I am looking into short weekend trip in April from Houston to Louisville.

I can save ~$160 by booking basic economy fare.

I think my platinum status will negate baggage fees

Only downfall is not getting to select seats in advance or get bumped up to economy plus seat automatically.

It is short flight on small embraer plane so dont really care about my seat.

Has anybody else with status booked this fare class with success?

I haven't done it, but it looks like you get your bags free still. Main draw back is not getting full pqp/miles for next year if that matters to you.

https://www.united.com/ual/en/us/fly/help/faq/basic-economy.html

I'm pretty sure you are correct. You can call the Platinum line to confirm as they usually pick up very quickly with a real, live human.

I'm only Gold, but I fly Basic Economy a couple times per year. Bags (carry on & checked bag) are free. Other passengers on my reservation (also basic economy) also got bags free. No reward miles earned on basic economy and no seat selection.

If you're on an Embraer plane there ain't no economy plus. Might as well go cheapest fare you can.