Guide to Fare Basis Codes

Fare basis codes are alphanumeric labels airlines use to define the rules of a ticket. They show whether a fare is refundable, changeable or upgradeable, and how many miles you’ll earn. The code usually starts with a letter, like ‘Y’ for full-fare economy or ‘J’ for business, followed by characters that reveal things like seasonality or advance purchase rules.

Each airline has its own system but knowing how to read these codes can help you spot restrictions before you book, compare ticket flexibility and make smarter choices based on your travel plans and mileage goals.

Airline class codes, also called booking codes or fare classes, are letters used to sort tickets by things like price, flexibility, service level and how many miles you’ll earn.

For example, ‘F’ usually means full-fare First Class, ‘J’ is Business, ‘W’ is Premium Economy and ‘Y’ is full-fare Economy. These codes help airlines manage seats and set rules like change fees or refund options.

Some airlines add more detail with fare basis codes (like “YEX7NR”), which can show refund rules, advance purchase needs and more. Since codes can vary by airline, always check the details before booking.

Good news - there isn’t one. 'Flight class codes' and 'airline class codes' usually mean the same thing: the single-letter booking class (like ‘Y’ for Economy or ‘J’ for Business) that tells you the level of service and flexibility tied to your ticket.

What is different is the fare basis code - that’s the longer code that starts with the booking class letter and adds extra info, like refund rules, when you can book, or if you’ll earn miles. So one shows the seat type and the other spells out the fine print.

Economy class codes, like Y, M, K or L, decide more than just your seat. They influence your ticket price, how flexible your booking is and what extras you get.

Full-fare codes (like ‘Y’) usually cost more but offer better perks: flexible changes, more miles, upgrade options and priority boarding. Lower fare codes (like ‘K’ or ‘L’) are cheaper but often come with restrictions - less flexibility, fewer miles, limited baggage and no seat selection.

Always check the fare rules before booking to make sure your ticket works for your travel plans and loyalty goals.

No, they’re not. While some letters like ‘F’, ‘J’ and ‘Y’ often point to full-fare First, Business or Economy, airlines set their own rules.

For example, a ‘K’ fare on one airline could mean discounted Economy, while on another it might mean something totally different.

These codes affect everything from refund options to how many miles you’ll earn. That’s why it’s always worth checking the fare rules for your specific airline before you book. It’s a small step that can save you confusion, and money, later on.

United’s fare basis codes are usually shown during the booking process, either directly on our flight details page or in the fare rules section before you pay. These codes are a mix of letters and numbers, and the first letter tells you the booking class, which affects things like refunds, mileage, and upgrade options.

Here’s a quick snapshot:

• Full-fare Economy: Y, B, M – flexible and refundable
• Discounted Economy: H, Q, V, W, S, T, L, K, G – fewer perks, more restrictions
• Basic Economy: N – the most limited fare class
• Premium Economy (United Premium Plus): O, A, R – more space and comfort
• Business (Polaris): J (full fare), C, D, Z (discounted), P (promo fares)
• First Class: F (full fare), A (discounted)
• Award tickets: X (Economy), I (Business), O (First, when available)
• Upgrades: R – used when bumping up a class

If you're looking to book smart, checking the fare code before you confirm can give you a heads-up on what you're actually getting.

American Airlines uses letter codes, called fare classes, to sort tickets by price, perks, and flexibility. These codes tell you what cabin you’re in, how many miles you’ll earn and what rules come with your ticket. Here’s the breakdown:

• Basic Economy (B): Cheapest option, but with heavy restrictions - limited seat choice, no changes or refunds, and reduced mileage earning.
• Main Cabin (O, Q, N, S, G, V, M, L, K, H, Y): Standard economy. Higher codes like Y offer more flexibility (often fully refundable), while lower ones come with more rules.
• Premium Economy (P, W): Extra legroom, better service and priority perks - perfect if you want more comfort without jumping to Business.
• Business Class (I, R, D, C, J): Lie-flat seats, lounge access and top-tier service. J is full-fare Business, while I is usually discounted.
• First Class (A, F): The best of the best. Spacious seats and premium everything. F is full fare, A is discounted.

Not all classes are available on every route, and the fare you pick affects how many miles you’ll earn. So if perks or points matter, make sure you check that letter before you book.

No, they’re not the same. American Airlines’ fare basis codes and class codes might look similar, but they do two different jobs. Class codes are short, usually one letter like ‘Y’ for Economy or ‘J’ for Business, and they help airlines manage seat availability.

Fare basis codes go a step further. They start with a class code but then add extra details like refund rules, advance purchase deadlines or seasonality. While both affect your ticket, one shows what you’re booking, and the other tells you the rules that come with it.

Air Canada's fare basis codes usually start with a letter that shows your booking class, followed by more characters defining the fare rules. For example, something like 'MZ0LZATG' breaks down like this:

M - your booking class
Z0LZATG - all the extra details about the fare's rules

The last two letters often show your fare family:

• TG for Tango
• FL for Flex
• LT for Latitude
• PL for Premium Economy Lowest
• PF for Premium Economy Flexible
• EL for Business Lowest
• EF for Business Flexible

Each fare family comes with different perks and limitations. For example:

• Basic is the most limited - no refunds and few changes.
• Standard adds a bit more flexibility.
• Flex gives you free changes and some refunds.
• Comfort might get you perks like priority boarding.
• Latitude is the top of the economy range, usually fully refundable.

While the codes might look like random letters, they actually tell you a lot about what to expect from your ticket and how flexible it is if your plans change.

Delta’s fare basis codes are a mix of letters and numbers that show what kind of ticket you’ve booked and what comes with it. The first letter tells you the service class:

• J, C, D, I, Z - Delta One / First Class
• P, A, G - Premium Select
• W, S - Delta Comfort+
• Y, B, M, H, Q, K, L, U, T, X, V - Main Cabin (from full fare to super discounted)
• E - Basic Economy

Extra letters often mean more rules. For example:

• A ‘B’ near the end usually means Basic Economy
• ‘C’ or ‘I’ means Comfort+
• ‘M’ or ‘E’ signals Main Cabin
• And certain numbers or letters (like Y, Z, R) hint at refundable fares

Don’t worry - we’ll always show you what’s included. No decoding needed. Just find your perfect flight and pick the fare that works for you.