Air Travel

Question:

>> If you’re a preferred member of the US frequent flyer program, the > PC software also has some hooks for getting upgrades.  I use > Macs. You know, made by Apple? See above.

Yeah, I’ve heard of them.  So use the Windows emulator.  It’s supposed to work well enough. >Apple Macintosh. ))

Yup, that’s what the emulator runs on. >In any event, I should have said that I’ve used the US website only >for purchasing — I do my comparative shopping elsewhere — usually >check ITN, Easysabre, and Expedia. And, for purchases, it works >quite well, better than the AA site, which wouldn’t let me choose my >own seats.

I agree that aa.com is incredibly lame.  I don’t understand why they’re so proud of it.  It’s basically a crippleware version of Travelocity with a lot of mysterious "database error" pages.  I’ve used the US web site as well, might as well get that extra 1K miles. Funky tip: you get the 1K miles on reservations made on the US site, not reservations made in Easy or plain Travelocity.  But for something complex, you can make a dummy res on the US site, then go to Easy, pull it up with /REV, change it to what you want, then go back to the US web site and ticket it there to get the miles. — John R. Levine, IECC, POB 727, Trumansburg NY 14886 +1 607 387 6869 Member, Provisional board, Coalition Against Unsolicited Commercial E-mail

Response:

>>> If you’re a preferred member of the US frequent flyer program, the >> PC software also has some hooks for getting upgrades.  I use >> Macs. You know, made by Apple? See above. >Yeah, I’ve heard of them.  So use the Windows emulator.  It’s supposed >to work well enough.

Yeah, it apparently works almost as well as Windows. <VBG> For some reason I’m reluctant to turn my Mac into a simulation of a poor imitation of a Mac… – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->In any event, I should have said that I’ve used the US website only >for purchasing — I do my comparative shopping elsewhere — usually >check ITN, Easysabre, and Expedia. And, for purchases, it works >quite well, better than the AA site, which wouldn’t let me choose my >own seats. >I agree that aa.com is incredibly lame.  I don’t understand why >they’re so proud of it.  It’s basically a crippleware version of >Travelocity with a lot of mysterious "database error" pages.  I’ve >used the US web site as well, might as well get that extra 1K miles. >Funky tip: you get the 1K miles on reservations made on the US site, >not reservations made in Easy or plain Travelocity.  But for something >complex, you can make a dummy res on the US site, then go to Easy, >pull it up with /REV, change it to what you want, then go back to the >US web site and ticket it there to get the miles.

Good to know — thanks!

Response:

<snip> >>The airline direct booking software is pretty good (e.g. – Priority Travel >>Works), but you must register, install, etc. … >No longer true that you have to install anything. I couldn’t use >Priority Travel Works when it first came out because you did have to >install it and it was available only for PCs and I use Macs. However,

>now it’s simply on the Web, no installation required, and it works very >well, IMO. >I’ve used both and must disagree.  US’s web booking system is just >Travelocity with slightly different graphics.  Indeed, if you save >your password from the US site, then re-enter from www.travelocity.com >as often as not you end up with the US graphics anyway.

Yes, I noticed that quite by accident. >The Priority Travelworks (PTW) PC software broke badly when they >switched from Apollo to Sabre, but now works again.  I finally got it >installed on my laptop and was pleasantly surprised to find that it’s >actually quite good, you can do sophisticated searches, compare fares >on alternate routings, and other stuff that’s excruciating with the >"just trust us" approach that Travelocity uses.  If you’re a preferred >member of the US frequent flyer program, the PC software also has some >hooks for getting upgrades.

I use Macs. You know, made by Apple? See above. >My main complaints about PTW are that it’s a pain to get installed and >configured, far too many menus that come up too slowly, and it doesn’t >work over the net, but dials direct through Compuserve’s (now >Worldcom’s, I suppose) network.  But if you have a Windows PC to try >it on, I’d give it a look.  

Apple Macintosh. )) In any event, I should have said that I’ve used the US website only for purchasing — I do my comparative shopping elsewhere — usually check ITN, Easysabre, and Expedia. And, for purchases, it works quite well, better than the AA site, which wouldn’t let me choose my own seats.

Response:

> > Yeah, but for how much longer? The internet is killing off the CTOs. BA has > shuttered all of its in the U.S. because of the ‘net.

Yeah, right. And……. The computer age has eliminated the need for paper Michael

Response:

>I may be wrong but I don’t think Sabre (which airlines use) and >EasySabre (which we use) rely on the same software.

