KVSTools shows AF availability for award but dl.dumb doesn't see it
Jan 8, 2013, 7:12 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: FLL - DL DM MM - HHonors Gold
Posts: 1,093
KVSTools shows AF availability for award but dl.dumb doesn't see it
I've read just about every thread on booking award tickets with SM and thought I was getting to be an expert by now.
But trying to get from CDG to LHR on the 18th of October is causing me a problem. Dl.dumb only shows the 7pm flight in the evening as available, yet KVStool shows CS6 CS9 seats as available on 1:20pm flight (and plenty of availability on other flights too).
Since this shows plenty of low awards available, why can't dl book them?
Just trying to avoid a 11hr layover in CDG.
But trying to get from CDG to LHR on the 18th of October is causing me a problem. Dl.dumb only shows the 7pm flight in the evening as available, yet KVStool shows CS6 CS9 seats as available on 1:20pm flight (and plenty of availability on other flights too).
Since this shows plenty of low awards available, why can't dl book them?
Just trying to avoid a 11hr layover in CDG.
Jan 8, 2013, 7:42 am
#2
FlyerTalk Evangelist
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EF only shows Business award availability on the 7:05 PM flight (O5). The 6:15 PM, 7:05 PM, and 8:15 PM departures have coach availability (X9, X9, and X4, respectively).
AF.us shows Classic availability on the 7:30 AM, the 10:05 AM, the 1:25 PM, the 4:00 PM, the 6:15 PM, the 7:05 PM, and the 8:15 PM. However, in the last few months AF seems to have invented a new Classic Award level that is more expensive than the old Classic Award level, and is only available to FB members. If you search on AF.us, AF wants 30k miles for the 7:05 PM flight, and 40k miles for all the other flights, even though they're all labeled Classic Awards. It has been my experience that only the Classic Awards at the 30k level match what EF shows in O inventory and are the awards that DL SM can snag.
Not sure where KVS is pulling from, but it's possible it is getting tripped up by the two different Classic award levels.
AF.us shows Classic availability on the 7:30 AM, the 10:05 AM, the 1:25 PM, the 4:00 PM, the 6:15 PM, the 7:05 PM, and the 8:15 PM. However, in the last few months AF seems to have invented a new Classic Award level that is more expensive than the old Classic Award level, and is only available to FB members. If you search on AF.us, AF wants 30k miles for the 7:05 PM flight, and 40k miles for all the other flights, even though they're all labeled Classic Awards. It has been my experience that only the Classic Awards at the 30k level match what EF shows in O inventory and are the awards that DL SM can snag.
Not sure where KVS is pulling from, but it's possible it is getting tripped up by the two different Classic award levels.
Jan 8, 2013, 1:46 pm
#4
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But trying to get from CDG to LHR on the 18th of October is causing me a problem. Dl.dumb only shows the 7pm flight in the evening as available, yet KVStool shows CS6 CS9 seats as available on 1:20pm flight (and plenty of availability on other flights too).
Since this shows plenty of low awards available, why can't dl book them?
Since this shows plenty of low awards available, why can't dl book them?
To see the Availability of Standard Awards on AF flights, you can use the [Awards/JL-OneWorld] Method or activate the [Info] Mode when using the [Awards/SkyTeam] Method:
[KVS Availability Tool 7.1.2/Diamond - Axess: Awards/JL-OneWorld/UK]
Code:
CDG Paris Charles De Gaulle FR [LFPG] LHR London Heathrow UK [EGLL] FRI 18 Oct 2013 Carrier Flight From Depart To Arrive A/C St Availability --------- ------ ---- -------- ---- -------- --- -- ------------ AF 1680 CDG 07:30 LHR 07:50 321 0 CS0 YS0 AF 1980 CDG 10:05 LHR 10:25 321 0 CS0 YS0 AF 1780 CDG 13:25 LHR 13:45 321 0 CS0 YS0 AF 1280 CDG 16:00 LHR 16:15 320 0 CS0 YS0 AF 1080 CDG 18:15 LHR 18:30 321 0 CS0 YS9 AF 1180 CDG 19:05 LHR 19:20 320 0 CS7 YS9 AF 1380 CDG 20:15 LHR 20:30 320 0 CS0 YS4
Code:
CDG Paris Charles De Gaulle FR [LFPG] LHR London Heathrow UK [EGLL] FRI 18 Oct 2013 | 1 Seat Carrier Flight From Depart To Arrive St Information --------- ------ ---- -------- ---- -------- --- -- ------------------------------------ AF 1680 CDG 07:30 LHR 07:50 Dur: 01:20 | FB: 40K+52/30K+40 USD AF 1980 CDG 10:05 LHR 10:25 Dur: 01:20 | FB: 40K+52/12.5K+40 USD AF 1780 CDG 13:25 LHR 13:45 Dur: 01:20 | FB: 40K+52/12.5K+40 USD AF 1280 CDG 16:00 LHR 16:15 Dur: 01:15 | FB: 40K+52/12.5K+40 USD AF 1080 CDG 18:15 LHR 18:30 Dur: 01:15 | FB: 40K+52/10K+40 USD AF 1180 CDG 19:05 LHR 19:20 Dur: 01:15 | FB: 30K+52/10K+40 USD AF 1380 CDG 20:15 LHR 20:30 Dur: 01:15 | FB: 40K+52/10K+40 USD
Jan 9, 2013, 12:15 am
#6
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EF only shows Business award availability on the 7:05 PM flight (O5). The 6:15 PM, 7:05 PM, and 8:15 PM departures have coach availability (X9, X9, and X4, respectively).
