ExpertFlyer is a useful subscription service that provides all kinds of valuable information for planning and managing flights. The service has just introduced some changes, including some cool new features, but also a higher price than before. Let’s take a look at the details.
In this post:
ExpertFlyer updates seat maps, expands upgrade search
ExpertFlyer has rolled out some updates, though I wouldn’t say anything is that much of a game changer. The first of these new features involves seat maps. The company has updated its interface for seat maps, thanks to a new partnership with aeroLOPA. So ExpertFlyer seat maps now show a lot more detail about seat attributes, including seat pitch and more.
If you think the new seat maps are too “busy,” you can also toggle on and off to get a more basic seat map display.
Next, ExpertFlyer has added a new American systemwide upgrade availability search. While it has long been possible to use ExpertFlyer to look up availability with American systemwide upgrades, this new search shows a chronological list of all flights with confirmable upgrade availability.
You can set the parameters as to the origin and destination (you could search all flights between the United States and Europe, for example), and then easily filter options. The catch is that this feature is only available with the new elite membership tier, so other users won’t get access to this.
Lastly, ExpertFlyer has expanded the number of alerts that users can set. With these updates, basic users can now set 50 alerts (an increase from four) while premium users and members of the new elite tier can set 250 alerts (an increase from 200). This includes alerts for award availability, specific seats, schedule changes, and more.
ExpertFlyer increases membership pricing, adds “Elite” tier
ExpertFlyer is increasing its pricing, while also adding a new third tier of membership. With these changes, here are the ExpertFlyer membership costs:
- The basic plan costs $6.99 per month or $71.88 per year (that’s $5.99 per month through an annual subscription)
- The premium plan costs $12.99 per month or $131.88 per year (that’s $10.99 per month through an annual subscription)
- The elite plan costs $19.99 per month or $239.88 per year (there’s no discount for an annual subscription)
As a point of comparison, previously the basic plan cost $4.99 per month, while the premium plan cost $9.99 per month or $99.99 per year. Interestingly, there’s only one extra benefit of the elite tier, which is access to the expanded systemwide upgrade availability search.
All of the other benefits are the same between the elite and premium plans, including 250 combined alerts for seat availability, schedule and aircraft changes, etc.
Bottom line
ExpertFlyer has introduced a few new features, including updated seat maps and a new systemwide upgrade search. Unfortunately the systemwide upgrade search is only for members of the new elite tier, while the updated seat maps are available to all. Across the board, we’re also seeing price increases for memberships.
Ultimately I use ExpertFlyer because I’m largely an American flyer, and the award availability alerts really allow me to secure most of the American award space I can find. Beyond that, there’s no denying that ExpertFlyer has become less useful over the years, as it has lost access to an increasing amount of award availability (like with most Star Alliance airlines).
What do you make of these ExpertFlyer updates?
What's with the free pass on the outrageous 32% cost increase after years of neglect?
Still can’t view seatmaps for LOT flights while under airport control, used to work fine.
It'd be nice if they offered a two week trial to 'elite' for existing premium members. To test out the interface and evaluate if it meets personal uses. Even with my personal use being low - maybe a handful of times a year - I'd be inclined to upgrade, if the SWU List feature were more user friendly.
I've been subscribed to Expertflyer for probably 15 years, although I stopped earning AA EP when covid hit so the SWU search is no longer useful to me.
The big thing I use it for now is seat alerts but I am curious - do any of the new generation of award search tools have that feature? If so then I should probably drop the EF subscription and go for that...
Like the new aerolopa maps and I think the seat alerts are fantastic as are understanding what the issues are when there are IRROPS (file better complaints!). But an extra $100+ a year for a fancy new SWU search tool? Can still search the old way, right? If anything this makes me want to downgrade to the new Basic $5.99 a month plan - sure it's only 250 queries a month, but I'm not a...
Like the new aerolopa maps and I think the seat alerts are fantastic as are understanding what the issues are when there are IRROPS (file better complaints!). But an extra $100+ a year for a fancy new SWU search tool? Can still search the old way, right? If anything this makes me want to downgrade to the new Basic $5.99 a month plan - sure it's only 250 queries a month, but I'm not a power user... I don't know, feels like a weird stratification of new price points and features.
And they still have a ton of issues (just look at Flyertalk the past month or two), so not sure I'd be inclined to re-subscribe any time soon.
“As a point of comparison, previously the basic plan cost $4.99 per month …..”
Umm ….. previously, there was a free option. What’s happened to THAT?!
There is still a free option, but it is heavily limited. Can only have 1 alert at a time set up.
So this is why aerolopa changed...
Thanks for pointing out there’s a “basic” feature for the seat maps. The new detailed version was driving me nuts. It was difficult to distinguish which seats were taken or not. I still prefer the old version but I guess it’s one of those things that I’ll get used to. I’m just happy they are investing time and money into the site. I know there was a point where I thought it was going to be completely shut down.