The Guide to Delta Air Lines Fare Classes

Airlines, including Delta Air Lines, use dynamic pricing for ticket sales. As a result, the cost of flights between the same cities can vary greatly. This variability is influenced not only by the class of service, but also by the specific type of ticket, known as the fare class.

Delta's cabin classes range from basic economy to Delta One (first class on international and long-haul domestic flights). Then, these cabin classes are divided into ticket or fare classes, which can also affect the price of the ticket.

Let’s examine the Delta cabin classes and class codes to understand what is included in each ticket type and why you should care.

Fare classes (sometimes called "buckets") are different ticket types within the same cabin class.

For example, Delta One may have multiple fare classes, such as fully refundable, changeable for a fee and nonrefundable. Each fare class is given a letter, which is used internally by airline staff to understand details about the ticket purchased by the passenger.

Passengers should pay attention to these letters because they can affect the restrictions on their ticket, how many miles they will earn and their ability to upgrade to a higher cabin or use a Delta Companion Certificate.

When it comes to travel day amenities and benefits, cabin class matters more than your fare bucket. The fare bucket comes into play when dealing with ticket change restrictions or potential upgrades, as well as the hierarchy for complimentary upgrades.

These are the Delta fare classes the airline most often uses:

First class/Delta One

• Delta One/first class – J.

• Discounted Delta One/first class – C, D, I, Z.

Premium Select

• Delta Premium Select (Premium economy) – P, A, G.

Economy/Comfort+

• Full Fare Main Cabin/Delta Comfort+ – Y, B, M, W, S.

• Main Cabin – H, Q, K, L.

• Discounted Main Cabin – U, T.

• Deeply Discounted Main Cabin – X, V.

Basic economy

• Basic Economy – E.

Depending upon the aircraft and destination, not every plane or flight will offer each of these cabins or ticket classes. For example, an international wide-body flight will have Delta One, while a regional jet-operated domestic flight won't.

Delta.com makes the fare bucket information easy to find when searching for airfare. It is the letter in parentheses above the fare.

To learn more about what the fare bucket will include, click on the letter within the parentheses. It will provide details on the seat and any restrictions that go along with it.

When traveling on a Delta flight, Delta SkyMiles members earn miles at different ratios. The higher your tier in the Medallion elite status program, the more miles you’ll earn per dollar spent.

Members earn miles based upon the cost of the ticket at these ratios:

• General SkyMiles member: 5 SkyMiles per $1 spent.

• Silver Medallion: 7 SkyMiles per $1 spent.

• Gold Medallion: 8 SkyMiles per $1 spent.

• Platinum Medallion: 9 SkyMiles per $1 spent.

• Diamond Medallion: 11 SkyMiles per $1 spent.

Note that basic economy tickets don't earn miles.

When traveling on Delta airline partners, it is important to understand how many miles you'll earn because this will vary based on the fare bucket.

Let’s look at SkyTeam partner Aeromexico.

Each fare bucket category earns different amounts of miles. For example, a full-fare business ticket in the J bucket would earn 200% of the miles equal to the distance flown, while discounted fare classes earn fewer miles and Medallion Qualification Dollars (key for earning Medallion status).

Delta One and Delta One Suites

This is Delta’s most premium cabin and is used primarily on international flights as well as select premium long-haul domestic routes.

Delta One has a variety of seating, with the most appealing being the Delta One Suites with doors that close for privacy. Most Delta One cabins are in a 1-2-1 configuration, with those at the windows offering extra solitude.

Delta One passengers receive multicourse meals, an open bar, amenity kits stocked with Grown Alchemist toiletries, noise-reducing headphones and more dedicated service. On certain flights, mattress pads make the seat more comfortable, but all passengers enjoy a large pillow and duvet.

Other special perks include Sky Club access, Sky Priority benefits and two checked bags that weigh up to 70 pounds each. These cabins aren't eligible for complimentary upgrades unless you use a Global Upgrade, a Delta Choice benefit for top elite status members.

Delta Premium Select

This is Delta’s premium economy cabin, which is mostly found on international flights and wide-body aircraft. It includes a larger seat with more recline. These seats are similar to what you might find in domestic first class. They recline more than seats in economy class but don't lie flat. A footrest and spacious armrests with a small table add to the comfort.

