Feb 14, 2015, 12:53 pm
Last edit by: 747FC
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Searches currently not working:
To search AA upgrades:
This is a community-maintained wiki, it is not necessarily endorsed by ExpertFlyer.
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Searches currently not working:
- Upgrades - AY, BA, EK, EY, IB, QR, VS
- Awards - AY, BA, IB, EY, QR, VS
To search AA upgrades:
- Use the Award & Upgrade tool
- Only search for individual segments (set the "Connection Preference" drop-down to "Direct/Non-Stop only"). Flight results that are part of a connection won't show the upgrade version of C or A inventory because AA only files upgrade inventory as individual, not married, segments. (Married segments show revenue inventory instead of upgrade inventory.)
- To avoid confusion, check the "Exclude Codeshares" box, as AA awards and upgrades are not valid on codeshares.
ExpertFlyer.com Help Desk Thread
Jan 2, 2013, 9:27 pm
#181
Left Expert Flyer 4/23
Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,741
Hi Expertflyer,
I just signed up for the 5-day free trial to see if I can get some advantage for my travel from your tool.
I have an upcoming trip to KUL for which I'm looking for tickets. Cheapest tickets I found are 804€ (428€ fare + taxes). fare bucket: Q
This is with AY.
So I had a look in expertflyer and I found some cheaper fare buckets: O,Z,R.
Fare starting at 336€ (if I remember well)
However one of this fare buckets is R and R is supposed to be full-fare economy with AY and the rate is cheaper. I'm a bit puzzled...
I just signed up for the 5-day free trial to see if I can get some advantage for my travel from your tool.
I have an upcoming trip to KUL for which I'm looking for tickets. Cheapest tickets I found are 804€ (428€ fare + taxes). fare bucket: Q
This is with AY.
So I had a look in expertflyer and I found some cheaper fare buckets: O,Z,R.
Fare starting at 336€ (if I remember well)
However one of this fare buckets is R and R is supposed to be full-fare economy with AY and the rate is cheaper. I'm a bit puzzled...
J4 C4 D4 I4 Y4 B4 H4 K4 M4 P4 T4 L4 V4 S4 Q4 Z4 R4 G4 W4 X4 E0
You'll see that R is pretty far down the list after Y, so it's not a full fare coach fare.
Jan 2, 2013, 9:28 pm
#182
Left Expert Flyer 4/23
Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,741
Jan 6, 2013, 10:18 pm
#183
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: SFO
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 4,449
Phenomal product
I just wanted to say that EF is a phenomenal product. I was very reluctant to join, but finally did it. It's worth every penny. The amount of time saved is just massive. If you think of the hours of work that one saves with EF, $10/month is nothing, especially if you think of how much more money one makes than $10/hour (most FTers I assume). The only problem now is that UA doesn't release the R inventory very much, so my alerts don't have anything to alert me to!
Jan 6, 2013, 11:15 pm
#184
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Bye Delta
Programs: AA EXP, HH Diamond, IHG Plat, Hyatt Plat, Marriott Plat, Nat'l Exec Elite, Avis Presidents Club
Posts: 16,273
Sorry for this very newbie question...
I was looking at fare information on EF and the system gives a list of fares. The price on these fares is often lower than what I get when I go directly on the operating carrier's website. Does this mean that the fares EF displays are bookable? If so, how do I book them, since the operating carrier's website does not show these fares. Would I have to call the airline directly?
Thanks!
I was looking at fare information on EF and the system gives a list of fares. The price on these fares is often lower than what I get when I go directly on the operating carrier's website. Does this mean that the fares EF displays are bookable? If so, how do I book them, since the operating carrier's website does not show these fares. Would I have to call the airline directly?
Thanks!
Airlines publish a lot of fares, all of which have certain requirements. Cheaper fares tend to have more requirements and restrictions than more expensive fares, including advance purchase requirements, Saturday night stay requirements, day of travel restrictions, that sort of thing. So just because you see a low fare published doesn't necessarily mean you qualify for it based on your travel plans.
Each fare has specific classes it will let you book into. Usually, this is determined by the first letter of the fare basis code. For example, TA14A0NA usually books you into T class. (There are exceptions where it gets a bit more complicated, but I won't muddy the waters with them just yet.)
Once you have determined which fares you are eligible for, you must search the flight's inventory to see if there is availability in that fare class. Airlines have a hierarchy. For example, Delta's fare class hierarchy is F P A for First Class and Y B M H Q K L U T E for Economy, in decreasing order. You'll see inventory displays like:
Code:
F8 P7 A5 Y5 B3 M3 H2 Q1 K0 L0 U0 T0 E0
Sometimes the opposite happens. There might be lots of inventory even in the lowly T and E fare classes like this:
Code:
F9 P9 A9 Y9 B9 M9 H9 Q9 K9 L9 U9 T9 E9
When you find a fare for which you meet the requirements, and you also find inventory in that fare class on your desired flight, then the price of that particular fare is what you will pay. It's important to note that the published fares are excusive of taxes and fees, so you will always end up with a higher all-in price than you see in a fare search on EF.
