Oct 2, 2017, 8:39 pm
Last edit by: canadiancow
What are Branded Fares?
Branded Fares (also called Fare Families) are the concept of airlines grouping fares together that share the same characteristics - for example, penalties (changes, refunds), baggage allowance, seat selection (none, paid, or free), mileage accrual, in-flight meals, priority airport services (boarding, check-in) etc.
Air Canada's Branded Fares: The Past
Air Canada has long utilised the concept of Branded Fares, primarily in its Economy Cabin. At present, there are three brands that people are familiar with: Tango, Flex, and Latitude.
In the past, AC has used other brands, including Tango Plus, Latitude Plus, Leisure, Tourist, and Relax & Return.
Until late September 2017, the fare brand was exclusively controlled by the 'booking class' (also called fare class, or the more technical term RBD - reservation booking designator) on each flight segment.
Air Canada's current Economy fare structure is: Y B M U H Q V W G S T L A K
Latitude is Y B
Flex was M U H Q V (W G for domestic and US flights)
Tango was (W G for international fights) S T L A K.
For example, if you were booking an itinerary within Canada or between Canada and the US, and wanted a Flex fare, all you needed to worry about was that each flight was booking in G or higher.
Air Canada's Branded Fares: The Present
On 19 September 2017 at its Investor Day, Air Canada announced that it will be utilising the concept of Branded Fares much more.
All Air Canada fares in all markets have been assigned a 'brand code' as follows:
- Basic: BA
- Standard: TG
- Flex: FL
- Comfort: CO
- Latitude: LT
- Premium Economy Lowest: PL
- Premium Economy Flexible: PF
- Business Class Lowest: EL
- Business Class Flexible: EF
For domestic and US transborder fares, the brand code will appear at the end of the fare basis code (i.e. V3WCTG, V3WCFL etc.). On international fares, while the fares are assigned the brand codes within reservation systems, they will generally not appear on the fare basis code.
For flights within Canada and between Canada and the US, booking classes M U H Q V W G S T L K G will now be used for both Standard and Flex fares, in three possible ways:
1. A distinct separation will remain (i.e. M U H Q V W G always as Flex, S T L K G always as Standard)
2. Some booking classes will overlap (i.e. M U H Q V W G as Flex, and V W G S T L K G as Standard - V W G overlap the two brands)
3. All booking classes are both Flex and Standard.
Air Canada may change how they file fares in a specific market at any point in time.
An example for Toronto to Timmins is included below, showing how Standard and Flex fares are available through all booking classes:
How do I make sure I'm booking the fare type I want?
If booking on Air Canada's website, choosing the fare type in the search results should give you a fare in that category, regardless of the booking class letter.
Otherwise, you will need to check the fare basis codes for all flights on your ticket to ensure they should the correct suffix (TG for Standard, FL for Flex).
If you book flights using a corporate booking tool such as Concur or GetThere, you may want to check with your travel administrator that the site is properly configured to display the branded fares according to brand code and not booking class.
What about milage accrual on Aeroplan?
The Aeroplan website has not yet been updated to reflect accrual, however you should expect to earn miles based on the fare type purchased (i.e. a domestic Flex K fare should earn 100% and a Standard M fare should earn 25%).
What about milage accrual on other programmes?
No data is currently available to support this, but in the absence of changes listed by the respective programme, the expectation is flights will continue to earn on those programmes based on the booking class letter.
What about milage accrual to Aeroplan when the flight is booked as a codeshare (i.e. UA*AC) and operated by Air Canada?
No data is currently available to know what happens. Codeshares map to specific booking class letters, not fares.
What about international fares?
There have currently been no changes to international fares. Branding of these fares still exists, but Air Canada has a lot less flexibility in filing fares in specific markets (for example, Transatlantic fares that are covered by the A++ Joint Venture).
How can my travel agent book branded fares?
AC has a guide here which describes how a TA can book TG or FL branded fares: https://www.aircanada.com/content/da...de_v1.0_EN.pdf
Air Canada's Branded Fares: The Future
On 19 September 2017 at its Investor Day, Air Canada also announced it may introduce a new "ULCC" fare brand below Tango to respond to markets in which it faces competition from Ultra Low Cost Carriers, as well as a "Comfort" brand between Flex and Latitude. Watch this space for future developments.
Branded Fares (also called Fare Families) are the concept of airlines grouping fares together that share the same characteristics - for example, penalties (changes, refunds), baggage allowance, seat selection (none, paid, or free), mileage accrual, in-flight meals, priority airport services (boarding, check-in) etc.
