Delta Fare Class NE

Delta Fare Class NE or more commonly known as Basic (NE) is an award fare/booking class of service on Delta Air Lines. The NE fare class is the lowest (least expensive) award fare class in the Basic Economy Cabin and tickets are the most restrictive. This fare class is not eligible for complimentary upgrades and earns no SkyMiles.

Below is a human-readable explanation of this fare class and the expectations passengers should have when flying with a NE fare class.

How expensive is Fare Class NE?

Fare Class NE is marketed as a basic economy ticket, and is the lowest fare class with the most restrictions. If you’re looking for flights and see Fare Class NE showing as the lowest fare class available, it means the flight/route you are booking is nearly empty with only few seats purchased.

Tickets purchased in Fare Class NE will be the cheapest. To book a cheaper fare class, make the following changes (if you can):

• Adjust your departure/return dates
• Search for alternate airports or co-terminals
• Search for alternate routing

You may find Main Cabin fare classes available for purchase for a similar price.

If you are a frequent flyer with additional insight or are with Delta seeking to clarify the information provided, please contact me.

SkyMiles medallion members flying in fare class NE will not earn SkyMiles or MQDs. Additionally, Basic Economy boards the plane last which will likely result in a gate-checking a bag that does not fit under your seat.

For SkyMiles members who want to earn SkyMiles and/or status should not book Basic Economy tickets.

For non-SkyMiles members who do not intend to build loyalty with Delta Air Lines, there’s no significant reason not to book Basic Economy.

Not a snowballs chance in hell.