Last edited by javabytes; Jan 6, 2013 at 11:20 pm
Jan 11, 2013, 10:49 am
#185
Join Date: Dec 2009
Programs: SPG 100 Plat, AA Plat, SWA, Avis Pref., Hertz GLD
Posts: 122
Need some help please:
I've used EF to find the following flight availability on AA:
However, when I go to the AA (or even BA) sites, I don't see that flight available in either Z, U, or T. Why would the flight not show up on the carrier's website if EF shows it as available?
thanks
I've used EF to find the following flight availability on AA:
AA 136
LAX 06/07/13 7:45 PM
LHR 06/08/13 2:15 PM
Availability:
First - MileSAAver Award Z 0
Business - MileSAAver Award U 4
Coach - MileSAAver Award T 0
LAX 06/07/13 7:45 PM
LHR 06/08/13 2:15 PM
Availability:
First - MileSAAver Award Z 0
Business - MileSAAver Award U 4
Coach - MileSAAver Award T 0
thanks
Jan 11, 2013, 1:00 pm
#187
Left Expert Flyer 4/23
Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,741
Need some help please:
I've used EF to find the following flight availability on AA:
However, when I go to the AA (or even BA) sites, I don't see that flight available in either Z, U, or T. Why would the flight not show up on the carrier's website if EF shows it as available?
thanks
I've used EF to find the following flight availability on AA:
However, when I go to the AA (or even BA) sites, I don't see that flight available in either Z, U, or T. Why would the flight not show up on the carrier's website if EF shows it as available?
thanks
Results from ExpertFlyer.com
Code:
Awards & Upgrades Search
Departing LAX on 06/07/13 12:00 AM for LHR
Flying AA on booking class Z U T
Frequency
Flight Stops Depart Arrive Aircraft Reliability Class Description Code Seats
0 Connections
AA 136 0 LAX LHR 777 Daily First - MileSAAver Award Z 0
06/07/13 7:45 PM 06/08/13 2:15 PM 79% / 23m Business - MileSAAver Award U 0
Coach - MileSAAver Award T 0
Jan 12, 2013, 9:49 am
#188
Join Date: Dec 2009
Posts: 8
I hope this is the right thread.
If I do a search for ord to msy on 2-9-13 I get some good fairs ($278 rt) with an effect date of 1/22/13 Expiration date of 3/19/13
does that mean a sale/low fair promo is going to start on the 22nd? currently ita/other sites have prices in the $450 rt range
If I do a search for ord to msy on 2-9-13 I get some good fairs ($278 rt) with an effect date of 1/22/13 Expiration date of 3/19/13
does that mean a sale/low fair promo is going to start on the 22nd? currently ita/other sites have prices in the $450 rt range
Jan 13, 2013, 3:55 am
#189
Join Date: Jan 2008
Programs: AAdvantage, United MP, Marriott Rewards
Posts: 1,137
Hi kcaluwae, thanks for signing up for ExpertFlyer! To our knowledge R is not full fare economy. Looking at the class availability of a sample AY flight:
J4 C4 D4 I4 Y4 B4 H4 K4 M4 P4 T4 L4 V4 S4 Q4 Z4 R4 G4 W4 X4 E0
You'll see that R is pretty far down the list after Y, so it's not a full fare coach fare.
J4 C4 D4 I4 Y4 B4 H4 K4 M4 P4 T4 L4 V4 S4 Q4 Z4 R4 G4 W4 X4 E0
You'll see that R is pretty far down the list after Y, so it's not a full fare coach fare.
So it will give you 1,5 EQP. That seems like a good deal.
Jan 13, 2013, 4:20 pm
#190
Left Expert Flyer 4/23
Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,741
I hope this is the right thread.
If I do a search for ord to msy on 2-9-13 I get some good fairs ($278 rt) with an effect date of 1/22/13 Expiration date of 3/19/13
does that mean a sale/low fair promo is going to start on the 22nd? currently ita/other sites have prices in the $450 rt range
If I do a search for ord to msy on 2-9-13 I get some good fairs ($278 rt) with an effect date of 1/22/13 Expiration date of 3/19/13
does that mean a sale/low fair promo is going to start on the 22nd? currently ita/other sites have prices in the $450 rt range
Jan 13, 2013, 4:21 pm
#191
Left Expert Flyer 4/23
Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,741
I found that information here: https://www.aa.com/i18n/AAdvantage/e...es/finnair.jsp
So it will give you 1,5 EQP. That seems like a good deal.
So it will give you 1,5 EQP. That seems like a good deal.
Jan 14, 2013, 6:52 am
#192
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: AMS
Programs: KL PFL; BA Gold; A3 Silver; EY Silver; SU Silver
Posts: 2,488
Flight number validation
It could me that the flight number validation for numbers only shall be removed. Ie some AF flights from SIN to PAR are currently rescheduled under a new flight number AF257A. And 'A' is not accepted by EF, so unable to see seatmap as a result (actually it shows the seatmap for another flight, the genuine AF257).
