My biggest complaint with the fees is not that the airlines do it but that they explain it so poorly (or don't even attempt to explain it at all). For instance, Delta which is the worlds largest airline, doesn't even put the rules for their fare codes on their website. As a matter of fact, not a single airline website I searched offered a page that explained what fare codes meant and the benefits that came with each.
I was able to find definitions of the fare codes used by Delta Airlines and definitions of what each one of those mean and the benefits of them. They've been linked into my blog but you can see the page directly by clicking on the blue article title.
Thanks to www.cwsi.net/delta.htm for the article.
ome | mobile
Credit and thanks goes to DLfc for originally creating this document.
| Fare | Domestic | Transoceanic | Description | |
| A | Discounted First class | na | Discounted Domestic First class. A class of service are commonly HUP and QUP fares basis, making this fare technically an "upgraded" fare. Why is this important to note? Let's say you get rerouted, or there is a schedule change and you are booked in a flight where no more First class fares are available. You would not be eligible for compensation or partial refund as getting into First class on this fare is contingent on the space being available when booked. It is technically a coach fare. This makes it relatively important to book yourself a seat assignment when travelling in A. | |
| B | Yes | Yes | Coach, Upgradeable transoceanic & domestic (also eligible for D511 mileage award domestic upgrade) | |
| C | NA | Business Elite Fare | Business Elite Latin America (domestic first class seat, Business Elite service) | |
| D | Discounted Business | Discounted Business | Discounted Business Elite transoceanic and domestic (limited markets) | |
| E | No | No | Coach travel, promotional / contest awards no mileage accrual, no upgrades. Also used for SkyBonus (the company version of SkyMiles) awards | |
| F | First Class Fare | NA | First Class Full fare - also used when involuntary rerouting any fare class passenger in First due to bumps, irregular ops, etc. | |
| G | via PMU | NA | First Class, Domestic upgraded via Platinum Medallion Upgrade, North American Upgrade or Upgrade Points award | |
| H | Yes* | No | Non-upgradeable transoceanic, UPGRADEABLE domestic (no mileage award upgrades) *Only Medallions receive domestic upgrades on this fare. | |
| I | Discounted Business | Discounted Business | Published deeply discounted and/or promotional business class fare, also non published promotional or convention fare in business class. How to find Business Elite "I" fares. | |
| J | NA | Business Elite Fare | Business Elite transoceanic full fare - also used when rerouting any fare class passenger in BE due to bumps, irregular ops, etc. | |
| K | Yes* | No | Non-upgradeable transoceanic, UPGRADEABLE domestic (no mileage award upgrades) see note 1 *Only Medallions receive domestic upgrades on this fare. | |
| L | Yes* | No | Transoceanic or domestic (deep discounted fare) Award mileage cannot be used to upgrade this class of service. *Only Medallions receive domestic upgrades on this fare. | |
| M | Yes | Yes | Upgradeable, transoceanic & domestic (also eligible for D511 mileage award domestic upgrade) | |
| N | No | No | Coach Points Award - non-upgradeable - no mileage accrual on award tickets | |
| O | NA | Business Elite Award | Business Elite Points Award - no mileage accrual on award tickets | |
| Q | Yes* | No | Non-upgradeable transoceanic, UPGRADEABLE domestic (no mileage award upgrades) see note 1 *Only Medallions receive domestic upgrades on this fare. | |
| R | First Class Award | NA | First Class, Domestic Award - - no mileage accrual on award tickets | |
| S | Discounted Business | Discounted Business | This fare has been noted as a new discounted business bucket. The new order of business fares is J, C, D, S, I with J being the highest fare class. This fare may also be a non-upgradeable, transoceanic or domestic - consolidator fares. Generally changeable without fee through your booking agent (e.g. tour group). These are NOT priceline fares ... they are fares purchased by a consolidator valid on any number of flights, generally international, for coach travel. May be used for SkyBonus (the company version of SkyMiles) awards.
