When
The flights are right but the booked class may not be the cheapest. Best buy looks for the lowest fare that has seats on the same flights, tells you what it would cost, and can move the booking into those classes.
Check first
- The flights and names are in the booking file and the client has agreed to the flights — best buy keeps the flights and changes only the classes.
- Decide the cabin first: add
++-ABto stay in the cabins booked, or name the cabin you want.
Steps
| # | Entry | What it does | Why |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | FQBB | Lowest fare with available seats on the booked flights. | See the cheapest option — nothing is rebooked yet. |
| 2 | FQBC | The same search, plus the saving against the fare as booked. | Tell the client how much cheaper it gets. |
| 3 | FQBBK | After FQBB or FQBC: rebooks the segments into the classes of that fare. | The booked class must match the fare you ticket. |
| 4 | *R · *FF | Booking file · filed fares. | Check the new classes are confirmed and a filed fare matches them. If not, price with FQ. |
| 5 | FQBB++-AB · FQBB++-BUSNS · FQBB++-UPPER | Stay in the cabins booked · business only · business or first. | Stops a quiet downgrade to another cabin. |
| 6 | FQBB/PE00 · FQBB/PR00 · FQBB/PX50 | No fees · fully refundable · change fee at most 50 %. | Cheapest fare that still fits the client's need for flexibility. |
| 7 | FQBB*:BF3 · FQBB/BAG | Lowest in brand 3 · lowest that includes a bag. | Same fare family or bag as the client chose. |
| 8 | FQBBS1.3 · FQBBP1-2/S1.3 | Best buy for segments 1 and 3 · for passengers 1–2 on them. | Only part of the booking. |
| 9 | FQBA | Lowest fare whether or not seats are available. | Shows what exists, e.g. for a waitlist or a later check. |
| 10 | FQBB* | Shows the last best-buy answer again. | After reading rules with FQN. |
Check it worked
After FQBBK, *R shows the segments in the new classes. Then check *FF: if no filed fare matches the new classes, price with FQ.
Traps
FQBBalone changes nothing. The booking keeps its classes untilFQBBK. Seats can go between the two entries — rebook straight after the client says yes.FQBAignores availability, so its price may not be bookable now. Some Travelport material showsFQBBAinstead.- The cheapest fare can have the strictest rules. Read them (
FQN, thenFN) before you rebook (see Read fare rules (fare notes) — from a fare display or a quote). FQBB/FXDkeeps economy unbundled fares out of the answer — useful with carriers that do not file Rich Content and Branding.- Historical modifiers (
.T,.H,.Bwith a date) do not work withFQBB. - To compare other flights or dates instead of other classes, use fare shopping (Fare shopping on a booked itinerary (FS) — cheaper flights or dates).