Delta Fare Classes: What Every Booking Code Means
Type the fare class letter from your Delta ticket to see its cabin and what it earns, as published on delta.com.
Delta fare classes
Most Delta tickets earn miles and MQDs per dollar spent, not by fare class (see How SkyMiles are earned). The Miles % and MQD % columns below apply only to exception fares: tickets bought through an agent, a third party or a package where the fare is not shown, such as cruise, bulk, consolidator and tour package fares. Those earn a percentage of the distance flown, set by the fare class.
| Fare | Cabin / fare type | Miles % | MQD % |
|---|---|---|---|
| Delta One, and Delta First on most routes | |||
| J | Delta One or Delta First, full fareHighest exception-fare MQD rate. | 150% | 40% |
| C | Delta One or Delta First, discounted | 150% | 30% |
| D | Delta One or Delta First, discounted | 150% | 30% |
| I | Delta One or Delta First, discounted | 150% | 30% |
| Z | Delta One or Delta First, discounted | 150% | 30% |
| O | Delta First (domestic)A domestic First letter since 2019 (it replaced R). Not on Delta's exception-fare chart. | Not listed | Not listed |
| Delta Premium Select | |||
| P | Delta Premium SelectDelta First on some routes: see the next group. | 150% | 25% |
| A | Delta Premium SelectDelta First on some routes: see the next group. | 150% | 25% |
| G | Delta Premium SelectDelta First on some routes: see the next group. | 150% | 25% |
| Delta First, on routes that also have Delta One | |||
| F | Delta FirstRoutes with both cabins, such as JFK-SEA, JFK-SAN, JFK-LAS and BOS-LAX (Delta's 2019 agency FAQ). | Not listed | Not listed |
| P | Delta FirstDelta lists exception rates for P, A and G only as Premium Select. | Not listed | Not listed |
| A | Delta FirstDelta lists exception rates for P, A and G only as Premium Select. | Not listed | Not listed |
| G | Delta FirstDelta lists exception rates for P, A and G only as Premium Select. | Not listed | Not listed |
| R | Delta FirstNot on Delta's exception-fare chart. | Not listed | Not listed |
| Delta Comfort | |||
| W | Delta ComfortPriced above S. | 100% | 20% |
| S | Delta ComfortAlso used for upgrades into Delta Comfort and for SkyMiles award tickets. | 100% | 20% |
| Delta Main | |||
| Y | Delta Main, full fare | 100% | 20% |
| B | Delta Main, full fare | 100% | 20% |
| M | Delta Main, full fare | 100% | 20% |
| H | Delta Main | 75% | 15% |
| Q | Delta Main | 75% | 15% |
| K | Delta Main | 75% | 15% |
| L | Delta Main | 75% | 15% |
| U | Delta Main, discounted | 50% | 10% |
| T | Delta Main, discounted | 50% | 10% |
| X | Delta Main, deeply discounted | 50% | 5% |
| V | Delta Main, deeply discounted | 50% | 5% |
| Delta Main Basic | |||
| E | Delta Main BasicNo miles or MQDs on any ticket, and no upgrades. | None | None |
Delta lists the percentages for tickets with a Delta (006) ticket number. Delta does not say which letters its Delta Basic fares in Comfort, First, Premium Select and Delta One book into.
Calculate what this ticket earnsHow SkyMiles are earned
On most tickets, miles are per $1 of ticket price (base fare and carrier-imposed surcharges, not government-imposed taxes and fees), set by the fare type you buy in any cabin and your Medallion tier.
| Miles per $1 | Main Basic | Delta Basic | Classic or Refundable | Extra |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Member | 0 | 2 | 5 | 7 |
| Silver (+2) | 0 | 4 | 7 | 9 |
| Gold (+3) | 0 | 5 | 8 | 10 |
| Platinum (+4) | 0 | 6 | 9 | 11 |
| Diamond (+6) | 0 | 8 | 11 | 13 |
- Delta Basic is the Basic fare in the premium cabins: Delta Comfort Basic, Delta First Basic, Delta Premium Select Basic and Basic Business (Delta One).