Air Canada's Branded Fares: The Past
Air Canada has long utilised the concept of Branded Fares, primarily in its Economy Cabin. At present, there are three brands that people are familiar with: Tango, Flex, and Latitude.
In the past, AC has used other brands, including Tango Plus, Latitude Plus, Leisure, Tourist, and Relax & Return.
Until late September 2017, the fare brand was exclusively controlled by the 'booking class' (also called fare class, or the more technical term RBD - reservation booking designator) on each flight segment.
Air Canada's current Economy fare structure is: Y B M U H Q V W G S T L A K
Latitude is Y B
Flex was M U H Q V (W G for domestic and US flights)
Tango was (W G for international fights) S T L A K.
For example, if you were booking an itinerary within Canada or between Canada and the US, and wanted a Flex fare, all you needed to worry about was that each flight was booking in G or higher.
Air Canada's Branded Fares: The Present
On 19 September 2017 at its Investor Day, Air Canada announced that it will be utilising the concept of Branded Fares much more.
All Air Canada fares in all markets have been assigned a 'brand code' as follows:
- Basic: BA
- Standard: TG
- Flex: FL
- Comfort: CO
- Latitude: LT
- Premium Economy Lowest: PL
- Premium Economy Flexible: PF
- Business Class Lowest: EL
- Business Class Flexible: EF
For domestic and US transborder fares, the brand code will appear at the end of the fare basis code (i.e. V3WCTG, V3WCFL etc.). On international fares, while the fares are assigned the brand codes within reservation systems, they will generally not appear on the fare basis code.
For flights within Canada and between Canada and the US, booking classes M U H Q V W G S T L K G will now be used for both Standard and Flex fares, in three possible ways:
1. A distinct separation will remain (i.e. M U H Q V W G always as Flex, S T L K G always as Standard)
2. Some booking classes will overlap (i.e. M U H Q V W G as Flex, and V W G S T L K G as Standard - V W G overlap the two brands)
3. All booking classes are both Flex and Standard.
Air Canada may change how they file fares in a specific market at any point in time.
An example for Toronto to Timmins is included below, showing how Standard and Flex fares are available through all booking classes:
Code:
YTO-YTS CXR-AC WED 01NOV17 CAD AC-ACK/TG - TANGO AC YTOYTS 01NOV17 V FARE BASIS BK FARE TRAVEL-TICKET AP MINMAX RTG 1 A21ZATG A X 77.00 R15DE T22SE 21/1 -/ - 100 2 L21ZATG L X 92.00 R15DE T22SE 21/1 -/ - 100 3 T14WLATG T X 123.00 ---- 14/1 -/ - 100 4 T14ZLATG T X 129.00 ---- 14/1 -/ - 100 5 S10WLATG S X 154.00 ---- 10/1 -/ - 100 6 S10ZLATG S X 159.00 ---- 10/1 -/ - 100 7A G10WLATG G X 176.00 ---- 10/1 -/ - 100 8A G10ZLATG G X 183.00 ---- 10/1 -/ - 100 9A G5ZLATG G X 209.00 ---- 5/1 -/ - 100 10A W7WLATG W X 228.00 ---- 7/1 -/ - 100‡ 11A W7ZLATG W X 234.00 ---- 7/1 -/ - 100‡ 12A G0ZLATG G X 239.00 ---- -/‡ -/ - 100 13A V3WLATG V X 276.00 ---- 3/1 -/ - 100 14A V3ZLATG V X 281.00 ---- 3/1 -/ - 100 15A V0WLATG V X 293.00 ---- -/‡ -/ - 100 16A V0ZLATG V X 303.00 ---- -/‡ -/ - 100 17A Q0ZLATG Q X 330.00 ---- -/‡ -/ - 100 18A H0ZLATG H X 389.00 ---- -/‡ -/ - 100 19A U0ZLATG U X 430.00 ---- -/‡ -/ - 100 20A M0ZLATG M X 500.00 ---- -/‡ -/ - 100 AC-ACK/FL - FLEX AC YTOYTS 01NOV17 V FARE BASIS BK FARE TRAVEL-TICKET AP MINMAX RTG 21A A21ZAFL A X 117.00 R15DE T22SE 21/1 -/ - 100 22A L21ZAFL L X 132.00 R15DE T22SE 21/1 -/ - 100 23A T14WLAFL T X 163.00 ---- 14/1 -/ - 100 24A T14ZLAFL T X 169.00 ---- 14/1 -/ - 100 25A S10WLAFL S X 194.00 ---- 10/1 -/ - 100‡ 26A S10ZLAFL S X 199.00 ---- 10/1 -/ - 100‡ 27I G10WLAFL G X 216.00 ---- 10/1 -/ - 100 28I G10ZLAFL G X 223.00 ---- 10/1 -/ - 100 29I G5ZLAFL G X 249.00 ---- 5/1 -/ - 100 30I W7WLAFL W X 268.00 ---- 7/1 -/ - 100 31I W7ZLAFL W X 274.00 ---- 7/1 -/ - 100 32I G0ZLAFL G X 279.00 ---- -/‡ -/ - 100 33I V3WLAFL V X 316.00 ---- 3/1 -/ - 100 34I V3ZLAFL