United Airlines fare classes explained
Every fare class (RBD — reservation booking designator) on United Airlines, what it means for award booking, and which classes are most useful to know.
Fare classes by cabin
Polaris Business
| Class | Type | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| J | Full Polaris | Highest revenue Polaris business |
| C | Discounted Polaris | Lower revenue Polaris |
| D | Discounted Polaris | Discount Polaris business |
| I | Polaris award space | Saver award Polaris business class |
Premium Plus (Premium Economy)
| Class | Type | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| O | Full Premium Plus | Revenue premium economy |
| A | Premium Plus award | Award Premium Plus inventory |
Economy Plus / Main Cabin
| Class | Type | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Y | Full economy | Highest revenue economy |
| B / M / E / U / H / Q / V / W / S / T / L / K | Discounted economy | Various revenue fare classes |
| X / XN | Award economy | Saver award economy inventory |
Basic Economy
| Class | Type | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| N | Basic economy | Restricted, non-changeable |
Award fare classes you should care about
For award booking, these are the United Airlines classes that show inventory:
I (Polaris saver)X (economy saver)A (Premium Plus award)
Upgrade fare classes
PN (Premier Plus space)PZ (Polaris Plus award space)R (instant upgrade space)
Notes
United's award fares post in I (Polaris saver), A (Premium Plus award), and X (economy saver). The PN and PZ classes determine upgrade availability for elites and award upgraders.
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