How do you know what the full-fare coach price is? Should I assume that the list price on an airline's Web site is full fare?

Jennifer,

One of the mysteries of modern-day life is trying to understand the fare structure for airline tickets. Most airlines use Y as the code basis for a full-fare ticket. However, this is not always the case. The best way to determine if you are paying a full-fare ticket is to find out if your ticket is restricted or not. Typically, a non-restricted, fully refundable fare will be at a full-fare price. To add to the confusion, some airlines like Delta offer a fully refundable fare that is slightly discounted from the full-fare (fare basis B06). But for the most part, if you are holding a fare without restrictions, you can be reasonably confident that it is a full-fare ticket. Conversely, if your ticket is restricted or not fully refundable, then most likely you have a fare that has been discounted in some manner.

Good luck,
Joel