ExpertFlyer and Delta Air Lines: The Definitive Thread
Aug 31, 2008, 9:54 am
#226
Join Date: May 2006
Location: NYC
Programs: Delta DM/2MM, Flying Blue Gold, Hertz Platinum
Posts: 1,934
1. Find a flight that has Z inventory.
2. Get SMS on the phone.
3. Have agent stand by while you book your coach ticket online (this way, there's no direct ticketing fee)
4. When your PNR appears in the system, agent can give you your upgrades.
5. In the unlikely event that Z inventory vanishes in the two minutes this process will take, Risk-Free Cancellation allows you to cancel your internet booking within 24 hours.
Sep 2, 2008, 10:08 am
#227
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: DCA / WAS
Programs: DL 2+ million/PM, YX, Marriott Plt, *wood gold, HHonors, CO Plt, UA, AA EXP, WN, AGR
Posts: 9,388
Here's what you do.
1. Find a flight that has Z inventory.
2. Get SMS on the phone.
3. Have agent stand by while you book your coach ticket online (this way, there's no direct ticketing fee)
4. When your PNR appears in the system, agent can give you your upgrades.
5. In the unlikely event that Z inventory vanishes in the two minutes this process will take, Risk-Free Cancellation allows you to cancel your internet booking within 24 hours.
1. Find a flight that has Z inventory.
2. Get SMS on the phone.
3. Have agent stand by while you book your coach ticket online (this way, there's no direct ticketing fee)
4. When your PNR appears in the system, agent can give you your upgrades.
5. In the unlikely event that Z inventory vanishes in the two minutes this process will take, Risk-Free Cancellation allows you to cancel your internet booking within 24 hours.
Sep 16, 2008, 2:56 pm
#228
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: OKC
Programs: DL DM/2.768MM, Global Entry, Titanium_Marriott, GHertz
Posts: 6,752
EF says M9 to AMS, but SMS says B only
I am going from OKC to NCL on January 9. When I purchased the ticket, I wanted to go through AMS like the return but no Z buckets on the ATL-AMS flight. (I am presently scheduled to go through CDG and my M fare seat upgraded with miles has been confirmed plus I have my first choice seat but arrive at 6:15 am at CDG and have 4 hours before using Brit Air to reach NCL).
So EF just notified me that there was now Z space on the outbound flight to AMS. I called SMS and they confirmed space was available, but the reissue agent said that while I paid $2,8xx that the new fare would be over $7K.
When I asked how an M fare could be so high, I was told that her computer changed the ticket to a B fare. But I said EF reports M9 both on the outbound and return for ATL-AMS (and Z7 both ways). She said that I must go to a travel agent that can "break up" the ticket to bring down the fare.
I haven't used a travel agent in years and don't know where to turn, but still mystified at what EF tells me in contrast to SMS. I know there are times that EF is behind SMS computers, but at least once recently EF seemed to accurately report Z available on a certain itinerary befor SMS had it. So I don't know if the same kind of thing happens with M fares or again I may simply not be interpreting the data given me by EF.
Should I wait a couple of hours hoping the Z seats will not disappear - esp since I posted them here! - and see if SMS computers 'change their mind'? Or hunt for a travel agent? (Hint, if the later then suggestions are welcome.)
So EF just notified me that there was now Z space on the outbound flight to AMS. I called SMS and they confirmed space was available, but the reissue agent said that while I paid $2,8xx that the new fare would be over $7K.
When I asked how an M fare could be so high, I was told that her computer changed the ticket to a B fare. But I said EF reports M9 both on the outbound and return for ATL-AMS (and Z7 both ways). She said that I must go to a travel agent that can "break up" the ticket to bring down the fare.
I haven't used a travel agent in years and don't know where to turn, but still mystified at what EF tells me in contrast to SMS. I know there are times that EF is behind SMS computers, but at least once recently EF seemed to accurately report Z available on a certain itinerary befor SMS had it. So I don't know if the same kind of thing happens with M fares or again I may simply not be interpreting the data given me by EF.
Should I wait a couple of hours hoping the Z seats will not disappear - esp since I posted them here! - and see if SMS computers 'change their mind'? Or hunt for a travel agent? (Hint, if the later then suggestions are welcome.)
