Glossary · Travel distribution
Fare basis code
A fare basis code is the alphanumeric code, typically three to eight characters, that names the specific published fare a ticket was priced with — and through it the rules attached to that fare, such as stay limits, seasons and change conditions.
Reviewed 30 Oct 2026
Reading a fare basis code
| Position or element | Often indicates | Example |
|---|---|---|
| First letter | The booking class the fare is sold in | Y, Q, L |
H / L | High or low season | QH…, QL… |
W / X | Weekend or weekday travel | …W… |
| Digits | Maximum stay in days or months | …45, …3M |
OW / RT | One-way or return fare | Y…OW |
CH / IN | Child or infant fare | …CH |
These conventions are common but not universal; beyond the first letter, codes are set by each airline. The relationship between the first letter and inventory is explained under fare class.
Where fare basis codes come from
Airlines file fares and their rules, each under a fare basis code, and those filings are distributed to reservation and distribution systems — largely through ATPCO. A GDS prices an itinerary by finding fares whose rules the trip satisfies, and the chosen fare basis is printed on the ticket.
Why it matters for fare data
Two tickets in the same booking class can carry different fare bases with different rules, so the fare basis — not the letter alone — identifies the product. Regulation (EC) No 1008/2008, Article 23(1), requires fares offered to the public in the EU to include their applicable conditions. Airline websites usually show a fare brand instead of the code; record that brand, its inclusions and the code where it is displayed. Fields to keep are listed on airline fares and business class fares.
FAQ
Questions
Something not covered? Write to contact@arcproxies.io.
Where do I find the fare basis code on my ticket?
On the e-ticket receipt or itinerary, usually in a column or line labelled fare basis next to each flight. Agency and GDS displays show it as well.
Is the fare basis code the same as the booking class?
No. The booking class is a single letter controlling seat inventory. The fare basis code names the fare and its rules; its first letter almost always matches the booking class, but the rest of the code carries the conditions.
Are fare basis codes standard across airlines?
Only partly. A few conventions, such as Y for full-fare economy and seasonal or weekday letters, are widely used, but most codes are defined by each airline and must be read against its own rules.
Why does the fare basis matter for a refund or change?
Because the refund and change conditions belong to the fare, and the fare basis identifies which fare was bought. Two passengers on the same flight and in the same cabin can have very different terms.
Sources & review
Last reviewed by the ARC Proxies team. Prices are read from the live catalog at build time.
In practice