Originally Posted by
trflyer
I know that booking classes are delineated in many places but is there a decoder for each digit/letter of the "Fare basis code" that shows up on UA's review pages? For example, "QKXANE" or "SKXSNY2E". I presume each letter corresponds to some portion of the Fare Rules but does FT have this decoded?
As others have said, sometimes is corresponds, sometimes not. If you want to find the "secret decoder ring", you need IATA's Passenger Services Conference Resolutions Manual, Reso 728. (Of course, said secret decoder ring may not always apply).
Originally Posted by
trflyer
Sometimes they're split (outbound different than in), and fares seem to change or correspond to the specific FBC. HKXANE is sometimes a good one-upgradeable and not too high a fare. The first letter has always corresponded to the fare bucket.
If you want to read some about how and why they are split, I have a post in
this thread about it.
Anyway, for your amusement (because this information doesn't really help you as a passenger as your booking code and actual fare rules are more important):
QKXANE/HKXANE: Q/H=discount economy (I think UA further defines these in their contract of carriage)
K=Shoulder Season
X=Weekday
AN= Advance Purchase Non-refundable
And that's pretty much it. What does the E stand for? Eastbound, but that's a UA/LH thing (not an industry thing) since UA controls eastbound Transatlantic fares and LH controls westbound TATL fares in the UA/LH partnership.
SKXSNY2E
S=discount economy on UA
K=Shoulder Season
X=Weekday
After that it doesn't really follow IATA standards, but my guess is:
SN=instant purchase non-refundable
Y= valid for 1 year
2= 2nd level fare
E= Eastbound
Originally Posted by
UnitedSkies
I think fare basis codes are supposed to have a standard, consistent logic, but you will find that most, if not all airlines, have very different naming conventions. Even within the same airline you will have large differences.
For sure. Especially between geographies.
Originally Posted by
TerryK
That's the case for UA, not for some others.@:-) Fare codes are airlines specific. Actually, UA also sells net fares which books into a different bucket than the first letter of fare basis.
And of course when you're on an F or C fare and get stuck on a plane without those cabins you'll be booked in Y class on that segment.