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 1, 2017, 11:18 pm
#91
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: YYC
Posts: 23,810
had booked a multi leg fare asked to ensure it was in lowest Flex, which confirmed as "W" .
Went to Eupgrade today and was showing as requiring an ADDON.
After a very long and convoluted discussion, was told it was now Tango and thus needed an addon (although the addon amounts of 50 and 100 seems wrong as well)
Was given the option to pay another 100$ or cancel, so I cancelled.
Buyer beware.
Went to Eupgrade today and was showing as requiring an ADDON.
After a very long and convoluted discussion, was told it was now Tango and thus needed an addon (although the addon amounts of 50 and 100 seems wrong as well)
Was given the option to pay another 100$ or cancel, so I cancelled.
Buyer beware.
If you bought whatever the seller said was flex, onus is on the seller to deliver flex.
Especially if you booked with AC. Or for that matter with their agent.
Oct 1, 2017, 11:33 pm
#92
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: 44,357
"Can you make sure this is Flex?"
"Yeah, W is Flex. You're good."
My one call where I asked was "can you please make sure all the fare basis codes end in FL?"
Though she seemed to be fully aware of how branded fares work.
Oct 2, 2017, 2:01 am
#93
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Vancouver, Canada
Programs: AC SE 100K, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 7
I just went to book a YVR-YYZ and the flex round-trip has gone up by 20% since lowest flex appears to be V 
Am I understanding everybody that AC isn't done the implementation of this, and the W fares should be resurfacing as both Flex and Tango? Is what we see now the interim or the final way this is going to stay?
This seems to have 'mess' written all over it. If in fact they have the same fare classes in multiple groups, then I suppose it could be more transparent if you are wanting to pay marginally more for the AQM / seat perks (Tango W vs. Flex W). Since this is going to totally throw a wrench into flyers expectations on AQM & eUpgrades, I would have thought there would be some better comms on this
Am I understanding everybody that AC isn't done the implementation of this, and the W fares should be resurfacing as both Flex and Tango? Is what we see now the interim or the final way this is going to stay?
This seems to have 'mess' written all over it. If in fact they have the same fare classes in multiple groups, then I suppose it could be more transparent if you are wanting to pay marginally more for the AQM / seat perks (Tango W vs. Flex W). Since this is going to totally throw a wrench into flyers expectations on AQM & eUpgrades, I would have thought there would be some better comms on this
Last edited by sailstr8; Oct 2, 2017 at 2:03 am Reason: Duplicated a couple things
Oct 2, 2017, 12:24 pm
#94
Join Date: Jan 2005
Programs: AC SE100K MM, Accor Plat
Posts: 218
I am in this mess right now. Booked what was a Flex fare on CWT for work, my itinerary on AC.com states "Flex" yet when I try to upgrade it asks for the co-pay of $150.
Oct 2, 2017, 12:37 pm
#95
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: SFO
Programs: AC SE MM, BA Gold, SQ Silver, Bonvoy Tit LTG, Hyatt Glob, HH Diamond
Posts: 44,357
This is making me very concerned. I really don't want to have to pull up all my upcoming tickets, but I may have to...
Edit: Looks pretty good. Though L18WLAFL still amuses me. And I almost got tripped up by an EL ("OMG IT'S NOT FL"), until I realized that was the P fare.
So in my personal experience, if you buy it on AC.com, you're good.
Edit: Looks pretty good. Though L18WLAFL still amuses me. And I almost got tripped up by an EL ("OMG IT'S NOT FL"), until I realized that was the P fare.
So in my personal experience, if you buy it on AC.com, you're good.
Last edited by canadiancow; Oct 2, 2017 at 12:43 pm
Oct 2, 2017, 1:05 pm
#96
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: YVR
Programs: AC SE 2MM; UA MP Premier Silver; Marriott Bonvoy LT Titanium Elite; Radisson; Avis PC
Posts: 35,255
had booked a multi leg fare asked to ensure it was in lowest Flex, which confirmed as "W" .
Went to Eupgrade today and was showing as requiring an ADDON.
After a very long and convoluted discussion, was told it was now Tango and thus needed an addon (although the addon amounts of 50 and 100 seems wrong as well)
Was given the option to pay another 100$ or cancel, so I cancelled.
Buyer beware.
Went to Eupgrade today and was showing as requiring an ADDON.
After a very long and convoluted discussion, was told it was now Tango and thus needed an addon (although the addon amounts of 50 and 100 seems wrong as well)
Was given the option to pay another 100$ or cancel, so I cancelled.
Buyer beware.
Oct 2, 2017, 1:08 pm
#97
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
This is making me very concerned. I really don't want to have to pull up all my upcoming tickets, but I may have to...
Edit: Looks pretty good. Though L18WLAFL still amuses me. And I almost got tripped up by an EL ("OMG IT'S NOT FL"), until I realized that was the P fare.
So in my personal experience, if you buy it on AC.com, you're good.
Edit: Looks pretty good. Though L18WLAFL still amuses me. And I almost got tripped up by an EL ("OMG IT'S NOT FL"), until I realized that was the P fare.
So in my personal experience, if you buy it on AC.com, you're good.
