diff --git a/elasticsearch/client/__init__.py b/elasticsearch/client/__init__.py
index b7275c93..7b8ff559 100644
--- a/elasticsearch/client/__init__.py
+++ b/elasticsearch/client/__init__.py
@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@ import weakref
 import logging
 
 from ..transport import Transport
-from ..exceptions import NotFoundError, TransportError
+from ..exceptions import TransportError
 from ..compat import string_types, urlparse
 from .indices import IndicesClient
 from .cluster import ClusterClient
@@ -204,11 +204,7 @@ class Elasticsearch(object):
         Returns True if the cluster is up, False otherwise.
         `<http://www.elastic.co/guide/>`_
         """
-        try:
-            self.transport.perform_request('HEAD', '/', params=params)
-        except NotFoundError:
-            return False
-        return True
+        return self.transport.perform_request('HEAD', '/', params=params)
 
     @query_params()
     def info(self, params=None):
@@ -216,8 +212,7 @@ class Elasticsearch(object):
         Get the basic info from the current cluster.
         `<http://www.elastic.co/guide/>`_
         """
-        _, data = self.transport.perform_request('GET', '/', params=params)
-        return data
+        return self.transport.perform_request('GET', '/', params=params)
 
     @query_params('consistency', 'parent', 'refresh', 'routing',
         'timeout', 'timestamp', 'ttl', 'version', 'version_type')
@@ -275,9 +270,8 @@ class Elasticsearch(object):
         for param in (index, doc_type, body):
             if param in SKIP_IN_PATH:
                 raise ValueError("Empty value passed for a required argument.")
-        _, data = self.transport.perform_request('POST' if id in SKIP_IN_PATH else 'PUT',
+        return self.transport.perform_request('POST' if id in SKIP_IN_PATH else 'PUT',
             _make_path(index, doc_type, id), params=params, body=body)
-        return data
 
     @query_params('parent', 'preference', 'realtime', 'refresh', 'routing')
     def exists(self, index, doc_type, id, params=None):
@@ -301,12 +295,8 @@ class Elasticsearch(object):
         for param in (index, doc_type, id):
             if param in SKIP_IN_PATH:
                 raise ValueError("Empty value passed for a required argument.")
-        try:
-            self.transport.perform_request('HEAD', _make_path(index, doc_type,
+        return self.transport.perform_request('HEAD', _make_path(index, doc_type,
                 id), params=params)
-        except NotFoundError:
-            return False
-        return True
 
     @query_params('_source', '_source_exclude', '_source_include', 'fields',
         'parent', 'preference', 'realtime', 'refresh', 'routing', 'version',
@@ -342,9 +332,8 @@ class Elasticsearch(object):
         for param in (index, doc_type, id):
             if param in SKIP_IN_PATH:
                 raise ValueError("Empty value passed for a required argument.")
-        _, data = self.transport.perform_request('GET', _make_path(index,
+        return self.transport.perform_request('GET', _make_path(index,
             doc_type, id), params=params)
-        return data
 
     @query_params('_source', '_source_exclude', '_source_include', 'parent',
         'preference', 'realtime', 'refresh', 'routing', 'version',
@@ -379,9 +368,8 @@ class Elasticsearch(object):
         for param in (index, doc_type, id):
             if param in SKIP_IN_PATH:
                 raise ValueError("Empty value passed for a required argument.")
-        _, data = self.transport.perform_request('GET', _make_path(index,
+        return self.transport.perform_request('GET', _make_path(index,
             doc_type, id, '_source'), params=params)
-        return data
 
     @query_params('_source', '_source_exclude', '_source_include', 'fields',
         'preference', 'realtime', 'refresh')
@@ -411,9 +399,8 @@ class Elasticsearch(object):
         """
         if body in SKIP_IN_PATH:
             raise ValueError("Empty value passed for a required argument 'body'.")
-        _, data = self.transport.perform_request('GET', _make_path(index,
+        return self.transport.perform_request('GET', _make_path(index,
             doc_type, '_mget'), params=params, body=body)
-        return data
 
     @query_params('consistency', 'detect_noop', 'fields', 'lang', 'parent',
         'refresh', 'retry_on_conflict', 'routing', 'script', 'script_id',
@@ -456,9 +443,8 @@ class Elasticsearch(object):
         for param in (index, doc_type, id):
             if param in SKIP_IN_PATH:
                 raise ValueError("Empty value passed for a required argument.")
-        _, data = self.transport.perform_request('POST', _make_path(index,
+        return self.transport.perform_request('POST', _make_path(index,
             doc_type, id, '_update'), params=params, body=body)
-        return data
 
     @query_params('_source', '_source_exclude', '_source_include',
         'allow_no_indices', 'analyze_wildcard', 'analyzer', 'default_operator',
@@ -544,9 +530,8 @@ class Elasticsearch(object):
 
         if doc_type and not index:
             index = '_all'
-        _, data = self.transport.perform_request('GET', _make_path(index,
+        return self.transport.perform_request('GET', _make_path(index,
             doc_type, '_search'), params=params, body=body)
-        return data
 
     @query_params('allow_no_indices', 'expand_wildcards', 'ignore_unavailable',
         'local', 'preference', 'routing')
@@ -575,9 +560,8 @@ class Elasticsearch(object):
             performed on (default: random)
         :arg routing: Specific routing value
         """
-        _, data = self.transport.perform_request('GET', _make_path(index,
+        return self.transport.perform_request('GET', _make_path(index,
             doc_type, '_search_shards'), params=params)
-        return data
 
     @query_params('allow_no_indices', 'expand_wildcards', 'ignore_unavailable',
         'preference', 'routing', 'scroll', 'search_type')
@@ -609,9 +593,8 @@ class Elasticsearch(object):
             'query_then_fetch', 'query_and_fetch', 'dfs_query_then_fetch',
             'dfs_query_and_fetch', 'count', 'scan'
         """
-        _, data = self.transport.perform_request('GET', _make_path(index,
+        return self.transport.perform_request('GET', _make_path(index,
             doc_type, '_search', 'template'), params=params, body=body)
-        return data
 
     @query_params('_source', '_source_exclude', '_source_include',
         'analyze_wildcard', 'analyzer', 'default_operator', 'df', 'fields',
@@ -654,9 +637,8 @@ class Elasticsearch(object):
         for param in (index, doc_type, id):
             if param in SKIP_IN_PATH:
                 raise ValueError("Empty value passed for a required argument.")
-        _, data = self.transport.perform_request('GET', _make_path(index,
+        return self.transport.perform_request('GET', _make_path(index,
             doc_type, id, '_explain'), params=params, body=body)
-        return data
 
     @query_params('scroll')
     def scroll(self, scroll_id=None, body=None, params=None):
@@ -676,9 +658,8 @@ class Elasticsearch(object):
         elif scroll_id:
             params['scroll_id'] = scroll_id
 
-        _, data = self.transport.perform_request('GET', '/_search/scroll',
+        return self.transport.perform_request('GET', '/_search/scroll',
             params=params, body=body)
-        return data
 
