Easy Pass Madness
Aug 18, 2005 | 11:11 am
#16
Join Date: Jul 2004
Programs: CO Gold; SPG Gold***; AvisFirst;
Posts: 3,970
Originally Posted by Big_China
Thanks so much for your help Channa. You were correct (again). A call to CO yielded me flights on the exact days that I originally wanted. For some reason Standard Rewards show up on the agent's screen but not on the internet screen. I'll call for now on when looking for Standard Rewards.
Aug 18, 2005 | 10:29 pm
#17
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: EWR
Posts: 92
Originally Posted by mbreuer
Just have the screen up at the same time. I have had a couple of instances where I saw parts of the itinerary available in standard which the agent didn't see. I held my parts - then she added the parts she had - voila - a complete itinerary. She had no clue why she couldn't see stuff that I could, and yes, she was looking at elite inventory.
Is there a real difference between Elite inventory and real inventory? I always believed that "elite inventory" was just marketing sizzle.
Last edited by Big_China; Aug 18, 2005 at 11:00 pm
Aug 18, 2005 | 10:35 pm
#18
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Bay Area, CA
Programs: UA Plat 2MM; AS MVP Gold 75K
Posts: 35,092
Originally Posted by Big_China
Is there a real difference between Elite inventory and real inventory? I always believed that "elite inventory" was just marketing sizzle.
However I generally redeem on partners, so it's irrelevant to me.
Aug 19, 2005 | 7:27 am
#19
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 1999
Location: Bryn Mawr PA & Wailea HI
Posts: 15,726
Originally Posted by tincan
I think Easy Pass should be renamed - GREEDYPASS
MisterNice
Aug 19, 2005 | 7:29 am
#20
Moderator: Budget Travel forum & Credit Card Programs, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: YYJ/YVR and back on Van Isle ....... for now
Programs: UA lifetime MM / *A Gold
Posts: 14,684
Originally Posted by tincan
I think Easy Pass should be renamed - GREEDYPASS
EmailKid
Aug 19, 2005 | 7:33 am
#21
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: San Francisco, CA
Programs: UA Plat/Star Gold
Posts: 286
Is there any time frame when CO plans to add skyteam and/or other partners to redemption via the website? I recall Virgin used to be included then removed - now you have to call (and they always seem to have availability). Yes, I know NW is included but will Air France, etc. ever be linked up?
Aug 25, 2005 | 8:41 am
#22
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Programs: AA Plat, HH Gold, SPG Gold, HH Gold, Marriott Silver, Amex Plat, GlobalEntry, SW A-List Preferred
Posts: 866
Originally Posted by Big_China
Is there a real difference between Elite inventory and real inventory? I always believed that "elite inventory" was just marketing sizzle.
I didn't try calling though... Not sure if that would have made a difference. Anyone?
Aug 25, 2005 | 9:24 am
#23
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: CLE
Posts: 9,816
I always make it a rule to call if I do not immediately see what I need online. If CO is not available in my timeframes I strongly request them to review partner availability as well (or breakup the intinerary in to segments).
Aug 25, 2005 | 10:04 am
#24
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Bay Area, CA
Programs: UA Plat 2MM; AS MVP Gold 75K
Posts: 35,092
Originally Posted by MBM3
I always make it a rule to call if I do not immediately see what I need online. If CO is not available in my timeframes I strongly request them to review partner availability as well (or breakup the intinerary in to segments).
"Oh, I didn't know Alaska flew that." --CO Agent when booking a PDX-OAK segment.
Aug 27, 2005 | 11:28 am
#25
Join Date: Aug 2005
Programs: OnePass
Posts: 12
Originally Posted by canuck_in_pa
There's definitely a difference. Last time I couldn't see any flights out of my wife's and my son's accounts: I had to book all 3 tickets out of mine
I didn't try calling though... Not sure if that would have made a difference. Anyone?
I didn't try calling though... Not sure if that would have made a difference. Anyone?
Aug 27, 2005 | 12:00 pm
#26
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: San Francisco
Programs: AA Plat
Posts: 267
Originally Posted by tincan
I think Easy Pass should be renamed - GREEDYPASS
Aug 28, 2005 | 8:23 am
#27
Join Date: Apr 1999
Location: Homosassa, FL & Ringwood, NJ -UA-G(Lifetime); SPG-Plat (Lifetime)
Posts: 6,122
I would like to add that NW does the same. When reviewing non-elite inventory to Asia/Europe over the next 11 months, its is clear that the upgrade bucket (I) on NW =1 for all Asia Trips and =2 for Europe. (D) which is free standard award =1 for both Europe and Asia. This is for non-elites. Elite inventory is better.
Aug 28, 2005 | 9:09 am
#28
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Bay Area, CA
Programs: UA Plat 2MM; AS MVP Gold 75K
Posts: 35,092
Originally Posted by redreusam
Is there any time frame when CO plans to add skyteam and/or other partners to redemption via the website? I recall Virgin used to be included then removed - now you have to call (and they always seem to have availability). Yes, I know NW is included but will Air France, etc. ever be linked up?
In the past it was a "hard share" so CO's seats were owned and inventory was managed by CO (and was often different from what VS was allowing for its own seats).
Now, it's a pure codeshare, and VS's inventory is controlled by VS. So while we're unable to see them online, the end result is better, and VS is much more open with its inventory seats than CO is.
Last edited by channa; Aug 28, 2005 at 9:12 am
Aug 29, 2005 | 12:51 pm
#29
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: EWR
Posts: 92
Is there any way to review redemption amount per destination on code shares before calling? Or do we have to call, ask for destination availablity, and then ask for redemption amounts. Or are they the same as CO?