Additional Features FAQ
- Results Menu
- Double-click a particular flight segment/fare (or press F11) for the following options:
- When in Availability/Timetable Mode:
- Seat Maps
- Flight/Operational Info
- Check Visa Requirements [TIMATIC]
- When in Fares Mode:
- View Fare Rules [Sabre]
- View Fare Rules Summary [WSpan]
- View Routing Rules
- Find Flights Using This Fare [ITA]
- Check Visa Requirements [TIMATIC]
- Marketing Airline Code & Description -- click to visit that airline's website or call it using Skype
- Operating Airline Code & Description (for codeshare flights) -- click to visit that airline's website or call it using Skype
- Departure Airport Code & Description -- click for airport info/weather
- Destination Airport Code & Description -- click for airport info/weather
- Aircraft Code & Description -- click for detailed aircraft info
- Flight Duration (availability and format varies by Method)
- Mileage/Kilometrage for the segment (availability varies by Method)
- Connection Time (applicable connecting segments only)
- Airport/Airline Code Lookup
- Basic lookup: Enter the name/code and press [Tab].
- You can search airport locations by:
- City name. Example: London
- Airport name. Example: Heathrow
- 3-letter IATA Airport Code. Example: LHR
- 4-letter ICAO Airport Code. Example: EGLL
- Country (Enter a 2-letter country code, followed by a space and a "]"): Example: ZA [
- You can search airlines by:
- Airline name. Example: Continental
- 2-character IATA Airline Code. Example: CO
- 3-letter ICAO Airline Code (Enter a "-", followed by a space, and a 3-letter ICAO code): Example: - COA
- Alliance Code (Enter the Alliance Code in square brackets): [*A] [*O] [*S]
- Advanced search: Enter the string to search for (e.g. London), then press [F2] to go to first matching entry (e.g. LON). Press [F3] to continue searching (e.g. cycle between STN/LTN/LGW/LHR).
- PNR/Itinerary Retrieval Manager
- Allows you to save a list of your Itineraries/PNRs for easy reference and 1-click web-based retrieval.
- Supports all 4 major GDS systems: Amadeus, Sabre/Abacus, Galileo/Apollo, and Worldspan, and also directly supports a number of airlines.
- Routing Rules
- Legend (applicable to Routing-Based fares only):
- -: To
- /: Or
- Routing Example:
- NYC-CHI/DFW-SFO/LAX-HNL: You can fly from NYC to HNL via CHI or DFW, then via SFO or LAX (e.g. you can fly NYC-CHI-SFO-HNL or NYC-DFW-LAX-HNL or NYC-CHI-LAX-HNL or NYC-DFW-SFO-HNL). You do not have to transit the points indicated (e.g. you can route NYC-CHI-HNL or NYC-DFW-HNL or NYC-SFO-HNL or NYC-LAX-HNL or just NYC-HNL). However, if you do, then you have to transit the specified points in the order listed.
- PTC: Passenger Type Code:
- ADT: Adult
- CNN: Child
- INF: Infant
- INS: Infant with seat
- UNN: Unaccompanied minor
- GI: Routing Global Indicator/Via Code:
- AT: North Atlantic
- PA: Pacific
- AP: Atlantic/Pacific
- EH: Eastern Hemisphere
- WH: Western Hemisphere
- FE: Far East
- TS: Trans-Siberian
- PN: Pacific Via North America
- SA: South America
- T1: IATA Area 1
- T2: IATA Area 2
- T3: IATA Area 3
- PO: Polar
- DO: Domestic Service
- PC: North-Central Pacific
- NP: North Pacific
- SP: South Polar
- AF: Africa
- CT: Circle Trip
- MI: Mid Atlantic
- RU: Russia
- Flight/Operational Info Manager
- Provides quick and easy access to operational flight info, historical performance data, and flight tracking.
- Operational Info [Amadeus]:
- Planned Flight Info: Full routing/list of intermediate stops, traffic restrictions, terminal numbers, aircraft features (e.g. IFE), e-ticket eligibility.