     @query_params()
     def clear_scroll(self, scroll_id=None, body=None, params=None):
@@ -691,9 +672,8 @@ class Elasticsearch(object):
         :arg body: A comma-separated list of scroll IDs to clear if none was
             specified via the scroll_id parameter
         """
-        _, data = self.transport.perform_request('DELETE', _make_path('_search',
+        return self.transport.perform_request('DELETE', _make_path('_search',
             'scroll', scroll_id), params=params, body=body)
-        return data
 
     @query_params('consistency', 'parent', 'refresh', 'routing', 'timeout',
         'version', 'version_type')
@@ -718,9 +698,8 @@ class Elasticsearch(object):
         for param in (index, doc_type, id):
             if param in SKIP_IN_PATH:
                 raise ValueError("Empty value passed for a required argument.")
-        _, data = self.transport.perform_request('DELETE', _make_path(index,
+        return self.transport.perform_request('DELETE', _make_path(index,
             doc_type, id), params=params)
-        return data
 
     @query_params('allow_no_indices', 'analyze_wildcard', 'analyzer',
         'default_operator', 'df', 'expand_wildcards', 'ignore_unavailable',
@@ -764,9 +743,8 @@ class Elasticsearch(object):
         if doc_type and not index:
             index = '_all'
 
-        _, data = self.transport.perform_request('GET', _make_path(index,
+        return self.transport.perform_request('GET', _make_path(index,
             doc_type, '_count'), params=params, body=body)
-        return data
 
     @query_params('consistency', 'fields', 'refresh', 'routing', 'timeout')
     def bulk(self, body, index=None, doc_type=None, params=None):
@@ -791,9 +769,8 @@ class Elasticsearch(object):
         """
         if body in SKIP_IN_PATH:
             raise ValueError("Empty value passed for a required argument 'body'.")
-        _, data = self.transport.perform_request('POST', _make_path(index,
+        return self.transport.perform_request('POST', _make_path(index,
             doc_type, '_bulk'), params=params, body=self._bulk_body(body))
-        return data
 
     @query_params('search_type')
     def msearch(self, body, index=None, doc_type=None, params=None):
@@ -812,9 +789,8 @@ class Elasticsearch(object):
         """
         if body in SKIP_IN_PATH:
             raise ValueError("Empty value passed for a required argument 'body'.")
-        _, data = self.transport.perform_request('GET', _make_path(index,
+        return self.transport.perform_request('GET', _make_path(index,
             doc_type, '_msearch'), params=params, body=self._bulk_body(body))
-        return data
 
     @query_params('allow_no_indices', 'expand_wildcards', 'ignore_unavailable',
         'preference', 'routing')
@@ -842,9 +818,8 @@ class Elasticsearch(object):
         """
         if body in SKIP_IN_PATH:
             raise ValueError("Empty value passed for a required argument 'body'.")
-        _, data = self.transport.perform_request('POST', _make_path(index,
+        return self.transport.perform_request('POST', _make_path(index,
             '_suggest'), params=params, body=body)
-        return data
 
     @query_params('allow_no_indices', 'expand_wildcards', 'ignore_unavailable',
         'percolate_format', 'percolate_index', 'percolate_preference',
@@ -892,9 +867,8 @@ class Elasticsearch(object):
         for param in (index, doc_type):
             if param in SKIP_IN_PATH:
                 raise ValueError("Empty value passed for a required argument.")
-        _, data = self.transport.perform_request('GET', _make_path(index,
+        return self.transport.perform_request('GET', _make_path(index,
             doc_type, id, '_percolate'), params=params, body=body)
-        return data
 
     @query_params('allow_no_indices', 'expand_wildcards', 'ignore_unavailable')
     def mpercolate(self, body, index=None, doc_type=None, params=None):
@@ -921,9 +895,8 @@ class Elasticsearch(object):
         """
         if body in SKIP_IN_PATH:
             raise ValueError("Empty value passed for a required argument 'body'.")
-        _, data = self.transport.perform_request('GET', _make_path(index,
+        return self.transport.perform_request('GET', _make_path(index,
             doc_type, '_mpercolate'), params=params, body=self._bulk_body(body))
-        return data
 
     @query_params('allow_no_indices', 'expand_wildcards', 'ignore_unavailable',
         'percolate_index', 'percolate_type', 'preference', 'routing', 'version',
@@ -965,9 +938,8 @@ class Elasticsearch(object):
         for param in (index, doc_type):
             if param in SKIP_IN_PATH:
                 raise ValueError("Empty value passed for a required argument.")
-        _, data = self.transport.perform_request('GET', _make_path(index,
+        return self.transport.perform_request('GET', _make_path(index,
             doc_type, id, '_percolate', 'count'), params=params, body=body)
-        return data
 
     @query_params('dfs', 'field_statistics', 'fields', 'offsets', 'parent',
         'payloads', 'positions', 'preference', 'realtime', 'routing',
@@ -1014,9 +986,8 @@ class Elasticsearch(object):
         for param in (index, doc_type):
             if param in SKIP_IN_PATH:
                 raise ValueError("Empty value passed for a required argument.")
-        _, data = self.transport.perform_request('GET', _make_path(index,
+        return self.transport.perform_request('GET', _make_path(index,
             doc_type, id, '_termvectors'), params=params, body=body)
-        return data
 
     @query_params('field_statistics', 'fields', 'ids', 'offsets', 'parent',
         'payloads', 'positions', 'preference', 'realtime', 'routing',
@@ -1067,9 +1038,8 @@ class Elasticsearch(object):
         :arg version_type: Specific version type, valid choices are: 'internal',
             'external', 'external_gte', 'force'
         """
-        _, data = self.transport.perform_request('GET', _make_path(index,
+        return self.transport.perform_request('GET', _make_path(index,
             doc_type, '_mtermvectors'), params=params, body=body)
-        return data
 
     @query_params('op_type', 'version', 'version_type')
     def put_script(self, lang, id, body, params=None):
@@ -1089,9 +1059,8 @@ class Elasticsearch(object):
         for param in (lang, id, body):
             if param in SKIP_IN_PATH:
                 raise ValueError("Empty value passed for a required argument.")
-        _, data = self.transport.perform_request('PUT', _make_path('_scripts',
+        return self.transport.perform_request('PUT', _make_path('_scripts',
             lang, id), params=params, body=body)
-        return data
 
     @query_params('version', 'version_type')
     def get_script(self, lang, id, params=None):
@@ -1108,9 +1077,8 @@ class Elasticsearch(object):
         for param in (lang, id):
             if param in SKIP_IN_PATH:
                 raise ValueError("Empty value passed for a required argument.")
-        _, data = self.transport.perform_request('GET', _make_path('_scripts',
+        return self.transport.perform_request('GET', _make_path('_scripts',
             lang, id), params=params)
-        return data
 
     @query_params('version', 'version_type')
     def delete_script(self, lang, id, params=None):
@@ -1127,9 +1095,8 @@ class Elasticsearch(object):
         for param in (lang, id):
             if param in SKIP_IN_PATH:
                 raise ValueError("Empty value passed for a required argument.")
-        _, data = self.transport.perform_request('DELETE',
+        return self.transport.perform_request('DELETE',
             _make_path('_scripts', lang, id), params=params)
-        return data
 
