Originally Posted by MSPeconomist

Suppose you want to know how many M class seats DL is still willing to sell, perhaps because you have an M class ticket and want to SDC onto the flight. On delta.dumb, go to advanced search by fare class. I would probably first ask for 9 seats and see what is the lowest fare class for 9. Assuming that the answer is B, Y, or not available, now try M or higher for maybe four seats. If yes, go for six seats at M or higher, etc. If no, try for two seats at M or higher. Keep going until you see the maximum number of M seats DL is willing to sell for the flight.

However, this assumes that married segment logic isn't a factor. It also assumes that there is a fare in the associated fare class where the advanced purchase requirement can still be met, so it probably won't work to show SDC choices from lower fare classes close to the day of travel. You get some information this way, but it's not a substitute for the EF fare availability data. It can also be very painful and time consuming to keep doing these searches in this way. However, it's better than nothing if you need the information and cannnot get it from a subscription service.

Originally Posted by steveholt

Quick semi-related question: I'm trying to see class availability on a random flight, DL1601, that I'm booked on for Friday from BOS-ATL. The flight doesn't even come up in a EF search on 10/25 (although it does on the previous and following day). It also doesn't come up on delta.com, even though the flight does exist. Any idea why this is happening?

Originally Posted by MSPeconomist

It's probably overbooked to the point of DL not being willing to sell any more seats on the flight. In other words, every fare class is zeroed out.

Originally Posted by DaDaDan

Here's my guess:

1. EF was previously taking the information out of the GDS and displaying it to us, with the explicit or tacit approval of Delta.

2. Delta changed their mind and told EF to stop displaying it. Therefore, any display was "unauthorized."

My guess is the same as stylo4444's: Delta realized it had information that was valuable to EF that it was currently giving away for free. So, they told EF they had to pay money or stop showing the inventory. EF asked how much, and Delta gave them a number they found to be too high. So, they said, "Thanks, but no thanks."

Originally Posted by javabytes

I still struggle to understand why EF would listen. Presumably their relationship is with their GDS, and not any of the airlines directly. So DL pulling the inventory is one thing, but DL "requesting" that EF "remove access" is another.

Originally Posted by jsmith50

My presumption is that because the data is not in the public domain that DL had adequate legal grounds to request the EF stop selling that information. As such, EF was faced with a decision to pony up (presuming DL first asked for more money to publish the information) or stop displaying it. EF decided that it was a smaller blow to them corporately to stop displaying it and tick off the DL flyers while maintaining their other airline subscriber base than to risk a long, expensive legal fight that could have bankrupted the company.

Originally Posted by javabytes

If the flight exists, it should come up in an EF Flight Availability search even if it is zeroed out.

Originally Posted by pete4212

The changes in their service are public and documented and you have the right you continue or cancel your subscription as you see fit due to the changes, but that's all.

Originally Posted by jamesteroh

It is P**sing off a lot of their high end customers and I don't know how it is hurting Delta by having the RU inventory displayed on EF.

Originally Posted by javabytes

If the flight exists, it should come up in an EF Flight Availability search even if it is zeroed out.

Originally Posted by iamhereandthere

It's intersting that one of Delta's partners (AS) provide upgrade info. I guess Delta doesn't feel the need to be as good?

Originally Posted by SamOF

Not always. I've noticed what I assume is an EF glitch where zeroed out flights just don't show up. Sometimes just refreshing the page can resolve it, and not all zeroed out flights don't show up.

Originally Posted by davetravels

But, what about people like me, whose annual subscription just renewed recently? Although DL is only a very small part of the info that's attainable on EF, that's all I use it for. Should I be due a teeny tiny refund for this loss?

Originally Posted by davetravels

But, what about people like me, whose annual subscription just renewed recently? Although DL is only a very small part of the info that's attainable on EF, that's all I use it for. Should I be due a teeny tiny refund for this loss?

Personally, I subscribed to EF for normal paid fare class availability, to watch for possible VDB situations, and to book complicated itineraries where you have to use "search by schedule" to piece things together, but, UG availability is a bonus for me!

Originally Posted by kaaria

I use EF just for that and I only signed up a month ago. I sent a letter to EF requesting a refund as they are no longer providing me with the service I signed up for.