Booking from fare basis code?
 

Hi, This is probably a rookie question, but was just looking for some clarity.

I used ExpertFlyer's Fare Information tool to look up a route I am planning to fly (YYZ to YVR) on a certain date. On my chosen date, there is a relatively cheap option, with a fare basis code of "AZ4NZCTG" - it is much cheaper than any flight I can find on the web (through AC, Kayak, etc.)

Is there any way to take advantage of this? How do I book a flight with this basis code and cost?

Thanks,

@ACFlyer90

Looking at EF, I see the fare basis code

https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...8314096760.png


And I played around on AC to find random dates where both the outbound and return gave me the same fare basis code.

This is from the "See complete fare rules" link
https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...4ece8a6dce.png


And then I looked at the summary.

If you add us the Base Fare and "Carrier Surcharge", the total is $412, so almost the same as the $415 on EF.

What EF does not include are all those taxes, fees, AIFs and other "stuff"

https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...75fbba2ebd.png

Hi,

Thanks for helping look into this for me. Does the fare basis not include the taxes and other fees?

The specific date I'm looking at is Aug 7 - on AC its $286, on EF its $179.

Still wondering if there is anyway that the cheaper fares can be taken advantage of (i.e. booked).

I found random August dates with the exact fare basis code you quoted and almost identical EF "fare" you posted, but I showed you how it all comes together.

I explained the difference between the fare you see on EF versus the final total cost on AC. If you want cheaper, you have to look further out than 14, 21 or 30 days.


Also, AC has a 15% code on their website

https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...454a7a70c4.png


Using that and dates that are further out, there were even cheaper fares. They showed Economy Standard as $120 on the outbound and $199 on the return and break out as per this screen shot. The taxes, fees and AIF etc are the same on either ticket summary I showed you.

https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...6effc4d6ed.png

Thanks again - I really should have booked earlier.

And using the AC 15% promo (which is technically only about 12% because it's only off the base fare etc), I found this with the exact same Fare Basis code for random dates at the end of August.

I also notice AC seems to have some trip summaries showing Carrier Surcharge at $60 and others (as my first screen shot above at $70), so who knows. It's their buffer for keeping base fares low but making money, said someone else long ago, lol


https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...a3894d67ce.png

On an unrelated note - have you ever found that booking two one-way flights ends up being cheaper than a round trip flight? Do you know why this is?

Look at 2 one-ways and compare the taxes. Depends on province if we're only talking about flying in Canada. I did a recent comparison and it was only a few dollars difference. YMMV

P.S. Equally important is the flight and fare you choose. That $120 YYZ-YVR was only available on one of the 10 or so flights offered.


EDIT TO ADD:

@ACFlyer90

I did this exercise for you.

Random dates end of September and using the 15% AC promo code. You can compare the details or math yourself. :)

Return trip.


https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...c2103bb58a.png


2 One-ways

YYZ-YVR

https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...119256db7e.png



YVR-YYZ

https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...3aefbd3847.png

I'm looking at a Fare Basis code and am seeing OF for the first flight vs. EL or EF. This was an Aeroplan reward booking that had a few problems. I understand that EL = Executive Lowest and EF = Executive First, but has anyone seen OF?

UI would think EF would be executive flexible. Also this is at the end of the fare code, before the slash. As in IBP00AEF/AE2. In this case a flexible reward.