Quite correct.  Easy and Pro are separate front ends to the real underlying Sabre system.  Pro and the underlying system have been updated for Y2K, Easy hasn’t and apparently won’t be. >The airline direct booking software is pretty good (e.g. – Priority Travel >Works), but you must register, install, etc. … >No longer true that you have to install anything. I couldn’t use >Priority Travel Works when it first came out because you did have to >install it and it was available only for PCs and I use Macs. However, >now it’s simply on the Web, no installation required, and it works very >well, IMO.

I’ve used both and must disagree.  US’s web booking system is just Travelocity with slightly different graphics.  Indeed, if you save your password from the US site, then re-enter from www.travelocity.com as often as not you end up with the US graphics anyway. The Priority Travelworks (PTW) PC software broke badly when they switched from Apollo to Sabre, but now works again.  I finally got it installed on my laptop and was pleasantly surprised to find that it’s actually quite good, you can do sophisticated searches, compare fares on alternate routings, and other stuff that’s excruciating with the "just trust us" approach that Travelocity uses.  If you’re a preferred member of the US frequent flyer program, the PC software also has some hooks for getting upgrades. My main complaints about PTW are that it’s a pain to get installed and configured, far too many menus that come up too slowly, and it doesn’t work over the net, but dials direct through Compuserve’s (now Worldcom’s, I suppose) network.  But if you have a Windows PC to try it on, I’d give it a look.  You have to use your old all-digits Apollo frequent flyer number to register, not the new seven character mixed letters and digits Sabre one. — John R. Levine, IECC, POB 727, Trumansburg NY 14886 +1 607 387 6869 Member, Provisional board, Coalition Against Unsolicited Commercial E-mail

Response:

> >   I must have > gone to four or five local travel agents, but they all wanted $10-15 to do > this!  And for what?  I had already done all the work; all I needed them > to do > was print the tickets.  The (admittedly measly) commission would have more > than paid for the 5 minutes of their time. > Most airlines have CTOs (city ticket offices).   Next time, call the > airline’s 800 number and ask them for the closest CTO to where you live > — it might be lots closer and easier to get to than SFO.

Yeah, but for how much longer? The internet is killing off the CTOs. BA has shuttered all of its in the U.S. because of the ‘net.

Response:

> Yeah, but for how much longer? The internet is killing off the CTOs. BA has > shuttered all of its in the U.S. because of the ‘net.

a. My response was for today, not two or five years hence. b. Yeah, right… that’s the reason BA closed their offices…   and I’ve got some swamp land to sell you too… Glenn

Response:

> [regarding easysaabre] >What other Web site lets you check availability of seats at specific fare >codes?  (That one feature has been the key for me.) >    ITN does, if you set your profile for the expert or advanced or >whatever it is user.  That’s what I did, and every time I use it, I >get a listing of availability that shows the seats available at each >fare code on each flight.

No, you get a list that shows the number of seats for each booking class. You still won’t know what fares are available on that market.  E.g., you won’t know that if you take a flight in a Tuesday between 5 and 6 pm there is a cheaper Q class fare, which is not available at other times, even if Q seats are available. Paulo Santos

Response:

>   I must have > gone to four or five local travel agents, but they all wanted $10-15 to do > this!  And for what?  I had already done all the work; all I needed them to do > was print the tickets.  The (admittedly measly) commission would have more > than paid for the 5 minutes of their time.

Most airlines have CTOs (city ticket offices).   Next time, call the airline’s 800 number and ask them for the closest CTO to where you live — it might be lots closer and easier to get to than SFO. Then, remember that the agent is contracturally on the line for the ticket prices with the airlines.   In a sense, think of it as ‘the agent is taking out a loan for you’ and all they’re getting in return is less maybe $15 a ticket.   Then, factor into it the costs they have to pay to everyone (ARC etc.) just to be ABLE to issue you that ticket — and don’t forget the insurance etc.   No wonder they didn’t want to do it for free… Glenn

Response:

> Re: Y2K Kills EasySabre > Funny…USAirways just switched to Sabre, citing Y2K compliance as the > reason… many got new frequent flyer account numbers.  Could the British Air > investments in AMR and USAirways have something to do with this?

easySABRE is a very small part of SABRE, actually it’s not even part of SABRE it’s just an interface to SABRE. SABRE is Y2K complient. How could investments in AMR or US Airways by British Air have anything to do with this?  Anyway BA has not invested anything in AMR and I’m rather sure they have sold everything they did have in US Airways. Todd

Response:

>Try the old fashioned way — using a good travel agent.  It still works well >for me.  Check references, talk with other passengers, and, remember, your >agent need not be up the street these days (mine lives 800 miles away and >overnights the tic’s at no charge).  Find one who ignores airline bonus’s to >sell you a connection when direct is the same price (and other forms of system >contamination).  Find one who will take returns up and until the 11th hour when >he/she closes the books for the week.  Try consolidators and agents with bulk >ticket franchises (cheaper and less restrictive).