V X 321.00 ---- 3/1 -/ - 100 35I V0WLAFL V X 333.00 ---- -/‡ -/ - 100 36I V0ZLAFL V X 343.00 ---- -/‡ -/ - 100 37I Q0ZLAFL Q X 370.00 ---- -/‡ -/ - 100 38I H0ZLAFL H X 429.00 ---- -/‡ -/ - 100 39I U0ZLAFL U X 470.00 ---- -/‡ -/ - 100 40I M0ZLAFL M X 540.00 ---- -/‡ -/ - 100 AC-ACK/LT - LATITUDE AC YTOYTS 01NOV17 V FARE BASIS BK FARE TRAVEL-TICKET AP MINMAX RTG‡ 41 B0ALT B X 594.00 ---- -/‡ -/ - 100‡ 42 Y0ALT Y X 655.00 ---- -/‡ -/ - 100 43 Y Y X 1764.00 ---- - -/ - 1 AC-ACK/EF - BUSINESS FLEXIBLE AC YTOYTS 01NOV17 V FARE BASIS BK FARE TRAVEL-TICKET AP MINMAX RTG 44 J J‡X 1964.00 ---- - -/ - 1 1* TRAVEL MUST BE NONSTOP OR DIRECT 100* 1. YTO-YTS
If booking on Air Canada's website, choosing the fare type in the search results should give you a fare in that category, regardless of the booking class letter.
Otherwise, you will need to check the fare basis codes for all flights on your ticket to ensure they should the correct suffix (TG for Standard, FL for Flex).
If you book flights using a corporate booking tool such as Concur or GetThere, you may want to check with your travel administrator that the site is properly configured to display the branded fares according to brand code and not booking class.
What about milage accrual on Aeroplan?
The Aeroplan website has not yet been updated to reflect accrual, however you should expect to earn miles based on the fare type purchased (i.e. a domestic Flex K fare should earn 100% and a Standard M fare should earn 25%).
What about milage accrual on other programmes?
No data is currently available to support this, but in the absence of changes listed by the respective programme, the expectation is flights will continue to earn on those programmes based on the booking class letter.
What about milage accrual to Aeroplan when the flight is booked as a codeshare (i.e. UA*AC) and operated by Air Canada?
No data is currently available to know what happens. Codeshares map to specific booking class letters, not fares.
What about international fares?
There have currently been no changes to international fares. Branding of these fares still exists, but Air Canada has a lot less flexibility in filing fares in specific markets (for example, Transatlantic fares that are covered by the A++ Joint Venture).
How can my travel agent book branded fares?
AC has a guide here which describes how a TA can book TG or FL branded fares: https://www.aircanada.com/content/da...de_v1.0_EN.pdf
Air Canada's Branded Fares: The Future
On 19 September 2017 at its Investor Day, Air Canada also announced it may introduce a new "ULCC" fare brand below Tango to respond to markets in which it faces competition from Ultra Low Cost Carriers, as well as a "Comfort" brand between Flex and Latitude. Watch this space for future developments.
Branded Fares; AC changes booking classes/fare classes for Tango & Flex
Oct 10, 2017, 9:03 pm
#166
Join Date: Feb 2006
Programs: AC75 MM
Posts: 959
If we assume that majority of FOTSG just go for the cheapest ticket, and lowest fare for domestic/TB travel is increasingly the norm for public company T&E policies, the result here is:
1) AC (a) loses revenue from those employee travelers who would have previously "gamed" their employer's lowest-fare policy by waiting until last minute to book and (b) gains incremental revenue from those travelers who care enough about the perks of Flex over Tango to pay out-of-pocket for them;
2) Employers save money from eliminating the last minute "loop hole" a subset of their employees would have previously exploited; and
3) Employees (to the extent they care enough about the perks of Flex) pay out-of-pocket.
So it's a win for employers and loss for employees. The interesting question is how big is the group of employees who cares enough to pay out-of-pocket vs. the group of employees who gamed the previous system. That and the fare difference will determine whether AC is a net winner or loser.
