R Class availability
 

I use KVS to check for R class availability on CO. I just tried to use it and the R bucket is gone. It was there this morning, but it isn't anymore. The tool is going to Amadeus to get the availability.

Did anyone else notice this?

I am experiencing the same problem. :(

However, it may be a temporary system problem because I see X0 for some flights when continental.com is selling X seats.

I have seen this before...it was temporary in that instance.

Unfortunately, I really don't have a way of telling what CO may be up to (or if they are just doing some maintenenace). But I do hope that Bonehead's theory is correct ...

If the R class doesn't re-appear in a few days, then it would probably be safe to assume that someone at CO wasn't too ecstatic about you guys seeing R availability :( ...

I just pm'ed KVS to confirm that the glitch is temporary. I am only seeing up to 4 in first class buckets and no R bucket.

KVS Tool not showing R Class - Hopefully Temporary
 

My Aug 31 - Sept 4 RT EWR-FLL shows only A4 D4 Z4 in the KVS Tool --- but in reality there are 13 (of 14) FC seats available out of EWR and 22 (out of 24) FC seats out of FLL (or visa versa). That may be a "good" sign --- suggesting some temporary glitch --- I hope, I hope.

Yeah, having the same issue here. And so I randomly started searching flights and it seems that no matter the route or day, I get A4 D4 Z4, or some combination of that. In no case am I showing more than 4 first class seats. So hopefully it is a temporary glitch! R availability is the main reason I use the KVS Tool.

I hate to say but I do not think it is an oddball glitch. I use KVS but also Amadeus proofessional GDS and CO now only shows availability of up to 4 in each premium bucket regardless of the Amadeus version. Many carriers show only up to 4 seats per bucket so it's not odd.

I just hope our friends at KVS can crack into the R class bucket again....I am sure it's present invisible status is not unintentional.

FWIW, I still see plenty of A9s on CO flights, using ExpertFlyer. EF has never provided access to R inventory, so I imagine it's using a different GDS than KVS.

Indeed, Sabre (which EF uses) continues to show a max of 9 in all classes:

[KVS Availability Tool 2.2.4/Platinum - Sabre: ITN/US-AX1]

Just so that everyone understands, the airline has an ability to set the max. number of seats they are willing to show in availability displays. It can be either 9, 7, or 4.

CO also has an ability to hide any class it choses from being shown in a particular place [like the Tool] :(.

Uh, just throwing out a thought, but could the unavailability have anything to do with the fare class coding changes that are going on? I'm told that fare classes are scheduled to change and atleast some classes are being blocked or delayed or on hold until after Aug 7th especially on mileage reward codes.

But if they are changing their codes, and atleast for sure are changing the reward codes for standard reward bucket (M to GN for elite members), couldn't CO also be changing the coding for the R class seats which is a mileage upgrade available seat and if so then maybe that's the reason it is not available right now?

We know there's a web site change coming, and a sneak preview was to be available 7/19, but there also will be fare code class changes or so I've heard. Or as other's said, they are playing with their system in prep for the new web site change and it's a glitch. I'm picturing a lot of work being done in prep for the 7/23 web site change. Just throwing out another idea.

Presumably, if CO hides it from your tool, then they are also hiding it from all "real" travel agents? :confused:
I guess it's possible CO wants to take complete control of the mileage upgrade process.

For those of you who monitor this on a regular basis, is there any rhyme or reason to when CO usually releases R seats? Just curious....

There is definately something odd going on with Amadeus. My flight this afternoon (CO228) is showing A4D4Z4 on Amadeus, but A2D2Z2 on Sabre and Galileo.

There is certainly rhyme and reason, it's just not transparent to those outside of the revenue management department.

Continental screwing with the data?
 

It seems obvious to me that the airline is restricting the data that we can see.

That is a shame.

As a Onepass Plat, I use the KVS tool to plan my flights for optimal upgrade probability as I'm sure many others do.

Remember: "You do have a choice of airlines..."

Does continental insider care to comment?

As of last checking yesterday, it was not available for "real" agents as well.

