# United sells three-tier domestic first class from October 28, 2026

_Oct 29 19:17_

Tags: United Airlines, policy change, airline, service policy change

Type: New route

## Summary

United began selling a Base domestic first class fare on October 28, 2026 that charges $199 to change and earns 0 MileagePlus award miles.

Live and Let's Fly priced a Los Angeles-Chicago Base fare at $724. Standard on the same flight was $804. Flexible was $984. The previous P fare was $744. Base appears $20 cheaper than before. Standard is $60 more than the old cheapest first class ticket. Standard restores free seat selection and 2 checked bags. Standard and Flexible have no change fee, though any fare difference still applies. The example Standard fare earned 2,202 award miles and 1 Premier qualifying flight. Flexible adds refundability and earned 2,703 miles. Base and Standard are not refundable.

Advance seat selection costs extra on Base. The fare includes 1 checked bag and earns 0 Premier qualifying flights. Eligible MileagePlus cardmembers can still earn bonus miles on the fare amount even when the ticket shows 0 award miles. Cash fares on United and United Express still count toward Lifetime Flight Miles.

Buy Standard rather than Base if the ticket needs to earn miles or a free change, and Flexible only when it must be refundable.

## Key facts

- **Starts**: Oct 28, 2026
- **Numbers**:
  - $199: change fee on Base first class fares
  - $724: example Base first class fare on Los Angeles–Chicago
  - $804: example Standard first class fare on Los Angeles–Chicago
  - $984: example Flexible first class fare on Los Angeles–Chicago
  - 0 miles: MileagePlus award miles on Base in the example
  - 2,202 miles: MileagePlus award miles on Standard in the example
  - 2,703 miles: MileagePlus award miles on Flexible in the example
  - $80: extra cost of Standard versus Base in the example
  - 11%: Standard versus Base price increase in the example
  - $180: extra cost of Flexible versus Standard in the example
  - $744: previous P fare on the tracked flight
  - $20: how much cheaper Base appeared versus the prior cheapest first class fare
  - $60: how much more Standard appeared versus the prior cheapest first class fare
- **Where**: Los Angeles–Chicago
- **Who qualifies**: Anyone booking United domestic first class; cash fares on United and United Express, including these restricted premium fares, still count toward Lifetime Flight Miles
- **Takeaway**: Price Standard (or Flexible if you need a refund) instead of Base whenever you care about award miles, a seat assignment, a second bag or avoiding a $199 change fee.

## Sources cited

- [Live and Let's Fly](https://liveandletsfly.com/united-airlines-basic-first-class) — United Airlines Launches Basic First Class With Punitive Change Fees And Zero Award Miles
- [One Mile at a Time](https://onemileatatime.com/news/united-basic-first-class) — Ouch: United Launches “Basic” Domestic First Class Fares, And They’re Restrictive

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