When
The client gives a route and dates and wants the cheapest way to fly. Fare shopping searches flights and fares together and returns priced options you can book from.
Check first
- You know origin, destination, dates and how many people travel.
- Pricing modifiers follow one
+, itinerary modifiers follow++; separate several modifiers with/. Pricing modifiers come before itinerary ones.
Steps
| # | Entry | What it does | Why |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | FSLJU14NOVAMS · FSLJU14NOVAMS21NOVLJU | Cheapest options one way · return. | The basic search. |
| 2 | FS2LJU14NOVAMS21NOVLJU | The same for 2 passengers. | Seats must exist for everyone. |
| 3 | FSLJU14NOVAMS--CDG21NOVLJU | Out to Amsterdam, home from Paris; AMS–CDG on the ground. | Open jaw with a surface sector. |
| 4 | FSLJU14NOVAMS/KL21NOVLJU/AF# | KLM preferred out, only Air France back. | Airline choice per sector (# = only). |
| 5 | FS3LJU14NOVAMS21NOVLJU+P1-2.3*C08/PE00 | Three travellers: passengers 1–2 adults, passenger 3 a child aged 8; fares without penalties. | Pricing modifiers after +. |
| 6 | FSLJU14NOVAMS21NOVLJU++/KL/AF · ++.D · ++RMC0230 | Preferred airlines · direct flights · no connection over 2 h 30. | Itinerary modifiers after ++. |
| 7 | FSALJU14NOVAMS | Lowest fares whether or not seats are free. | What exists, not what is bookable now. |
| 8 | *FS2 · FQN2 · FSOF2 | Fare construction · fare notes · extra fees of option 2. | Check the option before offering it. |
| 9 | FSK2 | Books pricing option 2. | From search to booking in one entry. |
| 10 | FSMORE · MORE*2 · FS* · FS- | More screens · more flights for option 2 · redisplay · previous group. | Move through the results. |
In Smartpoint, the search is easier from the Smartpanel (Alt+T or #FS, or under Search). Use Flight Shopping Search for a simple one-way or return, the Smartpanel for searches with many modifiers. Steps 8–10 only work in a native terminal window; in the Smartpoint view, click the on-screen prompts instead.
Check it worked
After FSK2 the flights of option 2 are in the booking file. Add names, then check with *FF that a filed fare exists; if not, price with FQ.
Traps
- A shopping price is a snapshot. Seats and fares move; the price that counts is the one filed in the booking file.
FSAignores availability: its cheapest line may not be bookable.- Every pricing modifier of
FQcan be used here (child types, private fares, no penalty), always behind the+. - Fares that include a bag (
+BAG) work only with airlines that file Rich Content and Branding. - With private or net fares and several passenger types, Travelport+ asks you to file each type separately (see Private, net and account-code fares in a quote).