The Delta site typically only shows Z fares for First, and when I called in I was told they can only offer the best fare available (also Z, typically).

However, the site occasionally shows "I" class, for example Jan 1, SFO-LAX has some flights only sold as Z and others only sold as I. Meanwhile, ExpertFlyer shows J9, D9, C9, I9, and Z9 for all flights on that day.

Is there a way to ask to book "I" when only Z is showing on delta.com, but ExpertFlyer shows all F fares as available?

Why would you want to do this? It'd be more expensive?

You'd have to call and find an agent who isn't just using the website to book things - at least I don't think there's a trick, but I'm not sure.

As mentioned, I am not entirely sure why you want to do this.

If crediting to a partner program, the credit is based on distance and fare code. For instance, Flying Blue credits J/C at 200% of distance, D at 175%, I at 150%, and Z at 100%. So if you can get an I fare for less than 150% of Z, you're improving your FB miles/$ rate (and all the better if you can sneak it through OPM...).

You cannot book a class of service that does not have a fare to go with it. If you book Z for instance, there has to be a corresponding fare to go with it. Z class may
have an advance purchase requirement or some other reason that it cannot be booked.

Oh I have my reasons 😁

Domestic FC fares are dual inventory fares (they start with coach fare class letters in fare basis codes). There must be inventory in both FC fare bucket corresponding to booking class of fare, and the underlying coach fare bucket for the fare (first letter of fare basis code). Z booking class FC fares use L/U/T/X/V coach basis classes and you can see there are a couple of flights with no L/U/T/X/V inventory on Jan 1. I booking class FC fares use Q and K fare basis classes.

BE and C+ fares are also dual inventory fares (BE fares have single E booking class, while C+ use W and S booking class).




You can use advanced controls on ITA Matrix site to specify a fare class (F BC=I) and then Matrix Powertools to bring up the fare on certain booking sites Most, including delta.com, ignore the fare class specified by the lookup and just choose cheapest fare. But Agoda looks to honor fare specified by the search.

Nice. OP's user name checks out.

I don't argue with your premise the vast majority of the time, but trust me, if coach is sold out and F has inventory, there is a First Class fare that can be sold that does not require a mated coach inventory to be available. It may be $3k, but there is a true first class fare published.

Yes, there are a handful of "full" J fares at the very top that are not dual inventory (such as J0FN below) and can still be sold in the rare event that all coach buckets are zero and there are still seats in F cabin. There are also "full" C+ W fares (such as W0N) that are not dual inventory (however, all BE fares are dual-inventory and there is no such thing as a "full" E fare). So, yes, it can happen. But as long as there is still coach inventory open, you will end up with a dual-inventory fare unless you get an agent to book the full J option (there are J booking class dual-inventory fares with Y fare basis codes that are cheaper than J option below).

Yes, but my issue is that I don't want Z. I want any of the other first class fares. The reason is to top up Virgin tier points if I'm short for qualifying for renewal of Gold status by say, 40 tier points. I can get 40 tier points SFO-LAX flying in for $279, vs 20 in Z for a few $ less.

Having said that, I see they've just changed the chart which used to say "First/Business/Delta One" F, D, C, I earn 40 VS tier points to "First Class J/D" earn 40 VS tier points and First Class I/Z" only earn 20, with "Business/Delta One J,D,C,I" earning 40 and "Business/Delta One Z" earning only 20.

I assume that as I'm traveling domestic in First Class, I'll now need to have a J or D class to get the 40 points.

I hope they'll honor the 40 points for the First Class I ticket I purchased when the former earnings table was in place (I have a screenshot to back me up!)

New: https://flywith.virginatlantic.com/u...eam/delta.html
Old: https://www.virginatlantic.com/br/en...air-lines.html

If you want a D fare, you can specify "F BC=D" in fare extension on ITA Matrix and then use ITA Matrix Powertools browser extension to book the D fare on Agoda.

I just noticed that Agoda lists a $59 "booking fee" which makes me nervous as that's the upcharge from a Z to an I fare. Sounds like they might sell at I fare price, but actually book a Z fare. I suppose you could try it and then use 24 hour cancel to cancel it.

Thank you for sharing this nugget! I was able to install the extension and get the fare in Agoda. However , I can't see the booking code in the Agoda checkout process... other than it's in the URL "Cabin1=FST&Carrier1=DL&Origin1=SFO&Destination1=L AX&BookingCode1=D&FlightNumber1=2272&Departu"

Would you mind telling me if there's a way to validate before purchasing? Or, I suppose the 24 hour cancellation rule would apply, if I decided to cancel it once I can reivew the paid booking on Delta.com ?

Thanks again!

Ha, I replied before you posted this latest comment. My thoughts exactly!