rewrite this title Delta’s Main Basic vs. Main Classic vs. Main Extra Fares – NerdWallet

When booking a Delta economy flight, you’ll now encounter three fare types for what looks like the same seat: Main Basic, Main Classic, and Main Extra. The price gaps may range significantly but the physical seats, legroom, and in-flight experiences are identical. What are the differences you can pay for?

The three categories differ in flexibility, mileage earning, and perks — factors that could impact your travel experience. The most affordable fare (Main Basic) is nonchangeable, restricts seat selection and doesn’t earn miles, while the highest end (Main Extra) offers full refunds and enhanced mileage earning. Travelers who need flexibility or want to maximize rewards may find paying more for Main Classic or Main Extra worth it. For others with firm travel dates, Main Basic may be sufficient.

This guide breaks down Delta’s three Main (formerly Main Cabin) fare types to help you decide between restrictions and benefits. Some questions to keep in mind to help you decide:

First, here’s where Main fits within Delta’s overall cabin structure.

Delta has five different classes of service:

Within each class are various fare types, ranging from more restricted to more flexible. While the physical seats in each class are in the same cabin, the services, perks and restrictions vary significantly by fare type. This unbundled approach to airfare is becoming prevalent across the airline industry.

When searching for a flight online or the Delta app, you can choose between Main, Comfort or premium cabins like First or Delta One. After you select a category, you’re presented with different fare choices and their inclusions and restrictions. Here’s what sets the three Main fare types apart:

Delta has eliminated change fees on most of its flights departing from the U.S. or Canada, including Main Classic and Main Extra tickets. This means you can modify your travel plans without a change fee, though you’ll still need to pay the difference in fares. Main Extra tickets go furthest in this category. They are fully refundable and include same-day confirmed flight changes.However, Delta Main Basic tickets are non-changeable and nonrefundable — that’s one of their biggest drawbacks. If you cancel your Main Basic flight before departure, you can receive a partial eCredit for future travel, but a cancellation fee will be subtracted from your original ticket value. If you booked a Delta Main Basic award ticket, you can pay the fee in SkyMiles and then receive the remaining miles back to your account.

Yes. This is one of the big differences from basic economy tickets on comparable airlines, like United. But Delta Main Basic passengers board last, in Group 8, so it’s possible that overhead compartments could be full by the time you board. In that case, your carry-on may have to be gate-checked.

Most main cabin fares require a fee to check a bag — with some important exceptions.

Holding a Delta Air Lines credit card from American Express waives the fee for the first checked bag, even if the cardholder is traveling in Main Basic. This can represent tremendous savings if you travel with this fare type often. Also, up to eight other people on your reservation can check one bag for free when traveling on a Delta Main Basic fare.

Keep in mind, however, that even if you have more than one Delta credit card or already have Medallion Status, you can only check one bag per person for free.

The most price-sensitive customers will appreciate this fare since it is the cheapest. But, given its restrictions, Delta Main Basic is not for everyone. To recap, there are no free advance seat assignments, no SkyMiles earning or benefits, there’s no possibility for a full refund, and carry-ons may have to be gate-checked due to boarding last. On a Main Basic fare, you cannot enter Delta Sky Clubs either, even with a membership (or if you usually have lounge access via American Express or elite status benefits).

Delta Main Classic and Delta Main Extra offer more flexibility for those who prefer boarding earlier and choosing their seat in advance without a fee. Delta SkyMiles Medallion members will also appreciate taking advantage of their perks with these higher fare offerings. Anyone who is a SkyMiles member can earn 5 miles per dollar with Delta Main Classic and 7 miles per dollar Main Extra. You cannot earn miles on Delta Main Basic fares.

Losing out on these perks might make the trip less enjoyable, and conceivably more expensive if you have to pay for food in the terminal (instead of using the lounge) or fork over extra for a preferred seat. It’s worth considering the incremental cost for a Main Classic or Main Extra fare against the value you apply to perks.