- Flight Operational Info: Runway and gate departure/arrival times, delay reasons/comments, etc.
- Carriers supported (Planned Flight Info): All
- Carriers supported (Flight Operational Info): AC/UA/US/LH/OS/SK/TP/LO/JK/BD/TK/SQ/NZ/NH/OZ/SA/KF/LX/FM, AA/QF/BA/AY/IB/MA/LA, KL/AF/AM/KE/KQ/OK, LY
- Operational Info [WSpan]:
- Flight Operational Info: Native airline display (incl. routings, runway and gate departure/arrival times, delay reasons/comments, etc.)
- Carriers supported: US/UA, DL, AA
- Reference Information Lookup:
- Maximum Permitted Mileage [MPM]:
- Maximum Permitted Mileages (MPM) reflect the distance limit between two specified international points, within which passengers can travel at the single direct MPM-based fare, provided that the sum of Ticketed Point Mileage (TPM) distances is not exceeded.
- For more info: http://www.TravelTerminal.com/glossary.shtml#MPM & The Mileage System (OAG)
- Routing can be specified either as origin-destination (e.g. LON-SYD), or as a proposed routing to be validated (e.g. LON-FRA-BKK-SYD)
- Specifying the airline is optional.
- A maximum of 16 segments is allowed.
- Legend:
- GI/DC: Global Indicator/Direction (see above for Global Indicator codes)
- M: Maximum Permitted Mileage -- MPM
- 5M/10M/15M/20M/25M: MPM Surcharge Band (MPM + Permitted Mileage Excess (__%), subject to a MPM surcharge of 5%/10%/15%/20%/25% respectively)
- 1/2/3: IATA Area 1/2/3
- TPM: Ticketed Point Mileage (See TPM Explanation)
- CUM: Cumulative Mileage (a running total of TPMs)
- SUR: MPM Surcharge Band Required
- HGL: Mileage remaining within the current MPM Surcharge Band
- LWL: Mileage over the previous (lower) MPM Surcharge Band
- XTRA: N/A
- Ticketed Point Mileage [TPM]:
- TPM is the actual distance between two cities on an itinerary, which is used for the purposes of validating against the MPM and calculating mileage award credits (subject to the rules of a particular frequent flyer programme).
- For more info: http://www.TravelTerminal.com/glossary.shtml#MPM & The Mileage System (OAG)
- Routing can be entered as one of more segments (e.g LON-SYD or LON-FRA-BKK-SYD)
- A maximum of 10 segments is allowed.
- Mileage is calculated in both miles and kilometers.
- Minimum Connection Time [MCT]:
- To check standard MCT times for an airport, enter the airport code (e.g. JFK) and leave the Connect Airlines field blank.
- To check for carrier-specific exceptions, enter the airport code (e.g. JFK) and enter the from/to airline codes in the Connect Airlines field (e.g. BA-QF or VS-VS).
- To check inter-airport MCTs (e.g. LHR-LGW), enter a city code (e.g. LON) and leave the Connect Airlines field blank.
- Legend:
- DD: Domestic To Domestic
- DI: Domestic To International
- ID: International To Domestic
- II: International To International
- TR: Terminal
- DEP: Departure [Airport]
- ARR: Arrival [Airport]
- A/L: Airline
- EQP N: Narrow-body Aircraft
- EQP W: Wide-body Aircraft
- SUP: Suppressed
- Date Calculator:
- Query examples: 25 Jul + 331 Days, 09 Aug 2011 - 355, 15/07 + 6 Weeks, + 8 Months.
- Visa/Immigration/Health/Customs Info (TIMATIC)
- To look-up a topic/document reference, which may appear in the text, surrounded by double square brackets (e.g. [[TIDFT/GB/PA/WA/ID14102]]), select TIMATIC Expert Mode and enter the command, starting with TI (e.g. TIDFT/GB/PA/WA/ID14102)
- Filter
- You can filter the displayed results in real-time by specifying requirements, such as "availability required in classes X or Y", "only flights on airlines XX and YY", "only Star Alliance/OneWorld/SkyTeam flights", "no codeshare flights", etc. You can also chose which booking classes you want to see, and in which order.
