Hi Pat,

Interesting article and you can find more information on various fare classes at FlyerTalk.com/forum.

Y fares can be a great deal. However, they do not guarantee a first-class seat. So, before you purchase a Y fare you need to call the airline to confirm the upgrade. Otherwise, you'll just overpay for a coach seat. You won't be placed in business/first without requesting the upgrade (at least that's the experience we've had with Continental).

Here's some price comparisons based on a search I just did at Continental.com...

Newark to Honolulu to Newark (11/3/08-11/12/08)

Y economy fare is $2,437 per person
Ticket earns 150% mileage for OnePass members

R discounted BusinessFirst fare is $2,693.84 per person
Ticket also earns 150% mileage for OnePass members

A and J are the full fare BusinessFirst tickets and they are currently pricing out between $4,300 and $4,600 per person.

I and S economy fares (lowest available nonrefundable) are currently $787 pp.


Here's another pricing test...

Newark to Seattle to Newark in July 2008

Y fare is $1,197 pp

R fare is $1,358 pp

U fare (lowest nonrefundable available) is $478 pp


I think Y fares can make a lot of sense when the discounted R Business/First fares are sold out. Definitely worth investigating on long-haul trips.

Andrea