D582

Most of the availability and fare data on ExpertFlyer comes from Sabre GDS via Sabre Web Services.

Jumper Jack

Get a nexus 5 on kijiji for sub 200, works as great as iPhone 6s

Sean Peever

Yes, but, they also have for some carriers, filtered or removed some data as well. And while this is not the case for Air Canada, I believe it does impact some *A.

ExpertFlyer Voice

ExpertFlyer has full coverage for Star Alliance airlines. The full list of supported airlines for Award & Upgrade searching can be found here: https://www.expertflyer.com/sessionlessClassList.do

canadiancow

So having played around with this for a few days, I have one technical observation and one "business" observation.

First, the technical.

The list jumps around like crazy once the flight is under gate control. You'll have KEN, S with a checkmark that then disappears off the list. Then a few more people will get checkmarks, and a few minutes later they're not on the list either. They're clearly manipulating what they're showing, though I'm not convinced this aspect is intentional.

And aside from the technical, the thing that REALLY stands out is that no one is waitlisting for PY. Like at all. I've been checking so many flights, and I almost never see anyone on that list.

Edit: Found something else interesting. After 33 YYZ-YVR departed, I was unable to see the list for 33 YVR-SYD for a while. But now it shows up again.

Sean Peever

my bad. Then it was *A. But I could have sworn there is some airline where inventory isn't shown?

canadiancow

They just processed upgrades on 156 before the flight even closed.

I thought this whole thing was automated now when check-in closed.

For a lazy Saturday night, I'm certainly learning a lot by just refreshing the app every few minutes.

YYT82

Now we know why AC didn't want to make the upgrade process transparent, don't we? Shenanigans are now laid bare for all (well Android users) to see.

canadiancow

To be fair, everyone on the list was upgraded.

But what if I was about to OLCI (still not T-45), and was going to add myself to the upgrade list at that time?

There may still be open seats though, but all you need is N+1 people doing what I just described for this to cause issues.

I have heard of issues with the 77W on domestic routes where they have to start boarding before the flight closes, but the complaints surrounding that are more along the lines of "they haven't processed upgrades but they've started boarding".

canadiancow

AC 33 YVR-SYD just had 2, 3, and 4 clear.

#1 is still waitlisted.

Looks like there's seats though, but this is really weird. Either there are shenanigans, or the order on the list is wrong (which was my biggest fear).

Edit: And now #1 has cleared

expert7700

seems like an opportunity for someone to automate saving this data. for every flight.

could be neat to know the # booked, cleared, and if flights went out with J/PY seays open... to help identify trends to help with future booking strategy.

it would be useful to snapshot or show changes before eup windows clear, right as checkin opens, and finally after flight closes.

YEG_SE4Life

It could also mean that 1 didn't want to clear unless 5 cleared.

YEG_SE4Life

This doesn't demonstrate shenanigans.

Bohemian1

That's really interesting. Is it us not requesting or is it AC doing something non-obvious?

canadiancow

There was no #5.

That's the weird part.

There were 5 or 6 open seats, 4 people listed, and #2-4 cleared 5-10 minutes before #1.

And this is all automated, right? That's what we were told. If the list is accurate, and the processing of the list is automated, #2 should never clear before #1.

Hard to say. I don't trust the list for reasons I just mentioned above.

I've seen a few cases where someone is listed on the "standby" list and the "upgrade" list, which suggests to me they're either a J revenue passenger standing by, or an employee entitled to J standing by. But in either case, wouldn't they also be entitled to the O cabin? If so, why aren't they on that list?