- Delta Main Basic earns no miles at any tier.
- A Delta SkyMiles Amex card adds miles on Delta purchases: 2 per $1 with Blue or Gold, 3 per $1 with Platinum or Reserve.
- Partner flights and exception fares earn differently.
Medallion qualification (MQDs)
Medallion Qualification Dollars (MQDs) are the only qualifier. Delta-marketed flights earn $1 MQD per $1 of ticket price (base fare and carrier-imposed surcharges, not government-imposed taxes and fees). Delta Main Basic tickets earn no MQDs.
| Medallion tier | MQDs needed |
|---|---|
| Silver | $5,000 |
| Gold | $10,000 |
| Platinum | $15,000 |
| Diamond | $28,000 |
- MQD Headstart: $2,500 MQDs each qualification year with a Delta SkyMiles Platinum, Platinum Business, Reserve or Reserve Business Amex.
- MQD Boost: $1 MQD for every $20 spent on a Platinum or Platinum Business card, or every $10 on a Reserve or Reserve Business card.
- Delta's Medallion page lists MQDs as the only qualifier, with no waiver.
Change and refund
Within 24 hours of buying a qualifying ticket for travel from the U.S., you can cancel for a full refund with no fee. After that:
| Basic | Classic | Extra or Refundable | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Change | $0-$400 fee plus fare difference | $0-$400 fee plus fare difference | Fare difference |
| Same-Day Confirmed | Not permitted | From $75 when available | Free when available |
| Cancel | Remaining value minus a $99-$500 fee | Remaining value minus a $0-$400 fee | Refundable |
- Delta charges no change fee on Classic and Extra tickets that start in the U.S. or Canada. Fees may apply to tickets that start elsewhere.
- Remaining value on a non-refundable ticket comes back as an eCredit. A ticket not changed or canceled before departure has no remaining value.
Good to know
- Does my Delta fare class decide how many miles I earn?
- Usually not. Most Delta tickets earn miles per dollar, set by the fare type you bought (Basic, Classic, Refundable or Extra) and your Medallion tier. The fare class sets earning only on exception fares, such as cruise, bulk, consolidator and tour package tickets, which earn a percentage of the distance flown.
- Are Delta P, A and G fares First Class or Premium Select?
- Mostly Delta Premium Select: that is how Delta's exception fare chart lists them. Delta's agency FAQ on its 2019 booking class change says almost all domestic First Class moved to J, C, D, I and Z, but routes that have both Delta One and Delta First kept F, P, A, G and R for Delta First. So on those routes a P, A or G ticket can be Delta First.
- What fare class is Delta Main Basic?
- E. Delta Main Basic tickets earn no miles and no MQDs, and are not eligible for upgrades.
- Which fare classes are Delta Comfort?
- W and S. Delta also uses S when a customer is upgraded into Delta Comfort and for SkyMiles award tickets.
- What is Delta Basic Business?
- The Basic fare in Delta One. It has the same onboard Delta One experience, with seats assigned after check-in, fewer miles, a smaller checked bag allowance and no upgrades. Through Jan. 18, 2027 it still includes Delta One check-in and the Delta One Lounge.
- Can Delta Basic fares be upgraded?
- No. Delta says Basic fares are not eligible for paid or Medallion complimentary upgrades, whatever your status.
Sources, checked Oct. 4, 2026: Exception fares | How to earn miles | Travel experiences | Medallion program | Change or cancel | Medallion upgrades | Booking class alignment FAQ | First Class letter change | Delta Comfort (agents) | S class | Expanded Basic fares
SkyMiles®, Medallion®, and Delta Air Lines® are registered trademarks of Delta Air Lines, Inc. This page is unofficial and not affiliated with or endorsed by Delta Air Lines. Information is provided for reference only and may not reflect the most current program terms.
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Credits
Thanks to DLFc, Adam S., Biometrist, Walter A., Winocas, and many other passionate frequent flyers that have helped put this together.