Interesting that you mention this.  Last Friday I went out searching for a local "good travel agent"–or at least one that didn’t charge a fee–and I came up empty. I had reserved (using Easy Sabre) two tix SFO-FLL for $220 each and I wanted to use a $25 Delta coupon to bring the total cost down to $195 each.   Because I had already made the reservation, all I needed was a travel agent to take over the reservation, deduct the coupon, and print my tickets.  I must have gone to four or five local travel agents, but they all wanted $10-15 to do this!  And for what?  I had already done all the work; all I needed them to do was print the tickets.  The (admittedly measly) commission would have more than paid for the 5 minutes of their time. I knew that travel agents were starting to charge now, but I have not used a local travel agent for personal travel for several years, and I did not realize that these charges were so prevalent! I ended up driving to the airport and buying the ticket directly from Delta.   Cost me .75 in airport parking, but that is a lot less than $10. When it comes to telephone-based travel agents, I have several options, including some that rebate part of the commission (and don’t charge you for printing tickets).  But they either won’t handle coupons or they require that you mail the coupons to them.  Unfortunately, for situations like that, it looks as if I’ll have to rely on the airlines directly. — email: mikew 99 @ my-dejanews.com phone: 650 857-6939 WWW: www.bigfoot.com/~mikew99

Response:

Re: Y2K Kills EasySabre Funny…USAirways just switched to Sabre, citing Y2K compliance as the reason… many got new frequent flyer account numbers.  Could the British Air investments in AMR and USAirways have something to do with this? Oh well, wait until Y2.1K … It will be fixed by then (just kidding). The airline direct booking software is pretty good (e.g. – Priority Travel Works), but you must register, install, etc.  It’s a hassle and only worth it if you are a FF on that airline.  Secondly, there are some good reasons not do deal direct with Big Air. Try the old fashioned way — using a good travel agent.  It still works well for me.  Check references, talk with other passengers, and, remember, your agent need not be up the street these days (mine lives 800 miles away and overnights the tic’s at no charge).  Find one who ignores airline bonus’s to sell you a connection when direct is the same price (and other forms of system contamination).  Find one who will take returns up and until the 11th hour when he/she closes the books for the week.  Try consolidators and agents with bulk ticket franchises (cheaper and less restrictive). If you decide the old fashioned way might be worth a try, and can’t find an honest Joe who wants to cut you cheap tickets, email me offline and I’ll give you some names. NG Livingston, The Incognitraveler http://www.ticked.com

Response:

>Re: Y2K Kills EasySabre >Funny…USAirways just switched to Sabre, citing Y2K compliance as the >reason… many got new frequent flyer account numbers.  Could the British Air >investments in AMR and USAirways have something to do with this?

I may be wrong but I don’t think Sabre (which airlines use) and EasySabre (which we use) rely on the same software. >Oh well, wait until Y2.1K … It will be fixed by then (just kidding). >The airline direct booking software is pretty good (e.g. – Priority Travel >Works), but you must register, install, etc.  It’s a hassle and only worth it >if you are a FF on that airline.  Secondly, there are some good reasons not do >deal direct with Big Air.

No longer true that you have to install anything. I couldn’t use Priority Travel Works when it first came out because you did have to install it and it was available only for PCs and I use Macs. However, now it’s simply on the Web, no installation required, and it works very well, IMO. The registration is trivial — a one-shot deal just like with EasySabre and the rest. And, after the first time, you just have to type in your password, not a whole line of stuff like on EasySabre. <ad for TAs snipped>

Response:

Mike…. amen – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->According to the Sabre web site, Easysabre will be discontinued because of a >y2k problem. >This is an area where technology will have taken a step backwards.  Aside >from the fact that all of the web alternatives are slower, none of them >allows you to find a fare, check availability, and then book flight by flight >as Easysabre does. > Aaaaaaaaaaaaargh! > What other Web site lets you check availability of seats at specific fare > codes?  (That one feature has been the key for me.) > What other Web site lets you find fares by typing a single command instead of > having to mouse-click through multiple screens to get the same info? > What other Web site lets you do everything with graphics turned off, for > maximum speed? > The party’s over for me.  In spite of all the flashier Web sites, I keep > returning to Easy Sabre, because nothing else comes close. > — > email: mikew 99 @ my-dejanews.com > phone: 650 857-6939 > WWW: www.bigfoot.com/~mikew99

Response:

 [regarding easysaabre] >What other Web site lets you check availability of seats at specific fare >codes?  (That one feature has been the key for me.)

