KVS Availability Tool vs. ExpertFlyer
Feb 17, 2012, 11:35 pm
#46
Left Expert Flyer 4/23
Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,741
The chart that Lux put together is helpful for a features comparison, however the airline comparison is out of date (the up to date list for EF is here: http://www.expertflyer.com/sessionlessClassList.do), it also doesn't include what airline awards AwardNexus shows, which for Oneworld is the same as KVS.
At the end of the day you need to try all three tools to find what is best for you, regardless of the "Out of the two" statements you may read implying otherwise. We think that helping someone to use the best tool for their needs is more important then guiding people to just use our tool. If you have any questions, feel free to email us or PM me directly.
Feb 19, 2012, 9:09 am
#47
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: ORD
Programs: AA, UA, GE
Posts: 5,126
Hi zznoname
...
The chart that Lux put together is helpful for a features comparison, however the airline comparison is out of date (the up to date list for EF is here: http://www.expertflyer.com/sessionlessClassList.do), it also doesn't include what airline awards AwardNexus shows, which for Oneworld is the same as KVS.
...
...
The chart that Lux put together is helpful for a features comparison, however the airline comparison is out of date (the up to date list for EF is here: http://www.expertflyer.com/sessionlessClassList.do), it also doesn't include what airline awards AwardNexus shows, which for Oneworld is the same as KVS.
...
Feb 19, 2012, 2:33 pm
#48
Left Expert Flyer 4/23
Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,741
Another chart that Lux created to compare tools, which was oddly omitted in previous posts, is the services that the tools provide:
Feb 19, 2012, 3:53 pm
#49
Join Date: Dec 2009
Posts: 5,439
In my experience, I pay for EF for Skyteam award space only, as BA/QF and CO/NH take care of OW and *A respectively.
I don't mind paying for a screen scraper like KVS if it provides a consolidated tool and doesn't need me to painfully navigate crappy websites (BA, I'm looking at you!)
But KVS is Windows-only and I have a Mac, so that's the end of that...
I don't mind paying for a screen scraper like KVS if it provides a consolidated tool and doesn't need me to painfully navigate crappy websites (BA, I'm looking at you!)
But KVS is Windows-only and I have a Mac, so that's the end of that...
Feb 21, 2012, 4:52 pm
#50
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Worldwide
Posts: 12,949
Feb 21, 2012, 4:55 pm
#51
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Worldwide
Posts: 12,949
It is a pleasure to welcome you as a new KVS Tool member -- enjoy!
Feb 21, 2012, 5:43 pm
#52
Left Expert Flyer 4/23
Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,741
That is incorrect. Most recently, award and/or upgrade information for FI, IB,and KE as been updated or added to ExpertFlyer since Lux made his comparison chart.
In addition, AwardNexus, which has full award availability for all major alliance airlines as well, is not included in the charts at all. Certainly a major change for those wanting to know about all options available when evaluating the best solution.
In addition, AwardNexus, which has full award availability for all major alliance airlines as well, is not included in the charts at all. Certainly a major change for those wanting to know about all options available when evaluating the best solution.
Feb 21, 2012, 10:46 pm
#53
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Worldwide
Posts: 12,949
While an updated chart would certainly be welcome, we do not consider the addition of 3 or so airlines to be a "major change", given the overall number of airlines, for which Award/Upgrade Availability is supported in the KVS Tool.
Feb 22, 2012, 7:14 am
#54
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: MCI
Programs: AA EXP, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 166
FWIW, While I have been a paid subscriber to both services, I currently find that for me, KVS is the better fit based on my needs.
It was instrumental in helping me to book several CX F and J awards. It literally saved me so much time from having to manipulate the airline (asia miles and others) booking sites that it paid for itself in the first 2 weeks of use.
It was instrumental in helping me to book several CX F and J awards. It literally saved me so much time from having to manipulate the airline (asia miles and others) booking sites that it paid for itself in the first 2 weeks of use.
Feb 22, 2012, 8:39 am
#55
Join Date: Apr 2011
Posts: 288
When people create threads like this they want ALL the relevant information to make a decision, not what YOU deem is relevant or not.
Feb 22, 2012, 11:17 pm
#56
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Worldwide
Posts: 12,949
FWIW, While I have been a paid subscriber to both services, I currently find that for me, KVS is the better fit based on my needs.
It was instrumental in helping me to book several CX F and J awards. It literally saved me so much time from having to manipulate the airline (asia miles and others) booking sites that it paid for itself in the first 2 weeks of use.
It was instrumental in helping me to book several CX F and J awards. It literally saved me so much time from having to manipulate the airline (asia miles and others) booking sites that it paid for itself in the first 2 weeks of use.
Feb 23, 2012, 3:49 am
#57
Join Date: Dec 2009
Posts: 5,439
It is not up to you to determine what it "major" or not for everyone else. Just like it is not up to you to pretend that AwardNexus doesn't exist and isn't a "major" omission from the chart considering it has the full 3-alliance award search as well, and has a FREE version and is web based.
When people create threads like this they want ALL the relevant information to make a decision, not what YOU deem is relevant or not.
