How Useful Is Expert Flyer, Really?
Mar 20, 2011 | 4:11 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: San Juan Capistrano, CA
Programs: Bonvoy Titanium, Hilton Diamond, AA Exp, 2.5 MM, United Gold, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 2,478
How Useful Is Expert Flyer, Really?
I recently signed up for the 5-day trial of Expert Flyer. Then put some AA flights on hold that were showing 7 seats available in "C" class, which is the upgrade availability into Business. When I called to upgrade the flights using eVIPs, I was told that there is no availability for the upgrades. This scenario has been repeated eight times in the last four days.
So, my question is, given the disconnect between upgrade availability in reality and that shown on ExpertFlyer, is there really any value to subscribing? And, if so, what is it?
So, my question is, given the disconnect between upgrade availability in reality and that shown on ExpertFlyer, is there really any value to subscribing? And, if so, what is it?
Mar 20, 2011 | 4:15 pm
#2
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: USA
Programs: AA EXP, UA GLD, Bonvoy Titan, HH GLD, WoH Expl
Posts: 2,686
I recently signed up for the 5-day trial of Expert Flyer. Then put some AA flights on hold that were showing 7 seats available in "C" class, which is the upgrade availability into Business. When I called to upgrade the flights using eVIPs, I was told that there is no availability for the upgrades. This scenario has been repeated eight times in the last four days.
So, my question is, given the disconnect between upgrade availability in reality and that shown on ExpertFlyer, is there really any value to subscribing? And, if so, what is it?
So, my question is, given the disconnect between upgrade availability in reality and that shown on ExpertFlyer, is there really any value to subscribing? And, if so, what is it?
Mar 20, 2011 | 4:21 pm
#3
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: YWG
Programs: Free Agent
Posts: 1,505
Can only speak to Air Canada and Delta but the availability of upgrade class has always matched up; I am 100% in securing my upgrade when EF 'lets me know' there is a space before I book- Of course, from the correct fare class and within the appropriate window for my status. Best features for me- the ability to search +/- 3 days; the alert when I am tracking options for a route of interest like TPAC; seat alert and linkage to Seat Guru so I can see the good/bad/ugly of seat choice. In summary, I am a fan!
Mar 20, 2011 | 4:45 pm
#4
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Hong Kong & New York
Programs: AA EXP/CK, UA1K
Posts: 139
Agreed - something it not right here. It would be quite unusual to see C availability at 7.
In my experience, ExpertFlyer has always been spot on in term of accuracy of information.
In my experience, ExpertFlyer has always been spot on in term of accuracy of information.
Mar 20, 2011 | 5:10 pm
#5
Company Representative - ExpertFlyer
Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,924
I recently signed up for the 5-day trial of Expert Flyer. Then put some AA flights on hold that were showing 7 seats available in "C" class, which is the upgrade availability into Business. When I called to upgrade the flights using eVIPs, I was told that there is no availability for the upgrades. This scenario has been repeated eight times in the last four days.
Mar 20, 2011 | 5:17 pm
#6
Join Date: Sep 2005
Programs: AA EXP, AAirpass, & CK 2MM, MR Plat Premier, DL Plat, US Plat, UA RECOVERING GS
Posts: 2,620
I'm thinking maybe something is missing here. I've probably done thousands and thousands of EF searches and can't EVER remember seeing C7 on any international AA flight. EF has been very accurate for me and the only problems I can remember involved C1's being unavailable, but even AA attributed that to someone else snatching it and EF not yet updating to reflect the new C0. YMMV.
Mar 20, 2011 | 8:55 pm
#8
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Massachusetts, USA; AA 2.996MM & Plat Pro, DL 1MM, GM & Flying Colonel
Posts: 25,036
One more voice to the chorus that says EF is spot-on with upgrade availability. I've set alerts, been notified, and gotten the upgrades more than once. I suspect, though I have no way of confirming this, that some of the time I got them ahead of others who may have been more "deserving," for this reason and only for this reason.
Mar 20, 2011 | 9:09 pm
#9
Join Date: Sep 2005
Posts: 2,738
One more voice to the chorus that says EF is spot-on with upgrade availability. I've set alerts, been notified, and gotten the upgrades more than once. I suspect, though I have no way of confirming this, that some of the time I got them ahead of others who may have been more "deserving," for this reason and only for this reason.
So, to answer the OP's question: Just one queue jump on EF pays for the membership for a whole year, and that's not counting the fare rules, seat maps, etc.
I suggest the OP contact EF to see what's going on. I have never had any accuracy issue with EF, especially since they have direct access to the GDS.
Mar 21, 2011 | 9:18 am
#10
Join Date: Jan 2008
Programs: AA EXP, AMEX Platinum, Global Entry, TSA PreCheck
Posts: 312
I'm dubious about the 'Queue Jump' scenario myself. Seems more likely that when it goes to C1 and you call in and get the upgrade, it's because you were next on the list ;-)
Mar 21, 2011 | 9:41 am
#11
Join Date: Sep 2005
Posts: 2,738
Anyway, I have no proof, but certainly the value for EF is there, even if I couldn't jump the queue.
Mar 28, 2011 | 10:24 am
#12
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: San Juan Capistrano, CA
Programs: Bonvoy Titanium, Hilton Diamond, AA Exp, 2.5 MM, United Gold, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 2,478
Mar 28, 2011 | 10:25 am
#13
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: San Juan Capistrano, CA
Programs: Bonvoy Titanium, Hilton Diamond, AA Exp, 2.5 MM, United Gold, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 2,478
We get our AA award and upgrade information direct from AA, so we know it to be accurate, as others have mentioned. Have you emailed us for help? If not please email the details of your search to [email protected]