        ITN does, if you set your profile for the expert or advanced or whatever it is user.  That’s what I did, and every time I use it, I get a listing of availability that shows the seats available at each fare code on each flight. >What other Web site lets you find fares by typing a single command instead of >having to mouse-click through multiple screens to get the same info?

        I’m not sure I follow, but I don’t have to "mouse click" through anything to see all the fares at ITN. >What other Web site lets you do everything with graphics turned off, for >maximum speed?

        Well, I use the Opera browser, which allows me to turn off all graphics, and which works just fine with ITN with the graphics off. >The party’s over for me.  In spite of all the flashier Web sites, I keep >returning to Easy Sabre, because nothing else comes close.

        Hope this helps you to party on, then.         –Bill Candee in NYC

Response:

>Can you provide the link for this? I have used EasySabre for a year 2000 >res. I see the webpage say it is retiring and therefore not being >testing, but it doesn’t say it is retiring due to Y2K.

I just tried Easysabre with a DFW-LGA flight date JAN02 and got this response:    We are unable to check records this far in advance.    Please enter another date.    Example:  DEC02 Then tried the same flight/date at www.aa.com, and got a schedule and fare quotes. So the schedules are there, but Easysabre can’t get at them. Looks like Y2K problem to me. I’m guessing the code is so old, the authors have scattered and it’s just too expensive to fix. I wonder what those interface products which rely on Easysabre will do. I tried Air Travel Manager. Their date picker rolls over to January 20100 Submitted anyway, and got the same answer as above. Brian

Response:

>According to the Sabre web site, Easysabre will be discontinued because of a >y2k problem. >This is an area where technology will have taken a step backwards.  Aside >from the fact that all of the web alternatives are slower, none of them >allows you to find a fare, check availability, and then book flight by flight >as Easysabre does.

Aaaaaaaaaaaaargh! What other Web site lets you check availability of seats at specific fare codes?  (That one feature has been the key for me.) What other Web site lets you find fares by typing a single command instead of having to mouse-click through multiple screens to get the same info? What other Web site lets you do everything with graphics turned off, for maximum speed? The party’s over for me.  In spite of all the flashier Web sites, I keep returning to Easy Sabre, because nothing else comes close. — email: mikew 99 @ my-dejanews.com phone: 650 857-6939 WWW: www.bigfoot.com/~mikew99

Response:

Can you provide the link for this? I have used EasySabre for a year 2000 res. I see the webpage say it is retiring and therefore not being testing, but it doesn’t say it is retiring due to Y2K. Michael – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > According to the Sabre web site, Easysabre will be discontinued because of a > y2k problem. > This is an area where technology will have taken a step backwards.  Aside > from the fact that all of the web alternatives are slower, none of them > allows you to find a fare, check availability, and then book flight by flight > as Easysabre does.

Response:

The URL where the "retirement" of Easysabre is listed is http://www.sabre.com/y2k/Product/ProductITS.htm – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> According to the Sabre web site, Easysabre will be discontinued because of a > y2k problem. > This is an area where technology will have taken a step backwards.  Aside > from the fact that all of the web alternatives are slower, none of them > allows you to find a fare, check availability, and then book flight by flight > as Easysabre does. > Where exactly on their site was this said, I looked for it at > http://www.sabre.com and couldn’t find any information. > The URL would be great. > Thanks > Todd

Response:

> According to the Sabre web site, Easysabre will be discontinued because of a > y2k problem.

Say it ain’t so!  I’ve been using Easysabre almost a decade now.  I agree that no other reservations system provides the same ease and speed for someone who has a good knowledge of the airline industry. I’ve used their feedback mechanism to request a reprieve.. although as an IT professional, I realize that is not very likely. Anyone have recommendations of other choices for best reservations system? Greg

Response:

>According to the Sabre web site, Easysabre will be discontinued because of a >y2k problem.

OAG used the same excuse when dropping their EE (electronic edition). Sabre has some reason to want to drop EasySabre, and Y2K is an EasyExcuse.

Response:

> According to the Sabre web site, Easysabre will be discontinued because of a > y2k problem. > This is an area where technology will have taken a step backwards.  Aside > from the fact that all of the web alternatives are slower, none of them > allows you to find a fare, check availability, and then book flight by flight > as Easysabre does.

Where exactly on their site was this said, I looked for it at http://www.sabre.com and couldn’t find any information. The URL would be great. Thanks Todd

Response:

According to the Sabre web site, Easysabre will be discontinued because of a y2k problem. This is an area where technology will have taken a step backwards.  Aside from the fact that all of the web alternatives are slower, none of them allows you to find a fare, check availability, and then book flight by flight as Easysabre does.

Response: