If you choose to book a basic economy ticket, you have to accept a random seat assignment (even if it's the middle seat) and be absolutely sure you don't need to cancel or change your flight. You'll also give up earning miles for the trip.
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Your seat will not be assigned until after you check in to your flight. If your seat number does not appear on your boarding pass, your seat will be assigned at the gate before you board.
Let's break down what this actually means: On most airline basic economy tickets, you won't be able to select your seat ahead of time. Instead, you'll be assigned one at check-in or the gate. So you're not any more likely than any other passenger to get bumped from the flight.
If you were not able to make an advance seat assignment, keep an eye on the seat map as these seats will begin to open up once check-in begins and then once the gate opens for the flight.
Basic economy fares are cheaper than main cabin. However, you lose out on flexibility for flight changes and/or cancellations, seat selection options and the ability to earn miles at a high rate.
Seat Selection: Seats are typically automatically assigned at check-in or at the gate, but keep reading to see how you can pick your seat! Boarding: Boards last in Delta's boarding order.
With Basic Economy, you'll experience: No seat(s) assigned until after check-in, not together. No changes allowed* Cancelable for partial eCredit (cancellation charge applies)**
Delta has an innovative policy of asking passengers to bid to get bumped. Essentially, the airline asks willing passengers to state the lowest-value flight voucher they'd accept to get bumped. As a result, Delta saves money, and it's up to passengers to accurately estimate the value of their lost time.
If luxury and extra legroom is really important to you, book it in advance. However, if you're perfectly willing to fly economy class, and willing to roll the dice, a last-minute upgrade can be the cheapest option. You may even get lucky and score a free upgrade.
The cheapest way to get a business or first-class ticket is to buy an economy ticket then buy an upgrade. You can either do this immediately after booking or look for last-minute upgrades as your travel date approaches. The price for premium cabin fares decreases as you get closer to departure.
The boarding order starts first with active U.S. Military and passengers needing assistance. Second, Delta One and First Class passengers board. Third, Diamond Medallion Members. The fourth boarding zone is for Delta Premium Select customers and people with car seats or strollers.
You will likely get assigned a seat during check-in (though you should still skip it if the airline tries to tack on a fee) or, at the very least, at the gate. Again: You don't have to select a seat in order to get a seat.
It's in their contracts of carriage: When you buy an airfare, airlines do not guarantee a particular seat, schedule or flight. And airlines can be pretty persnickety about who they fly and where they seat them.