AF.us shows Classic availability on the 7:30 AM, the 10:05 AM, the 1:25 PM, the 4:00 PM, the 6:15 PM, the 7:05 PM, and the 8:15 PM. However, in the last few months AF seems to have invented a new Classic Award level that is more expensive than the old Classic Award level, and is only available to FB members. If you search on AF.us, AF wants 30k miles for the 7:05 PM flight, and 40k miles for all the other flights, even though they're all labeled Classic Awards. It has been my experience that only the Classic Awards at the 30k level match what EF shows in O inventory and are the awards that DL SM can snag.
Not sure where KVS is pulling from, but it's possible it is getting tripped up by the two different Classic award levels.
AF.us shows Classic availability on the 7:30 AM, the 10:05 AM, the 1:25 PM, the 4:00 PM, the 6:15 PM, the 7:05 PM, and the 8:15 PM. However, in the last few months AF seems to have invented a new Classic Award level that is more expensive than the old Classic Award level, and is only available to FB members. If you search on AF.us, AF wants 30k miles for the 7:05 PM flight, and 40k miles for all the other flights, even though they're all labeled Classic Awards. It has been my experience that only the Classic Awards at the 30k level match what EF shows in O inventory and are the awards that DL SM can snag.
Not sure where KVS is pulling from, but it's possible it is getting tripped up by the two different Classic award levels.
I've updated the master ST partner SM award thread (post 1):
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/delta...er-thread.html
Let me know if you guys have any additional input.
Jan 9, 2013, 5:38 am
#7
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Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: FLL - DL DM MM - HHonors Gold
Posts: 1,093
Thanks to javabytes and KVS for (authoritative) this info. Any input from EFV?
I've updated the master ST partner SM award thread (post 1):
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/delta...er-thread.html
Let me know if you guys have any additional input.
I've updated the master ST partner SM award thread (post 1):
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/delta...er-thread.html
Let me know if you guys have any additional input.
It seems like you are doing a great job of maintaining the thread's first few pages with up-to-date info, so how about axing the other 39 pages so people know they don't have to read them? Assumedely any gems in the 39 extra pages have been transferred to the first page?
Also, I have found that as long as dl.com is used judiciously it can work well for DL and major partners like AF/KLM. Only when one is dealing with 2nd tier airlines like CZ & CI does one really need the other tools. I just booked the trip FLL-LHR-CDG-MIA picking optimum flights all for low level using dl.com and it didn't take that long. We need to be very clear on the steps to take to do it though. Also, the other tools are handy for keeping "an eye out" for better flights if you couldn't find your optimum flights first time.
Jan 9, 2013, 5:46 am
#8
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When are people going to realize AF no longer plays nice with DL when it comes to award space!?
Jan 9, 2013, 6:25 am
#9
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Posts: 1,093
Jan 9, 2013, 7:43 am
#10
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Thanks to javabytes and KVS for (authoritative) this info. Any input from EFV?
I've updated the master ST partner SM award thread (post 1):
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/delta...er-thread.html
Let me know if you guys have any additional input.
I've updated the master ST partner SM award thread (post 1):
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/delta...er-thread.html
Let me know if you guys have any additional input.
Jan 9, 2013, 11:46 am
#11
Left Expert Flyer 4/23
Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,741
mtkeller is correct, ExpertFlyer uniquely accesses the published AF O/X inventory available to partners.
Jan 9, 2013, 11:56 am
#12
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It's quite intuitive with KVS that one should select OneWorld methods when trying to find AF availability...
Jan 9, 2013, 11:58 am
#13
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Posts: 1,093
Jan 9, 2013, 12:38 pm
#14
FlyerTalk Evangelist & Ambassador: China
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One of the problems I see with the current sticky thread is the 40+ pages - I didn't realize you were keeping the first few posts updated and thought I had to read all 40 pages to get the full scoop.
It seems like you are doing a great job of maintaining the thread's first few pages with up-to-date info, so how about axing the other 39 pages so people know they don't have to read them? Assumedely any gems in the 39 extra pages have been transferred to the first page?
Also, I have found that as long as dl.com is used judiciously it can work well for DL and major partners like AF/KLM. Only when one is dealing with 2nd tier airlines like CZ & CI does one really need the other tools. I just booked the trip FLL-LHR-CDG-MIA picking optimum flights all for low level using dl.com and it didn't take that long. We need to be very clear on the steps to take to do it though. Also, the other tools are handy for keeping "an eye out" for better flights if you couldn't find your optimum flights first time.
It seems like you are doing a great job of maintaining the thread's first few pages with up-to-date info, so how about axing the other 39 pages so people know they don't have to read them? Assumedely any gems in the 39 extra pages have been transferred to the first page?
Also, I have found that as long as dl.com is used judiciously it can work well for DL and major partners like AF/KLM. Only when one is dealing with 2nd tier airlines like CZ & CI does one really need the other tools. I just booked the trip FLL-LHR-CDG-MIA picking optimum flights all for low level using dl.com and it didn't take that long. We need to be very clear on the steps to take to do it though. Also, the other tools are handy for keeping "an eye out" for better flights if you couldn't find your optimum flights first time.
Jan 9, 2013, 1:36 pm
#15
Left Expert Flyer 4/23
Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,741
To our knowledge, yes. Another interesting data point to look into would be if only the TATL routes are given this semi-Classic award type, which might go to explain the issues of AF award redemption via DL on those routes.