Guide to AA fare basis codes
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Toronto
Programs: AC, AA, DL, UA
Posts: 1,604
Guide to AA fare basis codes
Ever wanted to decipher those tricky American fare codes efficiently without having to read through the fair rules? Help me make a guide to figuring out American fare codes!
Does anyone know what the 26 means in the Y26 fare basis code (or F26, Y26UP, etc.)? I've been told it means you can only use the fare on AA, but why use "26" for this?
Here's my understanding so far. Parts may be inaccurate or not apply to all fares.
first letter: booking class (except for UP fares)
first number (other than 26): domestic: advance purchase requirement. if it is 0, same day ticketing is allowed, but waitlisting is not.
second number: minimum stay requirement
third number: maximum stay requirement
A: one-way
R: round-trip
AP: advance purchase
BIZ/BZN: instant purchase non-refundable fares for business travelers--no Saturday night stay requirement, 30-day maximum stay
FS: flight-specific
J/JFK: JFK only
N/NR: non-refundable
Z: restricted, which may mean confirmation required (possibly refundable though)
AA: Web-only fare
UP: instant upgrade into different booking class
GB: originate in GB, following number is year of fare applicability
US: originate in US
E: minimum stay requirement (Saturday unless overridden by second number)
M: Saturday stay requirement (second number becomes maximum stay)
C: next number is change fee
second position:
P: peak season
H: high season
K: shoulder season
L: low season
M: other seasonal restriction
third position:
W: Sun 12:01a-Mon 11:59a, Thu noon-Sat 11:59a
X: not on Fri or Sun
B: weekend (Thu/Fri-Mon, no Sun with X)
S: midweek (Tue-Thu or Tue-Wed, also Mon with X)
F: specific times (e.g. daily 8:45a-9:45a)
O: specific times and dates (e.g. Tue/Wed 8:45a-9:45a)
A: advance ticketing required
R: reservation confirmation required
D: ??? (appears on shorter flights)
last position:
S: fuel surcharge
G: restricted day of first travel
X: restricted day of first travel
Yes, I am a geek. I will edit this message to include your submissions/corrections. For all I know there is an official source of this information, for which I would be eternally grateful.
Does anyone know what the 26 means in the Y26 fare basis code (or F26, Y26UP, etc.)? I've been told it means you can only use the fare on AA, but why use "26" for this?
Here's my understanding so far. Parts may be inaccurate or not apply to all fares.
first letter: booking class (except for UP fares)
first number (other than 26): domestic: advance purchase requirement. if it is 0, same day ticketing is allowed, but waitlisting is not.
second number: minimum stay requirement
third number: maximum stay requirement
A: one-way
R: round-trip
AP: advance purchase
BIZ/BZN: instant purchase non-refundable fares for business travelers--no Saturday night stay requirement, 30-day maximum stay
FS: flight-specific
J/JFK: JFK only
N/NR: non-refundable
Z: restricted, which may mean confirmation required (possibly refundable though)
AA: Web-only fare
UP: instant upgrade into different booking class
GB: originate in GB, following number is year of fare applicability
US: originate in US
E: minimum stay requirement (Saturday unless overridden by second number)
M: Saturday stay requirement (second number becomes maximum stay)
C: next number is change fee
second position:
P: peak season
H: high season
K: shoulder season
L: low season
M: other seasonal restriction
third position:
W: Sun 12:01a-Mon 11:59a, Thu noon-Sat 11:59a
X: not on Fri or Sun
B: weekend (Thu/Fri-Mon, no Sun with X)
S: midweek (Tue-Thu or Tue-Wed, also Mon with X)
F: specific times (e.g. daily 8:45a-9:45a)
O: specific times and dates (e.g. Tue/Wed 8:45a-9:45a)
A: advance ticketing required
R: reservation confirmation required
D: ??? (appears on shorter flights)
last position:
S: fuel surcharge
G: restricted day of first travel
X: restricted day of first travel
Yes, I am a geek. I will edit this message to include your submissions/corrections. For all I know there is an official source of this information, for which I would be eternally grateful.
Last edited by JDiver; Apr 5, 2017 at 2:57 pm Reason: hillrider's suggestions PHKL
#2
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Chicago, IL, USA
Posts: 37
Flight specific fares have FS in the fare basis
#3
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Programs: HH Diamond
Posts: 347
Just made a reservation for 3 people for AA travel next month. Going through Travelocity saved me $300 over the AA.com fare (go figure)...and one of those legs is LIT-ORD which, I believe, qualifies for the ORD07 promotion (double miles).
My question is this: Where can I find what my fare code or fare basis code is for our flights? The promotion excludes L and N fares, but I see no number anywhere that could conceivably be a fare code. Must I call AA?
Thanks.
My question is this: Where can I find what my fare code or fare basis code is for our flights? The promotion excludes L and N fares, but I see no number anywhere that could conceivably be a fare code. Must I call AA?
Thanks.
#4
In Memoriam
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: dallas texas usa
Programs: aa plt 4.9MM LTAC
Posts: 14,828
don in la....you can see the codes on the fare/pax details screen as you book. it is on the left near top "detailed fare rules"....after that, call aa.
