restructured fares as it prepares to launch a new domestic first-class experience. The four onboard experiences—Main, EvenMore®, BlueFirst™, and Mint®—will each contain up to three fare options: Base, Standard, and Flex. What is now called Main replaces JetBlue’s Core ticket, while the BlueFirst first-class experience is introduced on flights that do not offer Mint. BlueFirst will include a Base fare option, while Mint will not.
Fare Options
Travelers choose their experience and fare.