| |
| T | Yes* | No | Transoceanic or domestic New lowest fare typically for fare matching competitors. Award mileage cannot be used to upgrade this class of service. *Only Medallions receive domestic upgrades on this fare. | |
| U | Yes* | No | Coach (discount web fare. domestic and appears to be international too. see note 2). Award mileage cannot be used to upgrade this class of service. *Only Medallions receive domestic upgrades on this fare. | |
| V | via segment | NA | First Class, Domestic upgraded via Segment upgrade | |
| X | via segment | NA | Business Elite Domestic & Business Mexico upgraded via Segment upgrade (the Mexico flights are domestic First Class cabins coded as "Business") | |
| Y | Yes | Yes | Full Fare coach, Upgradeable transoceanic & domestic (eligible for D411 mileage award domestic upgrade) - also used when involuntary rerouting any fare class passenger due to bumps, irregular ops, etc. which could allow an originally non-upgradeable domestic fare to be upgraded after the reclassification (if you are lucky enough to find available inventory under these conditions) | |
| Z | NA | via PMU or | Business Elite, transoceanic and domestic when upgraded via Platinum Medallion Upgrade or Points award | |
| Color | Description |
| x | Coach |
| x | First / Business Elite |
| Yes | Fare is Upgradeable |
| No | Fare is NOT Upgradeable |
| NA | not applicable |
| ? | unknown - to be determined |
No attempt is made to indicate fare rules like minimum stays, Saturday night requirements, advance purchase rules, etc. You will find that these will vary within a primary class. Class codes like Y06 for example, indicate a Y class fare but some special conditions exist (indicated by the suffix 06). Still, the upgrade rules for Y class apply.
Note 1: Delta classes of service letters do NOT apply to award space on partners, these are booked in partners award ticket class of service. Here is a breakdown of SkyTeam + Alaska Airlines (aka Multi-Airline awards):
Air France - Bus (O) Econ (X)
Aero Mexico - Bus (C) (except on MEX-NRT, where it is "R") Econ (U)
Alaska Airlines - Bus (A) Econ (W)
Avianca - Bus (A) Econ (Z)
Alitalia - Bus (Z) Econ (U)
Copa - Bus (E) Econ (G)
Continental - Bus (E) Econ (G)
China Southern - Bus (I) (P within China) Econ (O)
Hawaiian Airlines - Bus (D) Econ (Z)
Korean Airlines - Bus (D) Econ (E)
KLM - Bus (D) Econ (W)
Kenya Airlines - Bus (D) Econ (W)
Northwest - Bus (D) (Domestically is A) Econ(W)
Czech - Bus (Z) Econ (E)
Aeroflot - Bus (O) Econ (X)
Air Europa - Bus (P) Econ (A)
Note 2: Please note that while domestically only Y, B, and M class of service are upgradeable with mileage awards, Hawaii is an exception. For Hawaii, Y, B, M, H, Q, and K class of service are eligible for mileage upgrades.
Note 3: "Priceline and others 'don't-get-to-choose-the-airline' travel agents book seats into U, L, K, and Q classes. Regardless of market restrictions, these fares have the lowest possible freedoms (no upgradeability, changeability, FF eligibility, or refundability) by virtue they were purchased through one of these agents." ... This would infer that K & Q classes on Delta would NOT be upgradeable when tickets are obtained from these sources. I have no experience with these type of tickets. It is my understanding Delta does provide Skymiles for Priceline tickets and I am not familiar with any special conditions on domestic K & Q that would eliminate them from upgrade consideration - I pass along the comment just the same.
Medallion Upgrade Order Priority
Try our Medallion Upgrade Priority Calculator
Note: Executive Partner status is the secret top-tier status at Delta given to very high spenders at Delta. Think United Global Services, Concierge Key at American, Chairman's Circle at Continental, Premier at BA, etc. Invitation-only type clubs where if you have to ask to be invited, then you're not doing enough to make it.
When does your Medallion Status update? New
Delta is now processing members to elite status the night immediately following the flight that makes the member elgible for medallion status - no more weekend waits!
If I use "Pay with miles" will I be able to receive upgrades or accrued miles?
No. You will not be able to receive any upgrades or accrued miles including Medallion or Skymiles using the "Pay with Miles" option.
Comments? Corrections?
Send me an e-mail and I will incorporate them.
Credits
Thanks to DLFc, Adam S., Biometrist, Walter A., Winocas, and many other passionate frequent flyers that have helped put this together.
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