KVS Availability Tool vs. ExpertFlyer
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Texas
Posts: 2,554
KVS Availability Tool vs. ExpertFlyer
I am trying to decide which of these services I should join. I do mostly international travel on UA and of course am looking for bargain C and Y class fares, upgrade opportunities from Y to C inventories, and UA award information. Do you have a preference after (hopefully) your personal experience with both? Which would you choose today?
Thanks in advance for any comparasion you can offer and any suggestions you might share.
LWW
Thanks in advance for any comparasion you can offer and any suggestions you might share.
LWW
#2
Moderator: Mileage Run, InterContinental Hotels
Join Date: May 2004
Posts: 5,916
I've found that Expertflyer is well worth the $100/year fee. I really value the availability of fare listings, and the ability to view "hidden" fare classes. The fare listing function on KVS isn't great, and depending on what airline you fly, KVS won't display the upgrade/award inventory you need. There are also advantages to KVS (including a lower price), and Expertflyer has some limitations as well (most notably, no useful routing information), but if I were forced to choose one, I'd pick Expertflyer.
#3
Left Expert Flyer 4/23
Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,741
Originally Posted by jpdx
and Expertflyer has some limitations as well (most notably, no useful routing information), but if I were forced to choose one, I'd pick Expertflyer.
Thank you for your support,
EFV
#4
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: MUC/LAX/SMV
Programs: LH, UA, BD, AA, NW, FB, NH, AC, Sixt, Hertz, Avis, *W, HH, Marriott, PC, Leaders Club, AMEX
Posts: 12,406
Definitely ExpertFlyer, as it works everywhere and on all platforms. I like the fare listings and especially the seatmap feature - and the ability to save my queries for frequent rechecks.
#5
Join Date: May 2002
Location: US
Programs: UA GS 2MM
Posts: 1,740
Originally Posted by ExpertFlyer Voice
We appreciate your kind comments about ExpertFlyer but we are a little perplexed about the above statement about "no useful routing information". Next to every fare are two links to both Rules and Routing details that are published verbatim by the corresponding airline.
Thank you for your support,
EFV
Thank you for your support,
EFV
While I am not sure what the original intent of the posters question on 'routing information' was, the one issue I have with routings on the site is that it does not allow you to be too selective. If I want to fly from DFW-DEN-LAX-HNL on UA it will not let you select this in your query. You can search DFW-DEN-HNL or DFW-LAX-HNL on UA but you can't force it to show a double connection, if needed.
#6
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Chicago
Programs: United GS, AA Plat, Starwood Gold, AC
Posts: 367
Originally Posted by cmhua777
... the one issue I have with routings on the site is that it does not allow you to be too selective. If I want to fly from DFW-DEN-LAX-HNL on UA it will not let you select this in your query. You can search DFW-DEN-HNL or DFW-LAX-HNL on UA but you can't force it to show a double connection, if needed.
#7
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: MEL/LAX
Programs: AAdv GLD(MM), QF LTS, UA MP_nada, HH Gld, SPG, GoldenCircle Jade
Posts: 4,472
Another advantage is that EF is web based and can be accessed on any computer with a browser. I think KVS is introducing a web interface now/recently, although not sure whether it has all the features of the downloadable version.
#9
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Hsinchu (Taiwan), Saigon, London
Programs: EVA (diamond), A3, BMI, VN
Posts: 2,960
My platinum subscription to KVS has just expired, so I'm pondering the same issue. Never used Expert flyer.
I really like the non-web spreadsheet-style interface of KVS. (There's a web one too.) Just seems to make it clean, compact and fast. I always have my laptop with me when I travel - and generally have internet access so its no problem you have to use an app rather than a browser. Is there a similar app you can download re. Expert flyer?
I fly with EVA more than anyone. But I find availability just doesn't match what's available through EVA's own site. Eg a flight I was looking at a couple of days back. KVS shows (which ever system you use) available in Y but no C. EVA's site was showing the exact reverse. I suppose this has got something to do with airlines not releasing inventory to the world at large. Really I don't know anything about these things. But would Expert Flyer be any different - ie ultimately is the data coming from the same source(s) as KVS (on platinum)?
I really like the non-web spreadsheet-style interface of KVS. (There's a web one too.) Just seems to make it clean, compact and fast. I always have my laptop with me when I travel - and generally have internet access so its no problem you have to use an app rather than a browser. Is there a similar app you can download re. Expert flyer?
I fly with EVA more than anyone. But I find availability just doesn't match what's available through EVA's own site. Eg a flight I was looking at a couple of days back. KVS shows (which ever system you use) available in Y but no C. EVA's site was showing the exact reverse. I suppose this has got something to do with airlines not releasing inventory to the world at large. Really I don't know anything about these things. But would Expert Flyer be any different - ie ultimately is the data coming from the same source(s) as KVS (on platinum)?
