Expertflyer alternatives
 

Is there any alternative to Expertflyert to see availability in individual fare buckets? After losing award availability, it appears it has that all EK functionality is now lost.

It looks like not only Expertflyer is having issues. Travel Agents and OTAs that use Sabre as their GDS provider also have issues displaying EK availability and booking EK flights.

Apparently, EK has not renewed their contract with Sabre which ended June 30th.

You can still see EK flights in the Flight Availability search if you specify EK as the only airline, that way our system knows to use a different reservation system, or just ask us.

Can you give us any insight at all on if the award availability feature on EK will ever return?

Yes it will, we can't go into what the issues are but it is our intention to have EK award searching return. We apologize it's not happening fast, but it's outside of our control at this time.

Could you maybe post on this thread when that functionality is back? Without it, EF has little value for me personally.

Of course, we plan on notifying everyone that asked about it via email and posting on FT.

It now seems that all EK flights have disappeared from ExpertFlyer. I can only assume that this is tied to EK no longer supporting Sabre as GDS. Has anyone been able to figure out other valid alternatives to check availability (and seat allocations) on EK flights?

On a related topic, I am a bit shocked that EK has not renewed Sabre. I was under the impression it would be a temporary issue, but it looks like it's sticking. For companies like mine, serviced by AmEx GBT, this means no possibility of booking EK flights. Must be significant revenue lost for the airline.

I agree - quite bizarre. any suggestions for alternatives to expert flyer appreciated!

Did you specify EK as the airline when doing the search as noted in this post?
https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/33383418-post3.html

I just did an availability search for EK for several dates and EF returned availability numbers.

I think I've narrowed down where the problem lies. It works by specifying EK as the airline but does not work if the "Exclude codeshares" box is also ticked (which is ticked by default in all my saved queries). I hope the ExpertFlyer team reads this, as it seems a strange glitch.

The Sabre issue is another story. I hope EK will sort it; it seems a lot of revenue is being left on the table.

The "Exclude codeshares" option forces the search to use Sabre, which as you noted doesn't have EK data currently.

Yes will this ever return? I only hold expert flyer for Emirates award upgrades from econ to business.... can you clarify if this will return?

We don't have a firm date at this time. However if you email customercare@ we can put you on our notification list if you want to let your subscription lapse in the meantime.

you should reduce your price it’s a joke

The problem I have is that you have been singing this tune for well over a year now. I could look up when I first heard it, but it’s not worth the effort.
I used to be an ExpertFlyer ‘fanboy’. I would now advise anyone against signing up because I think you are not honest and upfront with your clients. Not a way to run a business!

We have in fact been honest and upfront about the fact that EK award inventory is not available, both here on FT, on our website, and via email to anyone who asks. This "tune" as you call it is a situation that is out of our control. There are many more features that we offer for EK and many other airlines that we support award searching for, so if EF is still valuable to you then subscribe, if not then don't. However just because EK award searching isn't available in your preferred timeline doesn't mean we aren't upfront and honest about it not being available.

I am an avid advocate for EF and subscriber as are many FTers, but this is not the way to engage with your customers or public as the company voice.

Your response comes off aggressive, argumentative and rude.

[Quote of deleted post removed by mod]

Do you work for EF? I agree with the others here that there is limited to no value left for an EF subscription if your primary use is for EK. Indeed, had my travel patterns not changed due to the pandemic, I would have cancelled my subscription without hesitation.

I am in complete agreement with m0hamed about the tone of EF's response. While EF have been upfront about award searches not being available, they have constantly claimed that they are trying to restore functionality. However, in reality, these statements appear to have little to no substance given that significant time has passed without any meaningful update.

EFV has every right to defend themselves against inappropriate attacks.

EF has made it clear that EK awards aren't currently available, so we all can use or not use EF knowing that. The post by thijsseh is what was aggressive, argumentative and rude and only served the purpose of making thijsseh feel better by lashing out. Let's keep it classy.

No, but I am also a small business owner and I would be pissed too if my customers made assumptions about how my business works and was asked the same question over and over as if it was going to result in a different answer. The customer isn't always right, especially when they're wrong.

EFV has said that it is not something they have control over, so posting ever more confrontational statements about it clearly won't help. At least it is their intention to look for a solution instead of just throwing in the towel.

I still use EF for EK regular availability, which still works when you enter EK as the airline, and schedule/seating alerts. I appreciate that they were able to get around the Sabre/EK availability issues.

What do those Tiktok people say? Tell me you work for EF without telling me you work for EF?

We’ll put a pause on this thread whilst some moderator discussion takes place.

Saltire74
EK Forum co-moderator