May 18, 2014, 11:08 am
Last edit by: JDiver
Using the Search Feature on FlyerTalk: the Definitive Thread
The moderators did a great job of re-organizing this discussion pertaining to the use of the Search function available on FlyerTalk after it was moved from its original forum posted long before there was an Information Desk forum.
However, the functionality does change over the years and you can help keep information regarding the functionality updated by contributing to this WikiPost.
Please contribute your helpful tips, tricks and suggestions on how fellow FlyerTalk members can improve the results of searching for anything which has been posted on FlyerTalk.
Thank you.
Regards,
Canarsie
_______________________________
This long-overdue thread is intended to contain all of the information you need to know pertaining to how to successfully search for information on FlyerTalk. This thread also assumes that you possess basic knowledge pertaining to how to navigate around the FlyerTalk Internet web site.
The vision I have for this thread is not only to simply give instructions on how to perform every kind of search possible on FlyerTalk, as well as how to search for information without using the FlyerTalk search engine, but it is also open to questions about how to perform specific types of searches, as well as give tutorials on how to do all types of searches on FlyerTalk. Be as creative as you can be in having the FlyerTalk search engine perform the most efficient search for information for you and post your questions in this thread!
Although I will do my best to help, I do not intend to be the only person assisting other FlyerTalk members with the FlyerTalk search function. I encourage other knowledgeable FlyerTalk members to also participate in and contribute to this thread not only by helping other FlyerTalk members, but also by posting tips and tricks to help harness the power of the FlyerTalk search engine and use it as efficiently as possible.
This thread is NOT for asking about technical issues regarding the Search feature for FlyerTalk, such as Search is not working today what is the problem?. Please post your questions and comments regarding technical issues pertaining to the FlyerTalk search engine separately in this forum.
Thank you in advance for your assistance and for your patience.
The following are quick links to take you directly to the specific infomation which you are seeking:
Basic Uses of Search
- Basic Search on FlyerTalk in General
- Basic Search Within a Forum on FlyerTalk
- Basic Search Within a Thread on FlyerTalk
Advanced Uses of Search
- Search Using Two or More Key Words
- The Wildcard Search: Asterisk You Take...
- Advanced Search Functionality: Specific Forums or FlyerTalk in General
- Advanced Search Functionality: Specific Threads
- How to Customize Search to Your Specifications
- Searching Multiple Forums or Fora, if you prefer...
Searching for Information Without Using Search
- Look for Sticky Threads in Your Favorite Forum
- Using Display Options to Search Instead of Using the Search Feature
- Go to the Internet Web Site of Your Favorite Frequent Travel Loyalty Program to Find Information
Tips and Tricks for Searching for Information on FlyerTalk
_________________
Please add more links to the above list when you add your own tips and tricks to this discussion. Thank you in advance.
Using the Search Feature on FlyerTalk: The Definitive Thread
Aug 1, 2015 | 5:37 pm
#91
Original Poster
Moderator: Hilton Honors forums
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Marietta, Georgia, United States
Posts: 25,440
Moreover, there are occasionally times where fare types of an airline are added, eliminated or changed...
Sep 15, 2016 | 6:33 am
#92
Join Date: Nov 2014
Posts: 34
You may want to isolate your basic search to all of the information posted within a single thread. This is the most specific form of a basic search.
To do a basic search within a thread on FlyerTalk:
To do a basic search within a thread on FlyerTalk:
- Go to the desired FlyerTalk thread where you want to search for information.
- Click on Search this Thread found between Thread Tools and Rate Thread in the dark blue bar near the upper-right portion of the window of your browser.
- Type in the key word or words on which your search will be based in the field of the resulting small Search Forums pop-up window.
- The default for FlyerTalk is set to Show Threads, which will display the results of your search in the form of links to entire threads. If you prefer to have the links to specific mileposts displayed as a result of your search, please select the button next to Show Posts instead.
- Click on the Go button to activate the search.
Second, when I hit go, I do see post-snippets within the thread containing the search term, but I don't know how to find the complete post. Clicking on the snippet always takes me to the main thread page, and it is difficult to find a particular post if the thread is 50 pages long.
Sep 15, 2016 | 7:39 am
#93
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Washington, DC
Programs: DL PM; Hilton Dia; Marriott Titanium/LT Gold
Posts: 8,523
First, I don't see the Show Threads vs. Show Posts option. Is this info outdated?
Second, when I hit go, I do see post-snippets within the thread containing the search term, but I don't know how to find the complete post. Clicking on the snippet always takes me to the main thread page, and it is difficult to find a particular post if the thread is 50 pages long.
Second, when I hit go, I do see post-snippets within the thread containing the search term, but I don't know how to find the complete post. Clicking on the snippet always takes me to the main thread page, and it is difficult to find a particular post if the thread is 50 pages long.
Sep 15, 2016 | 8:45 am
#94
Join Date: Nov 2014
Posts: 34
Sep 15, 2016 | 9:33 am
#95
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Washington, DC
Programs: DL PM; Hilton Dia; Marriott Titanium/LT Gold
Posts: 8,523
This is what I see: http://imgur.com/a/mQhlS
If you click on advanced search, do you see "Show Threads" versus "Show posts"? If you click Show Posts, in the search results, do not click on the title of the thread, but rather the first line of text in the message, which should be hyperlinked in italics under the name of the poster. That should bring you to the specific post.
Sep 15, 2016 | 10:17 am
#96
Join Date: Nov 2014
Posts: 34
I'm using Chrome on a mac.