Oct 2, 2017, 1:19 pm
#98
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: YHZ | YYZ | YHM
Programs: AC 50K (*G), Hilton Gold, Bonvoy Gold
Posts: 636
Still hating these new fare changes. Looked into changing my YTZ-YUL-YHZ trip from Friday to Thursday this week. Was willing to pay change fee, and some fare difference but the fares are insane. Cheapest fare showing $427 for Tango H. Yes that is correct, Tango H. I know its only 3 days away but thats the kind of price I would usually see for a last minute flex fare on this route. Not worth it at all. Absolutely insane.
Last edited by YHZ_Flyer; Oct 2, 2017 at 1:47 pm
Oct 2, 2017, 2:30 pm
#99
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Toronto, ON, CANADA
Programs: AC SE100K, Marriott Bonvoy LTE
Posts: 1,881
Still hating these new fare changes. Looked into changing my YTZ-YUL-YHZ trip from Friday to Thursday this week. Was willing to pay change fee, and some fare difference but the fares are insane. Cheapest fare showing $427 for Tango H. Yes that is correct, Tango H. I know its only 3 days away but thats the kind of price I would usually see for a last minute flex fare on this route. Not worth it at all. Absolutely insane.
Oct 2, 2017, 5:08 pm
#100
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: YVR YLW PSP
Programs: SE 100K MM,UA Gold, Marriott Titanium,Hilton Diamond, Golden Circle Jade, National Exec Elite
Posts: 408
AC direct via reservations off the SE line. Very spcific to ensure flex for both upgrade and EYW purposes.
Oct 2, 2017, 5:58 pm
#101
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: sqrt(-united states of apologist)
Programs: *$ Green
Posts: 5,403
Why not just buy up to flex?
Oct 2, 2017, 6:07 pm
#102
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: 44,357
Still hating these new fare changes. Looked into changing my YTZ-YUL-YHZ trip from Friday to Thursday this week. Was willing to pay change fee, and some fare difference but the fares are insane. Cheapest fare showing $427 for Tango H. Yes that is correct, Tango H. I know its only 3 days away but thats the kind of price I would usually see for a last minute flex fare on this route. Not worth it at all. Absolutely insane.
The cheapest Flex fare valid for this Thursday is Flex V at $379 plus taxes/fees.
If H is the lowest available, then it's Tango for $393 or Flex for $453.
Or Z for $495
I'm pretty sure the difference between now and a month ago is that you wouldn't have had a choice. It just would have been $453.
I had priced out a bunch of EYW itineraries. One week later, when branded fares were available, a lot of the low Flex had sold out, but everything still ended up being cheaper, because I was able to get Flex L, etc.
Oct 2, 2017, 7:51 pm
#103
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: YYC
Programs: AC 50k 1MM, Marriott LT Titanium Elite
Posts: 3,402
The cheapest fare valid for this Thursday is Tango V at $319 plus taxes/fees.
The cheapest Flex fare valid for this Thursday is Flex V at $379 plus taxes/fees.
If H is the lowest available, then it's Tango for $393 or Flex for $453.
Or Z for $495
I'm pretty sure the difference between now and a month ago is that you wouldn't have had a choice. It just would have been $453.
I had priced out a bunch of EYW itineraries. One week later, when branded fares were available, a lot of the low Flex had sold out, but everything still ended up being cheaper, because I was able to get Flex L, etc.
The cheapest Flex fare valid for this Thursday is Flex V at $379 plus taxes/fees.
If H is the lowest available, then it's Tango for $393 or Flex for $453.
Or Z for $495
I'm pretty sure the difference between now and a month ago is that you wouldn't have had a choice. It just would have been $453.
I had priced out a bunch of EYW itineraries. One week later, when branded fares were available, a lot of the low Flex had sold out, but everything still ended up being cheaper, because I was able to get Flex L, etc.
Oct 2, 2017, 8:28 pm
#104
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: YHZ | YYZ | YHM
Programs: AC 50K (*G), Hilton Gold, Bonvoy Gold
Posts: 636
The cheapest fare valid for this Thursday is Tango V at $319 plus taxes/fees.
The cheapest Flex fare valid for this Thursday is Flex V at $379 plus taxes/fees.
If H is the lowest available, then it's Tango for $393 or Flex for $453.
Or Z for $495
I'm pretty sure the difference between now and a month ago is that you wouldn't have had a choice. It just would have been $453.
I had priced out a bunch of EYW itineraries. One week later, when branded fares were available, a lot of the low Flex had sold out, but everything still ended up being cheaper, because I was able to get Flex L, etc.
The cheapest Flex fare valid for this Thursday is Flex V at $379 plus taxes/fees.
If H is the lowest available, then it's Tango for $393 or Flex for $453.
Or Z for $495
I'm pretty sure the difference between now and a month ago is that you wouldn't have had a choice. It just would have been $453.
I had priced out a bunch of EYW itineraries. One week later, when branded fares were available, a lot of the low Flex had sold out, but everything still ended up being cheaper, because I was able to get Flex L, etc.
Oct 2, 2017, 8:34 pm
#105
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: 44,357
Interesting you are seeing those prices. I want to say those are in USD as I'm still seeing $497 CAD for Tango H as the cheapest on Thursday. I bought the ticket at the beginning of September for $211 in Tango L, so fare difference plus change fee to will be more than I originally paid for the ticket and I'd still only be getting Tango. Now that I think of it though the pricing really isn't that bad for the flex H fare or Z though. Just pains me to see Tango prices so high now with the changes.
They do not include any taxes/fees.
It's no longer "Tango is cheaper than Flex".
They share all the same fare classes now. If you want Flex, there's a surcharge. The end.
It makes much more sense for AC to do it this way.