Did anybody even read the article? It’s for their cheapest base fare! If you don’t want their cheapest, no frills base fare, buy a regular coach seat ticket. This is a great option for people who don’t have a need to use the oversize bin. It also keeps people from taking forever at the end of boarding to find bin space.
No one is forcing you to be cheap, buy the upgrade or don’t complain. If people would take a minute to read the Contract of Carriage or basic fare rules, there wouldn’t be so much crying. You all sound like a bunch of wimpy millennial snowflakes—GROW UP!!
And that “cheapest base fare” is the one that draws into considering UA until you determine you need/want more than a seat to sit in and air to breathe. The UA cash register begins to ring as you select your a la carte options. You are, of course, correct in your comment but just how many would actually read a Contract of Carriage?