Cheap Airfare Center

Is It A Cheap Ticket? The Truth About Airfare Classes

Posted on 17 November 2009

You called the airline, you spoke with your best friend’s travel agent, and you capped it off with an online search for best fares.

Are you sure you have a cheap ticket or do you have a low-end standard fare?

The variables airlines take into account to calculate airfares include rules, restrictions, types of fares, and taxes.  Airfares can be categorized as unpublished, or negotiated, and published.

To get a cheap airline ticket, it is good to first become familiar with the status quo.

What are Published Fares?

Published fares can be purchased by any person when calling the airline or conducting an online search.

There are specific rules that are associated with each fare offered, often printed alongside, or linked to an online posting.  When comparing the same route among airlines, the rules are most always consistent across the board.  Additionally, published fares are categorized as refundable and non-refundable.

A refundable fare is more costly as the airline has agreed to reimburse the purchaser for changes, or to credit the amount toward a future flight, with no penalties added.  Common fare rules include a 14-day advance purchase with an overnight stay on Saturday.

Published fares also include internet specials, as they are likewise available for purchase by the public.

What are Unpublished Fares?

One group of unpublished fares is negotiated fares, which are comparatively cheap air fares agreed upon between airlines and corporations or airlines and government organizations and agencies.

Other fares that are unpublished are those sold in bulk to consolidators, known as bucket shops in Britain.  Consolidators buy tickets in bulk from airlines and resell them with discounts and their own restrictions.

Rules for an unpublished cheap airfare are not available from airline ticket centers or online, as there is such a wide variety for the equally diverse unpublished fares.

Lesser Known Fares

A lesser know group of fares with comparatively cheap air tickets includes group fares, that are often available for people traveling eight or more in a group between the same city pairs.   Meeting fares are available to groups not traveling from the same origin but to the same destination.

Bereavement fares are cheap air tickets for passengers who have lost or are soon to lose a close family member.

It is important to note that the discount is based upon a standard fare and may not be among the cheap airfares available through other sources for the same flight.

What Did You Buy?

Experience is the best teacher and learning to read the fare class you purchased may help you get a ride on cheap airlines in the future.

Understanding the codes on your ticket allows you to view the tickets from the vendors’ perspective.  Note that there is some variation among the airlines.  The letter immediately following the flight number on cheap flight tickets is the booking class.

There is More to Count than Dollars

If you have accumulated mileage credits, coupons, or freebies to redeem, find a flying experience that gives you the satisfaction of using every resource at hand to lower your ticket price.

Look for a flight that will provide a journey that is an enjoyable experience within itself.  Determine your own comfort level, including number of stops, layover times, amenities offered, and reputation of the airline for courtesy, punctuality, and cleanliness.

Calculate each one of these variables into the final cost of your ticket.

Only then will you know for certain if you purchased a cheap ticket meaning a bargain, and not in the sense of poor quality.