This has now been confirmed to be an issue with the GTC engine itself.

As a work-around, when specifying the time window (e.g. 17:00), you can either:

• Increase the [Limit] to 60 flights,
  -or-
• Keep the [Sort By] at the default setting (Connections) and then click the [Depart] column heading to re-sort by Time, once the results appear.

Where are my "O's?"
 

Need some help. Just bought into the KVS Diamond tool. Read a bunch of stuff and still do not understand a thing or two as to finding available upgrades on US Airways and *star alliance. I do not see any O's anywhere when I have looked at a number of months. In my case I am looking to purchase coach fare for upgrade using miles to ENVOY---PHL to VCE or PHL to FRA, MUC for this fall.

Yes, under "Awards/Upgrades" I do pull up flights and see, eg, FS+ or CS+. I then go to the Availability tab and see the D9 Z9 Y9 listings but where are the O's?

Two other questions: What does the "St" stand for in the database and is there a way to associate a fare with a class?

Thank you.

Welcome to the KVS Tool!

FS is the same as O and CS is the same as I -- please see the Award/Upgrade Booking Classes table at http://Help.KVSTool.com/#Classes

It's the number of intermediate Stops.

Please see Q48 at http://FAQ.KVSTool.com/

Ok O's are CS+ for US Airways. I have looked at a many dozen of flights over the next 8 months (4 different airports) and have not seen EVEN ONE FS+ or CS+for US Airways. Other airlines such as LH I can see some + signs? What am I missing?

Again, I was looking for an ungrade to ENVOY from a pd coach ticket, so the upgrade class is considered CS (buisness award) and not FS (first award) for US Airways?

There was a typo in the previous post -- FS is the same as O and CS is the same as I.

Here is an example of a CS+. US does not have an F cabin on Intl routes:

[KVS Availability Tool 6.1.2/Diamond - SNT: Awards/StarAlliance/JP-ANA-SP1]
That is correct.

LOL, ok, I do see the CS+ that you found:


[KVS Availability Tool 6.1.2/Diamond - SNT: Awards/StarAlliance/JP-ANA-SP1]

PHL Philadelphia Metro / Philadelphia Intl PA US = PHL TTN [KPHL]
MAN Manchester Intl UK [EGCC]
TUE 05 Apr 2011 | 1 Seat

Carrier Flight From Depart To Arrive A/C St Availability
--------- ------ ---- -------- ---- -------- --- -- -------------
US 734 PHL 20:40 MAN 08:40 +1 333 0 FS/ CS+ YS+

I have looked at a bunch more flights and still have not seen any other CS+ offerings from US Airways. How did you find that???

Also I read you FAQ Q&A #48 on associated fares and classes. Is there a way to find a fare for a CS+ then? Use your example, if you would.
Thanks so much, I am getting the hang of it...

Try a less popular route during off-peak times :).

Q48 deals with regular Fares and Booking Classes. Award/Upgrade Booking Classes (like CS) are not associated with Fares.

You're welcome!

Agent Wizard Beta
 

We are excited to announce the Beta test of the world's first Agent Wizard Tool, which will revolutionize the way frequent flyers interact with un-cooperative reservation agents worldwide!

Interested KVS Tool members are invited to RSVP using the Contact Form.

http://www.kvstool.com/Images/AgentWizard_0104.gif

ok, I'm calling "april fools!" first

Excellent! I Want It!!!! :D

Problem w/ Skyteam via Amadeus: Awards/Skyteam
 

KVS,

Haven't needed to use the program but today I do, and I get this:
Dataource Error [I]:
Our reservation tool is currently unavailable. We are doing our best to restore the functionality as soon as possible."

Trying to look for award availability on Skyteam; besides the near non-existant Standard award under Delta's Skypeso program.

Can you clarify what the issue is? It's frustrating not being able to use it for the sole purpose I got it for.

Thanks.

That error message indicates that the FB website in currently down (e.g. for maintenance).

To check Award Availability on DL/AF/KL/SU/OK/RO/UX/VN/CZ in the meantime, please use one of the other Methods, as outlined at http://Help.KVSTool.com/#AwardUpgradeClasses_SkyTeam

Any way we could get an option to set the desired trip length for an ITA search? Right now it defaults to a 6-8 night stay but I'd like to be able to default to 0 nights to search for same day turn MR's. I know I can hit modify search to change the parameters, but one less step is always nice.

Oh, and while we're at it, could we have it set the start date of the month long ITA search per the date set in the search criteria instead of the current date?

Thanks

Both of these features will be implemented in the next version.

^ Excellent! Thanks you.

Does any version of the KVS tool support enhanced award availability for DL PM?

when searching on star alliance for award avail on routes that have lots of flights i only see 20... there's no time value to set so i'm unable to get to the flights that are later in the day. how can i check avail???

