VA cannot see reward availability on EY

[edy4eva]

Just got off the phone having called twice for an AUH-BNE flight. Both VA agents could not see availability at all in any EY flight, citing no seats available. That's despite showing 4 in I (award business) and 2 in O (award F), all visible from both EY and AA ends.

I pointed out to the agent that there must be a technical problem. She said she 'might' raise the issue with her manager.

What's going on?!

 

[edy4eva]

Further to the above, on a third call I asked to speak to a manager who promised will send an email to tech support.

As an after thought, could VA be blocking award availability until end of May when the new point tables kick in (add 11500 points per passengers)?

 

[Blackswan]

This problem has been ongoing for a few months. See http://www.australianfrequentflyer....tralia-velocity/ey-reward-problems-74836.html

When I looked into it, it appeared to be at EY's end. Have you called AA to verify it's actually available and not phantom seats?

 

[Quickstatus]

Just got off the phone having called twice for an AUH-BNE flight. Both VA agents could not see availability at all in any EY flight, citing no seats available. That's despite showing 4 in I (award business) and 2 in O (award F), all visible from both EY and AA ends.

I pointed out to the agent that there must be a technical problem. She said she 'might' raise the issue with her manager.

What's going on?!

Simplest reason is EY awards are not (yet) available to VA velocity members.

Similar with QF awards which are visible to QF FF but only visible to AA FF about 1-2 months later (if still available)

Probsbly a feature of the EY-VA partnership agreement

 

[edy4eva]

This problem has been ongoing for a few months. See http://www.australianfrequentflyer....tralia-velocity/ey-reward-problems-74836.html

When I looked into it, it appeared to be at EY's end. Have you called AA to verify it's actually available and not phantom seats?

Yes, was able to hold the seats from AA end. It's just few weeks ago it was all bookable from VA end.

 

[edy4eva]

Simplest reason is EY awards are not (yet) available to VA velocity members.

Similar with QF awards which are visible to QF FF but only visible to AA FF about 1-2 months later (if still available)

Probsbly a feature of the EY-VA partnership agreement

Sorry but that is not the reason. This is for an itinerary that is few weeks away, and it's bookable from EY and AA ends but not VA's.

The VA manager I spoke with couldn't even see economy redemptions when from EY side it's wide open in N.

 

[smit0847]

I've had this problem before and found HUACA has worked each time

 

[bwhouse]

I have just had the exact same problem trying to book EY F seats. The skeptic in me is also wondering if this is a deliberate move till the end of May. I will try again over the next few days, fingers crossed something might change.

 

[edy4eva]

Here is my observation after another round of calls and getting through with the most helpful of agents ever with VA who tried everything. And a fair bit of cross analysis with paid seat inventory on BNE/MEL/SYD flights, I came to the following suspicion:
VA applies the same algorithm of award availability on their international flights to partner flights.

When comparing general seat availability between EY and VA code share flights, if availability in business on the EY code in the lower buckets is down by even 1 (usually it zeroes out in VA's codeshare), it wipes out all J and F reward availability. And flights over the weekends seem to be blocked out altogether (Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays show best availability).

More on this soon, unless the VA's rep has information otherwise?!

 

[bwhouse]

Here is my observation after another round of calls and getting through with the most helpful of agents ever with VA who tried everything. And a fair bit of cross analysis with paid seat inventory on BNE/MEL/SYD flights, I came to the following suspicion:
VA applies the same algorithm of award availability on their international flights to partner flights.

When comparing general seat availability between EY and VA code share flights, if availability in business on the EY code in the lower buckets is down by even 1 (usually it zeroes out in VA's codeshare), it wipes out all J and F reward availability. And flights over the weekends seem to be blocked out altogether (Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays show best availability).

More on this soon, unless the VA's rep has information otherwise?!

Interesting, I am not sure I quite understand what you mean by "if availability in business on the EY code in the lower buckets is down by even 1" are you suggesting that if the flight has no availability in EY J bucket but availability in the EY F bucket, VA will not see the availability for F as a result of not having any availability in J?

I tried the call center again today (trying to get F flights back from AUH to Syd or Mel) and had very little luck, although interestingly they could see availability in a bunch of J seats that were not showing online on the VA site.

I still wonder if this will magically be fixed after the 31st of May.

 

[edy4eva]

Interesting, I am not sure I quite understand what you mean by "if availability in business on the EY code in the lower buckets is down by even 1" are you suggesting that if the flight has no availability in EY J bucket but availability in the EY F bucket, VA will not see the availability for F as a result of not having any availability in J?

I tried the call center again today (trying to get F flights back from AUH to Syd or

EY fare buckets for F/J are PFAR/JCDWZ, while for VA code shares FAR/JCD Maximum number shows as 7 on EY, 6 for F and 4 for J on VA.

If say Z which is the lowest fare bucket on EY shows as 6, there will be no F or J redemption seats from VA side.

And seems that all A380 flights are not available at all.

 

[bwhouse]

EY fare buckets for F/J are PFAR/JCDWZ, while for VA code shares FAR/JCD Maximum number shows as 7 on EY, 6 for F and 4 for J on VA.

If say Z which is the lowest fare bucket on EY shows as 6, there will be no F or J redemption seats from VA side.

And seems that all A380 flights are not available at all.

Right now I think I get what you mean, I didn't realise you were referring to the availability in the paid fair buckets. Also seems odd that a380 flights are not available at all.

