Has anyone used KVSTool??

[curiost]

Does anyone use KVS Availability Tool: Global Flight Availability, Award Availability, Fares, Timetables, Seat Maps It seems to be the mecca of finding flights/fares/upgrade ops/award flights across all airlines but it is a paid subscription service. I'm wondering if anyone here uses it and if it's worth it?

 

[Princess Fiona]

Does anyone use KVS Availability Tool: Global Flight Availability, Award Availability, Fares, Timetables, Seat Maps It seems to be the mecca of finding flights/fares/upgrade ops/award flights across all airlines but it is a paid subscription service. I'm wondering if anyone here uses it and if it's worth it?

I have a subscription and have used it. As I'm a Mac user I find it a bit of a fiddle to get going.
To be honest I much prefer Award Nexus as its a clean, simple interface and I'm not usually looking for fares only awards.
The other sites I use are Expert Flyer and Hipmunk

 

[mella2007]

I've got a subscription too and have used it. Between that and Expert Flyer is covers everything I need. I agree with PrincessF that the interface is very clunky....considering what they charge surely they could fix the way it looks/more user friendly

 

[curiost]

I'm mainly interested because I'm flying to Europe and Morocco with a fair amount of connections later in the year and wondering if it would help me with trying to get an upgrade(paid or otherwise). Other than that I only fly internationally about once a year. Worth it?

 

[mella2007]

I'm mainly interested because I'm flying to Europe and Morocco with a fair amount of connections later in the year and wondering if it would help me with trying to get an upgrade(paid or otherwise). Other than that I only fly internationally about once a year. Worth it?

Nope. You can do a free trial with expert flyer (and if you are a paid member here on AFF, a yearly membership gives you a discount). Otherwise if you ask nicely, someone would be more than happy to look up what you need to know

 

[serfty]

In the early days I tried both KVS and expertflyer - they both provide similar information. It was a choice between them, going forward I did not perceive the need for both.

Being a techo, I really wanted to select KVS as the interface is good. However, the overall portability of E/F won out ... that and the 15% discount AFF Gold members get, which I apply to an annual subscription.

If you travel a lot and are concerned about the best fares etc, tools like KVS and E/F can be invaluable.

IMHO, two specific incidents taken just by themselves (let alone any other benefits), both relating to cancelled flights, easy searching for scarce alternatives & the subsequent empowerment of Agents to implement the solution, have justified the $500+ in subscription that I have spent over the last 10 years or so - but I do average around 80 segments per year.

If using for shorter periods, maybe just subscribe for around the times leading up to booking, and then flying, any major itinerary.

 

[VA777]

I have purchased a subscription, but based on my experience (mac user), I have found it unfriendly and difficult to use, so I can not recommend it.

 

[Airbumps]

I've been using KVS for years now. Having the Diamond level subscription allows you to pretty much see and check anything you like. Its proved invaluable to me, particularly for looking for award seats which its capable of doing relatively quickly on most major airlines.

Big thumps up for KVS from me! Never really played around with EF much - I don't like the web based interface and always found KVS easier to navigate.

 

[dalereardon]

Hi,

Can it do automated checking like with AwardNexus and ExpertFlyer?

Also can you check multiple airlines all at once like with AwardNexus? Expert Flyer only lets you do one at a time which is a real problem as I understand how it works.

Dale.

 

[KVS]

I've been using KVS for years now. Having the Diamond level subscription allows you to pretty much see and check anything you like. Its proved invaluable to me, particularly for looking for award seats which its capable of doing relatively quickly on most major airlines.

Big thumps up for KVS from me! Never really played around with EF much - I don't like the web based interface and always found KVS easier to navigate.

It's a pleasure to have you as a KVS Tool member since 2006!

Also can you check multiple airlines all at once like with AwardNexus? Expert Flyer only lets you do one at a time which is a real problem as I understand how it works.

Yes, the KVS Tool supports Alliance-wide Award Availability searches for Star Alliance, OneWorld and SkyTeam (and has 100% Award Availability coverage in all of them).

 

[blu]

It was popular on FT with BAEC.
And from memory, well supported by KVS in that thread.

 

[dalereardon]

Can it do scheduled checking like AwardNexus and ExpertFlyer offer so you can monitor availability?

Dale.

 

[Nizar]

Guys do the Fares in KVS include taxes/surcharges/fees, etc ?

 

[Airbumps]

Guys do the Fares in KVS include taxes/surcharges/fees, etc ?

Although I don't use it to look up fares, my understanding is it displays net fares. That is, without taxes OR surcharges.

I could be wrong though as thats not really what I use it for. That said, its a great tool and now with the UA and DL changes has the leg up over ExpertFlyer!

 

[Nizar]

I could be wrong though as thats not really what I use it for.

Same, but just bought the product today so playing around with it. I bought it solely to look up award availability.
Your response makes sense as taxes and surcharges depend on where the fare is ticketed and I didn't input Melbourne or Australia into any of the fields.

 

[serfty]

Not "net" - that's what you would end up paying - it sows the "base" fares.

 

[Airbumps]

Not "net" - that's what you would end up paying - it sows the "base" fares.

Sorry, I should have clarified. Back in my TA days we would call anything that wasn't a gross fare a net fare. You are of course correct - it is just the fare base.

 

[KVS]

Same, but just bought the product today so playing around with it. I bought it solely to look up award availability.

Welcome to the KVS Tool!

Guys do the Fares in KVS include taxes/surcharges/fees, etc ?

Although I don't use it to look up fares, my understanding is it displays net fares. That is, without taxes OR surcharges.

Your response makes sense as taxes and surcharges depend on where the fare is ticketed and I didn't input Melbourne or Australia into any of the fields.

Indeed:
http://Help.KVSTool.com/#Q20

I could be wrong though as thats not really what I use it for. That said, its a great tool and now with the UA and DL changes has the leg up over ExpertFlyer!

We are glad you are continuing to enjoy your KVS Tool Membership and thanks for helping a fellow Member!

 

[Foreigner]

Same, but just bought the product today so playing around with it. I bought it solely to look up award availability.
Your response makes sense as taxes and surcharges depend on where the fare is ticketed and I didn't input Melbourne or Australia into any of the fields.

Apart from availability, I learnt of MPM. That was for me a critical aspect of my *A award booking this week.

 

[Nizar]

Guys has anyone been able to find HIA (Hamad International) - the new airport in Doha, in KVS ?
It doesn't seem to recognise it but I'm thinking maybe there's an update available or coming soon ?
Soon all of QRs A380s will be flying into and out of HIA, and the new F looks amazing.

Cheers