Glossary · Air ticketing: GDS & NDC
What is Fare basis code?
An alphanumeric code that identifies a specific airline fare and the rules attached to it. The first letter is usually the booking class; the characters that follow often encode season, day of week, advance-purchase or minimum-stay conditions and the fare type. Two passengers in the same cabin can hold different fare basis codes and therefore different prices and change conditions.
Also called: fare basis, FBC.
Why it matters
The fare basis code is the key a booking system uses to look up the fare rules that govern a ticket. When a ticket is reissued, refunded or audited, the fare basis is what tells the agency which penalties, validity dates and restrictions apply.
Related terms
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