Unfortunately, it is a limitation of the [Awards/StarAlliance] engine itself. However, depending on the carrier(s) involved, you may be able to use one of the other Methods on routes like these (which are relatively rare): http://Help.KVSTool.com/#Classes

The Beta for this has just been announced:

Any thoughts as to why the wrong times and seating are being pulled up for flight AA 1203?

[KVS Availability Tool 6.1.2/Platinum - Sabre: Availability/GTC/US-LTR]

Why do you believe those are wrong?

[KVS Availability Tool 6.1.2/Diamond - Amadeus Operational Info: AA 1203/23 Apr 2011]

Because it shows the seat I have booked as being open. 5E

No it doesn't???

[KVS Availability Tool 6.1.2/Diamond - Amadeus Seat Map: 23 Apr 2011/AA 1203/YYZ-DFW/738/F-First]
And why did you initially inquire about times and post the availability schedule if you were concerned about a specific seat on a plane?

Indeed, some clarification from the OP would be appreciated...

I just figured out what I was doing wrong and it all points to user error. I was right-clicking on a flight to get the seat map before actually selecting the flight so it was giving me the seat map for the first flight in the list and not mine. Sorry to waste your time. Also, either there was a schedule change from my original itinerary or I was just reading it wrong but I could've sworn that it got in at 5:30 pm.

Ahhhhh, that clears up a lot. We generally refer to those as PEBKAC ("Problem Exists Between Keyboard And Chair") errors at work :D

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/User_error

Using KVS tool
 

Hello all. I am new here and was looking at the KVS tool (not purchased yet) to find upgradable seat. I have a few general questions.
So I have 19350 miles on Mileage Plus card and wanted to book a ticket with a one way upgrade. I need to fly SFO-WAW anytime during summer-september for 1 month+ stay. I just purchased 1K additional miles to get to 20000 mark and will have 20350 miles in about 48 hours. My question is how to search for partially upgradable ticket? Is it possible with KVS? Will it also show me fares for upgradable seats on Star Alliance? What kind of membership would be best for me? And, lastly, if I locate the fare through KVS tool how do I book? Do I call travel agent or star alliance directly? Thanks a lot!
p.s. I will fly with a 1 yo if that matters and that is why I really could use an upgrade

I'll try to help here a bit.

1) Upgrading on a Star Alliance airline with UA miles requires you to buy a Y or B fare, which will likely be very expensive. You can find Y and B availability via KVS.
2) You will need NC space (i.e. something other than NC0) for flights on UA (the method that can be be used is X1 under upgrades). For flights on other carriers, I'm not sure what you will need to see (varies by airline). You might need a Miles & More account to see upgrades on LH and LO.
3) To get these methods on KVS, you will need a Platinum membership at a minimum.

thank you Jason. What about booking? Will I be able to book from within the program?

No, you can not book from within KVS. You should be able to use the information to book on UA.com though

that is where I get stuck. United website doesn't return any b,y class tickets results. I called them up and was told that they are only able to book B and Y classes by phone, but fares with their phone agent and website are different. Also, website can't book an outbound and return trips in different classes. How people normally get around these booking issues? Do travel agents have better fares than united customer service? How does one book a found fare? thanks again!

Welcome to FT, elcamina!

There should be no difference in Fares when you book by phone with UA/LH (except for the telephone booking fee).

Inconsistent results.
 

Just got the tool and liking it. However, I noticed that I got a different *A award availability result for the same flight (LH446 FRA-DEN 11/28/2011) when I searched FRA-DEN, then when I did MXP-DEN w/ the Max option enabled.

FRA-DEN shows 3F/3C available. MXP-DEN lists LH446 as an option, but with no availability in F or C.

Is this a bug in the tool, a flaw in the data source, or am I doing/reading something wrong?

Thanks for the help!

Hi, KVS:

Could you check your CS email? I paid 2 week diamond 3 days ago but only got a temporary code for 2 days. It's now expired and I've got no response for my request either. My email is c***[email protected]

BTW, I checked my junk email folder too, no email their either.

Thanks

Welcome to the KVS Tool!

Please check your E-Mail Inbox now.

Please see "Segment Marriage Logic" at http://Help.KVSTool.com/#Factors

However, it does not normally apply to Award seats, so you can book segment-by-segment as a work-around.

Although the link doesn't seem to be working, I know what married segments are, I just hadn't considered it. It is a relief to know that it won't factor into my award bookings.

While I like the tool, having to search segment by segment really makes not much more efficient for *A searches than, the ANA site.

KVS and "You have not made any nominations"
 

Hi,

First time user to KVS and when trying to search for reward flights using the kris.com engine, I keep getting the error "You have not made any nominations".

Can you help me fix this?

Thanks.

Some of the links at http://Help.KVSTool.com/#Factors have been updated yesterday.

Well, as one member previously put it:

Welcome to the KVS Tool!

The [Awards/SQ] Method section of the User Guide has now been updated with the following: