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The Definitive "How To Search for Low Tier Business Awards"

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Old Sep 20, 2012, 1:21 pm
  #1291  
KVS
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Originally Posted by redtop43
Can someone give me advice on how to search AMS/CDG/FCO-OTP and back? And perhaps also how to search AZ from the USA to FCO? What are the "must-have" tools for this?
KVS Tool supports Award Availability on all SkyTeam airlines (incl. RO & AZ). However, the maximum date range is 10 Months, so the furthest date is currently 20 Jul 2013:

[KVS Availability Tool 7.0.5/Diamond - Amadeus: Awards/SkyTeam/FR-AF]
Code:
AMS  Amsterdam Schiphol NL [EHAM]
BUH  Bucharest Metro RO = OTP BBU
SAT  20 Jul 2013 | 1 Seat

Carrier    Flight  From  Depart    To    Arrive         St  Availability
---------  ------  ----  --------  ----  --------  ---  --  ------------
KL         1373    AMS   09:15     BUH   13:00              CS1  YS9
RO         362     AMS   12:35     BUH   16:25              CS4  YS4
KL         1375    AMS   12:40     BUH   16:25              CS4  YS9
KL         1379    AMS   20:20     BUH   23:59              CS3  YS9
KL         1223    AMS   06:45     CDG   08:00              CS9  YS9
 -> AF     1888    CDG   10:25     BUH   14:15
KL         1721    AMS   06:50     BRU   07:35              CS4  YS4
 -> RO     372     BRU   10:20     BUH   14:00
KL         1227    AMS   07:15     CDG   08:35              CS9  YS9
 -> RO     382     CDG   12:25     BUH   16:15
KL         1227    AMS   07:15     CDG   08:35              CS9  YS9
 -> AF     1888    CDG   10:25     BUH   14:15
KL         1227    AMS   07:15     CDG   08:35              CS9  YS9
 -> AF     2356    CDG   12:25     BUH   16:15
KL         1597    AMS   07:20     FCO   09:35              CS1  YS6
 -> RO     404     FCO   10:45     BUH   14:00
KL         1791    AMS   07:20     MUC   08:45              CS4  YS4
 -> RO     316     MUC   10:25     BUH   14:25
KL         1665    AMS   07:55     BCN   10:05              CS4  YA9
 -> RO     422     BCN   12:20     BUH   16:30
KL         1229    AMS   08:00     CDG   09:25              CS5  YS9
 -> AF     1888    CDG   10:25     BUH   14:15
KL         1229    AMS   08:00     CDG   09:25              CS5  YS9
 -> AF     2356    CDG   12:25     BUH   16:15
KL         1229    AMS   08:00     CDG   09:25              CS5  YS9
 -> RO     382     CDG   12:25     BUH   16:15
KL         1763    AMS   08:20     FRA   09:30              CS5  YS9
 -> RO     302     FRA   11:50     BUH   15:15
KL         1765    AMS   08:45     FRA   09:55              CS5  YS9
 -> RO     302     FRA   11:50     BUH   15:15
AF         1241    AMS   09:30     CDG   10:45              CS9  YS9
 -> AF     2356    CDG   12:25     BUH   16:15
AF         1241    AMS   09:30     CDG   10:45              CS9  YS9
 -> RO     382     CDG   12:25     BUH   16:15
AF         1341    AMS   10:45     CDG   12:00              CS9  YA9
 -> AF     2488    CDG   15:30     BUH   19:20
AF         1341    AMS   10:45     CDG   12:00              CS9  YA9
 -> AF     2456    CDG   16:20     BUH   20:10
KL         1613    AMS   11:25     IST   15:45              CS4  YS4
 -> RO     264     IST   18:35     BUH   19:50
KL         1845    AMS   11:40     VIE   13:30              CX0  YS4
 -> RO     344     VIE   18:00     BUH   20:30
KL         1233    AMS   12:30     CDG   13:45              CS4  YS4
 -> RO     384     CDG   16:20     BUH   20:10
KL         1233    AMS   12:30     CDG   13:45              CS2  YS9
 -> AF     2488    CDG   15:30     BUH   19:20
KL         1233    AMS   12:30     CDG   13:45              CS2  YS9
 -> AF     2456    CDG   16:20     BUH   20:10
KL         1017    AMS   13:25     LHR   13:50              CS4  YS4
 -> RO     392     LHR   14:50     BUH   20:05
AF         1641    AMS   13:55     CDG   15:10              CS4  YS4
 -> RO     384     CDG   16:20     BUH   20:10
AF         1641    AMS   13:55     CDG   15:10              CS6  YS9
 -> AF     2456    CDG   16:20     BUH   20:10
KL         1415    AMS   14:30     LYS   16:05              CX0  YA9
 -> RO     388     LYS   16:55     BUH   20:30
AZ         109     AMS   17:10     FCO   19:25              CS0  YS+
 -> AZ     502     FCO   21:30     BUH   00:35 +1
AZ         111     AMS   18:25     FCO   20:40              CS0  YS+
 -> AZ     502     FCO   21:30     BUH   00:35 +1
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Old Sep 20, 2012, 1:29 pm
  #1292  
 
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Originally Posted by KVS
KVS Tool supports Award Availability on all SkyTeam airlines (incl. RO & AZ). However, the maximum date range is 10 Months, so the furthest date is currently 20 Jul 2013:
Two remarks:
  • The 10 month limit is because KVS is simply screen scraping what you can find for yourself on the FlyingBlue engine
  • "all SkyTeam airlines" needs to come with a footnote in 24 point font, since the routes on which KE inventory can be searched are essentially irrelevant
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Old Sep 20, 2012, 1:51 pm
  #1293  
 
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I have never really explored the paid tools because I only have one complex booking a year. Does this imply that KVS Diamond membership will give me access to pretty much all the award inventory I would need to build routings between RDU and OTP, on all three alliances? Seems like it's worth the $20 for a short-term membership every year if that's the case.
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Old Sep 20, 2012, 5:08 pm
  #1294  
 
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Originally Posted by redtop43
I have never really explored the paid tools because I only have one complex booking a year. Does this imply that KVS Diamond membership will give me access to pretty much all the award inventory I would need to build routings between RDU and OTP, on all three alliances? Seems like it's worth the $20 for a short-term membership every year if that's the case.
KVS is a one-stop shop. Other options exist as well. United, ANA, or Air Canada for Star, I believe Qantas is good for OW. Skyteam is more fragmented, but airfrance site will have everything you need for US-Europe and is the source of most KVS skyteam data. Expertflyer can be helpful as well, and can search further out than AF site. wandr.me has some free tools too.

With the pay tools, with a handful of exceptions such as delta V space on EF you are paying for convenient access to data that is otherwise available, rather than data you cannot otherwise access.
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Old Sep 20, 2012, 9:08 pm
  #1295  
 
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Originally Posted by redtop43
I have never really explored the paid tools because I only have one complex booking a year. Does this imply that KVS Diamond membership will give me access to pretty much all the award inventory I would need to build routings between RDU and OTP, on all three alliances? Seems like it's worth the $20 for a short-term membership every year if that's the case.
Or you can use one of the free web based services that screen scrape from the AF website:

- http://Awardnexus.com
- http://www.awardtravelr.com
Last edited by pete4212; Sep 21, 2012 at 10:31 am
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Old Sep 21, 2012, 10:30 am
  #1296  
 
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dupe.
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Old Sep 21, 2012, 6:41 pm
  #1297  
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Originally Posted by pete4212
Or you can use one of the free web based services that screen scrape from the AF website:

- http://Awardnexus.com
- http://www.awardtravelr.com
I thought awardnexus was paid on pts basis?
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Old Sep 23, 2012, 1:49 pm
  #1298  
 
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Question: has anyone recently obtained a US-Asia award with a transatlantic routing? I'm looking for DTW-ROR and going via Europe is still within MPM + 15%.

Also am I correct in assuming the ideal routing in business would be DTW-JFK-ICN-ROR utilizing the KE A380 JFK-ICN? I think CI via TPE would be the least desirable and Delta 777 BE service being in the middle. There just isn't much availability TPAC though, so I'm thinking TATL via CDG to NRT/ICN would yield more availability.
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Old Sep 23, 2012, 3:23 pm
  #1299  
 
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Originally Posted by vxmike
Question: has anyone recently obtained a US-Asia award with a transatlantic routing? I'm looking for DTW-ROR and going via Europe is still within MPM + 15%.

Also am I correct in assuming the ideal routing in business would be DTW-JFK-ICN-ROR utilizing the KE A380 JFK-ICN? I think CI via TPE would be the least desirable and Delta 777 BE service being in the middle. There just isn't much availability TPAC though, so I'm thinking TATL via CDG to NRT/ICN would yield more availability.
MPM+15% is not going to work. You need to be within the MPM, maybe 5% over will work. If you can find a DTW-ROR published fare routed TATL and a routing that fits its routing rules, you may be able to get it ticketed, but it's not something that anyone seems to be able to get done reliably.
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Old Sep 26, 2012, 3:09 pm
  #1300  
 
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Hello,

I'm looking for tips/suggestions on low tier award travel (F preferred but open to Y) for Thanksgiving weekend to Europe. I'm flying out of NYC and i'm pretty open (Paris, Berlin, Barelona, etc except London as I was just there) but weather is of course a consideration. Somewhat flexible on departure days but need to return by Monday 11/26 PM.

Looking right now, lowest I can find is 210K miles for award travel and no way i'm spending that for F cabin. I shoudl be PM by then but won't get that status until mid November so i'd likely have to pay $150 fee for any re-issues.

Thanks

Thanks


Thanks
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Old Sep 26, 2012, 3:28 pm
  #1301  
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Originally Posted by mridley2
Looking right now...
What tools are you using to look?
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Old Sep 26, 2012, 6:24 pm
  #1302  
 
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Originally Posted by mridley2
Hello,

I'm looking for tips/suggestions on low tier award travel (F preferred but open to Y) for Thanksgiving weekend to Europe. I'm flying out of NYC and i'm pretty open (Paris, Berlin, Barelona, etc except London as I was just there) but weather is of course a consideration. Somewhat flexible on departure days but need to return by Monday 11/26 PM.