     @query_params('op_type', 'version', 'version_type')
     def put_template(self, id, body, params=None):
@@ -1148,9 +1115,8 @@ class Elasticsearch(object):
         for param in (id, body):
             if param in SKIP_IN_PATH:
                 raise ValueError("Empty value passed for a required argument.")
-        _, data = self.transport.perform_request('PUT', _make_path('_search',
+        return self.transport.perform_request('PUT', _make_path('_search',
             'template', id), params=params, body=body)
-        return data
 
     @query_params('version', 'version_type')
     def get_template(self, id, params=None):
@@ -1165,9 +1131,8 @@ class Elasticsearch(object):
         """
         if id in SKIP_IN_PATH:
             raise ValueError("Empty value passed for a required argument 'id'.")
-        _, data = self.transport.perform_request('GET', _make_path('_search',
+        return self.transport.perform_request('GET', _make_path('_search',
             'template', id), params=params)
-        return data
 
     @query_params('version', 'version_type')
     def delete_template(self, id, params=None):
@@ -1182,56 +1147,8 @@ class Elasticsearch(object):
         """
         if id in SKIP_IN_PATH:
             raise ValueError("Empty value passed for a required argument 'id'.")
-        _, data = self.transport.perform_request('DELETE', _make_path('_search',
+        return self.transport.perform_request('DELETE', _make_path('_search',
             'template', id), params=params)
-        return data
-
-    @query_params('allow_no_indices', 'analyze_wildcard', 'analyzer',
-        'default_operator', 'df', 'expand_wildcards', 'ignore_unavailable',
-        'lenient', 'lowercase_expanded_terms', 'min_score', 'preference', 'q',
-        'routing')
-    def search_exists(self, index=None, doc_type=None, body=None, params=None):
-        """
-        The exists API allows to easily determine if any matching documents
-        exist for a provided query.
-        `<http://www.elastic.co/guide/en/elasticsearch/reference/current/search-exists.html>`_
-
-        :arg index: A comma-separated list of indices to restrict the results
-        :arg doc_type: A comma-separated list of types to restrict the results
-        :arg body: A query to restrict the results specified with the Query DSL
-            (optional)
-        :arg allow_no_indices: Whether to ignore if a wildcard indices
-            expression resolves into no concrete indices. (This includes `_all`
-            string or when no indices have been specified)
-        :arg analyze_wildcard: Specify whether wildcard and prefix queries
-            should be analyzed (default: false)
-        :arg analyzer: The analyzer to use for the query string
-        :arg default_operator: The default operator for query string query (AND
-            or OR), default 'OR', valid choices are: 'AND', 'OR'
-        :arg df: The field to use as default where no field prefix is given in
-            the query string
-        :arg expand_wildcards: Whether to expand wildcard expression to concrete
-            indices that are open, closed or both., default 'open', valid
-            choices are: 'open', 'closed', 'none', 'all'
-        :arg ignore_unavailable: Whether specified concrete indices should be
-            ignored when unavailable (missing or closed)
-        :arg lenient: Specify whether format-based query failures (such as
-            providing text to a numeric field) should be ignored
-        :arg lowercase_expanded_terms: Specify whether query terms should be
-            lowercased
-        :arg min_score: Include only documents with a specific `_score` value in
-            the result
-        :arg preference: Specify the node or shard the operation should be
-            performed on (default: random)
-        :arg q: Query in the Lucene query string syntax
-        :arg routing: Specific routing value
-        """
-        try:
-            self.transport.perform_request('POST', _make_path(index,
-                doc_type, '_search', 'exists'), params=params, body=body)
-        except NotFoundError:
-            return False
-        return True
 
     @query_params('allow_no_indices', 'expand_wildcards', 'fields',
         'ignore_unavailable', 'level')
@@ -1261,9 +1178,8 @@ class Elasticsearch(object):
             level or on a cluster wide level, default 'cluster', valid choices
             are: 'indices', 'cluster'
         """
-        _, data = self.transport.perform_request('GET', _make_path(index,
+        return self.transport.perform_request('GET', _make_path(index,
             '_field_stats'), params=params, body=body)
-        return data
 
     @query_params()
     def render_search_template(self, id=None, body=None, params=None):
@@ -1273,7 +1189,5 @@ class Elasticsearch(object):
         :arg id: The id of the stored search template
         :arg body: The search definition template and its params
         """
-        _, data = self.transport.perform_request('GET', _make_path('_render',
+        return self.transport.perform_request('GET', _make_path('_render',
             'template', id), params=params, body=body)
-        return data
-
diff --git a/elasticsearch/client/cat.py b/elasticsearch/client/cat.py
index 092ce300..d900c1b4 100644
--- a/elasticsearch/client/cat.py
+++ b/elasticsearch/client/cat.py
@@ -16,9 +16,8 @@ class CatClient(NamespacedClient):
             node
         :arg v: Verbose mode. Display column headers, default False
         """
-        _, data = self.transport.perform_request('GET', _make_path('_cat',
+        return self.transport.perform_request('GET', _make_path('_cat',
             'aliases', name), params=params)
-        return data
 
     @query_params('bytes', 'h', 'help', 'local', 'master_timeout', 'v')
     def allocation(self, node_id=None, params=None):
@@ -39,9 +38,8 @@ class CatClient(NamespacedClient):
             node
         :arg v: Verbose mode. Display column headers, default False
         """
-        _, data = self.transport.perform_request('GET', _make_path('_cat',
+        return self.transport.perform_request('GET', _make_path('_cat',
             'allocation', node_id), params=params)
-        return data
 
     @query_params('h', 'help', 'local', 'master_timeout', 'v')
     def count(self, index=None, params=None):
@@ -60,9 +58,8 @@ class CatClient(NamespacedClient):
             node
         :arg v: Verbose mode. Display column headers, default False
         """
-        _, data = self.transport.perform_request('GET', _make_path('_cat',
+        return self.transport.perform_request('GET', _make_path('_cat',
             'count', index), params=params)
-        return data
 
     @query_params('h', 'help', 'local', 'master_timeout', 'ts', 'v')
     def health(self, params=None):
@@ -80,9 +77,8 @@ class CatClient(NamespacedClient):
         :arg ts: Set to false to disable timestamping, default True
         :arg v: Verbose mode. Display column headers, default False
         """
-        _, data = self.transport.perform_request('GET', '/_cat/health',
+        return self.transport.perform_request('GET', '/_cat/health',
             params=params)
-        return data
 
     @query_params('help')
     def help(self, params=None):
@@ -92,8 +88,7 @@ class CatClient(NamespacedClient):
 
         :arg help: Return help information, default False
         """
-        _, data = self.transport.perform_request('GET', '/_cat', params=params)
-        return data
+        return self.transport.perform_request('GET', '/_cat', params=params)
 
