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Old Nov 1, 2011 | 9:19 pm
  #4475  
KVS
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Originally Posted by sinecure
Thanks for the tool.

So far so good, most of it is self explanatory.
Welcome to the KVS Tool, sinecure!

Originally Posted by sinecure
The only wall I've hit is, is it possible to search on a multicity fare?

IE YYZ-HAN but return SIN-YYZ? I notice that CX for example is cheaper on a full RT ticket compared to 2 o/w tickets.
Originally Posted by KQ321
I don't think it's possible to search for this automatically. However, you can work it out by looking at the fare-rules. The example you give is for an open-jaws ticket - and in particular, a single open-jaws (also destination open-jaws), as it's only 'open' at one end.

So, first you look up the fare rules for a return YYZ-HAN, and see what it says under 'combinations'. In many cases, it will say something like:
'Open Jaws/Round Trips/Circle Trips - Fares May Be Combined On A Half Round Trip Basis'

You then look up the fare rules for a return YYZ-SIN, and hopefully it will say something similar. If so, then a single open-jaws for that routing is possible - and the fare is calculated by adding half the YYZ-HAN return fare, and half the YYZ-SIN return fare. As you say, a return is often cheaper than two one-ways - and an open-jaws basically gives you the average of two return fares, and so will often also be cheaper than two one-ways.

You can also do departure open-jaws (when you return to a different airport from the one you flew out of) and double open-jaws (eg: AAA-BBB, and then CCC-DDD). However, although single open-jaws often seem to be possible, double open-jaws, or departure open-jaws (especially if returning to a different country) can be harder to find. There are often some restrictions imposed on open-jaws routings (eg: limiting the distance between the two 'open' points, or requiring them to be in the same area).

If you wanted to do, say, YYZ-HKG, HKG-HAN, SIN-YYZ, then that's a stopover in HKG (plus an open-jaws). Whether that is possible will depend on:
a) the routing rules (ie: is travel via HKG allowed), and:
b) the fare rules (ie: are stopovers allowed, and if so, are they free or do they require an additional fee)

I regularly travel on such tickets (although not on the routing or airline you suggested) so it's definitely possible. However, the biggest problem often seems to be that although open-jaws and stopovers are allowed, online booking sites (even the airline's own websites) struggle to book anything other than simple returns.
Thanks for an excellent post and explanation, KQ321!

Fares only come in 3 types: Round-Trip, One-Way and Special Circle (RTW), and the KVS Tool supports all of them.

All other types of trips need to be constructed using a combination of the above Fares, subject to any applicable restrictions in the Combinations section of the Fare Rules.
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