#5
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Lewisville, TX USA
Programs: AA EXP 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Bonvoy LT Ti; National EE; WDW Passholder
Posts: 838
Originally Posted by grouse
A: advance ticketing required
R: reservation confirmation required
R: reservation confirmation required
First, let me say how great this listing has been. I've had it bookmarked for quite some time, and now that Expert Flyer is around, it gives even greater visibility into AA's fare structure!
I do have a question, though. From looking at fares I've found in EF, it appears that perhaps the A indicates one-way, and the R indicates round-trip? Is this saying the same thing as the text I've quoted above? I'm not sure the difference between "advance ticketing" and "reservation confirmation"
Thanks!
lbbzman
#6
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: GRU
Programs: *A Gold, OW Sapphire, SPG Gold, HH Diamond, Accor Plat
Posts: 3,367
Originally Posted by Don in LA
(...) Where can I find what my fare code or fare basis code is for our flights? The promotion excludes L and N fares, but I see no number anywhere that could conceivably be a fare code. Must I call AA?
Thanks.
Thanks.
Once with your PNR go to REFUNDS and insert PNR/Last name, once the record comes up, ask for a refund and it should produce a screen with all your ticket, fare basis, etc - DO NOT PROCEED from that point on
#7
Moderator: American AAdvantage
Join Date: May 2000
Location: NorCal - SMF area
Programs: AA LT Plat; HH LT Diamond, Maître-plongeur des Muccis
Posts: 62,948
ORD07? I get an error code when I try to register for that... Oh, I see why!!! Sorry!
You can check your fare code as recommended on FT - the "near-refund" way, or using a fee service like ExpertFlyer, using other engines to look at price-comparable fares and checking fare rules (slightly less reliable,) or call AA. If you have to upgrade the fare class, you may have to pay a change fee...
You can check your fare code as recommended on FT - the "near-refund" way, or using a fee service like ExpertFlyer, using other engines to look at price-comparable fares and checking fare rules (slightly less reliable,) or call AA. If you have to upgrade the fare class, you may have to pay a change fee...
Originally Posted by Don in LA
Just made a reservation for 3 people for AA travel next month. Going through Travelocity saved me $300 over the AA.com fare (go figure)...and one of those legs is LIT-ORD which, I believe, qualifies for the ORD07 promotion (double miles).
My question is this: Where can I find what my fare code or fare basis code is for our flights? The promotion excludes L and N fares, but I see no number anywhere that could conceivably be a fare code. Must I call AA?
Thanks.
My question is this: Where can I find what my fare code or fare basis code is for our flights? The promotion excludes L and N fares, but I see no number anywhere that could conceivably be a fare code. Must I call AA?
Thanks.
Last edited by JDiver; Jan 13, 2005 at 9:46 am Reason: Duh, this thread jumps ONE YEAR - I didn't see that!
#8
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Lewisville, TX USA
Programs: AA EXP 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Bonvoy LT Ti; National EE; WDW Passholder
Posts: 838
Originally Posted by JDiver
ORD07? I get an error code when I try to register for that...
Cheers,
lbbzman
#9
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Toronto
Programs: AC, AA, DL, UA
Posts: 1,604
Originally Posted by lbbzman
First, let me say how great this listing has been.
From looking at fares I've found in EF, it appears that perhaps the A indicates one-way, and the R indicates round-trip? Is this saying the same thing as the text I've quoted above?
I'm not sure the difference between "advance ticketing" and "reservation confirmation"
Remember these are all guesses (hopefully educated) and AA is free to change what they mean at any time.
#10
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Lewisville, TX USA
Programs: AA EXP 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Bonvoy LT Ti; National EE; WDW Passholder
Posts: 838
Originally Posted by grouse
Why don't you provide some example city pairs and fare basis codes to support your inference here and I'll see what I can pull up on Travelocity (can't afford Expertflyer at the moment).
