Originally Posted by
funflier
Perhaps the OP is confusing fare bucket inventory visible on EF and fare rules, which would be taken into account using a booking engine or ITA/matrix? EF is going to show you real-time inventory, but that doesn't mean an "available" fare class is bookable. A published fare may require specific dates or direction of travel (outbound/inbound rules may be different), etc., so you may see availability in a "low" fare class, but be unable to book that fare class if you are not able to meet all the fare requirements--so when you try to price the trip you will fall into a higher class of service that allows the dates and directions you requested. You can see fare rules on EF, but finding and understanding them is easier said than done at times. EF is not designed to build a bookable itinerary for you, only to show real-time inventory. My guess is that the fare you are interested in requires outbound travel in one direction, so if you search simple inventory for your "return" segment, you may see availability, but you won't be able to book it as the fare rules are not being met. Hope this helps.
Thanks for the reply but the fare application (or bookability) to specific booking classes based on numerous factors is not the issue in this case.
The point was that the real time inventory may now vary based on POI too (and not only based on POS, GDS used, availability of direct access to airline inventory and other factors) and there is no mechanism in Expertflyer to specify that factor. Airlines have complicated the rules of the game and EF is behind on this topic. I am not saying it is easy to implement this feature - was asking this question to EF team.