ExpertFlyer versus gate agent
Jun 27, 2019, 10:14 am
#16
Join Date: Nov 2006
Programs: Seniors Bus Pass
Posts: 5,531
Yes! Why I can often get full flex CE cheaper than full flex economy. I can then tell the client I saved them money by booking the cheaper fare - as I am doing today.
Jun 27, 2019, 10:28 am
#17
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Bridport, Dorset
Programs: Mucci, BA Bronze, Hilton Gold
Posts: 2,130
But as others have said, the airline may be prepared to see 4 x Y seats in an oversold cabin rather than hope to get a big J class booking.
Jun 27, 2019, 11:08 am
#19
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: London
Programs: Many. Too many. I came here to cut them down. I failed.
Posts: 2,999
No absolutely not. Expert Flyer takes the information from a GDS (what the airline is prepared to sell), Airline staff have actual load figures, which we'll (we being general public) never know except when a member of staff actually tells us. Which rarely happens on FT.
Jun 27, 2019, 12:12 pm
#20
Moderator, Iberia Airlines, Airport Lounges, and Ambassador, British Airways Executive Club
Join Date: Feb 2010
Programs: BA Lifetime Gold; Flying Blue Life Platinum; LH Sen.; Hilton Diamond; Kemal Kebabs Prized Customer
Posts: 63,853
I would slightly nuance the previous answer. Generally EF is fairly close to what you see on the ground, and if you check EF 8 minutes before departure, it generally shows accurately the final seating plan, subject to any onboard factors such as just discovered seats out of service or people moving themselves to other seats. Along the way, the seat plan isn't far wrong, however you have to take account of things like staff standbys and irrops, and you also have to re-interpret the TS blocks versus seats blocked for people who haven't checked in and/or involuntary upgrades. At T-72 you get a view of where things are heading but you need to interpret it somewhat. Before T-72 then the seat map basically shows status, paid seating, flexible ticket, some group travellers and corporate travellers. And things like blocks for curtain roulette and shorter runways on LCY services.
Jun 27, 2019, 1:02 pm
#21
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AA EXP, IHG Diamond, IC Amb
Posts: 5,515
Thank you all for the info.
It definitely gave me some insight!
No, I didn't get an OpUp but one guy did as they had 5 no-shows. He must have had a higher status than my AA-based OWE.
Still had a great flight in 12A in the PE bulkhead (PHX-LHR 747) and the cabin crew was A+, as well.
It definitely gave me some insight!
No, I didn't get an OpUp but one guy did as they had 5 no-shows. He must have had a higher status than my AA-based OWE.
Still had a great flight in 12A in the PE bulkhead (PHX-LHR 747) and the cabin crew was A+, as well.
Jun 28, 2019, 7:46 am
#23
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 7,464
Depending on how often you fly, it is a very useful tool. For me personally, it is worth every penny. In particular, fare information/searching, flight availability and award searches are the key tools that I use on a near daily basis. If I was only flying 4 sectors a month, then it may not be worth it, but 4+ sectors per week means it is a very valuable tool.
Jun 28, 2019, 7:55 am
#24
Join Date: Jun 2005
Programs: EVA Air , * G, QR Privilege Club S
Posts: 5,189
Thank you Rossmacd. No I do not do 4 sectors per month and also don't usually do 4 sectors per month but again may do 8 per month on some occasions. So when I travel which is about once in 3 months then I do a lot of sectors.
Jun 28, 2019, 8:08 am
#25
FlyerTalk Evangelist, Ambassador, British Airways Executive Club
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Somewhere between 0 and 13,000 metres high
Programs: AF/KL Life Plat, BA GGL+GfL, ALL Plat, Hilton Diam, Marriott Gold, blablablah, etc
Posts: 30,545
I’ve seen some N9 flights that were overbooked and some Y0 W0 J0 F0 which left with empty seats.
Jun 28, 2019, 9:32 pm
#26
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AA EXP, IHG Diamond, IC Amb
Posts: 5,515
Jun 29, 2019, 5:00 am
#27
Join Date: Jun 2005
Programs: EVA Air , * G, QR Privilege Club S
Posts: 5,189
Yes I understand that 355F!. I travel YYZ to BKK on BR mostly and cannot do economy so do now the PE. But I do not do so many flights every month. But when I fly it is during that period that I do a lot of sectors in Asia. I do use the low cost ones there too but prefer to fly the full service ones if the fares are reasonable.