     @query_params('bytes', 'h', 'help', 'local', 'master_timeout', 'pri', 'v')
     def indices(self, index=None, params=None):
@@ -115,9 +110,8 @@ class CatClient(NamespacedClient):
             False
         :arg v: Verbose mode. Display column headers, default False
         """
-        _, data = self.transport.perform_request('GET', _make_path('_cat',
+        return self.transport.perform_request('GET', _make_path('_cat',
             'indices', index), params=params)
-        return data
 
     @query_params('h', 'help', 'local', 'master_timeout', 'v')
     def master(self, params=None):
@@ -133,9 +127,8 @@ class CatClient(NamespacedClient):
             node
         :arg v: Verbose mode. Display column headers, default False
         """
-        _, data = self.transport.perform_request('GET', '/_cat/master',
+        return self.transport.perform_request('GET', '/_cat/master',
             params=params)
-        return data
 
     @query_params('h', 'help', 'local', 'master_timeout', 'v')
     def nodes(self, params=None):
@@ -151,9 +144,8 @@ class CatClient(NamespacedClient):
             node
         :arg v: Verbose mode. Display column headers, default False
         """
-        _, data = self.transport.perform_request('GET', '/_cat/nodes',
+        return self.transport.perform_request('GET', '/_cat/nodes',
             params=params)
-        return data
 
     @query_params('bytes', 'h', 'help', 'master_timeout', 'v')
     def recovery(self, index=None, params=None):
@@ -171,9 +163,8 @@ class CatClient(NamespacedClient):
             node
         :arg v: Verbose mode. Display column headers, default False
         """
-        _, data = self.transport.perform_request('GET', _make_path('_cat',
+        return self.transport.perform_request('GET', _make_path('_cat',
             'recovery', index), params=params)
-        return data
 
     @query_params('bytes', 'h', 'help', 'local', 'master_timeout', 'v')
     def shards(self, index=None, params=None):
@@ -193,9 +184,8 @@ class CatClient(NamespacedClient):
             node
         :arg v: Verbose mode. Display column headers, default False
         """
-        _, data = self.transport.perform_request('GET', _make_path('_cat',
+        return self.transport.perform_request('GET', _make_path('_cat',
             'shards', index), params=params)
-        return data
 
     @query_params('bytes', 'h', 'help', 'v')
     def segments(self, index=None, params=None):
@@ -211,9 +201,8 @@ class CatClient(NamespacedClient):
         :arg help: Return help information, default False
         :arg v: Verbose mode. Display column headers, default False
         """
-        _, data = self.transport.perform_request('GET', _make_path('_cat',
+        return self.transport.perform_request('GET', _make_path('_cat',
             'segments', index), params=params)
-        return data
 
     @query_params('h', 'help', 'local', 'master_timeout', 'v')
     def pending_tasks(self, params=None):
@@ -231,9 +220,8 @@ class CatClient(NamespacedClient):
             node
         :arg v: Verbose mode. Display column headers, default False
         """
-        _, data = self.transport.perform_request('GET', '/_cat/pending_tasks',
+        return self.transport.perform_request('GET', '/_cat/pending_tasks',
             params=params)
-        return data
 
     @query_params('full_id', 'h', 'help', 'local', 'master_timeout', 'v')
     def thread_pool(self, params=None):
@@ -250,9 +238,8 @@ class CatClient(NamespacedClient):
             node
         :arg v: Verbose mode. Display column headers, default False
         """
-        _, data = self.transport.perform_request('GET', '/_cat/thread_pool',
+        return self.transport.perform_request('GET', '/_cat/thread_pool',
             params=params)
-        return data
 
     @query_params('bytes', 'h', 'help', 'local', 'master_timeout', 'v')
     def fielddata(self, fields=None, params=None):
@@ -272,9 +259,8 @@ class CatClient(NamespacedClient):
             node
         :arg v: Verbose mode. Display column headers, default False
         """
-        _, data = self.transport.perform_request('GET', _make_path('_cat',
+        return self.transport.perform_request('GET', _make_path('_cat',
             'fielddata', fields), params=params)
-        return data
 
     @query_params('h', 'help', 'local', 'master_timeout', 'v')
     def plugins(self, params=None):
@@ -290,9 +276,8 @@ class CatClient(NamespacedClient):
             node
         :arg v: Verbose mode. Display column headers, default False
         """
-        _, data = self.transport.perform_request('GET', '/_cat/plugins',
+        return self.transport.perform_request('GET', '/_cat/plugins',
             params=params)
-        return data
 
     @query_params('h', 'help', 'local', 'master_timeout', 'v')
     def nodeattrs(self, params=None):
@@ -307,9 +292,8 @@ class CatClient(NamespacedClient):
             node
         :arg v: Verbose mode. Display column headers, default False
         """
-        _, data = self.transport.perform_request('GET', '/_cat/nodeattrs',
+        return self.transport.perform_request('GET', '/_cat/nodeattrs',
             params=params)
-        return data
 
     @query_params('h', 'help', 'local', 'master_timeout', 'v')
     def repositories(self, params=None):
@@ -324,9 +308,8 @@ class CatClient(NamespacedClient):
             node
         :arg v: Verbose mode. Display column headers, default False
         """
-        _, data = self.transport.perform_request('GET', '/_cat/repositories',
+        return self.transport.perform_request('GET', '/_cat/repositories',
             params=params)
-        return data
 
     @query_params('h', 'help', 'master_timeout', 'v')
     def snapshots(self, repository=None, params=None):
@@ -341,6 +324,5 @@ class CatClient(NamespacedClient):
             node
         :arg v: Verbose mode. Display column headers, default False
         """
-        _, data = self.transport.perform_request('GET', _make_path('_cat',
+        return self.transport.perform_request('GET', _make_path('_cat',
             'snapshots', repository), params=params)
-        return data
diff --git a/elasticsearch/client/cluster.py b/elasticsearch/client/cluster.py
index 2f9e0631..ee626262 100644
--- a/elasticsearch/client/cluster.py
+++ b/elasticsearch/client/cluster.py
@@ -26,9 +26,8 @@ class ClusterClient(NamespacedClient):
         :arg wait_for_status: Wait until cluster is in a specific state, default
             None, valid choices are: 'green', 'yellow', 'red'
         """
-        _, data = self.transport.perform_request('GET', _make_path('_cluster',
+        return self.transport.perform_request('GET', _make_path('_cluster',
             'health', index), params=params)
-        return data
 
     @query_params('local', 'master_timeout')
     def pending_tasks(self, params=None):
@@ -42,9 +41,8 @@ class ClusterClient(NamespacedClient):
             master node (default: false)
         :arg master_timeout: Specify timeout for connection to master
         """
-        _, data = self.transport.perform_request('GET',
+        return self.transport.perform_request('GET',
             '/_cluster/pending_tasks', params=params)
-        return data
 
     @query_params('allow_no_indices', 'expand_wildcards', 'flat_settings',
         'ignore_unavailable', 'local', 'master_timeout')
@@ -71,9 +69,8 @@ class ClusterClient(NamespacedClient):
         """
         if index and not metric:
             metric = '_all'
-        _, data = self.transport.perform_request('GET', _make_path('_cluster',
+        return self.transport.perform_request('GET', _make_path('_cluster',
             'state', metric, index), params=params)
-        return data
 
     @query_params('flat_settings', 'human', 'timeout')
     def stats(self, node_id=None, params=None):
@@ -95,8 +92,7 @@ class ClusterClient(NamespacedClient):
         url = '/_cluster/stats'
         if node_id:
             url = _make_path('_cluster/stats/nodes', node_id)
-        _, data = self.transport.perform_request('GET', url, params=params)
-        return data
+        return self.transport.perform_request('GET', url, params=params)
 
     @query_params('dry_run', 'explain', 'master_timeout', 'metric', 'timeout')
     def reroute(self, body=None, params=None):
@@ -116,9 +112,8 @@ class ClusterClient(NamespacedClient):
             'metadata', 'nodes', 'routing_table', 'master_node', 'version'
         :arg timeout: Explicit operation timeout
         """
-        _, data = self.transport.perform_request('POST', '/_cluster/reroute',
+        return self.transport.perform_request('POST', '/_cluster/reroute',
             params=params, body=body)
-        return data
 
     @query_params('flat_settings', 'master_timeout', 'timeout')
     def get_settings(self, params=None):
@@ -131,9 +126,8 @@ class ClusterClient(NamespacedClient):
             node
         :arg timeout: Explicit operation timeout
         """
-        _, data = self.transport.perform_request('GET', '/_cluster/settings',
+        return self.transport.perform_request('GET', '/_cluster/settings',
             params=params)
-        return data
 
     @query_params('flat_settings', 'master_timeout', 'timeout')
     def put_settings(self, body=None, params=None):
@@ -148,7 +142,6 @@ class ClusterClient(NamespacedClient):
             node
         :arg timeout: Explicit operation timeout
         """
-        _, data = self.transport.perform_request('PUT', '/_cluster/settings',
+        return self.transport.perform_request('PUT', '/_cluster/settings',
             params=params, body=body)
-        return data
 
diff --git a/elasticsearch/client/indices.py b/elasticsearch/client/indices.py
index 55dad3c2..7545166a 100644
--- a/elasticsearch/client/indices.py
+++ b/elasticsearch/client/indices.py
@@ -1,5 +1,4 @@
 from .utils import NamespacedClient, query_params, _make_path, SKIP_IN_PATH
-from ..exceptions import NotFoundError
 
 class IndicesClient(NamespacedClient):
     @query_params('analyzer', 'char_filters', 'field', 'filters', 'format',
@@ -25,9 +24,8 @@ class IndicesClient(NamespacedClient):
             request body is not used)
         :arg tokenizer: The name of the tokenizer to use for the analysis
         """
-        _, data = self.transport.perform_request('GET', _make_path(index,
+        return self.transport.perform_request('GET', _make_path(index,
             '_analyze'), params=params, body=body)
-        return data
 
     @query_params('allow_no_indices', 'expand_wildcards', 'force',
         'ignore_unavailable', 'operation_threading')
@@ -50,9 +48,8 @@ class IndicesClient(NamespacedClient):
             ignored when unavailable (missing or closed)
         :arg operation_threading: TODO: ?
         """
-        _, data = self.transport.perform_request('POST', _make_path(index,
+        return self.transport.perform_request('POST', _make_path(index,
             '_refresh'), params=params)
-        return data
 
     @query_params('allow_no_indices', 'expand_wildcards', 'force',
         'ignore_unavailable', 'wait_if_ongoing')
@@ -82,9 +79,8 @@ class IndicesClient(NamespacedClient):
             to be thrown on the shard level if another flush operation is
             already running.
         """
-        _, data = self.transport.perform_request('POST', _make_path(index,
+        return self.transport.perform_request('POST', _make_path(index,
             '_flush'), params=params)
-        return data
 
     @query_params('master_timeout', 'timeout', 'update_all_types')
     def create(self, index, body=None, params=None):
@@ -101,9 +97,8 @@ class IndicesClient(NamespacedClient):
         """
         if index in SKIP_IN_PATH:
             raise ValueError("Empty value passed for a required argument 'index'.")
-        _, data = self.transport.perform_request('PUT', _make_path(index),
+        return self.transport.perform_request('PUT', _make_path(index),
             params=params, body=body)
-        return data
 
     @query_params('allow_no_indices', 'expand_wildcards', 'flat_settings',
         'human', 'ignore_unavailable', 'local')
@@ -128,9 +123,8 @@ class IndicesClient(NamespacedClient):
         """
         if index in SKIP_IN_PATH:
             raise ValueError("Empty value passed for a required argument 'index'.")
-        _, data = self.transport.perform_request('GET', _make_path(index,
+        return self.transport.perform_request('GET', _make_path(index,
             feature), params=params)
-        return data
 
     @query_params('allow_no_indices', 'expand_wildcards', 'ignore_unavailable',
         'master_timeout', 'timeout')
@@ -153,9 +147,8 @@ class IndicesClient(NamespacedClient):
         """
         if index in SKIP_IN_PATH:
             raise ValueError("Empty value passed for a required argument 'index'.")
-        _, data = self.transport.perform_request('POST', _make_path(index,
+        return self.transport.perform_request('POST', _make_path(index,
             '_open'), params=params)
-        return data
 
     @query_params('allow_no_indices', 'expand_wildcards', 'ignore_unavailable',
         'master_timeout', 'timeout')
@@ -179,9 +172,8 @@ class IndicesClient(NamespacedClient):
         """
         if index in SKIP_IN_PATH:
             raise ValueError("Empty value passed for a required argument 'index'.")
-        _, data = self.transport.perform_request('POST', _make_path(index,
+        return self.transport.perform_request('POST', _make_path(index,
             '_close'), params=params)
-        return data
 
     @query_params('master_timeout', 'timeout')
     def delete(self, index, params=None):
@@ -196,9 +188,8 @@ class IndicesClient(NamespacedClient):
         """
         if index in SKIP_IN_PATH:
             raise ValueError("Empty value passed for a required argument 'index'.")
-        _, data = self.transport.perform_request('DELETE', _make_path(index),
+        return self.transport.perform_request('DELETE', _make_path(index),
             params=params)
-        return data
 
     @query_params('allow_no_indices', 'expand_wildcards', 'ignore_unavailable',
         'local')
@@ -221,12 +212,8 @@ class IndicesClient(NamespacedClient):
         """
         if index in SKIP_IN_PATH:
             raise ValueError("Empty value passed for a required argument 'index'.")
-        try:
-            self.transport.perform_request('HEAD', _make_path(index),
+        return self.transport.perform_request('HEAD', _make_path(index),
                 params=params)
-        except NotFoundError:
-            return False
-        return True
 
     @query_params('allow_no_indices', 'expand_wildcards', 'ignore_unavailable',
         'local')
@@ -252,12 +239,8 @@ class IndicesClient(NamespacedClient):
         for param in (index, doc_type):
             if param in SKIP_IN_PATH:
                 raise ValueError("Empty value passed for a required argument.")
-        try:
-            self.transport.perform_request('HEAD', _make_path(index, doc_type),
+        return self.transport.perform_request('HEAD', _make_path(index, doc_type),
                 params=params)
-        except NotFoundError:
-            return False
-        return True
 
