Using Expertflyer
Sep 25, 2009, 2:51 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Toronto
Programs: AC SE100K, Emerald Exec, HHG
Posts: 631
Using Expertflyer
I joined expertflyer for a 5 day trial to see what its all about. I was looking for a Aeroplan reward from from MIA to YVR. I noticed that it only searches on a very limited number of airlines. Am i missing something here? Can you not search UA, US or CO availability?
Sep 25, 2009, 2:59 pm
#2
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: YYZ
Programs: AC-SE MM
Posts: 1,251
I use it everyweek. You can search almost any airline around the world. Including the ones you mention here.
Sep 25, 2009, 3:09 pm
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Toronto
Programs: AC SE100K, Emerald Exec, HHG
Posts: 631
Sep 25, 2009, 3:38 pm
#4
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: LGA
Programs: DL Gold
Posts: 147
EF only shows award availability for select airlines of which US, UA and CO are not included. Full list is here http://www.expertflyer.com/airline-upgrades-awards
US, UA and CO availability for awards can be found at their websites (CO - no login / onepass acct required; US and UA you'll need to first get a dividend miles or mileageplus acct setup first).
Alternatively, both US and UA availability should be uploaded into the Aeroplan website. Sometimes the aeroplan website doesn't show all available options on *A partners (especially for flights with connections), so a quick call to them can give you the clearest idea.
US, UA and CO availability for awards can be found at their websites (CO - no login / onepass acct required; US and UA you'll need to first get a dividend miles or mileageplus acct setup first).
Alternatively, both US and UA availability should be uploaded into the Aeroplan website. Sometimes the aeroplan website doesn't show all available options on *A partners (especially for flights with connections), so a quick call to them can give you the clearest idea.
Sep 25, 2009, 4:09 pm
#5
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Canada
Programs: AC SE 2MM, HH Dd, SPG; IC Pl/A; AA; DL
Posts: 14,321
Not even Aeroplan always knows so it is best to do as much homework yourself before calling them.
For example, I couldn't book Calgary-Denver-Lincoln, Nebraska on Aeroplan.com even though Calgary-Denver showed no problem and Denver-Lincoln showed no problem as two separate trips on same dates on Aeroplan.com.
Initially Aeroplan didn't see it either but once we got started and I explained things, the agent was able to get my flights on one round trip reward ticket.
Others have noted issues with LX rewards (I had similar issues).
I don't know why there are so many IT problems with ac and Aeroplan but it is getting better. Let's hope it will be purr-fect one day
For example, I couldn't book Calgary-Denver-Lincoln, Nebraska on Aeroplan.com even though Calgary-Denver showed no problem and Denver-Lincoln showed no problem as two separate trips on same dates on Aeroplan.com.
Initially Aeroplan didn't see it either but once we got started and I explained things, the agent was able to get my flights on one round trip reward ticket.
Others have noted issues with LX rewards (I had similar issues).
I don't know why there are so many IT problems with ac and Aeroplan but it is getting better. Let's hope it will be purr-fect one day
Sep 25, 2009, 4:44 pm
#6
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: YYZ
Programs: AC SE100K, HH G
Posts: 2,454
EF only shows award availability for select airlines of which US, UA and CO are not included. Full list is here http://www.expertflyer.com/airline-upgrades-awards
Whether KVS or ExpertFlyer is the right tool of the OP is something that I can't answer, though.
Sep 25, 2009, 4:52 pm
#7
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Worldwide
Posts: 12,949
Originally Posted by sram
I joined expertflyer for a 5 day trial to see what its all about. I was looking for a Aeroplan reward from from MIA to YVR. I noticed that it only searches on a very limited number of airlines. Am i missing something here? Can you not search UA, US or CO availability?
Pls see http://Help.KVSTool.com/#Classes for details.
Sep 26, 2009, 2:47 pm
#9
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: YFC
Programs: AP/SE; ACMM
Posts: 67
I would vote for KVS...hands-down. Great tool - simple and I have been using for 2+ years.
Sep 26, 2009, 5:05 pm
#10
Join Date: Nov 1999
Location: MEX/YVR/YYF
Programs: AS MVP/AC75K/AM Gold/UA*S/SPG-Marriott Lifetime Titanium/Accor-FPC Gold/HHDiamond/Hyatt Exp
Posts: 5,035
Experflyer.com ^ ^
ANA Tool ^ ^ ^ ^ ^
As a couple mentioned above, I also use both. I am always fully prepared when I call the Aeroplan Centre because it makes the call go very smoothly usually. There are some agents that get suspicious when all of the requested segments are available...
ANA Tool ^ ^ ^ ^ ^
As a couple mentioned above, I also use both. I am always fully prepared when I call the Aeroplan Centre because it makes the call go very smoothly usually. There are some agents that get suspicious when all of the requested segments are available...
Sep 26, 2009, 9:09 pm
#12
Join Date: May 2004
Posts: 253
If the info in KVS is just from the public ANA website which anyone can see, maybe use the ANA website directly and then subscribe to EF if you feel their features fit your needs.
Sep 26, 2009, 9:22 pm
#13
Join Date: May 2007
Location: YYZ, but my heart is in Asia
Programs: AC-SE, CX-DM, DL-G, Hyatt-DM, Hilton-DM, Fairmont-Plt, Marriott-S, Accor-Plt, SPG-G, IHG-Plt
Posts: 4,396
Sep 27, 2009, 10:45 am
#15
Join Date: Nov 1999
Location: MEX/YVR/YYF
Programs: AS MVP/AC75K/AM Gold/UA*S/SPG-Marriott Lifetime Titanium/Accor-FPC Gold/HHDiamond/Hyatt Exp
Posts: 5,035
Shhh...next thing you know AC/AP will ask to be removed from Expertflyer, just like UA did last year. :x