Jan 14, 2013, 11:40 am
#193
Left Expert Flyer 4/23
Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,741
It could me that the flight number validation for numbers only shall be removed. Ie some AF flights from SIN to PAR are currently rescheduled under a new flight number AF257A. And 'A' is not accepted by EF, so unable to see seatmap as a result (actually it shows the seatmap for another flight, the genuine AF257).
2AF257/14FEB«
AF RESPONSE
‡DOAF257/14FEB
* 1A PLANNED FLIGHT INFO * AF 257 31 TH 14FEB
APT ARR DY DEP DY CLASS/MEAL EQP GRND EFT TTL
SIN 2315 TH PFJCDIZOWSA/MS 388 13:55
YBMUKHLQTEN/MS
RVXG/MS
CDG 0610 FR 13:55
COMMENTS-
1.SIN CDG - AIRCRAFT OWNER AIR FRANCE
2.SIN CDG - COCKPIT CREW AIR FRANCE
3.SIN CDG - CABIN CREW AIR FRANCE
4.SIN CDG - MEMBER OF SKYTEAM
5.SIN CDG - DEPARTS TERMINAL 1
6.SIN CDG - ARRIVES TERMINAL 2E
)>
2AF257A/14FEB«
UNABLE TO VALIDATE ENTRY - VERIFY AND RE-ENTER .
2AF1111/14FEB«
AF RESPONSE
FLIGHT NOT OPERATIONAL
AF RESPONSE
‡DOAF257/14FEB
* 1A PLANNED FLIGHT INFO * AF 257 31 TH 14FEB
APT ARR DY DEP DY CLASS/MEAL EQP GRND EFT TTL
SIN 2315 TH PFJCDIZOWSA/MS 388 13:55
YBMUKHLQTEN/MS
RVXG/MS
CDG 0610 FR 13:55
COMMENTS-
1.SIN CDG - AIRCRAFT OWNER AIR FRANCE
2.SIN CDG - COCKPIT CREW AIR FRANCE
3.SIN CDG - CABIN CREW AIR FRANCE
4.SIN CDG - MEMBER OF SKYTEAM
5.SIN CDG - DEPARTS TERMINAL 1
6.SIN CDG - ARRIVES TERMINAL 2E
)>
2AF257A/14FEB«
UNABLE TO VALIDATE ENTRY - VERIFY AND RE-ENTER .
2AF1111/14FEB«
AF RESPONSE
FLIGHT NOT OPERATIONAL
Same with Seat Maps:
4G*AF257F14MAYSINCDG«
AUTH-516 388
0 - SIN 1 - CDG
NO SMOKING-SINCDG
LAV
A E F L
1 * CLS CLS 1
2 * * * * 2
3 * * * * 3
A E F L
GAL GAL GAL GAL
AVAIL NO SMK: * BLOCK : / LEAST PREF: U BULKHEAD: BHD
AVAIL SMKING: - PREMIUM: Q UPPER DECK: J EXIT ROW: X
SEAT TAKEN: . WING: W PAID : P LAVATORY: LAV GALLEY: GAL
PREF ACCESS LAV: PAL DOOR: DOR SCREEN: SCR CLOSET: CLS
PREF ACCESS:H BASSINET:B LEGROOM:L UMNR:M REARFACE:@
4G*AF257AF14MAYSINCDG«
‡INVALID CITY CODE‡
AUTH-516 388
0 - SIN 1 - CDG
NO SMOKING-SINCDG
LAV
A E F L
1 * CLS CLS 1
2 * * * * 2
3 * * * * 3
A E F L
GAL GAL GAL GAL
AVAIL NO SMK: * BLOCK : / LEAST PREF: U BULKHEAD: BHD
AVAIL SMKING: - PREMIUM: Q UPPER DECK: J EXIT ROW: X
SEAT TAKEN: . WING: W PAID : P LAVATORY: LAV GALLEY: GAL
PREF ACCESS LAV: PAL DOOR: DOR SCREEN: SCR CLOSET: CLS
PREF ACCESS:H BASSINET:B LEGROOM:L UMNR:M REARFACE:@
4G*AF257AF14MAYSINCDG«
‡INVALID CITY CODE‡
Jan 15, 2013, 6:52 pm
#194
Join Date: Aug 2008
Posts: 20
So reading through this thread, I shouldn't solely rely on EF's flight alerts to find my MileSaaver flights as it only checks a few times a day. Is there a way to find out when it checks, so I can check the 'other' times. Also, if I execute a saved query, are the results real time with the airlines or is it pulling on the data last checked by EF? If it is real time results, this will be a good tool for me to check for those 'other' times not checked by EF.
Also, is there a way of finding out how many award seats have been released in the past through EF or any other tool?
Thanks for any insight in advance.
Also, is there a way of finding out how many award seats have been released in the past through EF or any other tool?
Thanks for any insight in advance.
Jan 15, 2013, 7:09 pm
#195
Left Expert Flyer 4/23
Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,741
Is there a way to find out when it checks, so I can check the 'other' times.
Also, if I execute a saved query, are the results real time with the airlines or is it pulling on the data last checked by EF? If it is real time results, this will be a good tool for me to check for those 'other' times not checked by EF.
Also, is there a way of finding out how many award seats have been released in the past through EF or any other tool?