     @query_params('allow_no_indices', 'expand_wildcards', 'ignore_unavailable',
         'master_timeout', 'timeout', 'update_all_types')
@@ -287,9 +270,8 @@ class IndicesClient(NamespacedClient):
         for param in (doc_type, body):
             if param in SKIP_IN_PATH:
                 raise ValueError("Empty value passed for a required argument.")
-        _, data = self.transport.perform_request('PUT', _make_path(index,
+        return self.transport.perform_request('PUT', _make_path(index,
             '_mapping', doc_type), params=params, body=body)
-        return data
 
     @query_params('allow_no_indices', 'expand_wildcards', 'ignore_unavailable',
         'local')
@@ -311,9 +293,8 @@ class IndicesClient(NamespacedClient):
         :arg local: Return local information, do not retrieve the state from
             master node (default: false)
         """
-        _, data = self.transport.perform_request('GET', _make_path(index,
+        return self.transport.perform_request('GET', _make_path(index,
             '_mapping', doc_type), params=params)
-        return data
 
     @query_params('allow_no_indices', 'expand_wildcards', 'ignore_unavailable',
         'include_defaults', 'local')
@@ -340,9 +321,8 @@ class IndicesClient(NamespacedClient):
         """
         if fields in SKIP_IN_PATH:
             raise ValueError("Empty value passed for a required argument 'fields'.")
-        _, data = self.transport.perform_request('GET', _make_path(index,
+        return self.transport.perform_request('GET', _make_path(index,
             '_mapping', doc_type, 'field', fields), params=params)
-        return data
 
     @query_params('master_timeout', 'timeout')
     def put_alias(self, index, name, body=None, params=None):
@@ -361,9 +341,8 @@ class IndicesClient(NamespacedClient):
         for param in (index, name):
             if param in SKIP_IN_PATH:
                 raise ValueError("Empty value passed for a required argument.")
-        _, data = self.transport.perform_request('PUT', _make_path(index,
+        return self.transport.perform_request('PUT', _make_path(index,
             '_alias', name), params=params, body=body)
-        return data
 
     @query_params('allow_no_indices', 'expand_wildcards', 'ignore_unavailable',
         'local')
@@ -385,12 +364,8 @@ class IndicesClient(NamespacedClient):
         :arg local: Return local information, do not retrieve the state from
             master node (default: false)
         """
-        try:
-            self.transport.perform_request('HEAD', _make_path(index, '_alias',
+        return self.transport.perform_request('HEAD', _make_path(index, '_alias',
                 name), params=params)
-        except NotFoundError:
-            return False
-        return True
 
     @query_params('allow_no_indices', 'expand_wildcards', 'ignore_unavailable',
         'local')
@@ -412,9 +387,8 @@ class IndicesClient(NamespacedClient):
         :arg local: Return local information, do not retrieve the state from
             master node (default: false)
         """
-        _, data = self.transport.perform_request('GET', _make_path(index,
+        return self.transport.perform_request('GET', _make_path(index,
             '_alias', name), params=params)
-        return data
 
     @query_params('local', 'timeout')
     def get_aliases(self, index=None, name=None, params=None):
@@ -428,9 +402,8 @@ class IndicesClient(NamespacedClient):
             master node (default: false)
         :arg timeout: Explicit operation timeout
         """
-        _, data = self.transport.perform_request('GET', _make_path(index,
+        return self.transport.perform_request('GET', _make_path(index,
             '_aliases', name), params=params)
-        return data
 
     @query_params('master_timeout', 'timeout')
     def update_aliases(self, body, params=None):
@@ -444,9 +417,8 @@ class IndicesClient(NamespacedClient):
         """
         if body in SKIP_IN_PATH:
             raise ValueError("Empty value passed for a required argument 'body'.")
-        _, data = self.transport.perform_request('POST', '/_aliases',
+        return self.transport.perform_request('POST', '/_aliases',
             params=params, body=body)
-        return data
 
     @query_params('master_timeout', 'timeout')
     def delete_alias(self, index, name, params=None):
@@ -465,9 +437,8 @@ class IndicesClient(NamespacedClient):
         for param in (index, name):
             if param in SKIP_IN_PATH:
                 raise ValueError("Empty value passed for a required argument.")
-        _, data = self.transport.perform_request('DELETE', _make_path(index,
+        return self.transport.perform_request('DELETE', _make_path(index,
             '_alias', name), params=params)
-        return data
 
     @query_params('create', 'flat_settings', 'master_timeout', 'order',
         'timeout')
@@ -490,9 +461,8 @@ class IndicesClient(NamespacedClient):
         for param in (name, body):
             if param in SKIP_IN_PATH:
                 raise ValueError("Empty value passed for a required argument.")
-        _, data = self.transport.perform_request('PUT', _make_path('_template',
+        return self.transport.perform_request('PUT', _make_path('_template',
             name), params=params, body=body)
-        return data
 
     @query_params('local', 'master_timeout')
     def exists_template(self, name, params=None):
@@ -508,12 +478,8 @@ class IndicesClient(NamespacedClient):
         """
         if name in SKIP_IN_PATH:
             raise ValueError("Empty value passed for a required argument 'name'.")
-        try:
-            self.transport.perform_request('HEAD', _make_path('_template',
+        return self.transport.perform_request('HEAD', _make_path('_template',
                 name), params=params)
-        except NotFoundError:
-            return False
-        return True
 
     @query_params('flat_settings', 'local', 'master_timeout')
     def get_template(self, name=None, params=None):
@@ -528,9 +494,8 @@ class IndicesClient(NamespacedClient):
         :arg master_timeout: Explicit operation timeout for connection to master
             node
         """
-        _, data = self.transport.perform_request('GET', _make_path('_template',
+        return self.transport.perform_request('GET', _make_path('_template',
             name), params=params)
-        return data
 
     @query_params('master_timeout', 'timeout')
     def delete_template(self, name, params=None):
@@ -544,9 +509,8 @@ class IndicesClient(NamespacedClient):
         """
         if name in SKIP_IN_PATH:
             raise ValueError("Empty value passed for a required argument 'name'.")
-        _, data = self.transport.perform_request('DELETE',
+        return self.transport.perform_request('DELETE',
             _make_path('_template', name), params=params)
-        return data
 
     @query_params('allow_no_indices', 'expand_wildcards', 'flat_settings',
         'human', 'ignore_unavailable', 'local')
@@ -572,9 +536,8 @@ class IndicesClient(NamespacedClient):
         :arg local: Return local information, do not retrieve the state from
             master node (default: false)
         """
-        _, data = self.transport.perform_request('GET', _make_path(index,
+        return self.transport.perform_request('GET', _make_path(index,
             '_settings', name), params=params)
-        return data
 
     @query_params('allow_no_indices', 'expand_wildcards', 'flat_settings',
         'ignore_unavailable', 'master_timeout')
@@ -599,9 +562,8 @@ class IndicesClient(NamespacedClient):
         """
         if body in SKIP_IN_PATH:
             raise ValueError("Empty value passed for a required argument 'body'.")
-        _, data = self.transport.perform_request('PUT', _make_path(index,
+        return self.transport.perform_request('PUT', _make_path(index,
             '_settings'), params=params, body=body)
-        return data
 