- ITA Query Builder
- This option will construct an ITA Route Language query to search for available flights, using the Fare Basis, selected in KVS Tool.
- It can also be used to calculate taxes/fees/surcharges.
- Double click the desired fare and select [Find Flights Using This Fare].
- If you are presented with an ITA Login screen, click [Log in as a guest] and repeat the step above (this only needs to be done once).
- To change/revise parameters (e.g. dates), click [Modify search] at the top of the ITA search results page.
- Specifying multiple airlines:
- You can specify up to 3 airline codes when using the [Sabre: GTC], [Sabre: Fares/DotRes], [Galileo: Fares/PSH], and [Amadeus: Timetable] Methods.
- Separate multiple airline codes with a semicolon (";"), e.g. BA; AF; AA
- To Print the results:
- Press [Ctrl]+[P]
- or -
- Right-click or Double-click on the list of the results; this will bring-up a pop-up menu.
- Click Send To -> Wordpad
- To use the results in a FlyerTalk post or your Website/Blog pages:
- Right-click or Double-click on the list of the results; this will bring-up a pop-up menu.
- Click Copy to Clipboard -> For Forum Use [BBCode] or Website/Blog Use [HTML]
- To copy individual segments to WordPad or another application:
- Drag-and-Drop the desired segment from the list to another application (e.g. WordPad) by holding the left mouse button.
Keyboard Shortcuts
- <Ctrl> + <P>: Send results to WordPad (e.g. for printing)
- <Ctrl> + <PgUp>/<PgDown>: Request availability for previous/next day
- <Alt> + Underlined Letter: Goto the corresponding field, e.g. F=From, D=Date, A=Airline
- <Enter>: Go
- <F11>: Same as double-clicking the segment
- <Shift> + <F1>..<F9>: Select Method
Network & Compatibility Issues
- HTTP Proxy Issues:
- Standard proxy servers are supported and the tool will automatically use MSIE's proxy settings. To review or change those settings, click the purple [Tools] button and select [Internet Options].
- For proxy servers requiring authentication only, click the purple [Tools] button and select [Proxy Authentication Options].
- Note: Certain Methods may not be functional when using a proxy server, requiring authentication, due to an unresolved bug in one of the Microsoft system components.
- Windows Compatibility:
- KVS Tool desktop application can run under all 32/64-bit versions of Windows, including:
 - Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7
- Windows 2003/2008
- Windows 95/98/Me, Windows NT 4, Windows 2000
- Mac/Linux Compatibility:
- While the KVS Tool is a Windows application, it has been specifically designed to be emulator-friendly. Many KVS Tool members are [successfully running it] using the following emulation solutions:
- Manual Installation Procedure (for advanced users only):
- Download the KVS_AvailabilityTool_Setup.EXE file.
- Rename KVS_AvailabilityTool_Setup.EXE to KVS_AvailabilityTool_Setup.ZIP.
- Extract all files from KVS_AvailabilityTool_Setup.ZIP to a suitable directory, using WinZip.
- KVS Tool Mobile Companion is compatible with all web-enabled Mobile (incl. Blackberry, iPhone, etc.), PDA, and desktop/laptop/netbook devices.
Error Messages & Troubleshooting Tips- Installation Fails or Freezes:
- If your user account does not have administrative priveleges (e.g. when installing on a locked-down machine in a corporate environment):
- Install the KVS Tool to a directory, to which you have full read/write access by clicking the [Browse] button on the Installation Options screen during Setup.
- Select the [Place System Files In Application Directory] option on the Installation Options screen during Setup.
- Temporarily disable any anti-virus protection software until the installation is complete.
- "KVS_AvailabilityTool_Setup.EXE is not a valid Win32 application":
Please try clearing your web browser's Cache/Temporary Files and downloading the Setup file again. Alternatively, try using a different browser. If that does not help, then there may be an issue with your local system, such as faulty/mis-configured anti-virus software, a virus infection, or a full/corrupted disk drive.
