ExpertFlyer and Delta Air Lines: The Definitive Thread
Feb 14, 2008, 6:36 am
#136
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Hotlanta, GA
Programs: Centurion AMEX, Citi Chairman
Posts: 171
Feb 14, 2008, 6:49 am
#137
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: SRQ/TPA
Programs: Delta Skymiles, Marriott Lifetime Platinum
Posts: 914
Feb 14, 2008, 7:11 am
#138
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: NYC
Programs: DL PM, Marriott G, Hilton G
Posts: 1,582
OK, let's see if I can take this one at a time.
BamaGirl, Normally when you do a Flight Availability search the GDS's will try to route you in the shortest possible route. However, if you want to force a route through one or two connecting cities, then put an airport code in the Flight Availability query screen box called Connecting Airport(s). As an example, if you wanted to route LGA-ATL-LAX, you would put LGA in the Departing Airport, LAX in the Arriving Airport and ATL in the Connecting Airport(s) and DL in Airline(s). This will force a return of itineraries that route LGA-ATL-LAX. You can add two connecting airports if you want. More complex routings have to be done with multiple queries as the GDS's limit the search to just two connecting airports.
avflyer, The term "hidden" means that the airline has chosen not to make it visible for simple accesses usually because the fare bucket is not a revenue bucket, such as the ones for DL upgrades. So, we have to specifically request them of the GDS in a different way then normal inventory look-up. If we always asked for the hidden inventory then we don't get the revenue buckets returned to us and vice versa. This is why hidden buckets must be requested explicitly. However, you can request up to 5 buckets, hidden or normally visible, by entering them in the Class Code(s) box along with the airline code - DL. We are always making improvements to the service and hope to streamline the access to award and upgrade inventory, hidden or not.
Kagehitokiri, I'm not aware if the links are put in a sticky anywhere but they are accessible from our home page, logged in or not, under the FAQ/HELP link at the top of the page.
Finally, if at any time you have any questions, suggestions or comments you can reach our support folks at: [email protected].
Thanks for your support,
EFV
BamaGirl, Normally when you do a Flight Availability search the GDS's will try to route you in the shortest possible route. However, if you want to force a route through one or two connecting cities, then put an airport code in the Flight Availability query screen box called Connecting Airport(s). As an example, if you wanted to route LGA-ATL-LAX, you would put LGA in the Departing Airport, LAX in the Arriving Airport and ATL in the Connecting Airport(s) and DL in Airline(s). This will force a return of itineraries that route LGA-ATL-LAX. You can add two connecting airports if you want. More complex routings have to be done with multiple queries as the GDS's limit the search to just two connecting airports.
avflyer, The term "hidden" means that the airline has chosen not to make it visible for simple accesses usually because the fare bucket is not a revenue bucket, such as the ones for DL upgrades. So, we have to specifically request them of the GDS in a different way then normal inventory look-up. If we always asked for the hidden inventory then we don't get the revenue buckets returned to us and vice versa. This is why hidden buckets must be requested explicitly. However, you can request up to 5 buckets, hidden or normally visible, by entering them in the Class Code(s) box along with the airline code - DL. We are always making improvements to the service and hope to streamline the access to award and upgrade inventory, hidden or not.
Kagehitokiri, I'm not aware if the links are put in a sticky anywhere but they are accessible from our home page, logged in or not, under the FAQ/HELP link at the top of the page.
Finally, if at any time you have any questions, suggestions or comments you can reach our support folks at: [email protected].
Thanks for your support,
EFV
Feb 14, 2008, 9:57 am
#139
Left Expert Flyer 4/23
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,741
Nobody said the airlines make things easy.
As far as ticketing, some airline websites allow you to construct multi-city routes but they may not always show all the flight options that you will find on ExpertFlyer. When this happens, call the airline directly and tell them the specific route you want. If you can see the route you want on EF then the agent can see it also even though their website may not offer it. Again, the airline websites are designed to offered the most direct or the least expensive route and not always all the possible options.
And thanks to all for the warm welcome here on the DL forum. It is true as vasantn said that I tend to post more on the AA side. This is because there is much more visibility of AA awards, upgrades and so-called "sticker" upgrades that AA makes available to us on ExpertFlyer.
