KVS Tool shows availability but none exists
 

KVS Tool (latest version as of 6/1/12) Diamond:

Doing a search via Awards/AC-StarAlliance since I'm on a Mac, and the ANA method doesn't work. I'm using UA MP.

I search for 05SEP12, BIO-LAX (BIO-LIS-MIA-IAD-LAX is what I came up with that has availability (CS+).

I did the legs one by one:
BIO Bilbao ES [LEBB]
LIS Lisbon Portela-Lisboa PT [LPPT]
WED 05 Sep 2012 | 2 Seats

Carrier Flight From Depart To Arrive A/C St Availability
TP/NI 1065 BIO 06:45 LIS 07:25 ER4 0 CS+ YS+

LIS Lisbon Portela-Lisboa PT [LPPT]
MIA Miami Intl FL US [KMIA]
WED 05 Sep 2012 | 2 Seats

Carrier Flight From Depart To Arrive A/C St Availability
TP 113 LIS 10:00 MIA 14:15 332 0 CS+ YS+

MIA Miami Intl FL US [KMIA]
LAX Los Angeles Intl CA US [KLAX]
WED 05 Sep 2012 | 2 Seats

Carrier Flight From Depart To Arrive A/C St Availability
UA 599 MIA 14:55 IAH 16:37 752 0 CS+ YS+
-> UA 1166 IAH 20:50 LAX 22:24 753 0 CS+ YS+

Sweet. 2 seats in C for me and the Mrs, and 2 seats in Economy for my kids. But, United shows no availability when I call up--none at all BIO-LIS, none at all LIS-MIA, YS only from MIA-IAH and CS and YS from IAH-LAX.

First I think. Damn, someone got them while I was waiting but I've called back several times over the last 48 hours and they continue to show on KVS but no dice with UA.

Second, I RTFM at KVS and read the two posts about StartNet blocking. So then I go use the ANA tool for the TATL LIS-MIA on 05SEP12 and it shows not availalble. But KVS does. So I'm confused obviously. Is this a bug? I'm going to do the search via AirCanada's website right now to see if it comes from them, but I'm a little concerned that ANA shows no inventory and KVS tool does. That seems to rule out the UA StarNet blocking, correct?

KVS, help...

For the 1st flight, it is an [Awards/AC-StarAlliance] Engine issue -- there is actually no Award Availability on that flight.

For the 2nd flight, it's a combination of the above, plus a segment marriage logic issue:
http://Help.KVSTool.com/#Factors

[KVS Availability Tool 7.0.2/Diamond - SNT: Awards/StarAlliance/JP-ANA-SP1]
[KVS Availability Tool 7.0.2/Diamond - SNT: Awards/StarAlliance/JP-ANA-SP1]
These flights are actually available in both Y & C:

[KVS Availability Tool 7.0.2/Diamond - SNT: Awards/StarAlliance/JP-ANA-SP1]
[KVS Availability Tool 7.0.2/Diamond - ITA: Awards-Upgrades/UA]

Thanks for the reply
 

Ok. I saw that AeroPlan's site also showed the availability, so it's clearly coming from them. I wonder what would happen if I booked the return through AC. I don't think I will because of the YQ fees, but I am curious as it let's me select the LIS-MIA flight....

Anyway, I really appreciate the quick response.

MD

If there is no actual award availability, the booking will not go through.

KVS Tool: Version 7.0.2 Release -- What's New
 

• Resolved: [Awards/SkyTeam], [Awards/JL-OneWorld] & [Awards/VS] Method Issues

http://www.KVSTool.com/Images/Download55.gif Download

Hi KVS, any chance of adding a StarAlliance/UA method soon as well? It seems to be the best at trying to manipulate connections.

Thanks.

Have you considered using he [Awards/AC-StarAlliance] Method, which also has excellent connection building capabilities?

Yes, that's what I'm already using, but UA just seems that little bit better! AC works very well anyway, so it should not be a problem in most scenarios :)

I have to agree with belfordrocks. The UA engine is quite powerful and finds some obscure routings (like Asia from NA via Europe) that I don't think will show up on AC. In addition, it will also show QR availability that I don't think AC will show. Also (even if they are pointless), it will show UA Standard award availability.

Given my experience writing my script (see my signature), I could offer consulting services on getting the relevant data off of the UA award searches :D

UA Additional ("Standard") Award Availability is already fully covered by the [Awards-Upgrades/UA] Method and the UA-QR partnership (and the related Award search functionality) are about to be discontinued:

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/unite...15-2012-a.html

While there may be limited scenarios, where the UA Engine can provide some benefit, overall, it is very similar to [Awards/AC-StarAlliance], both in terms of data accuracy and route construction capabilities. Also, given the fact that both of the existing Engines have 100% support across all 26 Star Alliance member airlines, adding a 3rd one, may cause confusion to other users, who will not know which one to choose.

Nevertheless, we will keep the possibility of adding the 3rd Star Alliance Award Search Engine in mind.

Hmm... thanks

Another question- is there a way to view historical fares and fare rules? Thanks.

Not at moment, but if there a particular historic Fare you are interested in, please PM and we will retrieve it for you.

Any idea when will CX Premium Y availability being introduced ?

KVS Tool already supports CX Premium Economy Regular, Award Availability & Seat Maps as of V7.0.2.