Deciphering Fare Availability Info
 

Based on a recommendation in FT, I checked the fare availability of a flight and came up with the following:

Cabin class: P2 F2 Y9 B9 M9 H9 Q0 V0 L0 T0 K0

Can someone please tell me what this means?

Thanks!

Welcome to FT, mlw.

The quick version:
Each letter represents a fare class. P and F are first class fares, Y is full-fare coach, B and M are near-full-fare coach, other fares are cheaper.

The numeral to the right of each letter shows how many tickets are for sale from that "fare bucket". However, there are a few tricks, for instance:

P and F are not independent of each other, so P2 F2 does not mean that there are four first-class seats open on the flight--there may only be two.

9 is the maximum number that's displayed. If a value for any fare class is less than 9, it's 'real'; a 9 simply means there are at least 9 of those tickets available.

You can buy a H fare at this point if within the rule. So, if H is only for sale if staying over a Saturday that would be the only way to buy it, otherwise, if not staying a Saturday, you could only purchase a higher fare.

These only tell you what fares are available, not the rules attached to them.

What is FT?

Check out the "Glossary" under Quick Links" in the bar below were it says Flyer Talk...

:D

Sorry - I couldn't resist.

What tool do you use to check fare bucket availability? I've tried the google search, and I didn't find anything helpful. Thanks!!!

1. Try: ITN and create a new account with a login. Set your display preference to "expert".

2. The old classic: Carlson Wagonlit Travel Class Availability

3. KVS Availability - see Air Canada forum. Use the Galileo database.

Mystery solved. Thanks to all!