     @query_params('allow_no_indices', 'expand_wildcards', 'ignore_unavailable',
         'master_timeout', 'request_cache')
@@ -636,9 +598,8 @@ class IndicesClient(NamespacedClient):
         for param in (name, body):
             if param in SKIP_IN_PATH:
                 raise ValueError("Empty value passed for a required argument.")
-        _, data = self.transport.perform_request('PUT', _make_path(index,
+        return self.transport.perform_request('PUT', _make_path(index,
             doc_type, '_warmer', name), params=params, body=body)
-        return data
 
     @query_params('allow_no_indices', 'expand_wildcards', 'ignore_unavailable',
         'local')
@@ -664,9 +625,8 @@ class IndicesClient(NamespacedClient):
         :arg local: Return local information, do not retrieve the state from
             master node (default: false)
         """
-        _, data = self.transport.perform_request('GET', _make_path(index,
+        return self.transport.perform_request('GET', _make_path(index,
             doc_type, '_warmer', name), params=params)
-        return data
 
     @query_params('master_timeout')
     def delete_warmer(self, index, name, params=None):
@@ -686,9 +646,8 @@ class IndicesClient(NamespacedClient):
         for param in (index, name):
             if param in SKIP_IN_PATH:
                 raise ValueError("Empty value passed for a required argument.")
-        _, data = self.transport.perform_request('DELETE', _make_path(index,
+        return self.transport.perform_request('DELETE', _make_path(index,
             '_warmer', name), params=params)
-        return data
 
     @query_params('completion_fields', 'fielddata_fields', 'fields', 'groups',
         'human', 'level', 'types')
@@ -715,9 +674,8 @@ class IndicesClient(NamespacedClient):
         :arg types: A comma-separated list of document types for the `indexing`
             index metric
         """
-        _, data = self.transport.perform_request('GET', _make_path(index,
+        return self.transport.perform_request('GET', _make_path(index,
             '_stats', metric), params=params)
-        return data
 
     @query_params('allow_no_indices', 'expand_wildcards', 'human',
         'ignore_unavailable', 'operation_threading')
@@ -740,9 +698,8 @@ class IndicesClient(NamespacedClient):
             ignored when unavailable (missing or closed)
         :arg operation_threading: TODO: ?
         """
-        _, data = self.transport.perform_request('GET', _make_path(index,
+        return self.transport.perform_request('GET', _make_path(index,
             '_segments'), params=params)
-        return data
 
     @query_params('allow_no_indices', 'expand_wildcards', 'flush',
         'ignore_unavailable', 'max_num_segments', 'only_expunge_deletes',
@@ -772,9 +729,8 @@ class IndicesClient(NamespacedClient):
         :arg wait_for_merge: Specify whether the request should block until the
             merge process is finished (default: true)
         """
-        _, data = self.transport.perform_request('POST', _make_path(index,
+        return self.transport.perform_request('POST', _make_path(index,
             '_optimize'), params=params)
-        return data
 
     @query_params('allow_no_indices', 'analyze_wildcard', 'analyzer',
         'default_operator', 'df', 'expand_wildcards', 'explain',
@@ -816,9 +772,8 @@ class IndicesClient(NamespacedClient):
         :arg rewrite: Provide a more detailed explanation showing the actual
             Lucene query that will be executed.
         """
-        _, data = self.transport.perform_request('GET', _make_path(index,
+        return self.transport.perform_request('GET', _make_path(index,
             doc_type, '_validate', 'query'), params=params, body=body)
-        return data
 
     @query_params('allow_no_indices', 'expand_wildcards', 'field_data',
         'fielddata', 'fields', 'ignore_unavailable', 'query', 'recycler',
@@ -845,9 +800,8 @@ class IndicesClient(NamespacedClient):
         :arg recycler: Clear the recycler cache
         :arg request: Clear request cache
         """
-        _, data = self.transport.perform_request('POST', _make_path(index,
+        return self.transport.perform_request('POST', _make_path(index,
             '_cache', 'clear'), params=params)
-        return data
 
     @query_params('active_only', 'detailed', 'human')
     def recovery(self, index=None, params=None):
@@ -866,9 +820,8 @@ class IndicesClient(NamespacedClient):
         :arg human: Whether to return time and byte values in human-readable
             format., default False
         """
-        _, data = self.transport.perform_request('GET', _make_path(index,
+        return self.transport.perform_request('GET', _make_path(index,
             '_recovery'), params=params)
-        return data
 
     @query_params('allow_no_indices', 'expand_wildcards', 'ignore_unavailable',
         'only_ancient_segments', 'wait_for_completion')
@@ -892,9 +845,8 @@ class IndicesClient(NamespacedClient):
         :arg wait_for_completion: Specify whether the request should block until
             the all segments are upgraded (default: false)
         """
-        _, data = self.transport.perform_request('POST', _make_path(index,
+        return self.transport.perform_request('POST', _make_path(index,
             '_upgrade'), params=params)
-        return data
 
     @query_params('allow_no_indices', 'expand_wildcards', 'human',
         'ignore_unavailable')
@@ -916,9 +868,8 @@ class IndicesClient(NamespacedClient):
         :arg ignore_unavailable: Whether specified concrete indices should be
             ignored when unavailable (missing or closed)
         """
-        _, data = self.transport.perform_request('GET', _make_path(index,
+        return self.transport.perform_request('GET', _make_path(index,
             '_upgrade'), params=params)
-        return data
 
     @query_params('allow_no_indices', 'expand_wildcards', 'ignore_unavailable')
     def flush_synced(self, index=None, params=None):
@@ -937,9 +888,8 @@ class IndicesClient(NamespacedClient):
         :arg ignore_unavailable: Whether specified concrete indices should be
             ignored when unavailable (missing or closed)
         """
-        _, data = self.transport.perform_request('POST', _make_path(index,
+        return self.transport.perform_request('POST', _make_path(index,
             '_flush', 'synced'), params=params)
-        return data
 
     @query_params('allow_no_indices', 'expand_wildcards', 'ignore_unavailable',
         'operation_threading', 'status')
@@ -962,9 +912,8 @@ class IndicesClient(NamespacedClient):
             to get store information for, valid choices are: 'green', 'yellow',
             'red', 'all'
         """
-        _, data = self.transport.perform_request('GET', _make_path(index,
+        return self.transport.perform_request('GET', _make_path(index,
             '_shard_stores'), params=params)
-        return data
 
     @query_params('allow_no_indices', 'expand_wildcards', 'flush',
         'ignore_unavailable', 'max_num_segments', 'only_expunge_deletes',
@@ -993,6 +942,5 @@ class IndicesClient(NamespacedClient):
         :arg wait_for_merge: Specify whether the request should block until the
             merge process is finished (default: true)
         """
-        _, data = self.transport.perform_request('POST', _make_path(index,
+        return self.transport.perform_request('POST', _make_path(index,
             '_forcemerge'), params=params)
-        return data
diff --git a/elasticsearch/client/nodes.py b/elasticsearch/client/nodes.py
index b81fcf65..6adc61d1 100644
--- a/elasticsearch/client/nodes.py
+++ b/elasticsearch/client/nodes.py
@@ -19,9 +19,8 @@ class NodesClient(NamespacedClient):
             format., default False
         :arg timeout: Explicit operation timeout
         """
-        _, data = self.transport.perform_request('GET', _make_path('_nodes',
+        return self.transport.perform_request('GET', _make_path('_nodes',
             node_id, metric), params=params)
-        return data
 
