Fare class doesn't really mean anything. Y fares are more likely to be refundable than, say, K fares, but there are Y fares that aren't refundable and K fares that are. Need to look at the details in the fare rules.

It's tricky. Use FCM* to get around the min length restriction.

While you are correct about the restrictions - not the reason this happened and not the actual intent. You'll notice if you check CLTCMH now, this fare is gone. None of the flight have F at same/less price.

I've noticed very fair markups on First Class seats recently... Economy may be $300, for example, with First class at $450 round trip (I saw this pricing for a LGA-DEN flight). At this point it may make sense to start purchasing F outright, especially as an FO.

Of course it's a restricted fare. Really though, is that the 'reason' for this? Are you saying it makes sense for Delta to sell non-refundable F fares for the same (or even few hundred dollars less) than their Economy fare? I mean these are ~$200 tickets anyway, not In'tl travels.

.....F class ticket Fare Code was "G"

Your standard non-refundable/non-cancelable with the cherry top: change fees of more than the ticket value applies. :eek:

CHANGES/REFUNDS CHANGE-150.00 USD
CANCEL-NON REF
FOR ALL CONDITIONS SEE TEXT RULE



Finally, the Economy code was "U", which seems to have similar rules. So what's the logic now? ;)

Would love see some (future) examples of this-dates and city pairs....

Right - it makes zero sense for DL to sell Y less than F. You can make as many absurd theories up but in the end they are just wrong.

That fare the OP got is literally gone - look at ITA and you won't find that G selling less than any Y fare.

..and smirk to the Diamonds at the back of the bus as you glide past them into your cozy F seat :p

example
 

Here is an example.... I can find these all the time starting around 10 days out....

http://img694.imageshack.us/img694/2554/hsvbwi.jpg

Diamonds are high rollers, they should be able to afford the extra $150 RT for these trips :D

For my business trips, I still need to primarily book in coach for many segments, but for personal, I will me looking over to the F column more often. No reason not to

Its happening more and more with all Airlines, including AA and UA, they are starting to learn that Discounted First Fares produce more revenue than Upgraded Coach. Something I believe they learned from US Airways.

Would anybody really pay over $1000 Business Class on a Regional Jet for a 70 minute flight from NYC to YYZ..thats what it was only a year ago. Now $400 is the norm.

I think CMH-LAX is fairly empty a lot of the time...

They are frequent flyers, who may in fact be forced by business circumstances to buy a coach ticket only.

Is it not possible for people in these situations to buy the coach ticket and then right away buy up to F with their own credit card? Do they have to turn in boarding passes with an expense report?

We have to book through the company system.

You can choose an F fare, but there will be explaining to do and accounting is a pita. Reimbursement is slow as it is. Add a 'questionable' choice and the delay stretches.

Funny thing is a more expensive Y fare is very likely to be far easier approved.

Oh well.