What fare codes should you look for when booking an award ticket?

In the award booking world, it’s alphabet soup when it comes to booking tickets. Z class on one airline is different than Q class on another…and so on. To look for availability, I highly suggest using ExpertFlyer. ExpertFlyer will tell you what fares are available under which code, but won’t tell you what each code is for.

To make this easy, I’ve defined many of the most popular (and some, unique) airline’s award codes for you, so it can help your booking process. I’ve tried to include business/first class award codes, business/first class upgrade codes, and economy codes, where available and known.

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Aerolinas Argentinas: “U” (business class award), “X” (economy award), “I” (business class upgrade)

Aer Lingus: “U” (business class award), “T” (economy award)

Aeromexico: “R” (business class upgrade)

Aeroplan: “R” (business class upgrade)

Aircalin: “O” (business class award), “X” (economy award)

Air Europa: “Z” (business class award), “A” (economy award)

Air France: “O” (business class award)

Air Tahiti Nui: “A” (first class award), “I” (business class award), “W” (economy award), “Z” (business class upgrade)

Alaska Airlines: “A” (first class award), “U” (first class upgrade), “W” (economy award)

Avianca: “A” (business class award), “Z” (economy award)

Bangkok Airlines: “Y” (economy award)

Brussels Airlines: “I” (business class award or upgrade), “X” (economy award)

CCM Airlines: “X” (economy award)

China Eastern: “A” (first class award), “D” (business class award), “I” (economy award)

China Southern: “P” (first class award), “I” (business class award), “O” (economy award)

Czech Airlines: “Z” (business class award), “E” (economy award), “I” (business class upgrade)

El Al: “P” (first class award), “X” (business class award), “E” (economy award), “A” (first class upgrade), “R” (business class upgrade)

Etihad: “R” (first class upgrade), “X” (business class upgrade)

Gol: “I” (business class award), “X” (economy award)

Gulf Air: “P” (business class award), “T” (economy award)

Hainan Airlines: “A” (business class award), “S” (economy award)

Hawaiian Airlines: “U” (economy award), “P” (first class upgrade)

Icelandair: “Z” (business class award)

Korean Airlines: “A” (first class award/upgrade), “Z” (business upgrade)

Martinair: “W” (economy award)

Saudi Arabian: “A” (first class award), “D” (business award), “L” (economy award)

Shanghai Airlines: “O” (first class award), “I” (business class award), “X” (economy award)

Tarom: “Z” (business class award), “X” (economy award)

Transaero Airlines: “E” (economy award)

Turkish: “J” (business class upgrade using Miles & Smiles miles)

Virgin Australia: “H” (business class award)