1) AC (a) loses revenue from those employee travelers who would have previously "gamed" their employer's lowest-fare policy by waiting until last minute to book and (b) gains incremental revenue from those travelers who care enough about the perks of Flex over Tango to pay out-of-pocket for them;
2) Employers save money from eliminating the last minute "loop hole" a subset of their employees would have previously exploited; and
3) Employees (to the extent they care enough about the perks of Flex) pay out-of-pocket.
So it's a win for employers and loss for employees. The interesting question is how big is the group of employees who cares enough to pay out-of-pocket vs. the group of employees who gamed the previous system. That and the fare difference will determine whether AC is a net winner or loser.
4) Personal and non-corporate business travel from FF. A delta of $50 TG to FL was fine, but $300 is too much for the meagre benefits of seat selection, AP points and the chance of aerolotto.
My estimate (OK, what do I know!) is that this will lead to a loss of AC revenue - we'll see in a year if their new policy holds. For those chasing Altitude status it could be a very significant change.
Oct 11, 2017, 12:58 am
#167
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Lima Sierra Zulu Hotel
Programs: AC*SM, M&M SEN, BA Gold, DL Gold; Marriott Titanium
Posts: 777
Here's an example of mine. I've bolded the cheapest Flex options.
...
Cheapest flex is $95 cheaper than before branded fares, and the advance purchase requirement went from 10 to 18 days.
This is an example of a route where every fare class below B is both Tango and Flex now, and it looks like a constant $40 upcharge to buy the Flex perks.
Not every route is going to be the same, but it is definitely possible to save money if low classes are available now.
...
Cheapest flex is $95 cheaper than before branded fares, and the advance purchase requirement went from 10 to 18 days.
This is an example of a route where every fare class below B is both Tango and Flex now, and it looks like a constant $40 upcharge to buy the Flex perks.
Not every route is going to be the same, but it is definitely possible to save money if low classes are available now.
Oct 11, 2017, 7:48 am
#169
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: YYZ
Programs: AC SE MM, Bonvoy Plat, Hilton G,Nexus, Amex MR Plat,IHG Plat
Posts: 4,429
These changes suck. Booked a transborder flight thru the corp OTA and got Tango. Called AC and was told yes it sucks, they have had a few calls, but I have to call the TA. Called the TA who promised to look into it and fix. He canceled the ticket and reissued for USD $80 more and supposedly in flex. Checked on AC.com and it is still Tango. What a mess.
Oct 11, 2017, 8:37 am
#170
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: YOW
Programs: AC-SE100K, AC-3MM, Marriott- LT Titanium, SPG RIP
Posts: 2,959
I have an upcoming trip booked all in P with 6 legs. All AC flights. 014 ticket.
The fare basis are all over the map...
Leg 1: Domestic P5AEL
Leg 2: Domestic P7CNVY
Leg 3: International P7CNVY
Leg 4: INternational PWCNV
Leg 6: Domestic PWCNV
Leg 6: Domestic PWCNV
I understand form the wiki that "On international fares, while the fares are assigned the brand codes within reservation systems, they will generally not appear on the fare basis code."
These were all booked in P or 'Business Lowest'. Any ideas what all the ends of these fare bases mean? ie VY or NV? Should they not all read 'EL' at the end?
Thanks
The fare basis are all over the map...
Leg 1: Domestic P5AEL
Leg 2: Domestic P7CNVY
Leg 3: International P7CNVY
Leg 4: INternational PWCNV
Leg 6: Domestic PWCNV
Leg 6: Domestic PWCNV
I understand form the wiki that "On international fares, while the fares are assigned the brand codes within reservation systems, they will generally not appear on the fare basis code."
These were all booked in P or 'Business Lowest'. Any ideas what all the ends of these fare bases mean? ie VY or NV? Should they not all read 'EL' at the end?
Thanks
Oct 11, 2017, 9:32 am
#171
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: SFO
Programs: AC SE MM, BA Gold, SQ Silver, Bonvoy Tit LTG, Hyatt Glob, HH Diamond
Posts: 44,359
Totally get what you're saying, but you're just interested in cheapest Tango vs. cheapest Flex. So you're happy with a lower RBD. My point was that for the same fare level, what used to buy you Flex in G, now buys you Tango. And on routes where G was a reliable (= often available) RBD, while L was not, this doesn't work out as nicely.
But why do you care about fare class?
What is the benefit of G over L?
Oct 11, 2017, 11:57 am
#172
Join Date: Nov 2011
Programs: AC*SE, HHonors*Gold
Posts: 68
Did AC change their booking classes/fare classes?
Does anyone know if AC changed their booking class mapping to Tango/Flex/Latitude?