Looking right now, lowest I can find is 210K miles for award travel and no way i'm spending that for F cabin. I shoudl be PM by then but won't get that status until mid November so i'd likely have to pay $150 fee for any re-issues.

Thanks

Thanks


Thanks
Note that you will not be able to redeem for international F via Delta SkyMiles. Delta itself does not offer international F, only business. Air France only allows F award redemptions to its own top-tier elites via Flying Blue.
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Old Sep 26, 2012, 6:28 pm
  #1303  
KVS
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Originally Posted by mridley2
I'm looking for tips/suggestions on low tier award travel (F preferred but open to Y) for Thanksgiving weekend to Europe. I'm flying out of NYC and i'm pretty open (Paris, Berlin, Barelona, etc except London as I was just there) but weather is of course a consideration. Somewhat flexible on departure days but need to return by Monday 11/26 PM.
There are C Award Seats available on the 23rd on DL/AF via DUB or on UX/AF via MAD:

[KVS Availability Tool 7.0.6/Diamond - Amadeus: Awards/SkyTeam/US-AF]
Code:
JFK  New York John F Kennedy Intl NY US [KJFK]
PAR  Paris Metro FR = CDG ORY BVA XPG XJY
FRI  23 Nov 2012 | 1 Seat

Carrier    Flight  From  Depart    To    Arrive         St  Availability
---------  ------  ----  --------  ----  --------  ---  --  -------------
AF         23      JFK   16:45     CDG   06:00 +1           CX-  WS+  YS+
AF         7       JFK   19:05     CDG   08:20 +1           CX-  WS+  YS+
AF         11      JFK   21:45     CDG   10:50 +1           CX-  WS+  YS+
DL         92      JFK   21:30     DUB   09:10 +1           CS+  WS/  YS-
 -> AF     1279    DUB   12:10 +1  CDG   15:00 +1
UX         92      JFK   22:05     MAD   11:25 +1           CS+  WX/  YS+
 -> UX     1023    MAD   14:05 +1  ORY   16:05 +1
UX         92      JFK   22:05     MAD   11:25 +1           CS+  WX/  YS+
 -> AF     1631    MAD   14:05 +1  ORY   16:05 +1
DL         70      JFK   16:25     AMS   05:55 +1           CS-  WS/  YS+
 -> KL     1227    AMS   07:10 +1  CDG   08:35 +1
DL         70      JFK   16:25     AMS   05:55 +1           CS-  WS/  YS+
 -> AF     1241    AMS   09:30 +1  CDG   10:45 +1
DL         70      JFK   16:25     AMS   05:55 +1           CS-  WS/  YS+
 -> KL     1229    AMS   08:00 +1  CDG   09:25 +1
KL         642     JFK   17:45     AMS   07:10 +1           CX-  WX/  YS+
 -> KL     1229    AMS   08:00 +1  CDG   09:25 +1
KL         642     JFK   17:45     AMS   07:10 +1           CX-  WX/  YS+
 -> AF     1241    AMS   09:30 +1  CDG   10:45 +1
KL         642     JFK   17:45     AMS   07:10 +1           CX-  WX/  YS+
 -> AF     1341    AMS   10:45 +1  CDG   12:00 +1
KL         642     JFK   17:45     AMS   07:10 +1           CX-  WX/  YS+
 -> KL     1233    AMS   12:30 +1  CDG   13:45 +1
DL         567     JFK   18:30     DTW   20:49              CS-  WS/  YS+
 -> AF     377     DTW   21:35     CDG   11:15 +1
DL         94      JFK   19:35     BCN   09:25 +1           CS-  WS/  YS+
 -> AF     1031    BCN   10:55 +1  ORY   12:40 +1
DL         94      JFK   19:35     BCN   09:25 +1           CS-  WS/  YS+
 -> AF     1149    BCN   10:25 +1  CDG   12:20 +1
DL         106     JFK   19:40     FRA   09:45 +1           CS-  WS/  YS+
 -> AF     1519    FRA   10:40 +1  CDG   12:00 +1
KL         644     JFK   22:50     AMS   12:00 +1           CX-  WX/  YS+
 -> AF     1641    AMS   13:55 +1  CDG   15:10 +1
KL         644     JFK   22:50     AMS   12:00 +1           CX-  WX/  YS+
 -> AF     1741    AMS   15:20 +1  CDG   16:35 +1
KL         644     JFK   22:50     AMS   12:00 +1           CX-  WX/  YS+
 -> KL     1243    AMS   16:20 +1  CDG   17:45 +1
KL         644     JFK   22:50     AMS   12:00 +1           CX-  WX/  YS+
 -> KL     1245    AMS   17:45 +1  CDG   19:00 +1
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Old Sep 26, 2012, 7:12 pm
  #1304  
 
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UX is almost always available.
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Old Sep 26, 2012, 7:42 pm
  #1305  
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Bet Madrid won't be so warm.
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