Travel Glossary · Air Travel
Fare Basis Code
Definition
Fare Basis Code: A fare basis code is an alphanumeric code on an airline ticket that identifies the exact fare purchased and the rules attached to it, such as refunds and changes.
Where the fare class is a single letter, the fare basis is the full name of the fare. It usually begins with the booking class letter, followed by characters the airline uses to signal things like season, day of week, advance-purchase requirement, minimum or maximum stay, or a fare brand such as basic economy. The exact meaning varies by airline.
The fare basis points to the fare rules: the fine print that governs changes, cancellations, refunds, stopovers, open-jaw combinations, and whether unused value can become a credit. Reading those rules before booking is how you avoid surprises, especially on complex international itineraries.
Advisors use the fare basis when reissuing tickets after schedule changes or cancellations, to confirm what the airline owes and what a change will cost. It usually appears on your e-ticket receipt, so keep that receipt with your trip documents.
Example: A fare basis beginning with “K” is booked in K class; the characters that follow tell an agent which specific fare and rules apply.
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