- "Cannot connect [12029]" and/or
"Name not resolved [12007]" and/or
"Error 9001: Time-Out Requesting Data"
This indicates either a problem with your internet connection, or personal firewall settings. Try the following:- Re-configure or temporarily disable any personal firewall/anti-virus software (e.g. Symantec's Norton Internet Security).
- Verify that all of your Internet Explorer Connection Settings (including Proxy Settings) are correct. To access these settings, click the purple [Tools] button at the top of the KVS Tool, then click [Internet Options].
- If you have just installed an updated version of the Tool, remove KVS Availability Tool ("C:\Program Files\KVS Availability Tool\KVS_AvailabilityTool.exe") from your personal firewall/anti-virus software's "trusted programs" list, and then add it there again.
- Run the Internet Connection Test: Click the purple [Tools] button and select [Internet Connection Test].
- Restart your system.
- "Error 35761: Request timed out [12002]":
- This indicates a problem with your internet connection. Verify that all of your Internet Explorer Connection Settings (including Proxy Settings) are correct and try again.
To access Connection Settings, click the purple [Tools] button at the top of the KVS Tool, then click [Internet Options].
- Run the Internet Connection Test: Click the purple [Tools] button and select [Internet Connection Test].
- "Error 35756: Unable to complete request [Inet]" and/or
"Error 35764: Still executing last request [Inet]":
This indicates a problem with your Internet Explorer settings. Start Internet Explorer, make sure that it is not set to Work Off-Line (via File Menu), and that all Connection Settings (including Proxy Settings) are correct. Restart the Tool and try again. If that does not resolve the problem, try the troubleshooting instructions for "Error requesting data: Cannot connect [12029]" above.
- "Transferring Data >>>>>>>>>>" message is displayed, but results never appear, and/or
"Error 9001: Time-Out Requesting Data [Inet]":
This indicates a problem with your Internet Explorer Cookie settings.
To access these settings, click the purple [Tools] button at the top of the KVS Tool, then click [Internet Options]. Goto [Privacy] tab, click [Advanced] and make sure that First Party Cookies is set to Accept. Restart the Tool and try again.
If that does not resolve the problem, try the troubleshooting instructions for "Error 35761: Request timed out" above.
- "Error Requesting Data: (Various)" after upgrading to the latest version (previous version worked OK on the same machine):
- Remove KVS Availability Tool ("C:\Program Files\KVS Availability Tool\KVS_AvailabilityTool.exe") from your personal firewall/anti-virus software's "trusted programs" list, and then add it there again.
- Restart your system.
- If that does not resolve the issue, please refer to the troubleshooting tips for actual error message shown.
- "KVS Tool was unable to connect to the Authentication Server" in Registration dialogue window:
- If you were able to successfully use the Tool on this machine in the past, then the Autnetication Server may be temporarly unavailable -- please try again in a few minutes.
- Otherwise, refer to the troubleshooting tips for actual error message that preceedes the dialogue window ("Error Requesting Data").
- Run the Internet Connection Test: Click the purple [Tools] button and select [Internet Connection Test].
- KVS Tool hangs (freezes) intermittently when transferring data, particularly when using the [CUPID: Awards/CX] Method:
This may be caused by an unresolved bug in the Microsoft WinInet system component. To work-around this issue:
Click the purple [Tools] button at the top of the KVS Tool, then click [Internet Options]. Goto [Advanced] tab, scroll down to [HTTP 1.1 Settings] and make sure that Use HTTP 1.1 and Use HTTP 1.1 through proxy connections options are unchecked. Restart the Tool and try again.
- "Unable to Retrieve Fares: Become a member!" error message when using the [Fares/TVN] Method:
To resolve this issue, click the purple [Tools] button at the top of the KVS Tool, select [Internet Options], goto the [General] Tab, and click the [Delete Cookies] button. Restart the Tool and try again.
- "[ShellExecute] Error XX":
This indicates a problem with your system configuration.
For Internet Explorer, goto Tools -> Internet Options -> Programs. Verify that the box labelled "Internet Explorer should check to see whether it is the default browser" is checked. Other browsers will have a similar option. Restart the browser.