Sep 15, 2016 | 10:29 am
#97
Original Poster
Moderator: Hilton Honors forums
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Marietta, Georgia, United States
Posts: 25,440
First, I don't see the Show Threads vs. Show Posts option. Is this info outdated?
Second, when I hit go, I do see post-snippets within the thread containing the search term, but I don't know how to find the complete post. Clicking on the snippet always takes me to the main thread page, and it is difficult to find a particular post if the thread is 50 pages long.
Second, when I hit go, I do see post-snippets within the thread containing the search term, but I don't know how to find the complete post. Clicking on the snippet always takes me to the main thread page, and it is difficult to find a particular post if the thread is 50 pages long.
Show Threads makes absolutely no sense when you are searching for content within a thread; so you will not find that option — never have, never will.
The radial buttons to which Adam1222 is referring will only appear when you are searching multiple threads and not just content within a thread.
I hope this makes sense; and I apologize for any inconvenience my error caused.
Dec 5, 2023 | 10:34 am
#98
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: flyover country
Posts: 2,857
If you are searching for a Hilton HHonors property lets say the Hilton Park Lane hotel searching using the word Park or Lane may prove to be a futile exercise as there is a chance that too many threads may appear as a result.
Did you know that you can refine your search for information on FlyerTalk using two or more key words with the + symbol?
To search threads or mileposts using two or more key words:
Did you know that you can refine your search for information on FlyerTalk using two or more key words with the + symbol?
To search threads or mileposts using two or more key words:
- Go to the FlyerTalk forum of your choice. In this case, the Hilton HHonors forum will be used as an example.
- Click on the Search This Forum pop-up menu near the top-right of the browser window.
- Choose Advanced Search.
- Type in Park+Lane with no spaces in the Key Word(s) field on the left.
Thank you for explaining this. I was excited to read it, as it solves the problem I was having.
Well, almost. It works just as you said: "Only threads or mileposts with both Park and Lane will appear as a result." However, Park and Lane do not need to appear together, or even in the same post for a thread to be returned. (In my brief testing, the terms did both appear on the same page, which is way better than both terms appearing anywhere in the thread.)
Dec 5, 2023 | 10:45 am
#99
Original Poster
Moderator: Hilton Honors forums
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Marietta, Georgia, United States
Posts: 25,440
Um, what is a milepost, in this context?
Thank you for explaining this. I was excited to read it, as it solves the problem I was having.
Well, almost. It works just as you said: "Only threads or mileposts with both Park and Lane will appear as a result." However, Park and Lane do not need to appear together, or even in the same post for a thread to be returned. (In my brief testing, the terms did both appear on the same page, which is way better than both terms appearing anywhere in the thread.)
Thank you for explaining this. I was excited to read it, as it solves the problem I was having.
Well, almost. It works just as you said: "Only threads or mileposts with both Park and Lane will appear as a result." However, Park and Lane do not need to appear together, or even in the same post for a thread to be returned. (In my brief testing, the terms did both appear on the same page, which is way better than both terms appearing anywhere in the thread.)
Back when what you referred to was written almost 17 years ago, what I wrote was the case. The search feature on FlyerTalk has improved over the years; so what I wrote may be slightly outdated at this point...
Dec 5, 2023 | 11:42 am
#100
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: flyover country
Posts: 2,857
Thanks again.
Dec 5, 2023 | 8:20 pm
#101
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: Saipan, MP 96950 USA (Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands = the CNMI)
Programs: UA Silver, Hilton Silver. Life: UA .60 MM, United & Admirals Clubs (spousal), Marriott Platinum
Posts: 18,083
Your assistance, Canarsie, has stood the test of time. 
Too bad I am unlikely ever to make it out to Brooklyn.
Too bad I am unlikely ever to make it out to Brooklyn.
Dec 6, 2023 | 7:45 am
#102
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: flyover country
Posts: 2,857
Dec 6, 2023 | 9:54 am
#103
Moderator: Information Desk, Women Travelers, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Chicago, IL, USA
Programs: AA Gold
Posts: 16,214
Milepost is a term I made up long ago for content posted on FlyerTalk, rather than simply post. I thought it was more appropriate for a site such as FlyerTalk.
Back when what you referred to was written almost 17 years ago, what I wrote was the case. The search feature on FlyerTalk has improved over the years; so what I wrote may be slightly outdated at this point...
Back when what you referred to was written almost 17 years ago, what I wrote was the case. The search feature on FlyerTalk has improved over the years; so what I wrote may be slightly outdated at this point...
Dec 9, 2023 | 7:30 pm
#104
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: home = LAX
Posts: 26,115
And even some airlines, including Southwest Airlines, use points, not miles.
So I think perhaps a better term might have been milespointspost.
Milepost seemed like a confusing term when the example being quoted above was searching for a hotel, not an airline. I know of know hotel programs that call their currency "miles".
Dec 9, 2023 | 8:31 pm
#105
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Washington, DC
Programs: DL PM; Hilton Dia; Marriott Titanium/LT Gold
Posts: 8,523
This section of the FlyerTalk forum is called Miles & Points, and I think it was even called that 17 years ago.
And even some airlines, including Southwest Airlines, use points, not miles.
So I think perhaps a better term might have been milespointspost.
Milepost seemed like a confusing term when the example being quoted above was searching for a hotel, not an airline. I know of know hotel programs that call their currency "miles".
And even some airlines, including Southwest Airlines, use points, not miles.
So I think perhaps a better term might have been milespointspost.
Milepost seemed like a confusing term when the example being quoted above was searching for a hotel, not an airline. I know of know hotel programs that call their currency "miles".