Originally Posted by
zencat
(edit) I'm quite confused about the difference between "fare basis codes" and "booking codes". The UA link in my post calls them "fare classes", and shows fare class M and E as being worth 100% mileage credit. "Booking code" is not in the FT glossary, but "fare basis" is, and fare basis is described as what I thought a booking code was.
I only have a surface understanding of these matters, but will share what little knowledge is at my disposal. An example if probably the best way to illustrate the difference:
Suppose we search a one-way itinerary between Vancouver (YVR) and Xiamen (XMN) on December 11th, 2013. One of the itineraries available to us is AC3 to Tokyo (NRT), followed by NH935. The fare basis for this itinerary is T7HXCNO. This is Air Canada's rules and restrictions governing this fare - since they are the carrier effectively selling you passage between YVR and XMN. As generally is the case, the first letter of the fare basis code corresponds to the booking class for flight AC3: T. However, the booking class for the NH935 leg is K. And as far as frequent flyer programs are concerned, it is the booking class that matters. So in determining how many miles you would be awarded for flying this itinerary, you would consider YVR->NRT on AC booking class T and NRT->XMN on NH booking class K.