I've always used the AE document here to calculate what booking class I should be in to get the right fare class: https://www.aeroplan.com/static/pdf/...t_JUL27_EN.pdf
However for the first time I've been credited as Tango on fares in V and H class - those should be Flex, and even my travel agent site shows them in Flex class. But I do know that list wasn't updated since 2015.
Just wanted to check on whether anything's changed in the past little while and to warn anyone else that may be affected.
Thanks!
I've always used the AE document here to calculate what booking class I should be in to get the right fare class: https://www.aeroplan.com/static/pdf/...t_JUL27_EN.pdf
However for the first time I've been credited as Tango on fares in V and H class - those should be Flex, and even my travel agent site shows them in Flex class. But I do know that list wasn't updated since 2015.
Just wanted to check on whether anything's changed in the past little while and to warn anyone else that may be affected.
Thanks!
Oct 11, 2017, 11:58 am
#173
Suspended
Join Date: Sep 2014
Programs: AC SE100K-1MM, NH, DL, AA, BA, Global Entry/Nexus, APEC..
Posts: 18,877
Does anyone know if AC changed their booking class mapping to Tango/Flex/Latitude?
I've always used the AE document here to calculate what booking class I should be in to get the right fare class: https://www.aeroplan.com/static/pdf/...t_JUL27_EN.pdf
However for the first time I've been credited as Tango on fares in V and H class - those should be Flex, and even my travel agent site shows them in Flex class. But I do know that list wasn't updated since 2015.
Just wanted to check on whether anything's changed in the past little while and to warn anyone else that may be affected.
Thanks!
I've always used the AE document here to calculate what booking class I should be in to get the right fare class: https://www.aeroplan.com/static/pdf/...t_JUL27_EN.pdf
However for the first time I've been credited as Tango on fares in V and H class - those should be Flex, and even my travel agent site shows them in Flex class. But I do know that list wasn't updated since 2015.
Just wanted to check on whether anything's changed in the past little while and to warn anyone else that may be affected.
Thanks!
See thread Branded Fares. It will help explain the changes on the AC paid fares at least.
https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/air-...ded-fares.html
Oct 11, 2017, 11:58 am
#174
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: YVR
Programs: AC SE 2MM; UA MP Premier Silver; Marriott Bonvoy LT Titanium Elite; Radisson; Avis PC
Posts: 35,255
Does anyone know if AC changed their booking class mapping to Tango/Flex/Latitude?
I've always used the AE document here to calculate what booking class I should be in to get the right fare class: https://www.aeroplan.com/static/pdf/...t_JUL27_EN.pdf
However for the first time I've been credited as Tango on fares in V and H class - those should be Flex, and even my travel agent site shows them in Flex class. But I do know that list wasn't updated since 2015.
Just wanted to check on whether anything's changed in the past little while and to warn anyone else that may be affected.
Thanks!
I've always used the AE document here to calculate what booking class I should be in to get the right fare class: https://www.aeroplan.com/static/pdf/...t_JUL27_EN.pdf
However for the first time I've been credited as Tango on fares in V and H class - those should be Flex, and even my travel agent site shows them in Flex class. But I do know that list wasn't updated since 2015.
Just wanted to check on whether anything's changed in the past little while and to warn anyone else that may be affected.
Thanks!
This is the thread you want to read:
https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/air-...ded-fares.html
Oct 11, 2017, 12:02 pm
#175
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: sqrt(-united states of apologist)
Programs: *$ Green
Posts: 5,403
These changes suck. Booked a transborder flight thru the corp OTA and got Tango. Called AC and was told yes it sucks, they have had a few calls, but I have to call the TA. Called the TA who promised to look into it and fix. He canceled the ticket and reissued for USD $80 more and supposedly in flex. Checked on AC.com and it is still Tango. What a mess.
Oct 11, 2017, 12:03 pm
#176
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: YYZ
Programs: AC SE MM, Bonvoy Plat, Hilton G,Nexus, Amex MR Plat,IHG Plat
Posts: 4,429
Oct 11, 2017, 12:04 pm
#177
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: YYC
Posts: 23,810
Oct 11, 2017, 12:05 pm
#178
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: YYZ
Programs: AC SE MM, Bonvoy Plat, Hilton G,Nexus, Amex MR Plat,IHG Plat
Posts: 4,429
Oct 11, 2017, 12:06 pm
#179
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: sqrt(-united states of apologist)
Programs: *$ Green
Posts: 5,403
Logical, but RM could've played with this without the need for branded fares, so I think the argument is a bit stretched.
Oct 11, 2017, 12:06 pm
#180
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Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: YYC
Posts: 23,810