What is my ticket telling me in code?
 

I never paid much attention to this lol.

I have on the outbound leg: First (G)
Return leg says: First (A)

What does the letter mean?

Search was unproductive.

Thanks.

different FC inventories

What are the implications?

For example: Lounge; yes? no?

No difference except prices. Fare codes generally in ascending order of price are G-A-P-F

Absolutely no implications, except you probably paid more for one leg than the other.

G-A-P-F in increasing order. Although IIRC they are realigning fare codes with other carriers and some of these are being repurposed eventually (in particular A is discount PE elsewhere)

No implications that you'll notice, honestly, especially since you're in First. In Coach, they can affect things like upgrade priority (if you're eligible for them at all) and same-day change processes. For the most part, though, this isn't a part of your ticket you go out looking for during purchase.

At a basic level, this is just how DL manages seat inventory and pricing. Some of the higher fare classes (which are what the letters represent) may be refundable or flexible, but you'll probably notice that feature more explicitly during the purchase process (those big "Flex your fare" up sell boxes).

Generally, most expensive to least expensive fare classes are FPAG for first class and YBMSHQKLUTXV for coach.

But again, once you've purchased your ticket, these letters don't make a huge difference in your actual travel experience.

Fare class doesn't matter. Either your cabin and route qualifies or it doesn't. FC to Canada/Mexico gets lounge. Domestic and to Caribbean no.

Basically it's how they control how many seats are sold at what price.

Careful. I am thinking P and A are an -UP fare with the consideration that in IRROPS one may end up in the coach cabin if the cards don't fall right.

Fare classes here: http://cwsi.net/delta.htm

This has not been true in some time. UP fares are equivalent to any other first class fare for IRROPS. No more risk of being downgraded to Y than any other first fare class.

Thanks. It is not always easy to keep up with nuances. I suppose that means the site I linked is out of date. It lists Jan 2016.

It might be A fares at AA still have those infamous issues, but Delta does not. Is that so?

It changed around Mar/April. I believe even AA is now following the same rules, but doesn't outright call it a FC fare. DOT I believe finally started getting tired of complaints over this deceptive practice.

And G is as well. Just the cheapest variety of UP-fare.

As noted above UP-fares are a think of the past. It's actually considered a first class fare. If you get downgraded you get the $200 compensation for FC downgrades, etc.

One important difference is between the "Full Fare" and "Discount codes". Each cabin has one "Full Fare" code.

F is "Full Fare", and usually implies that your fare has some aspect of refundability/changeability without a fee. It also earns 200% MQM.

G, A, and P are "Discount", are usually non-refundable and changeable only with a fee. They earn 150% MQM.