One letter on an airline ticket

NEW YORK – There are a few bits of information to pay close attention to

on an airline ticket: the flight number, gate number and boarding time.
Fare basis code? Not a common concern.

But the single-letter code can make a big difference in some parts of the
travel experience, even though most passengers don't pay any attention. A
fare basis code further divides passengers into classes based on how much
they paid and how far out they booked. There are about a dozen in coach
class alone.

When you're on the plane, there's no difference in service between a
passenger who has a "Y" or "Q" — a full-fare and a discounted ticket —
if you're both in coach. But the codes are still important: Some indicate
your trip isn't eligible for frequent-flier miles or an upgrade; others tell a ticket agent where to rank you on a standby list.
Deciphering the code

The letters airlines assign to certain levels of coach can vary widely,
but a couple are universal. "Y" class is a widespread denotation for the
highest class in coach among most major airlines, according to Jami
Counter, senior director of TripAdvisor Flights and a former pricing
strategist at American Airlines. These tickets are usually fully
refundable, last-minute coach fares purchased mainly by business
travelers. They're the most expensive tickets, but they have the most
flexibility.

Some others that are generally used among the airlines: "J" or "C" usually
indicate business class. "F" and "P" denote first class or premium.

Why are the codes there?

Airline tickets weren't always so complicated. Codes were developed as the
airlines created complex systems that let them make more money per ticket.

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The fare basis code is found on most e-tickets by itself, but it can also
be shown as the first letter of a longer code with a mix of other letters
and numbers.

The rundown

The good news: The better code you have, the better your chance of not
getting bumped. You also might receive more frequent flier miles if you're
in the top tiers. The bad news: The main way to improve your code is to
pay more. Most leisure travelers wouldn't think of forking over double or
triple the usual fare for a refundable ticket or more perks. But there are
ways to avoid hassles without paying through the roof.
One way to prevent bumping with a discounted ticket? Check in early. In
addition to ranking by price, airlines also prioritize passengers by
check-in order. Get in the habit of checking in online 24 hours before
your flight. You can even check bags online through most airlines, and
just drop them off at a counter when you arrive at the airport.