History

• In times past, airline tickets reflected only whether the passenger had a reservation on a particular flight and that the fare was paid. As sophisticated revenue management systems were developed, airlines began to segment the market to maximize revenue. This led to restrictions and codes.
  
  

Significance

• Airline ticket codes alert the ticket agent to restrictions on your ticket. These may determine whether your ticket is refundable or whether fees apply if you want to change flights. They also can determine your priority should you want to fly standby.
  
  

Fare Basis Code

• The most important code is the fare basis code. It indicates the fare that was paid. Closely related is the booking code, which indicates the overall revenue value of the ticket to the airline. Airlines manage inventory by selling seats via demand models, with cheaper seats in specific booking codes.
  
  

Ticket Designator and Tour Codes

• Ticket designators alert representatives that your ticket price was reduced due to special corporate deals with high-volume companies. The fare on the ticket does not necessarily represent the fare actually paid. Tour codes indicate the ticket was sold as part of a tour package, also with special rates. Some airlines use these two codes interchangeably.
  
  

Considerations

• It is important to always read ticket restrictions before purchasing. Equally important is to understand your company's travel contract with an airline or be familiar with restrictions as they applies to tours or tickets purchased from discounters.