DISCUSSION: Northwest Relaunches new nwa.com Booking Engine [11/30/2007]
Dec 23, 2007, 4:21 pm
#226
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: MSP
Programs: Fallen Plats, ex-WN CP, DYKWIW; still a Hilton Diamond & Club Cholula™ R.I.P. Super Plats
Posts: 25,415
That could be an actual lack of availability. Final leg is on a Saab 340 between LAX & SBP. Best solution is to keep trying every day or two.
Dec 28, 2007, 12:29 pm
#227
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Austin, TX
Programs: DL (NW) Silver, UA (CO), AA, AC
Posts: 296
I appreciate learning of your various problems since they are similar to some I've experienced. On the old system, I generally found much better results using specific dates rather than with flexible dates, especially concerning partner airlines. With my limited usage with the new engine, it appears somewhat improved using flexible dates. Reading your comments suggests that one should still use specific dates to get the most results. Can anyone elaborate on this? Thanks.
Jan 1, 2008, 10:51 am
#228
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Manhattan Beach, California
Programs: BMI Diamond Club Gold forever
Posts: 6,367
Had to call to book an easy Asia-EU business class perksaver award that showed availability on both legs but the new booking engine choked when I tried to proceed to ticketing. I tried this about 10 times before giving up and calling and even unsuccesfully tried several other available Asia-EU destinations for kicks, so I think this may be pretty major a region-to-region issue. Here are the flights for anyone trying to duplicate... of course the seats are probably now gone since I called up and booked it!
Feb 21 KUL-GVA (via AMS and CDG)
Mar 4 GVA-SIN (via AMS)
Feb 21 KUL-GVA (via AMS and CDG)
Mar 4 GVA-SIN (via AMS)
Jan 1, 2008, 1:24 pm
#229
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: LAX
Posts: 234
New nwa.com Booking Engine has its own Mind !
I was looking for award ticket from Los Angeles to New York, and did not mind one of the three New York area airports. So, I plugged in LAX-NYC and opted for LOWEST price/mileage. It gave me LAX-EWR for 50,000 miles ( all were the same - NW,CO,DL,MX).....then I tried LAX-EWR, and it came back with 37,500 !.....then I tried LAX-JFK, and it came back with 37,500 !!.....then I tried LAX-LGA, and it came back with 25,000 !!!
I think, there are still BIG BUGS in the system, and can bite someone if one is in hurry or not so creatively thinking
I think, there are still BIG BUGS in the system, and can bite someone if one is in hurry or not so creatively thinking
Jan 1, 2008, 9:26 pm
#230
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Chicago
Programs: AA ExecPlat, UA Silver, Marriott Titanium, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 1,446
I was looking for award ticket from Los Angeles to New York, and did not mind one of the three New York area airports. So, I plugged in LAX-NYC and opted for LOWEST price/mileage. It gave me LAX-EWR for 50,000 miles ( all were the same - NW,CO,DL,MX).....then I tried LAX-EWR, and it came back with 37,500 !.....then I tried LAX-JFK, and it came back with 37,500 !!.....then I tried LAX-LGA, and it came back with 25,000 !!!
I think, there are still BIG BUGS in the system, and can bite someone if one is in hurry or not so creatively thinking
I think, there are still BIG BUGS in the system, and can bite someone if one is in hurry or not so creatively thinking
Jan 15, 2008, 1:17 pm
#231
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: MSP
Programs: DL Plat, Marriott Plat, National Exec
Posts: 37
Yes - the price/schedule "feature" (I hesitate to call it that) only gives you the routings they select - instead of allowing you to select from several alternative routings (which may include a stop). Award travel won't even allow you to select "nonstop" or "multiple stop". Sometimes I want to GET THERE... doesn't matter how... but if it doesn't fly direct... no dice (according to the website).
Jan 15, 2008, 1:51 pm
#232
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Chicago
Programs: AA ExecPlat, UA Silver, Marriott Titanium, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 1,446
PerkSaver(SM) Award: Subject to a Saturday-night stay (for domestic flights), capacity controls and airline partner blackout dates. Northwest does not have blackout dates; however, some of our airline partners do.
Then it gives you the link for the partner airlines' blackout dates.
Jun 30, 2008, 5:08 pm
#233
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Bay Area
Programs: HH, PC, SPG, MR, GP, US, UA, AA
Posts: 3,464
I was trying to book an award ticket to asia. The flex calendar shows green (coach only Perksaver) availablility, but when I tried to book it only Perkpass showed up. Any idea why?