#10
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Worldwide
Posts: 12,949
Originally Posted by jimbo99
Really I don't know anything about these things. But would Expert Flyer be any different - ie ultimately is the data coming from the same source(s) as KVS (on platinum)?
#11
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: MCI
Programs: AA Gold 1MM, AS MVP, UA Silver, WN A-List, Marriott LT Titanium, HH Diamond
Posts: 52,575
I'm just finding these threads now.
Basically, my needs are simple: whenever I'm probing this deeply into detailed class availability, it's because I'm looking for award availability - usually at a peak time when it's not easy to find just by plugging in dates on AA.com or UA.com. (Those are my two main airlines.)
Which airline would help for the following scenarios:
- "I want to go somewhere over Christmas, flying on peak dates, but using miles. I know from past experience that sometimes you find random 'hits' where you least expect them. I'm totally flexible on destination and sort of flexible on exact dates/routes - just want to go somewhere fun on either AA or UA."
- "I need to get to a certain part of the world on a given date, I'm sort of flexible on airport (e.g., let's say anything within England will do) and can use anyone within *A or OW that will give me an award using my UA or AA miles. How can I find my award seat?"
Will either of these tools help me much?
Basically, my needs are simple: whenever I'm probing this deeply into detailed class availability, it's because I'm looking for award availability - usually at a peak time when it's not easy to find just by plugging in dates on AA.com or UA.com. (Those are my two main airlines.)
Which airline would help for the following scenarios:
- "I want to go somewhere over Christmas, flying on peak dates, but using miles. I know from past experience that sometimes you find random 'hits' where you least expect them. I'm totally flexible on destination and sort of flexible on exact dates/routes - just want to go somewhere fun on either AA or UA."
- "I need to get to a certain part of the world on a given date, I'm sort of flexible on airport (e.g., let's say anything within England will do) and can use anyone within *A or OW that will give me an award using my UA or AA miles. How can I find my award seat?"
Will either of these tools help me much?
#12
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Texas
Posts: 2,554
Originally Posted by pinniped
I'm just finding these threads now.
Basically, my needs are simple: whenever I'm probing this deeply into detailed class availability, it's because I'm looking for award availability - usually at a peak time when it's not easy to find just by plugging in dates on AA.com or UA.com. (Those are my two main airlines.)
Which airline would help for the following scenarios:
- "I want to go somewhere over Christmas, flying on peak dates, but using miles. I know from past experience that sometimes you find random 'hits' where you least expect them. I'm totally flexible on destination and sort of flexible on exact dates/routes - just want to go somewhere fun on either AA or UA."
- "I need to get to a certain part of the world on a given date, I'm sort of flexible on airport (e.g., let's say anything within England will do) and can use anyone within *A or OW that will give me an award using my UA or AA miles. How can I find my award seat?"
Will either of these tools help me much?
Basically, my needs are simple: whenever I'm probing this deeply into detailed class availability, it's because I'm looking for award availability - usually at a peak time when it's not easy to find just by plugging in dates on AA.com or UA.com. (Those are my two main airlines.)
Which airline would help for the following scenarios:
- "I want to go somewhere over Christmas, flying on peak dates, but using miles. I know from past experience that sometimes you find random 'hits' where you least expect them. I'm totally flexible on destination and sort of flexible on exact dates/routes - just want to go somewhere fun on either AA or UA."
- "I need to get to a certain part of the world on a given date, I'm sort of flexible on airport (e.g., let's say anything within England will do) and can use anyone within *A or OW that will give me an award using my UA or AA miles. How can I find my award seat?"
Will either of these tools help me much?
will comment on.
#13
Formerly known as CollegeFlyer
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: JRA
Programs: UA 1K MM, AA PLT, Hyatt Diamond, Marriott Gold, Hertz 5*
Posts: 6,716
For those flying UA, neither KVS Tool nor ExpertFlyer can access UA upgrade/award seat ("special class") inventory. You can sometimes see this availability by making a dummy award booking at United.com, but especially in the case of upgrade availability you usually have to call reservations.
#14
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Texas
Posts: 2,554
Originally Posted by CollegeFlyer
For those flying UA, neither KVS Tool nor ExpertFlyer can access UA upgrade/award seat ("special class") inventory. You can sometimes see this availability by making a dummy award booking at United.com, but especially in the case of upgrade availability you usually have to call reservations.
Reagards
LWW
#15
Formerly known as CollegeFlyer
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: JRA
Programs: UA 1K MM, AA PLT, Hyatt Diamond, Marriott Gold, Hertz 5*
Posts: 6,716
Originally Posted by 747LWW
Gosh, too bad. Thanks for delivering the news however, CollegeFlyer. I assume you do not know of other ways to learn about UA availibity other than the United.com site?
Reagards
LWW
Reagards
LWW