Delta Fare Classes & Codes (A – Z) – What They Mean [2024]
Delta fare classes, also known as booking codes or fare buckets, are an essential part of Delta’s pricing strategy. They are alphanumeric codes that the airline assigns to specific ticket prices, each representing a different level of service, flexibility, and price. These codes help differentiate various categories of tickets, such as Delta One, First Class, Premium Select, and Economy.
Each fare class has its own set of rules and restrictions. For example, some might allow ticket changes or cancellations without a fee, while others might offer extra frequent flyer miles. Moreover, fare classes are closely associated with inventory management; Delta adjusts the number of seats available in each fare class based on demand prediction algorithms, allowing them to maximize their revenue.
Why should you care about this? Well, if you’re looking for your chances of an upgrade on Delta or hoping to earn extra MQDs, you may want to consider your fare class.
The Different Delta Fare Classes
Delta has over 20 different fare classes which belong to various cabins and boarding zones with varying restrictions. While fare class J is typically referred to as Delta One and fare class Y is typically referred to as economy (these are full fare tickets), there are many other fare classes. The higher your fare class, the more likely you’ll receive a complimentary upgrade within your Medallion upgrade window (on domestic flights).
| Fare Class | Cabin | MM Miles*** | Boarding Zone* | Upgrade Order | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| J | Delta One or First Class | 100% | Zone 1 | – | Full Fare – No Restrictions |
| C | Delta One or First Class | 100% | Zone 1 | – | |
| D | Delta One or First Class | 100% | Zone 1 | – | |
| I | Delta One or First Class | 100% | Zone 1 | – | |
| Z | Delta One or First Class | 100% | Zone 1 | – | Discounted first class (cheapest bookable ticket) |
| F | First Class | 100% | Zone 1 | – | Full Fare – No Restrictions |
| P | First Class or Premium Select | 100% | Zone 2 | – | Premium Select on International Routes |
| A | First Class or Premium Select | 100% | Zone 2 | – | Premium Select on International Routes |
| G | First Class or Premium Select | 100% | Zone 2 | – | Premium Select on International Routes |
| W | Comfort+ | 100% | Zone 3 | ** | The ticket has an underlying economy fare basis code. |
| S | Comfort+ | 100% | Zone 3 | ** | The ticket has an underlying economy fare basis code. |
| Y | Economy | 100% | Zone 6 | 1 | Full Fare – No Restrictions |
| B | Economy | 100% | Zone 6 | 2 | |
| M | Economy | 100% | Zone 6 | 3 | |
| H | Economy | 100% | Zone 6 | 4 | |
| Q | Economy | 100% | Zone 6 | 5 | |
| K | Economy | 100% | Zone 6 | 6 | |
| L | Economy | 100% | Zone 6 | 7 | |
| U | Economy | 100% | Zone 6 | 8 | |
| T | Economy | 100% | Zone 7 | 9 | |
| X | Economy | 100% | Zone 7 | 10 | |
| V | Economy | 100% | Zone 7 | 11 | |
| E | Basic | NONE | Zone 8 | N/A | Most restrictive ticket. No elite earnings. Last to board. Not eligible for upgrades. |
* your boarding zone may be different if you have Medallion status with Delta (or status through one of their SkyTeam partners). For example, Gold Medallions receive SkyPriority benefits, which changes your boarding to Zone 4.
** Comfort+ has an underlying economy fare basis code, which is determined for your domestic First Class upgrade priority.
*** MQM bonuses are no longer offered. Now, every flight (excluding Basic Economy) earns 100% of the miles flown towards Million Miler status. Furthermore, the 500 mile minimum for flights under 500 miles is no longer offered.
Delta Upgrade Order
Delta’s upgrade order changed on January 1st, 2024, and the airline now processes them in this order:
- Medallion Status
- Cabin Purchased (Original + Paid Upgrades)
- Million Miler Status
- Delta SkyMiles Reserve Amex Cardholders
- Delta Corporate Travelers
- Medallion Qualification Dollars (MQDs) earned in the current calendar year
- Date and time of upgrade request
Delta Fare Class FAQs
You will have better chances at a complimentary upgrade by booking a more premium ticket, like Comfort+. Keep in mind, Medallion status is the most important factor so, in most cases, you shouldn’t put too much weight into this if you’re not Diamond or Platinum.
The easiest way is to view the Fare Rule summary when booking your ticket. The third letter of the Fare Code code is the underlying economy class code. You can also call Delta and ask an agent for this information.
It depends on your American Express card. The Delta Platinum requires booking class L, U, T, X, or V (Main Cabin), and the Delta Reserve includes the same classes along with I, Z, and W (Discounted First or Comfort+).
So if you purchase a C+ fare and its underlying fare class is V but is 3x as much fare cost than the current H or K class published for main, you would still rank lower when it comes to the fare comparison for UG priority since underlying code is V and is the bottom?
Hey Scott, that is correct. C+ by itself doesn’t really impact how FC upgrades are processed. I don’t recommend paying 3x the fare solely in hopes of an upgrade.
Any idea how to search for flights of a specific fare basis. I want to use a companion certificate and I understand these can be used on booking class L, U, T, X, and V.
When I find Main Cabin fares the details say they are something else, like K.
I want to search for flights based on Fare Basis criteria.
Hey Jim, thanks for the comment. Companion certificates are tricky to use. Like you said, they require an L, U, T, X, or V fare. Try different dates if you’re not seeing compatible options. Delta’s site returns the cheapest available fare so it is likely not a case of hidden inventory or something like that. I usually have luck finding flights that work by flying on the weekend and not during a holiday.
Do you know if the Complimentary Upgrade happens only once or multiple times with each flight? (Assuming all the seats are available for the upgrade, and assuming I’m Diamond Medallion Status, for the sake of this conversation, to make it simple…..). For example, I purchase Main Cabin seat. Then am I going to be in the group to be considered for the upgrade from Main Cabin to Comfort +. And after that happens, am I going to be in the group AGAIN to be considered for the upgrade from Comfort + to First Class? Then First Class to Delta One? Or when I get upgrade once, then I will not be considered for another upgrade for the flight? Do you know?
Yep, you can receive multiple upgrades (from Main Cabin to Comfort+ to First Class). Complimentary upgrades to Delta One are not available on international flights, though… so Comfort+ is the best offered for long-haul trips unless you have a Global Upgrade Certificate.
Also, keep in mind that Platinum and Diamond members can usually select Comfort+ seats for free shortly after booking so try to do that versus waiting (view the seat map after purchasing your ticket).
Where do you source this description of fare types/classes from? I have been trying to find a description on delta’s website for work booking purposes (they keep trying to convince me Comfort Plus is Premium Economy and is equivalent to Premium Select).
Hey Ric, it is tricky to find on Delta’s site but this link may be helpful for your situation: https://www.delta.com/us/en/skymiles/how-to-earn-miles/exception-fares