"Expert Mode" Changes
Sep 8, 2012 | 4:59 pm
#676
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: EAU
Programs: UA 1K, CO Plat, NW Plat, Marriott Premiere Plat, SPG Plat, Priority Gold, Hilton Gold
Posts: 4,761
As a NW/DL merger refugee, one thing I've been able to give UA credit for so far is at least having good, honest communication.
Until now. This is total DL-speak and I'm quite disappointed.
Until now. This is total DL-speak and I'm quite disappointed.
Sep 8, 2012 | 5:02 pm
#677
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: PSM
Posts: 69,232
It is scripting the browsing of the United site, including the advanced search and then checking the box to look for upgrade seats and such. So long as that functionality remains odds are that KVS will be able to script/browse it.
Sep 8, 2012 | 5:26 pm
#678
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: SFO
Programs: UA-1K
Posts: 310
This is so disappointing. I was a ual.com earlier today looking for a flight w/available upgrade space but hadn't logged in to my mp account. I thought the missing fare class function might have been because of that. Now I know. Ugh. A loss of a great feature.
Sep 8, 2012 | 5:29 pm
#679
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: NYC
Programs: UA 1K MM
Posts: 297
Congratulations UA. You have come up with another way to disappoint us. Well done!
Sep 8, 2012 | 5:35 pm
#680
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Splitting time between small towns in NorCal and Wydaho
Programs: Amethyst Premier Plutonium Medallion
Posts: 21,526
Sep 8, 2012 | 5:35 pm
#681
Join Date: Jan 2009
Programs: UA 1K MM, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 149
KVS Tool and Expert Flyer no longer work on United
Always used Expertflyer and KVS for upgrade space on United. After March 3rd that was the only tool that gave us of transparency.
Does anyone know what is happening? Both seem not to be working.
Does anyone know what is happening? Both seem not to be working.
Sep 8, 2012 | 5:37 pm
#682
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: PSM
Posts: 69,232
It would seem that EF has a deal with AA to present that data. No idea the terms, obviously, but there would seem to be something there.
Sep 8, 2012 | 5:37 pm
#683
Moderator: Hyatt Gold Passport & Star Alliance
Join Date: May 1998
Location: London, UK
Programs: UA-1K 3MM/HY- LT Globalist/BA-GGLfL
Posts: 12,761
United made changes last night - http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/unite...e-changes.html which removed the ability of these tools to see upgrades or classes available.
Sep 8, 2012 | 5:40 pm
#685
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 4,645
With CO (prior to this "expert" mode fare buckets) I would call 1-2 times a day and check on any of my flights within the window for upgrades. That is how most of my upgrades processed. As a GS I will likely start doing so again (Recently I was only calling when I saw PN or R inventory open, and getting low). These are relatively quick phone calls though.
Sep 8, 2012 | 5:44 pm
#686
Join Date: Jan 2009
Programs: UA 1K MM, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 149
"Today United Airlines has decided to remove award and upgrade class inventory from various channels, affecting ExpertFlyer. As such, United will be removed from the list of airlines in the Award & Upgrade search tool until further notice. In addition, all Active Flight Alerts for United award or upgrade class codes will be put into the Expired state. Should the award and upgrade data become available at a later date, we will again activate those Flight Alerts.
"
Last edited by mgs 1k; Sep 8, 2012 at 6:32 pm Reason: new info
Sep 8, 2012 | 5:46 pm
#687
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: SoCal
Programs: UA Plat, National Exec Elite
Posts: 833
Sep 8, 2012 | 5:47 pm
#688
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Floating around
Programs: UA Plat (1MM), DL Gold (1MM), Marriott LTT
Posts: 11,218
Supposedly KVS has already implemented a change that will show if R space is available. But instead of showing a numeric value (e.g. R=2) they will now only show "+" (for space being available) and "-" (for space not being available).
This is at least a help. It's not great though.
And, yes, EF no longer shows UA awards or upgrades. It's debatable whether they were part of the screen scraping problem or not. We'll see if EF is able to bring it back.
-RM
This is at least a help. It's not great though.
And, yes, EF no longer shows UA awards or upgrades. It's debatable whether they were part of the screen scraping problem or not. We'll see if EF is able to bring it back.
-RM
Sep 8, 2012 | 5:52 pm
#689
Join Date: Jan 2009
Programs: UA 1K MM, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 149
I see not more reason to fly United. There is no transparency on the upgrade system. TOD are here to stay and now we don't have any tools to fight it.
Sep 8, 2012 | 5:54 pm
#690
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Digital Nomad Wandering the Earth - Currently in VIENNA, AUSTRIA!
Posts: 61,932
If UNITED is all about ancillary revenue, maybe they could create a subscription service to get access to the former expert mode.
I mean, why drive revenue to KVS when you could own it yourself?
I mean, why drive revenue to KVS when you could own it yourself?