Robert Leach

Actually, if you'll shop at Delta.com for refundable fares and look at the rules, they almost all read like this.

golfteam

Could someone explain the difference to me? I have a reservation with no seat assignment on the outbound. Is there a chance I could get downgraded. This is a paid F.

MikeyZBT

F is full fare, refundable first class, whereas A is the "discounted" first class fare.

golfteam

What does that mean for me? Are they going to bump or downgrade someone for me on the outbound? Is that because of "F". Would they do it for "A"?

skchin

You will get 2 Y seats for your trouble, but no food or drink service.

golfteam

How could that be....I have a confirmed seat for the return in F.

mcjava

THat's skchin's attempt at humor

A is technically a Y fare but confirmed upgrade to FC. If you paid for actual FC ticket (F fare), then you are the last one that would be downgraded.

Lack of open seats on the seat chart does not mean lack of seats. THey usually have a couple seats showing as being taken that aren't really. In economy, the bulkheads always show as taken, but you can get them at the airport when checking in.

Robert Leach

There are those of us who argue with this premise.

I personally view an A booking as a discounted first class fare, not as a coach fare with a "free" upgrade to F. That's certainly the way it is booked online.

jimrpa

We've seen this debate before. I agree that "A" should be a discounted first class fare, not a coach fare with a "free" upgrade to F. Others apparently have heard differently from Delta.

I'd like to see Delta's position on "A" fares.

keeton

An A fare is a discounted F fare. It is usually there to compete with the LCC's (Airtran in particular) Business class and matches their price point exactly.

The booking class is YUP- or QUP- which is the source of some of the confusion as to whether this is really a "real F" or "upgraded Y" ticket. The fact that the reciept will show a Q fare ("discounted coach") makes it pass audit when I expense them.

An A fare will get you the F SkyMiles bonus, including MQMs. You will not get "downgraded" for your booked flight unless there is some sort of IROPS that involved EQP substitution (e.g. a former Song or Shuttle A/C). At that point, even the full F passengers will be affected (and ticked off!).

The A fares are typically refundable and changeable without penalty. One caution on changes: If, on your desired new flight, the A bucket is sold out and only F seats are available, you will have to 1) pay the difference for full F, 2) accept a downgrade to coach with no refund or 3) book a new coach ticket (frequently at a lower price, hint, hint) and get a refund for your original A ticket.

There is one exception to the above: You can use Same Day Confirmed within the three hour window to change your A ticket to another flight with F seats, even if no A bucket seats are available.

I use A fares frequently. They are not the incredible bargain they were a couple of years ago but they are still cheaper than a full Y fare in most cases. Not having to play the upgrade lottery (especially for transcons) is worth it, IMO.

Canarsie

That is certainly the truth.

As one who used to purchase A fares regularly, I cannot remember the last time I purchased one.

allen074

Ok - I don't want to lose the 10% off coupn that expires tonight. If I book "A" class service, this can be refunded completely - no fees whatsoever, correct?

Thanks!

MartinG

Not all are. When you book check the fare rules and then click on View Full Fare Rules to make sure there is no penalty

wplong1

I think the short answer is no. I buy these and have never seen one that is refundable.

indufan

They certainly can be refundable. If they are Y-Up fares you can almost bet that they are. I have seen fares as low as K be refundable. It just depends upon the market. The WN effect makes lower fares refundable in some markets.