All the Hacks · Wednesday, August 12, 2026
Chris Hutchins points out that Southwest's basic economy award flights are a good deal for those not needing same-day changes, as they offer similar benefits to what were previously standard award flights. He contrasts this with Delta's punitive basic economy awards.
“Right? I don't want the restrictions that come with basic economy. And I actually think I went back and heard something you wrote or said and I realized if you're booking points on Southwest, this is just a PSA. Basic economy gives you pretty much everything you could want unless you're hoping to do some same day changes.”
“Whereas with almost every other airline, basic economy usually isn't an option with points. So I'd trained myself never do it and I unfortunately overpaid for a flight that by choosing whatever the second tier is with points, and I totally shouldn't have.”
“Delta is punitive on basic awards, which is obviously been around a lot longer than Southwest has had basic awards.”
“And so it is really good to utilize points if you want to book a basic fare. It is especially compares to what would have been like a standard award in the past absent the ability to same day change.”