Fare basis

Fare basis is a code airlines use to define fare types. It specifies the fare rules and conditions, such as the fare’s price, eligibility for upgrades, and penalties for changes or cancelations. 

A fare basis code consists of a combination of letters and numbers. Travelers can find the code on their tickets, alongside other flight details. While their meaning may not be well-known to passengers, they convey important information to airline staff and travel agents. 

Let’s look at the fare basis code YUP14B. The first letter typically represents the booking class. In this example, Y means economy class. UP indicates that the fare is upgradeable, and 14 means that the ticket must be purchased at least 14 days before the departure date to qualify for this fare. Finally, B represents the subclass — a more specific subset within a booking class like discounted, regular, or premium economy.