Big difference between ExpertFlyer and EK call centre
Nov 13, 2013 | 2:12 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: LPB
Programs: Skywards Gold, Miles & More, SPG, Marriott
Posts: 410
Big difference between ExpertFlyer and EK call centre
I am looking to upgrade a flight in December. Called Emirates in Dubai to check availability. The call-center agent said all 8 F seats are taken. EF shows one blocked, 3 taken, 4 available. It has shown this exact breakdown for weeks.
MMB says no miles upgrades available, but that could also be due to fare class. The agent also said the most up-to-date is MMB, it updates faster than the call-center system!
What are your thoughts on this? Is this just a fluke because someone booked a lot just now, or can EF be way off?
MMB says no miles upgrades available, but that could also be due to fare class. The agent also said the most up-to-date is MMB, it updates faster than the call-center system!
What are your thoughts on this? Is this just a fluke because someone booked a lot just now, or can EF be way off?
Nov 13, 2013 | 4:11 am
#2
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Jan 2002
Posts: 46,134
The number of seats available looking at the seat map is irrelevent
What matters is whether there is any availability in the 1st class upgrade class (Z)
In EF, you need to go to "Awards & Upgrades" and check whether there is any availability in "First - Flex & Saver Award/Upgrade (Z)"
What matters is whether there is any availability in the 1st class upgrade class (Z)
In EF, you need to go to "Awards & Upgrades" and check whether there is any availability in "First - Flex & Saver Award/Upgrade (Z)"
Nov 13, 2013 | 4:55 am
#3
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: London, UK
Programs: BA Exec Club, SIA KrisFlyer, Qantas FF, Emirates Skywards
Posts: 1,893
What does MMB mean?
Also - I'm looking to upgrade to J in december and there is no availability. I called EK and they said that if any seats were to open up, it will only happen 72 hours prior to the flight - is there any point of me still looking at Expertflyer before this time?
Also - I'm looking to upgrade to J in december and there is no availability. I called EK and they said that if any seats were to open up, it will only happen 72 hours prior to the flight - is there any point of me still looking at Expertflyer before this time?
Nov 13, 2013 | 6:49 am
#5
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: LPB
Programs: Skywards Gold, Miles & More, SPG, Marriott
Posts: 410
The number of seats available looking at the seat map is irrelevent
What matters is whether there is any availability in the 1st class upgrade class (Z)
In EF, you need to go to "Awards & Upgrades" and check whether there is any availability in "First - Flex & Saver Award/Upgrade (Z)"
What matters is whether there is any availability in the 1st class upgrade class (Z)
In EF, you need to go to "Awards & Upgrades" and check whether there is any availability in "First - Flex & Saver Award/Upgrade (Z)"
Nov 13, 2013 | 7:43 am
#6
Join Date: May 2010
Location: BOM
Programs: EK Plat, HHonors Gold
Posts: 3,000
Here is a simple way to confirm this - try booking a flight in F for your date of travel - if the EK booking engine shows availability in F then seats may indeed be available as EK does not oversell F.
Nov 13, 2013 | 8:02 am
#7
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: MAN DXB ✈️
Programs: Skywards Gold
Posts: 6,931
The seat map is not the correct indicator - pax may have a confirmed seat without a seat allocation.
Here is a simple way to confirm this - try booking a flight in F for your date of travel - if the EK booking engine shows availability in F then seats may indeed be available as EK does not oversell F.
Here is a simple way to confirm this - try booking a flight in F for your date of travel - if the EK booking engine shows availability in F then seats may indeed be available as EK does not oversell F.
Nov 13, 2013 | 9:05 am
#8
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: LPB
Programs: Skywards Gold, Miles & More, SPG, Marriott
Posts: 410
The seat map is not the correct indicator - pax may have a confirmed seat without a seat allocation.
Here is a simple way to confirm this - try booking a flight in F for your date of travel - if the EK booking engine shows availability in F then seats may indeed be available as EK does not oversell F.
Here is a simple way to confirm this - try booking a flight in F for your date of travel - if the EK booking engine shows availability in F then seats may indeed be available as EK does not oversell F.
The discrepancy is as follows: ExpertFlyer says there are 4 seats free. EK callcentre says all 8 are taken.
I must have been very unclear. Sorry for the confusion.
Nov 13, 2013 | 11:06 am
#9
Join Date: May 2010
Location: BOM
Programs: EK Plat, HHonors Gold
Posts: 3,000
The only place where you get to know whether a seat is blocked is in the seat map. So, yes you are indeed getting your information from the seat map.
Nov 13, 2013 | 4:03 pm
#10
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Jan 2002
Posts: 46,134
I didn't say anything about the seat map in my OP. Dave Noble brought it up, to which I replied I'm not even looking at it.
The discrepancy is as follows: ExpertFlyer says there are 4 seats free. EK callcentre says all 8 are taken.
I must have been very unclear. Sorry for the confusion.
The discrepancy is as follows: ExpertFlyer says there are 4 seats free. EK callcentre says all 8 are taken.
I must have been very unclear. Sorry for the confusion.
If you go into EF and use the "Awards and Upgrades" option, does EF show evailability for 1st class upgrades on the flight you wish to take?
Nov 13, 2013 | 7:24 pm
#11
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: LPB
Programs: Skywards Gold, Miles & More, SPG, Marriott
Posts: 410
Thanks for clarifying everyone. I thought you were talking about the seat map in MMB. Sorry about the confusion.
I have re-read all your comments, and think I understand now. It seems though that the free version of EF is therefore pretty useless, cause it doesn't show seats sold, only allocated (as on MMB). And fare classes are anyway only available in the paid version.
Thanks for your patience with the EF noob!
Edit: I tried jackie's tip, and there is now a seat available.
I have re-read all your comments, and think I understand now. It seems though that the free version of EF is therefore pretty useless, cause it doesn't show seats sold, only allocated (as on MMB). And fare classes are anyway only available in the paid version.
Thanks for your patience with the EF noob!
Edit: I tried jackie's tip, and there is now a seat available.
Last edited by Turicus; Nov 13, 2013 at 7:31 pm