Code:
Fare Basis Airline Booking Class Trip Type Fare 21 Fares Returned NA14C50N AA N One-Way 96.00 (USD) NR14C50N AA N Round-Trip 192.00 (USD) GA7C50N AA G One-Way 126.00 (USD) GR7C50N AA G Round-Trip 252.00 (USD) VA3C50N AA V One-Way 156.00 (USD) VR3C50N AA V Round-Trip 312.00 (USD) WR0C50N AA W Round-Trip 412.00 (USD) WA0C50N AA W One-Way 206.00 (USD) LR0C50N AA L Round-Trip 532.00 (USD) LA0C50N AA L One-Way 266.00 (USD) YRUPMZ AA A Round-Trip 602.00 (USD) YUPMZ AA A One-Way 301.00 (USD) YUPMZ AA A One-Way 301.00 (USD) K26Z AA K One-Way 419.00 (USD) Y26 AA Y One-Way 599.00 (USD) YF26UPS AA F One-Way 761.00 (USD) F26 AA F One-Way 849.00 (USD) J26 AA J One-Way 849.00 (USD) Y AA Y One-Way 946.00 (USD) J AA J One-Way 1403.00 (USD) F AA F One-Way 1403.00 (USD)
Code:
Fare Basis Airline Booking Class Trip Type Fare 23 Fares Returned QA10Q50N AA Q One-Way 89.00 (USD) NA14C50N AA N One-Way 121.00 (USD) NR14C50N AA N Round-Trip 242.00 (USD) GR7C50N AA G Round-Trip 312.00 (USD) GA7C50N AA G One-Way 156.00 (USD) VA3C50N AA V One-Way 174.00 (USD) VR3C50N AA V Round-Trip 348.00 (USD) WA0C50N AA W One-Way 204.00 (USD) WR0C50N AA W Round-Trip 408.00 (USD) LA0C50N AA L One-Way 254.00 (USD) LR0C50N AA L Round-Trip 508.00 (USD) Y26UPSP AA A One-Way 254.00 (USD) YUPMZ AA A One-Way 304.00 (USD) HA0C50N AA H One-Way 354.00 (USD) K3RMZ AA K Round-Trip 858.00 (USD) K26Z AA K One-Way 449.00 (USD) Y26 AA Y One-Way 699.00 (USD) YF26UPS AA F One-Way 957.00 (USD) F26 AA F One-Way 999.00 (USD) J26 AA J One-Way 999.00 (USD) Y AA Y One-Way 1227.00 (USD) J AA J One-Way 1795.00 (USD) F AA F One-Way 1795.00 (USD)
#11
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Toronto
Programs: AC, AA, DL, UA
Posts: 1,604
Those all end in 50N. On Travelocity I seem to find "50N" fares mostly in markets where AA is competing with DL.
#12
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Lewisville, TX USA
Programs: AA EXP 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Bonvoy LT Ti; National EE; WDW Passholder
Posts: 838
Originally Posted by grouse
Those all end in 50N. On Travelocity I seem to find "50N" fares mostly in markets where AA is competing with DL.
#13
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Toronto
Programs: AC, AA, DL, UA
Posts: 1,604
You're right of course. I even had the meaning of C in there already and forgot to check it. D'oh!
I've updated the info to include A and R.
I've updated the info to include A and R.
#14
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Boston, MA
Programs: AA EXP, *wood Plat
Posts: 222
Please be patient with this post. I am relatively new to FT and a virgin to the Fare Basis Codes. I've always had my TA book my fares and I have been satisfied, but now she's selling her business and I need to learn. Here are a bunch of questions relating to the OP.
1 - Did you ever find out what 26 means?
2- What do the other first numbers after the A or R mean. In the above examples ther is a NA14. What does the 1 mean, from your description the 4 means minimum stay. Correct?
3- What does Z at the end mean?
4- I thought with the AA new fare codes that there are no more Saturday night stay requirements and that one day is just like another - Sunday is no different than Tuesday. Yet again your examples from EF for the future lists M - Saturday stay required.
5- Also what about the maximum Y class and F fares. I thought the Max Y for one way was $499. In the first example EF lists 946.
6 - Now for what will seem like a really dumb question - If I find all this info on EF what do I do with it? Let's use your first example so I see that there is a one way fare to MCO for 96.00 how do I find it and book it on line?
Thanks so much for any help.
1 - Did you ever find out what 26 means?
2- What do the other first numbers after the A or R mean. In the above examples ther is a NA14. What does the 1 mean, from your description the 4 means minimum stay. Correct?
3- What does Z at the end mean?
4- I thought with the AA new fare codes that there are no more Saturday night stay requirements and that one day is just like another - Sunday is no different than Tuesday. Yet again your examples from EF for the future lists M - Saturday stay required.
5- Also what about the maximum Y class and F fares. I thought the Max Y for one way was $499. In the first example EF lists 946.
6 - Now for what will seem like a really dumb question - If I find all this info on EF what do I do with it? Let's use your first example so I see that there is a one way fare to MCO for 96.00 how do I find it and book it on line?
Thanks so much for any help.
#15
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Toronto
Programs: AC, AA, DL, UA
Posts: 1,604
Originally Posted by jkfb1
1 - Did you ever find out what 26 means?
2- What do the other first numbers after the A or R mean. In the above examples ther is a NA14. What does the 1 mean, from your description the 4 means minimum stay. Correct?
N: fare basis code
A: round trip fare (maybe)
14: 14-day advance purchase requirement
C50: USD50 change fee
N: non-refundable
3- What does Z at the end mean?
4- I thought with the AA new fare codes that there are no more Saturday night stay requirements and that one day is just like another - Sunday is no different than Tuesday. Yet again your examples from EF for the future lists M - Saturday stay required.
This is not an exact science. You still have to read the fare rules to figure out the fare rules. But if you can partially figure out what the rules are just by looking at the basis code, it is a big help.
5- Also what about the maximum Y class and F fares. I thought the Max Y for one way was $499. In the first example EF lists 946.
6 - Now for what will seem like a really dumb question - If I find all this info on EF what do I do with it? Let's use your first example so I see that there is a one way fare to MCO for 96.00 how do I find it and book it on line?