Sep 16, 2008, 3:35 pm
#232
Join Date: Feb 2005
Programs: DL DM+5MM, AAGold MM, UA 1K+2MM, BA GGL,LH Senator, SPG Plat, HH Diamond, HY Plat
Posts: 840
You would need to ask the agent for a fare construction break-down -- there are no such expensive B-class fares on that route:
[KVS Availability Tool 3.3.0/Platinum - Sabre: Fares/DotRes/US]
[KVS Availability Tool 3.3.0/Platinum - Sabre: Fares/DotRes/US]
Code:
OKC Oklahoma City Will Rogers World OK US [KOKC] NCL Newcastle UK [EGNT] FRI 09 Jan 2009 / THU 15 Jan 2009 / RT Carrier From To Fare Cur Fare Basis --------- ------ ---- --------- ---- --------- ---- ---- ---------- NW OKC NCL 842 USD VLXS56E NW OKC NCL 875 USD VLXS49E NW OKC NCL 902 USD VLWS56E KL OKC NCL 935 USD VLWS49E NW OKC NCL 945 USD QLXS49E NW OKC NCL 1005 USD QLWS49E KL OKC NCL 1122 USD QLWANGB KL OKC NCL 1202 USD HLWANEU KL OKC NCL 1342 USD MLWAPEU KL OKC NCL 1542 USD BLWAPGB NW OKC NCL 3756 USD B2US NW OKC NCL 4807 USD ZLLON NW OKC NCL 5490 USD Y NW OKC NCL 7325 USD CR21GB
Sep 16, 2008, 3:36 pm
#233
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: OKC
Programs: DL DM/2.768MM, Global Entry, Titanium_Marriott, GHertz
Posts: 6,752
Sep 16, 2008, 3:37 pm
#234
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: OKC
Programs: DL DM/2.768MM, Global Entry, Titanium_Marriott, GHertz
Posts: 6,752
Sep 16, 2008, 3:54 pm
#235
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Hopefully on a plane...
Posts: 6,580
[KVS Availability Tool 3.2.0/Platinum - Sabre: Fares/ZUJ/HK]
Code:
OKC Oklahoma City Will Rogers World OK US [KOKC] NCL Newcastle UK [EGNT] RT Sep-Aug Carrier From To Fare Cur Expiry Min Max Fare Basis --------- ------ ---- --------- ---- --------- ---- ---- ---------- DL OKC NCL 2109 USD Sun 12M M7AP2 DL OKC NCL 2221 USD Sun 12M B7AP1 DL OKC NCL 2743 USD 12M BEERT DL OKC NCL 3498 USD B2GB DL OKC NCL 3589 USD 12M Y1US DL OKC NCL 5378 USD Y
Sep 16, 2008, 3:56 pm
#236
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: OKC
Programs: DL DM/2.768MM, Global Entry, Titanium_Marriott, GHertz
Posts: 6,752
[KVS Availability Tool 3.2.0/Platinum - Sabre: Fares/ZUJ/HK]
Code:
OKC Oklahoma City Will Rogers World OK US [KOKC] NCL Newcastle UK [EGNT] RT Sep-Aug Carrier From To Fare Cur Expiry Min Max Fare Basis --------- ------ ---- --------- ---- --------- ---- ---- ---------- DL OKC NCL 2109 USD Sun 12M M7AP2 DL OKC NCL 2221 USD Sun 12M B7AP1 DL OKC NCL 2743 USD 12M BEERT DL OKC NCL 3498 USD B2GB DL OKC NCL 3589 USD 12M Y1US DL OKC NCL 5378 USD Y
Sep 16, 2008, 4:01 pm
#237
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Hopefully on a plane...
Posts: 6,580
M7AP2 and B7AP1
[FLIGHT RESTRICTIONS]
MUST NOT BE VIA DL OP CXR KL ANY FLIGHT
MUST NOT BE VIA ANY LH FLIGHT
ANY UA FLIGHT ANY KL FLIGHT ANY NW FLIGHT
BEERT
[FLIGHT RESTRICTIONS]
MUST NOT BE VIA DL OP CXR KL ANY FLIGHT
MUST NOT BE VIA ANY LH FLIGHT
ANY UA FLIGHT ANY NW FLIGHT ANY EI FLIGHT
B2GB
[FLIGHT RESTRICTIONS]
MUST NOT BE VIA ANY LH FLIGHT
AND/OR/ ANY UA FLIGHT
[FLIGHT RESTRICTIONS]
MUST NOT BE VIA DL OP CXR KL ANY FLIGHT
MUST NOT BE VIA ANY LH FLIGHT
ANY UA FLIGHT ANY KL FLIGHT ANY NW FLIGHT
BEERT
[FLIGHT RESTRICTIONS]
MUST NOT BE VIA DL OP CXR KL ANY FLIGHT
MUST NOT BE VIA ANY LH FLIGHT
ANY UA FLIGHT ANY NW FLIGHT ANY EI FLIGHT
B2GB
[FLIGHT RESTRICTIONS]
MUST NOT BE VIA ANY LH FLIGHT
AND/OR/ ANY UA FLIGHT
Sep 16, 2008, 4:03 pm
#239
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Hopefully on a plane...
Posts: 6,580
You can get a better feeling for the true cost at:
http://www.farecompare.com/flights/D.../schedule.html
http://www.farecompare.com/flights/D.../schedule.html
Sep 16, 2008, 4:05 pm
#240
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: OKC
Programs: DL DM/2.768MM, Global Entry, Titanium_Marriott, GHertz
Posts: 6,752
You can get a better feeling for the true cost at:
http://www.farecompare.com/flights/D.../schedule.html
http://www.farecompare.com/flights/D.../schedule.html
Thanks (plus this last message posted while I was typing), but how do I get SMS to find this fare?