Food and beverages include plated meals with a more impressive presentation than economy class and an open bar. A day blanket, a small amenity kit with Grown Alchemist products, noise-reducing headphones and a memory foam pillow await at each seat. Sky Priority access and the option to check two bags up to 50 pounds each round out the experience.

Medallion members don't receive free upgrades to this cabin unless they use an upgrade instrument like a Global Upgrade on longer flights.

Delta first class

This is Delta’s premium cabin on most domestic and regional international flights. The cabins are in a 2-2 layout or 1-2 layout on regional jets. These seats are more spacious than those in economy with a side table to place a drink and larger seat pockets.

On some newer aircraft, Delta has installed seats with small privacy “wings” that act as side headrests, too. One complaint of these seats, however, is that they aren't as padded as other Delta first class seats.

The standard level of service in first class is a welcome bottle of water at the seat, pre-departure beverages, complimentary drinks from the bar and, based on flight length and time of day, a meal. When flights don’t have a meal, a snack basket is passed around. Passengers receive Sky Priority access and the ability to check two bags per person up to 70 pounds.

Most domestic and regional first class flights are eligible for complimentary upgrades for Medallion members, which is a great perk although availability can be limited.

Delta Comfort+

These seats are integrated into the main cabin but have additional legroom and expedited boarding. They also receive a few extra food and beverage perks like complimentary alcoholic drinks and more snack selections.

There are no additional checked bag perks for this fare class, but those with a Delta co-branded American Express card get these benefits without an upcharge.

Passengers must pay a fee to upgrade to one of these seats, but Medallion members receive free upgrades to them.

Main cabin

The economy class section with standard airplane seats is the main cabin. On domestic Delta flights, nonalcoholic beverages and a snack are complimentary, but on long-haul international flights, a hot meal is served with complimentary drinks from the bar.

On long-haul international flights, a blanket is available. Passengers must pay to check a bag unless they have a Delta credit card or Medallion status.

Basic economy

This is the most restrictive Delta fare class and doesn't include a seat assignment. These passengers are the last to board, which means finding space for carry-on bags can be a challenge (often, travelers must gate-check their bags).

Changes aren't permitted to these tickets, and passengers won't earn miles for their flight. Medallion members won’t be eligible for seat upgrades and cannot access the Sky Club.

Once the flight takes off, there are no additional restrictions with basic economy passengers afforded the same benefits as the rest of the main cabin, including free nonalcoholic drinks and snacks (a hot meal, alcoholic beverages and blanket on longer sectors).

After you purchase your ticket, Delta may send you offers via email, on the website or through the Delta app to upgrade your ticket using miles or paying in cash. Medallion members will also be added to the upgrade list for a higher cabin on eligible flights.

For long-haul flights, the only way to get an upgrade without paying miles or cash is to use an upgrade certificate.

» Learn more: How to get a free upgrade on Delta

These are an option for Platinum and Diamond Medallion members, but competition for upgrade seats (like with complimentary upgrades) can be fierce. For that reason, some travelers choose to pay the difference upfront to guarantee a better cabin.

Delta doesn't charge a fee to change your ticket, but if you choose to upgrade or downgrade, any difference in fare would be charged (or credited).

Secure the best earning rates and benefits for your Delta flight needs by purchasing your tickets with the right credit card.

Here are a handful of Delta card options — or you can read a NerdWallet analysis on which are the best.

If you seek more flexibility in redeeming miles for award flights, consider applying for a general travel credit card instead. A general travel credit card differs from an airline card in that you can book flights with multiple carriers, rather than reaping the benefits of staying loyal to a single brand.

The more high-end (or “premium”) the travel credit card, the more benefits you can enjoy, including airport lounge access or elite status in certain programs. That said, a brand-specific airline card can net you benefits like waived baggage fees, which can have a meaningful dollar value.

» Learn more: Is a Delta card worth it?

Delta has several different cabins and levels of service, as well as fare classes that correspond to each one.

Understanding Delta fare classes can be a helpful way to make sure you have the flexibility and experience you want for a trip, including helping you earn more SkyMiles.

(Top photo courtesy of Delta Air Lines)