See http://support.screenplay.com/answercenter/questions.php?questionid=420&todo= for screenshots.
- "Online Authentication Error: Proxy Access Denied", and/or
"KVS Tool has received an unexpected response while contacting the Authentication Server", and/or
"Online Authentication Response Error", and/or
"Datasource Error: Proxy Access Denied":
This indicates that your corporate proxy server requires authentication, and that you need to supply the Tool with the appropriate username/password combination. Please see the [Network & Compatibility Issues: HTTP Proxy Issues: For proxy servers requiring authentication] section above, or provide that information to your IT support personnel.
- "Online Authentication Error: Redirecting", and/or
"Online Authentication Error: <Various>", and/or
"KVS Tool has received an unexpected response while contacting the Authentication Server", and/or
"Online Authentication Response Error":
This indicates that there is an issue with your internet connection (e.g. you may be using a Wireless Hotspot, which requires login). Launch Microsoft Internet Explorer and complete the necessary steps before using the KVS Tool.
- "Security Certificate Number Invalid [12037]":
These types of error are, typically, caused by incorrect system date/time settings. After correcting your system date/time, restart the Tool.
- "Gopher - Attribute Not Found [12057]" and/or
"SSL Certificate REV Failed [12057]":
To resolve the issue, click the purple [Tools] button at the top of the KVS Tool, then click [Internet Options]. Goto [Advanced] tab, scroll down to [Security] and make sure that Check For Server Certificate Revocation option is unchecked. Restart the Tool and try again.
- "The application experienced an internal error loading the SSL libraries [12157]":
- See also KVS Tool FAQ for other error messages.
Interpreting Availability Results:
Interpreting The Results: Factors that can affect availability:- POS (Point-of-Sale)/Dynamic Availability -- i.e. who is requesting availability and where are they from?:
- An excellent explanation, courtesy of a FT member spanzviewmaster: http://www.FlyerTalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=9565&page=5&pp=40#post3380501
- An example of how POS can affect availability: http://www.FlyerTalk.com/forum/showpost.php?p=4215669&postcount=22
- Explanation courtesy of Amadeus - POS: http://www.Amadeus.com/airlines/x7392.html
- Explanation courtesy of Amadeus - Dynamic Availability: http://www.Amadeus.com/airlines/x7394.html
- For example: Airline XX's Res system receives requests for Y-class availability for flight XX 123. It knows that, for example, request #1 comes from AC in YYZ, #2 from LH office in DE, #3 from UA office in US, #4 from NH office in JP. It can then answer, say, D0 to #1, D1 to #2, D2 to #3, and D3 to #4. The key POS criteria is, typically, the country (or region), but a number of other criteria can be involved.
- Segment Marriage Logic/Journey Data:
Using the Tool to Plan a Trip or Mileage Run:
Step 1: If you do not know where you want to go, use FareCompare to locate a fare with a low PPM, and note the city pair (e.g. YTO-LON).
Step 2: Search for Fares between that city pair (e.g. YTO-LON), and locate the fare you are interested in:
Carrier From To Fare Cur Expiry Min Max Fare Basis
--------- ------ ---- --------- ---- --------- ---- ---- ----------
AC YTO LON 355 USD Sun 12M A0MSLXFL
BA YTO LON 355 USD Sun 12M NLXNNNAA
BD YTO LON 355 USD Sun 2M T0MSLXFL
AC YTO LON 409 USD Sun 12M A0MSLWFL
BA YTO LON 409 USD Sun 12M NLWNNNAA
BD YTO LON 409 USD Sun 2M T0MSLWFL
BD YTO LON 427 USD Sun 2M T0MLXLL
US YTO LON 431 USD Sun 12M ULXCA13E
DL YTO LON 431 USD Sun 12M ULXSLGB1
Step 3: Review the Fare Rules of the fare in question, taking a note of the booking class (A), and the restrictions (RETURN TRVL IS VALID ON THE 1ST SUN AFTER 12:01 A.M.; APPLIES AT ANY TIME MON-WED ON INTL SECTOR; 24OCT-19DEC06 OR 24DEC06-7MAR07):
[BK CODE]
A
[MIN STAY]
RETURN TRVL IS VALID ON THE 1ST SUN AFTER 12:01 A.M.. MEASURED FROM DPTR FROM ORIGIN.
