Originally Posted by
qukslvr619
Regarding this, if you use DTS I believe there is a glitch with clicking on a flight that shows available, says "selection not available" and then disappears. I say that because a couple of times I checked GDS and it still showed available in that particular fare bucket. Called SATO and they were able to find the flight and book it. Now when I encounter this issue, I copy down flight details and then click "request CTO assistance" and paste the flights I want booked in the notes. Not sure why it shows as unavailable even though it is but you may want to check before ruling a flight option out.
We are strongly discouraged from ever calling the travel agent/requesting CTO. It's already a $15 fee to use the system at all and then they'll tack on more fees for that. It's happening much more than it used to. I try to book the cheapest flight I can get without taking a 16 hour layover in BFE, but sometimes it seems like the system tries to make that impossible.
Originally Posted by
roadkit
I am required by department policy to buy fully refundable Y fares, and never hesitate to apply miles or SWUs to upgrade.
Unless it is one of the exempt agencies, such as one funded by NAF, an independent commission/board, a GSE, many of the financial regulatory agencies (the people who whine if they have to sit in Y for more than 6 hours) or the legislative branch and the OEP, you're begging for an IG investigation. Or the front page of the Washington Post.