Your theory checks out for the flights I was trying to book this morning that are showing 2 guest seats available on the EY website. I just checked and they both are showing Z0 on expert flyer.

 

[travelislife]

Would be good to get some feedback on this from the VFF rep, though it sounds like you might have more of an understanding of what is going on edy4eva!

 

[edy4eva]

Thanks travelislife.
After doing further checks, Sat/Sun/Mon flights show as blocked on the vast majority of the weeks. And as already known, the online search tool is not always reflective of what the VA agents see (that goes both ways!).

It's a shame really. VA actively blocking reward availability on partners.

I am kind of sick and tired of hearing each agent having to say 'award space is subject to availability'. The disclaimer omits the bit that availability is determined by an algorithm that minimises the chances of redemptions by ignoring real award availability.

The silence by the VA team on this is also disappointing.

 

[bwhouse]

Thanks travelislife.
After doing further checks, Sat/Sun/Mon flights show as blocked on the vast majority of the weeks. And as already known, the online search tool is not always reflective of what the VA agents see (that goes both ways!).

It's a shame really. VA actively blocking reward availability on partners.

I am kind of sick and tired of hearing each agent having to say 'award space is subject to availability'. The disclaimer omits the bit that availability is determined by an algorithm that minimises the chances of redemptions by ignoring real award availability.

The silence by the VA team on this is also disappointing.

Could't agree more I am also sick of hearing that canned phrase every time I call. Can't say I am surprised on the slice from the VA team, the silence basically confirms they are blocking the available space. I have now found multiple instances where the EY site shows space and in one case I even confirmed that AA could see the space (just don't have enough points with them) and VA still can't book it. Bit of a joke really.

I strongly suspect availability may suddenly get better after the new award chart comes in moving EY to the partner chart.

 

[Blackswan]

Could't agree more I am also sick of hearing that canned phrase every time I call. Can't say I am surprised on the slice from the VA team, the silence basically confirms they are blocking the available space. I have now found multiple instances where the EY site shows space and in one case I even confirmed that AA could see the space (just don't have enough points with them) and VA still can't book it. Bit of a joke really.

I strongly suspect availability may suddenly get better after the new award chart comes in moving EY to the partner chart.

Have you tried sharing your frustration through the Velocity social media channels?

 

[travelislife]

The issue is it is so easy to fall back on the 'subject to availability' line. A very frustrating experience if they are in fact blocking it.

 

[Quickstatus]

Yes VA and other airlines limit access to reward seats on their partner's flights.

The algorithm that generates codeshare reward availability is just a product of their partnership agreement. Im not sure that VA is unilaterally and actively limiting access, I think they are just following their agreement with EY.


Many people expected/ assumed the EY-VA partnership to result in the 2 airlines behaving as though it is One; and beyond what was announced.

When did VA ever say reward availability will be equally accessible across both airlines?.

While on on one level the frustration is understandable, it is also true that our assumptions were inflated beyond the reality.

If it is true that VA is actively blocking access over an above what their partnership agreement allows, is this anything new?. All airlines do it. QF blocks access the reward seats to their own customers on their own flights. The less status you have the less availability you get. VA does not seem to be do it to the same extent.

 

[edy4eva]

Yes VA and other airlines limit access to reward seats on their partner's flights.

The algorithm that generates codeshare reward availability is just a product of their partnership agreement. Im not sure that VA is unilaterally and actively limiting access, I think they are just following their agreement with EY.


Many people expected/ assumed the EY-VA partnership to result in the 2 airlines behaving as though it is One; and beyond what was announced.

When did VA ever say reward availability will be equally accessible across both airlines?.

While on on one level the frustration is understandable, it is also true that our assumptions were inflated beyond the reality.

If it is true that VA is actively blocking access over an above what their partnership agreement allows, is this anything new?. All airlines do it. QF blocks access the reward seats to their own customers on their own flights. The less status you have the less availability you get. VA does not seem to be do it to the same extent.

I would have totally agreed with you if VA didn't change this suddenly few weeks ago. Before then availability through VA on EY was identical to EY's.

The partnership (more like investment of EY in VA) you are referring to dates back to 2012.

 

[bwhouse]

Yes VA and other airlines limit access to reward seats on their partner's flights.

The algorithm that generates codeshare reward availability is just a product of their partnership agreement. Im not sure that VA is unilaterally and actively limiting access, I think they are just following their agreement with EY.


Many people expected/ assumed the EY-VA partnership to result in the 2 airlines behaving as though it is One; and beyond what was announced.

When did VA ever say reward availability will be equally accessible across both airlines?.

While on on one level the frustration is understandable, it is also true that our assumptions were inflated beyond the reality.

If it is true that VA is actively blocking access over an above what their partnership agreement allows, is this anything new?. All airlines do it. QF blocks access the reward seats to their own customers on their own flights. The less status you have the less availability you get. VA does not seem to be do it to the same extent.

Totally agree, it is within VA and EY's right to decide what availability is shown and whilst I am having a whinge I do get it and I certainly do not have an expectation that I should be able to redeem award seats when ever I want based on EY's availability.

My frustration though (as edy4eva has pointed out) is something appears to have changed in that availability is no longer matching as it used to with little explanation, but them's the breaks I guess. On a separate note I also really don't understand why the the VA website doesn't allow you to search for F flights when you select partner awards, but that probably belongs in the "VA's website is rubbish thread"