Any drawback to an "E" fare ticket ?
 

I'm searching for flights to Europe in December and I'm finding a few "E" fare basis itineraries that are slightly cheaper ($100RT) compared to other flight combinations ($900 to 1000 AI).

I'm used to seeing L/U/T as the cheapest economy tickets but I recall Delta adding a new E basis some months ago ... this is the first time I've actually had it come up in a Delta.com search.

The miles earning table at Delta.com indicates an E-fare does earn 100% RDM and EQM. These are DL coded and operated flights, but are TATL so no elite upgrades possible anyways.

Is there some restriction or drawback I'm missing ? Thanks.

As long as DL.com sells the ticket, there's no issue with E fares.

Edit to add....

http://www.delta.com/skymiles/ways_t...elta/index.jsp

DL.com only sells "published" fares. Consolidators for example can sell "unpublished" fares.

As of now, there's no difference between "E" class and "T" class, that I know of. It has been speculated about here, that, perhaps in the new program year, "E" fares may have a lower mileage earning level - - but I emphasize, that this is ONLY speculation. If you're looking at December, you should be good to go! After January or February - - who knows, the way things are these days!!! ANYTHING is up for grabs!

edited to add . . . With any luck, they'll let us know on Feb 29 as to what's in store beginning March 1.

mnbp and davetravels:

Thanks for the responses !

It has also been speculated that the introduction of E was a step to align fare classes with AF/KL (over a long period of time).

Similar to how S fares are now below I fares.

Read - and save - the detailed fare rules effective the date of purchase. I haven't seen significantly inferior terms on international E vs. T but I haven't been looking too diligently as Es appear on few of my routes.