First Class Milesaver Booking Code Changing on American Airlines

The other day I highlighted several booking code changes coming to American Airlines on November 13.

As a reminder, here’s what will happen to revenue (if you pay cash for a ticket) tickets:

First Class will remain First Class despite the booking code changing to “J.” Upgrade/mid-tier priced First Class will change to “D” booking class, and discounted First Class “P” fares will change to “I” class.

First Class MileAAver Will Be Changing, Too

Currently, First Class MilesAAver awards book into “Z” class. So, if you’re flying Philadelphia to San Diego in First Class on the cheapest award ticket, you’re booking into “Z” class. The same goes for a New York to London ticket on a 3-cabin plane — First Class milesAAver books into “Z” class.

Effective January 11th, “Z” class changes to “U” class.

How does this impact you as a traveler?

If you’re traveling on a 2-class plane (aka a 737):

• Main Cabin saver award tickets will book into “T” class (no change)
• First Class saver award tickets will book into “U” class

If you’re traveling on a 3-class plane (aka A321T, or 777-300ER):

• Main Cabin saver award tickets will book into “T” class (no change)
• Business Class saver award tickets will book into “U” class
• First Class saver award tickets will book into “Z” class.

This allows for better aligning of fare codes. If you have to travel on a domestic segment to connect to a city to then take your flight abroad, you’d be traveling in First Class on the domestic segment and Business Class on the international segment (if you’re traveling business class all the way). So, currently you’d fly in Z on the domestic ticket and then U on the international ticket, which causes confusion during re-bookings, schedule changes, etc. Now, moving forward, you’ll fly in U class the entire trip, providing a more streamlined experience for ticketing.