And revenue management definitely has their hands on what's showing and what is not showing. They are the ones blocking all my reward seats right now :(

R Class being "Hidden"
 

I agree this is just sad!
Knowing that you have a better chance of getting an R seat Is a factor on which flight I take. Consequently I'm filling a seat on a LESS full flight and opening another seat on a fuller aircraft?
Isn't that what they want ?
I DO have my choice of which carrier to use !
I know they want full seats on all flights but this will just drive the onepass members to look for better deals on other airlines. Co does not have a monopoly on routes
Aren't Onepass Members the best and most loyal customers?
Does Co REALLY want my business to go elsewhere?

This idea is some midddle management bean counter trying to justify his salary :td:

Well, what they DON'T want is their competitors having easy access to how empty/full their flights may be and how CO thus allocates reward/upgrade seats. They probably feel that outweighs the impact of the few FTers who use KVS as you say you do. (And yes, FTers are a very small segment of the flying population -- witness how it took several weeks to get any meaningful feedback from any FTer on AA's one aircraft flying around with the new business class seats).

I agree, and I think showing R availability is a win-win situation for us and CO. Perhaps CO Insider can give us more detalis? :) While we're at it, can you also show G, M, E and F buckets too?

I agree that they don't want the competitors knowing how full the flights are but isnt that info available to them anyway thru other software?

I'd be surprised if the availability has anything to do with competitors. There's not a lot that another carrier can learn that they can't figure out from other sources. I was wondering if the issue is related to the pending site upgrade, but I don't see why it should be a factor. If anything, it's probably just a temporary glitch that will be corrected.

:confused:

I just hope it's really a temporary thing.....I am practically *addicted* to checkin the R bucket before I choose a flight!!

But my gut feeling is that it's intentional. :( It just fits into them trying to run a tighter business--fewer and fewer compensations for bad service, fewer and fewer perks overall to keep me loyal.

R availability is back on the KVS
 

It's working again.
^ ^ ^ ^ ^
Maybe they decided it wasn't such a good idea to piss off their best customers!

Wow -- It wasn't there earlier. Woo hoo!

What about Reward Seats codes?
 

I am glad to see R class back as well.

Now, what about getting Reward seats in the system (e.g. G, E, etc.)?

I think that having reward seats in the system would be outstanding! Nothing better then being able to see how and when you can use your miles! :D

Any chance of this happening in the future?

SWEEEEET!@!!

I'm lovin' it!

Excellent! Now if Travelocity could only figure out a way to resolve their problems with flexible date search on international itineraries, all would be back to normal again...

R's are back now lets save the Privledge Packs!
 

Im glad that the Onepass members didnt take it lying dow ^ ^
I see they actually listen to us amazing !

Now how about getting the Privledge Packs back from oblivion!

It's great to have the ability to see the R class again! If it were a glitch, glad it's over! If it was initially intentional to remove visibility, thank you to whomever changed their mind! I think this is very, very important and helpful to your most loyal and frequent travelers, Continental. Thanks.

<Deleted>

The end of an era.

Am I Missing Something about R Class?
 

Greetings,

Using KVS, SABRE-ITN, I was able to pull up R Class, is this not what you were looking for?

[KVS Availability Tool 2.2.4/Platinum - Sabre: ITN/US-AX1]
Michael

Yes, it is! I don't believe Sabre-ITN was showing it before -- great news indeed -- thanks for noticing it ^.

CO R Class
 

CO's R class is now available via the Sabre: ITN method of the KVS Tool, instead of Amadeus: AUA.

Heads-up, we're going to be switching some letters around
 

For those of you availability-watchers out there, we're making some changes starting next week (7-Aug) you're going to want to take note of. These changes will apply to flights on or after 20-Sep 2006.
The actual availability of these classes will not be impacted, only the letters will be changing.
There will be no change to the E class designation (First/BusinessFirst free ticket awards for non-Elites). After this change, R class will be used for some retail First/BusinessFirst fares.

Cool, thanks! F was actually used for mileage/elite upgrades until a few years ago.

And apparently, ExpertFlyer is now showing "R" inventory as well!!! ^ ^ ^
(Although I don't think "E" or "G" inventory shows - :( )

Yes, it is on ExpertFlyer as well.

But, our sense is this is going to be short lived and as CO Insider has stated, R will be replaced by F (which is not showing on any tool) after 20-Sept. So if you are seeing R after Sept 20th it would seem to us that this is not an upgrade bucket but a revenue bucket. CO is very protective of their award/upgrade inventory exposure. Enjoy it while it lasts.