Fare class definitions

Types of fares

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 with restrictions

The lowest available fare on a flight. Such fares may be non-refundable and often have purchase restrictions (for example, advance purchase or 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 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 or higher with restrictions

Business 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 (for example, advance purchase or 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 is not offered in your selected market, we will search for fares in First.

Full fare Business or higher

Business is offered on international and transcontinental flights. This is our premium service on all two-class aircraft to international destinations and Hawaii. 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 is not offered in your selected market, we will search for fares in First.

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 (for example, advance purchase or 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.

Full First/Premium

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.