Fare Class Definitions

Fares come in all shapes and sizes. The information below will help you better understand the type of fare on which you're traveling.

Economy Class with Restrictions:

The lowest available fare on a flight. Such fares may be non-refundable and often have purchase restrictions (e.g. advance purchase, length of stay) and carry a fee for changes to the itinerary. Also included in this class are limited-inventory economy fares that allow for travel in the next higher cabin offered.

Economy Class without Restrictions:

The lowest refundable fare without purchase restrictions (for international fares). These fares do not have a fee for changes to the itinerary. Also included in this class are limited-inventory unrestricted economy fares that allow for travel in the next higher cabin offered.

Full Fare Economy:

Y and B Classes. These fares qualify Elite AAdvantage members to request a complimentary upgrade to a higher class of service. Also included in this class are limited inventory unrestricted economy fares that allow for travel in the next higher cabin offered.

Requesting a complimentary upgrade

Business Class or Higher with Restrictions:

Business class is offered on all international and transcontinental flights. This is our premium service on all two class aircraft to international destinations and Hawaii. Such fares may be non-refundable and often have purchase restrictions (e.g. advance purchase, length of stay) and carry a fee for changes to the itinerary. Also included in this class are limited-inventory economy fares that allow for travel in the next higher cabin offered.

If Business Class is not offered in your selected market, we will search for First Class fares.

Full Fare Business Class or Higher:

Business class is offered on international and transcontinental flights. This is our premium service on all two-class aircraft to international destinations. These are refundable fares without purchase restrictions (for international fares). These fares do not have a fee for changes to the itinerary. Also included in this class are limited inventory unrestricted economy fares that allow for travel in the next higher cabin offered.

If Business Class is not offered in your selected market, we will search for First Class fares.

First/Premium with Restrictions:

This is our premium class on all two-class domestic aircraft, three class transcontinental flights, and 777 flights. Such fares may be non-refundable and often have purchase restrictions (advance purchase, length of stay, for example) and carry a fee for changes to the itinerary. Also included in this class are limited inventory economy fares that allow for travel in the next higher cabin offered.

Full First/Premium Class:

This is our premium class on all two-class domestic aircraft, three class transcontinental flights, and 777 flights. These are refundable fares without purchase restrictions (for international fares). These fares do not have a fee for changes to the itinerary. Also included in this class are limited inventory unrestricted economy fares that allow for travel in the next higher cabin offered.