[MAX STAY]
RETURN TRVL MUST COMMENCE NO LATER THAN 12 MONTHS. MEASURED FROM DPTR
FROM ORIGIN TO DPTR FROM LAST STOPOVER POINT.
[DAY/TIME]
APPLIES AT ANY TIME MON-WED ON INTL SECTOR. DAY/TIME IS
BASED ON TRIP DATE OF INTL SECTOR.
[SEASONS]
24OCT-19DEC06 OR 24DEC06-7MAR07. SEASON IS BASED ON
DATE OF ORIGIN AND IS DETERMINED BY DATE OF DEPARTURE OF FIRST
INTERNATIONAL SECTOR.
[EFF/EXP]
TICKET MUST BE ISSUED BY 20NOV06.
[BLACKOUTS]
NO BLACKOUT RESTRICTIONS APPLY.
[FLT APPL]
NO FLIGHT RESTRICTIONS APPLY.
Step 4: Check Routing Rules / Maximum Permitted Mileage [MPM] for the fare in question:
ROUTING 301 FROM-TO YTO-YMQ-YYT-YOW-LON*
FROM-TO YTO-YMQ-YYT-AC-YHZ-YYT-LON*
FROM-TO YTO-YMQ-YYT-LON*
FROM-TO YTO-YMQ-YHZ-YYT-YOW-LON*
FROM-TO YTO-YMQ-YHZ-YYT-AC-YHZ-YYT-LON*
FROM-TO YTO-YMQ-YHZ-YYT-LON*
FROM-TO YTO-YOW-YYT-YOW-LON*
FROM-TO YTO-YOW-YYT-AC-YHZ-YYT-LON*
FROM-TO YTO-YOW-YYT-LON*
FROM-TO YTO-YOW-LON*
FROM-TO YTO-AC-YHZ-YYT-LON*
FROM-TO YTO-LON*
Step 5: Check Availability for the desired date(s):
FRI 01 Dec 2009
Carrier Flight From Depart To Arrive A/C St Availability
--------- ------ ---- --------- ---- --------- ---- ---- -----------------------------------
AC 868 YYZ 09:00 LHR 21:15 763 0 J9 C9 Y9 M9 U9 B9 H9 V9 Q9 L9 A9 I4
AC 856 YYZ 18:10 LHR 06:25 +1 333 0 J9 C9 Y9 M9 U9 B9 H0 V0 Q0 L0 A0 I8
AC 848 YYZ 20:20 LHR 08:35 +1 763 0 J9 C0 Y9 M9 U9 B9 H0 V0 Q0 L0 A0 I0
AC 858 YYZ 22:55 LHR 11:15 +1 763 0 J9 C5 Y9 M9 U9 B9 H0 V0 Q0 L0 A0 I4
AC 460 YYZ 17:10 YOW 18:10 320 0 J9 C0 Y9 M9 U9 B9 H9 V9 Q9 L3 A3 I0
-> AC 888 YOW 19:05 LHR 07:00 +1 763 0 J3 C0 Y9 M9 U9 B9 H7 V3 Q3 L3 A3 I0
AC 616 YYZ 18:35 YHZ 21:35 763 0 J9 C9 Y9 M9 U9 B9 H9 V9 Q9 L9 A9 I8
-> AC 860 YHZ 22:55 LHR 08:25 +1 763 0 J9 C9 Y9 M9 U9 B9 H9 V9 Q9 L9 A9 I5
|
Press Ctrl+F (Command+F) to search this page.
Good for general use
ANA Mileage Club Card Number and PIN are required to use this Method:
If you are trying to redeem your United Mileage Plus miles, especially for a C/F-class seat on a premium carrier (e.g. SQ), then the most likely cause is that UA 'artificially' restricts award availability, shown to its agents. In other words, the seat