When people create threads like this they want ALL the relevant information to make a decision, not what YOU deem is relevant or not.
Plus metered search sucks, it's better to search without thinking about maximising points/search quotas.
Mar 10, 2012, 9:58 pm
#58
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: HKG
Programs: MPO DM (OWE); UA *G (*A G), HHonors Gold; KLM/AF Flying Blue
Posts: 133
How accurate is KVS tool and Expertflyer on CX?
Dear All,
I've just been introduced to Experflyer and I think its a fabulous tool for frequent travelers. Unfortunately, it does not include award booking availability maps for CX. I've heard that KVStool does?
My question is how accurate are they? The seat maps are certainly spot-on when compared to the manage-my-booking ones on CX. Updates are instant. But how about for people who have not had seat assignments / checked in yet?
If, for example, Y is nearly completely sold - should the no. of tickets available on Y, K, M, V, O, S be near 0? or do they account for the possible availability of op-ups and keep it at 9?
The reason why I ask is there seems to be some discrepancies between what I see on the seat maps and the actual situation. Flights are often more full then they look.
I've just been introduced to Experflyer and I think its a fabulous tool for frequent travelers. Unfortunately, it does not include award booking availability maps for CX. I've heard that KVStool does?
My question is how accurate are they? The seat maps are certainly spot-on when compared to the manage-my-booking ones on CX. Updates are instant. But how about for people who have not had seat assignments / checked in yet?
If, for example, Y is nearly completely sold - should the no. of tickets available on Y, K, M, V, O, S be near 0? or do they account for the possible availability of op-ups and keep it at 9?
The reason why I ask is there seems to be some discrepancies between what I see on the seat maps and the actual situation. Flights are often more full then they look.
Mar 10, 2012, 11:31 pm
#59
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: TPE / HSZ
Programs: CX GO (=SPH), IHG Diamond Amb, Hertz 5*, Accor, Hilton, National
Posts: 6,437
Dear All,
I've just been introduced to Experflyer and I think its a fabulous tool for frequent travelers. Unfortunately, it does not include award booking availability maps for CX. I've heard that KVStool does?
My question is how accurate are they? The seat maps are certainly spot-on when compared to the manage-my-booking ones on CX. Updates are instant. But how about for people who have not had seat assignments / checked in yet?
If, for example, Y is nearly completely sold - should the no. of tickets available on Y, K, M, V, O, S be near 0? or do they account for the possible availability of op-ups and keep it at 9?
The reason why I ask is there seems to be some discrepancies between what I see on the seat maps and the actual situation. Flights are often more full then they look.
I've just been introduced to Experflyer and I think its a fabulous tool for frequent travelers. Unfortunately, it does not include award booking availability maps for CX. I've heard that KVStool does?
My question is how accurate are they? The seat maps are certainly spot-on when compared to the manage-my-booking ones on CX. Updates are instant. But how about for people who have not had seat assignments / checked in yet?
If, for example, Y is nearly completely sold - should the no. of tickets available on Y, K, M, V, O, S be near 0? or do they account for the possible availability of op-ups and keep it at 9?
The reason why I ask is there seems to be some discrepancies between what I see on the seat maps and the actual situation. Flights are often more full then they look.
2. If Y is nearly completely sold, whether CX wants to sell more seats and accomondate by doing op-ups is CX's corporate decision. The tools only reflect the availability CX provides.
3. For KVS Tool, the "Amadeus - Enhanced" function would distinguish between blocked and occupied seats, whereas the "Amadeus - Text" function displays both occupied and blocked seats as unavaliable.
4. Many people do not assign seats when they book, so of course more people would be on the FLT then the amount of advanced seat reservation.
Mar 11, 2012, 10:52 am
#60
Left Expert Flyer 4/23
Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,741
Dear All,
I've just been introduced to Experflyer and I think its a fabulous tool for frequent travelers. Unfortunately, it does not include award booking availability maps for CX. I've heard that KVStool does?
My question is how accurate are they? The seat maps are certainly spot-on when compared to the manage-my-booking ones on CX. Updates are instant. But how about for people who have not had seat assignments / checked in yet?
If, for example, Y is nearly completely sold - should the no. of tickets available on Y, K, M, V, O, S be near 0? or do they account for the possible availability of op-ups and keep it at 9?
The reason why I ask is there seems to be some discrepancies between what I see on the seat maps and the actual situation. Flights are often more full then they look.
I've just been introduced to Experflyer and I think its a fabulous tool for frequent travelers. Unfortunately, it does not include award booking availability maps for CX. I've heard that KVStool does?
My question is how accurate are they? The seat maps are certainly spot-on when compared to the manage-my-booking ones on CX. Updates are instant. But how about for people who have not had seat assignments / checked in yet?
If, for example, Y is nearly completely sold - should the no. of tickets available on Y, K, M, V, O, S be near 0? or do they account for the possible availability of op-ups and keep it at 9?
The reason why I ask is there seems to be some discrepancies between what I see on the seat maps and the actual situation. Flights are often more full then they look.
For CX award availability, the go to source is the award search on the JL website. That information is available for free, either by using JAL.com yourself or via AwardNexus.com which has a Free version for FT members.