-EFV
Apr 7, 2008, 11:25 am
#140
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: BHM, MAN (blue not red)(city not united)
Programs: Delta PM, HH, CRC
Posts: 1,014
Expert Flyer Not Showing My Flight..
Wonder Why? Shows every other flight between ATL & SEA on teh 15th, just missing DL1275??
I had to call SMS to get V inventory... bummer
I had to call SMS to get V inventory... bummer
Apr 7, 2008, 3:03 pm
#141
Join Date: Nov 2007
Programs: Mile-High Club, Marriott Plt, SPG P-75, PC Plt, Hyatt Dia, Carlson Gold, BW Dia
Posts: 1,845
That happened to me last week with my DL JFK-LAS flight. There was nothing unusual about the flight either-- no equipment change, reschedule, etc. I have yet to find anything very useful about expertflyer.
Apr 7, 2008, 3:21 pm
#142
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: NYC
Programs: AA Plat, Delta Plat, Bonvoy Plat, Hilton Diamon
Posts: 1,262
Happens to me occasionally. Also sometimes find that it doesn't have adequate inventory's updated. It's quite annoying, especially as a paying customer of the service.
Apr 7, 2008, 6:42 pm
#144
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: BHM, MAN (blue not red)(city not united)
Programs: Delta PM, HH, CRC
Posts: 1,014
I was able to see every other flight between those two cities. I tried three or 4 ways.. I'm not exactly a newbie I dont guess.. but it's a fairly straightforward site.. 1/2 of my flights were there... the other 1/2 werent listed..
found all my flights for another trip coming up.. either way.. it's annoying..
had to call SMS.. but GOOD NEWS.... 7 available with only 5 days left.. or maybe thats not good news.. lol
found all my flights for another trip coming up.. either way.. it's annoying..
had to call SMS.. but GOOD NEWS.... 7 available with only 5 days left.. or maybe thats not good news.. lol
Apr 30, 2008, 7:04 pm
#145
Join Date: Mar 2007
Programs: AA 1MM
Posts: 3,182
Expertflyer.com says J0 Y0, Delta.com still sold me a seat
Was trying to get someone to NCE, and both EF and the Delta rep told me the flight I wanted was sold out. However, Delta.com sold me a seat. That person is Gold, but is there going to be a problem? It shows a booking code of Y, so I'm assuming this will be some discount-fared non-elite whose problem this becoms?
Apr 30, 2008, 7:12 pm
#146
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: NYC
Programs: AA EXP / LT PLT / 3MM, Marriott LT Gold
Posts: 35,399
Was trying to get someone to NCE, and both EF and the Delta rep told me the flight I wanted was sold out. However, Delta.com sold me a seat. That person is Gold, but is there going to be a problem? It shows a booking code of Y, so I'm assuming this will be some discount-fared non-elite whose problem this becoms?
Additional Platinum Member Benefits
Guaranteed Reservation—Assurance of a confirmed full-fare Economy Class reservation on sold-out flights with 24 hours' advance notice.
http://www.delta.com/skymiles/about_...fits/index.jsp
Apr 30, 2008, 7:15 pm
#147
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Hopefully on a plane...
Posts: 6,580
Was trying to get someone to NCE, and both EF and the Delta rep told me the flight I wanted was sold out. However, Delta.com sold me a seat. That person is Gold, but is there going to be a problem? It shows a booking code of Y, so I'm assuming this will be some discount-fared non-elite whose problem this becoms?
Apr 30, 2008, 7:32 pm
#148
Join Date: Mar 2007
Programs: AA 1MM
Posts: 3,182
Are you sure your friend isn't a PM?
Additional Platinum Member Benefits
Guaranteed Reservation—Assurance of a confirmed full-fare Economy Class reservation on sold-out flights with 24 hours' advance notice.
http://www.delta.com/skymiles/about_...fits/index.jsp
Additional Platinum Member Benefits
Guaranteed Reservation—Assurance of a confirmed full-fare Economy Class reservation on sold-out flights with 24 hours' advance notice.
http://www.delta.com/skymiles/about_...fits/index.jsp
May 1, 2008, 6:01 am
#149
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: SRQ/TPA
Programs: Delta Skymiles, Marriott Lifetime Platinum
Posts: 914
Pretty sure they oversell by some percentage, knowing people are going to no-show or change to different flights. Perhaps they were indeed sold out, but still under whatever percentage of oversell they allow...
