Fare basis code

A fare basis code or FBC specifies the rules of an airline's fare. Fare codes starts with a single letter, called a booking code, representing the type of ticket and fare, followed by optional letters and digits, representing a specific set of fare rules, for instance how many days in advance the ticket needs to be booked, corporate discounts, or other special promotional elements.^[1].

Booking codes

Booking codes are in general airline specific, and the same code may have quite different meanings for tickets issued by different airlines. Nevertheless, certain booking codes have fairly standardized meanings across nearly all airlines:

• F: first class
• J: business class
• Y: economy class

In addition, R, A, D, I, Z usually refer to special types of premium class tickets, for instance suites (Singapore Airlines), discounted first and business class, and upgrades. W, T often refer to premium economy class, and B, H, K, L, M, N, Q, T, V, X generally to various types of discounted or restricted economy class tickets.

Booking codes are also sometimes called booking classes or fare classes.

Different levels of frequent flyer miles are often awarded based on booking code. For instance, Y economy class may result in a credit of 100% of miles flown, while first and business class 125%, 150%, or even 200%. Discounted economy class may receive 70%, 50%, 25% credit or even no credit. The details depend on the frequent flyer program and the operating carrier.

References

1. Gorham, G, Todd, G., Rice, S (2001). Travel Perspectives: A Guide to Becoming a Travel Professional. Thomson Delmar Learning.