Booking Class

[partyanimal 0]

Are booking classes, (Q, Y etc) consistent among airlines or different. Does anyone know if there is a specific booking class where you don't get FF miles?

[CheshireTom 1,377]

partyanimal,

 

Some are, some arent. Each airline sets its own restrictions, including ff accumulation rules, for the various classes.

 

A simplified explanation of the various codes is:

 

First class codes

 

A, F, P, R, Z

 

On domestic flights, F commonly indicates first class on a two-cabin plane. If a three-cabin aircraft is used, P (for "premium") may be used to distinguish the higher level of service in first class. The R code indicated supersonic transport and is no longer used with the retirement of the Concorde. The A and Z codes may indicate a first class ticket whose fare is reduced due to restrictions on refunds, advance reservation requirements, or other terms.

 

 

Business class codes

 

C, J, D, I

 

On many airlines, C or J indicate full fare business class, whereas discounted and thus restricted and un-upgradeable fares are represented by D or I.

 

 

Economy class codes

 

Full fare: Y, H

Standard fare: B, M, N

Special or discount fares: G, I, K, L, O, Q, S, T, U, V, W, X

 

In most airlines, a full fare, unrestricted economy ticket is booked as a Y fare. Full fare tickets with restrictions on travel dates, refunds, or advance reservations are commonly classed as B, H, or M, although some airlines may use S, W, or others. Heavily discounted fares, commonly T or W, not only will not permit cabin upgrades, refunds, or reservation changes, but may require Internet booking, not credit miles or elite status credit in a frequent flyer program, or impose many other restrictions. Other fare codes are restricted for use by consolidators, group charters, or travel industry professionals.

 

Tom

[partyanimal 0]

Thanks Tom. When I was checking out fares a few months one of the big 3, Orb, Travelcity, or Exp had a low price but did not include FF miles. Flying from the USA, the FFmiles are very important since they add up quickly.

[Emil 0]

Flying from the USA, the FFmiles are very important since they add up quickly.

When it comes to FF miles you really need to stay on top of the program and understand it. I know that when United runs some of their promotions that includes bonus miles you could fly a class that earns FF miles but doesn't qualify for the bonus. Also if you fly on some of the partner airlines you will only earn a percetage of those miles flown. In the past I've flown on JAL and only earned 70% of those miles with American Airlines. Last year when I flew to LOS in Nov on United it was my 3rd trip that year to LOS with them. My R/T is a little over 17K miles and I was excited that after completing that trip I would be Premier Executive (50K) which would allow me to earn double miles on all my UA flight for this year. When I looked over the net after I returned around the 20th of Dec my account only showed 49,800 miles. When I called them to see what was up, I was told that on my flight over on the leg from Narita to BKK I was placed on ANA and that I only earned 70% of the actual miles. I told the lady that I didn't think that was right because I didn't ask to fly with them and that if I would have know in advance I would have look for another departure date so that I could have flown the entire trip on United. I was planning to book a quick flight to San Francisco before the end of the year to get me over 50 K but she must have felt bad because she told me she would adjust my account to give me full credit.

Edited September 4, 2005 by Emil

[BigDUSA 71]

Be careful booking Thai and SQ. Cheap fares don't qualify for FF miles.

[CheshireTom 1,377]

Be careful booking Thai and SQ. Cheap fares don't qualify for FF miles.

 

All Thai's booking classes qualify for air miles.

 

Economy Class – Y, B, M, H, Q, T, K, S

100%

 

Economy Class (discounted fares) V, W

50%

 

Premium Economy Class

110%

 

Royal Silk Class

125%

 

Royal First Class

150%

 

Tom

Edited September 4, 2005 by CheshireTom

[BigDUSA 71]

I read Thai changed the policy on FF miles during the summer. Cheapest seats don't qualify. This being Thai they could have changed their policy.

[CheshireTom 1,377]

BigD,

 

"This being Thai they could have changed their policy."

 

Never a truer word was spoken. I'm sure that they just make it up as they go along.

 

The cheapest seats on Thai are W and V class. They qualify for miles at 50% of actual miles flown as shown above.

 

Tom

[elef 0]

You are both correct - in april (?) TG announced that the 2 cheapest classes (V.W) would not earn miles (same for other Star Alliance members like SAS) from june 1st. Now they have changed it to 50 % instead.

Edited September 4, 2005 by elef

[Emil 0]

Tom,

 

Do those Thai percentages apply the same to other Star Alliance airline FF programs. In other words if I fly Thai in W class would I get 50% on my UA account?

[CheshireTom 1,377]

Tom,

 

Do those Thai percentages apply the same to other Star Alliance airline FF programs.  In other words if I fly Thai in W class would I get 50% on my UA account?

Emil,

 

I'm not sure what the exception rules are with United but I'll try to find out.

 

Thai's exceptions to the normal 100/110/125/150% rules for travel by other airlines are listed here.

 

I don't know about Thai's US routes but from the UK V and W classes are normally heavily discounted group or package tour type bookings.

 

Tom

 

Edit in: The rules seem to indicate that 50% would be accrued if flying with Thai in W or V whether the ticket is for a Thai flight or a United flight operated on a codeshare by Thai.

Edited September 4, 2005 by CheshireTom

[partyanimal 0]

Since the non-stop is more direct, you fly less miles than if u stop at Narita.

 

i really enjoyed the Sing non-stop so I'm hoping the Thai flight is almost as nice. Not holding me breath though!

[Floyd 0]

When I fly IN oCTOBER TG quoted me $1299 ex AKL with MNL incl. When I found out it was only V classd (50% points) I paid $200 more to go Q class as I needed the 100% to finally go Gold.