Which airline offer restricted versus unrestricted fares?

DES manages the contracts for state air travel, which offers airfares typically less than half of comparable unrestricted fares. All routes with Alaska Airlines contract 03624 are for unrestricted fares, while Delta Air Lines contract 10725 offers restricted as well as unrestricted fares.

Please refer to the State Administrative and Accounting Manual (SAAM), Chapter 10.50 (PDF) for full rules that apply to air travel. 

What does 'unrestricted airfare' mean? 

It means there is no advance ticketing necessary, it is fully refundable, there are no penalties for changes, and any open seat is guaranteed. 

What does 'restricted airfare' mean? 

It means it is not refundable and there may be penalties for changes.  

I found a cheaper airfare online at a travel website. Can I buy it?

Please refer to SAAM 10.50.45 which directs agencies to find travel using DES statewide contracts, except for the two exceptions listed below. 

What are city pair fares? (Alaska Airlines) 

City pairs are contracted airfares between two cities. They are discounted, unrestricted, coach seating, and one-way airfares. 

What are percentage discount fares? (Delta Air Lines) 

Percentage discount fares are contracted percentage discounts on published fares. They are discounted from the published fares at a set percentage rate, restricted and unrestricted, various seating, and one-way and round-trip fares.  

Can I use another airline for airfare? 

State travelers must use the contracted airlines for a particular city-pair or percentage discount with two exceptions:

• A flight does not leave or arrive to meet the agency’s time requirements or meet the mission of the contract user’s state agency
• There is a lower published fare to the destination.

What if a flight is full?

If there is an open seat available on the desired flight, contracted airlines must make it available. If a flight is full, the airline must book the traveler on the next available flight with no additional charges.

Payment

The only acceptable payment for airfare is a state issued credit card.