There is almost no end to the different types of fares and rate codes that business travelers can encounter when booking an airline ticket. One of the cleanest (and generally more expensive) rates is an unrestricted rate.
Unrestricted fares are airfares that have no restrictions, such as a Saturday night stay, a 14-day advance purchase, or a required number of nights reserved. Many unrestricted rates are refundable and easily changeable, which is why business travelers prefer them.
Unrestricted fares are typically the fares you would get if you walked to an airline counter just before a flight and wanted to book a ticket. They are expensive, but they also tend to be very flexible.
Examples of unrestricted rates
First class tickets are a great example of unrestricted fares. Such tickets are generally refundable with full flexibility. For business travelers, this is a great benefit because it allows them to change flights, add stopovers in different cities, and extend business trips if necessary.
American Airlines declares that its unrestricted fares are “fully refundable and have no advance purchase requirements. If you buy a ticket that is an unrestricted fare, you can make changes to your flight without a change fee (based on seat availability) « .
Of course, as with any airline ticket, additional charges will apply if the new ticket or route is more expensive than your existing ticket.
Upgrade to unrestricted rates
Business travelers or frequent flyers may also want to check whether their airline miles could be used to upgrade to an unrestricted fare.
Delta states that its upgrades are “based on the difference between the selected main cabin fare and the lowest Delta One®, First, Business Class or Delta Comfort + fare for the itinerary, which is converted into miles.” Midweek, early morning and late evening flights generally have the best deals for mileage upgrades.
American Airlines has a similar policy that allows AAdvantage members to use their miles to upgrade on American Airlines, British Airways, and Iberia flights. These updates are valid for the next service cabin, as well as for a single one-way trip.
Getting the best airfares
Unrestricted rates are not the cheapest. In fact, it’s hard to find more expensive tickets than full-fare, unrestricted tickets. For frugal business travelers, look to book discounted travel and last minute sales on websites like CheapTickets and The Flight Deal.
Also, keep in mind that it may be cheaper to NOT book one unrestricted rate (because they are very expensive) and instead book two non-refundable restricted rates, even assuming you may have to throw one away. However, be careful that the airline does not notice and cancel one or both tickets. (Usually, as long as the trip is logistically feasible, they won’t.)
Unrestricted rates provide the most flexibility, but at a cost. Business travelers hoping to save money should consider other wallet-friendly fare categories.