     @query_params('completion_fields', 'fielddata_fields', 'fields', 'groups',
         'human', 'level', 'timeout', 'types')
@@ -56,9 +55,8 @@ class NodesClient(NamespacedClient):
         :arg types: A comma-separated list of document types for the `indexing`
             index metric
         """
-        _, data = self.transport.perform_request('GET', _make_path('_nodes',
+        return self.transport.perform_request('GET', _make_path('_nodes',
             node_id, 'stats', metric, index_metric), params=params)
-        return data
 
     @query_params('doc_type', 'ignore_idle_threads', 'interval', 'snapshots',
         'threads', 'timeout')
@@ -85,7 +83,5 @@ class NodesClient(NamespacedClient):
         # avoid python reserved words
         if params and 'type_' in params:
             params['type'] = params.pop('type_')
-        _, data = self.transport.perform_request('GET', _make_path('_cluster',
+        return self.transport.perform_request('GET', _make_path('_cluster',
             'nodes', node_id, 'hotthreads'), params=params)
-        return data
-
diff --git a/elasticsearch/client/snapshot.py b/elasticsearch/client/snapshot.py
index 321580e0..edcffb1c 100644
--- a/elasticsearch/client/snapshot.py
+++ b/elasticsearch/client/snapshot.py
@@ -18,9 +18,8 @@ class SnapshotClient(NamespacedClient):
         for param in (repository, snapshot):
             if param in SKIP_IN_PATH:
                 raise ValueError("Empty value passed for a required argument.")
-        _, data = self.transport.perform_request('PUT', _make_path('_snapshot',
+        return self.transport.perform_request('PUT', _make_path('_snapshot',
             repository, snapshot), params=params, body=body)
-        return data
 
     @query_params('master_timeout')
     def delete(self, repository, snapshot, params=None):
@@ -36,9 +35,8 @@ class SnapshotClient(NamespacedClient):
         for param in (repository, snapshot):
             if param in SKIP_IN_PATH:
                 raise ValueError("Empty value passed for a required argument.")
-        _, data = self.transport.perform_request('DELETE',
+        return self.transport.perform_request('DELETE',
             _make_path('_snapshot', repository, snapshot), params=params)
-        return data
 
     @query_params('master_timeout')
     def get(self, repository, snapshot, params=None):
@@ -54,9 +52,8 @@ class SnapshotClient(NamespacedClient):
         for param in (repository, snapshot):
             if param in SKIP_IN_PATH:
                 raise ValueError("Empty value passed for a required argument.")
-        _, data = self.transport.perform_request('GET', _make_path('_snapshot',
+        return self.transport.perform_request('GET', _make_path('_snapshot',
             repository, snapshot), params=params)
-        return data
 
     @query_params('master_timeout', 'timeout')
     def delete_repository(self, repository, params=None):
@@ -71,9 +68,8 @@ class SnapshotClient(NamespacedClient):
         """
         if repository in SKIP_IN_PATH:
             raise ValueError("Empty value passed for a required argument 'repository'.")
-        _, data = self.transport.perform_request('DELETE',
+        return self.transport.perform_request('DELETE',
             _make_path('_snapshot', repository), params=params)
-        return data
 
     @query_params('local', 'master_timeout')
     def get_repository(self, repository=None, params=None):
@@ -87,9 +83,8 @@ class SnapshotClient(NamespacedClient):
         :arg master_timeout: Explicit operation timeout for connection to master
             node
         """
-        _, data = self.transport.perform_request('GET', _make_path('_snapshot',
+        return self.transport.perform_request('GET', _make_path('_snapshot',
             repository), params=params)
-        return data
 
     @query_params('master_timeout', 'timeout', 'verify')
     def create_repository(self, repository, body, params=None):
@@ -107,9 +102,8 @@ class SnapshotClient(NamespacedClient):
         for param in (repository, body):
             if param in SKIP_IN_PATH:
                 raise ValueError("Empty value passed for a required argument.")
-        _, data = self.transport.perform_request('PUT', _make_path('_snapshot',
+        return self.transport.perform_request('PUT', _make_path('_snapshot',
             repository), params=params, body=body)
-        return data
 
     @query_params('master_timeout', 'wait_for_completion')
     def restore(self, repository, snapshot, body=None, params=None):
@@ -128,9 +122,8 @@ class SnapshotClient(NamespacedClient):
         for param in (repository, snapshot):
             if param in SKIP_IN_PATH:
                 raise ValueError("Empty value passed for a required argument.")
-        _, data = self.transport.perform_request('POST', _make_path('_snapshot',
+        return self.transport.perform_request('POST', _make_path('_snapshot',
             repository, snapshot, '_restore'), params=params, body=body)
-        return data
 
     @query_params('master_timeout')
     def status(self, repository=None, snapshot=None, params=None):
@@ -145,9 +138,8 @@ class SnapshotClient(NamespacedClient):
         :arg master_timeout: Explicit operation timeout for connection to master
             node
         """
-        _, data = self.transport.perform_request('GET', _make_path('_snapshot',
+        return self.transport.perform_request('GET', _make_path('_snapshot',
             repository, snapshot, '_status'), params=params)
-        return data
 
     @query_params('master_timeout', 'timeout')
     def verify_repository(self, repository, params=None):
@@ -163,7 +155,5 @@ class SnapshotClient(NamespacedClient):
         """
         if repository in SKIP_IN_PATH:
             raise ValueError("Empty value passed for a required argument 'repository'.")
-        _, data = self.transport.perform_request('POST', _make_path('_snapshot',
+        return self.transport.perform_request('POST', _make_path('_snapshot',
             repository, '_verify'), params=params)
-        return data
-
diff --git a/elasticsearch/connection/http_requests.py b/elasticsearch/connection/http_requests.py
index 88f0e119..99da09f3 100644
--- a/elasticsearch/connection/http_requests.py
+++ b/elasticsearch/connection/http_requests.py
@@ -31,7 +31,7 @@ class RequestsHttpConnection(Connection):
         if not REQUESTS_AVAILABLE:
             raise ImproperlyConfigured("Please install requests to use RequestsHttpConnection.")
 
-        super(RequestsHttpConnection, self).__init__(host= host, port=port, **kwargs)
+        super(RequestsHttpConnection, self).__init__(host=host, port=port, **kwargs)
         self.session = requests.session()
         if http_auth is not None:
             if isinstance(http_auth, (tuple, list)):
@@ -91,4 +91,4 @@ class RequestsHttpConnection(Connection):
         """
         Explicitly closes connections
         """
-        self.session.close()
\ No newline at end of file
+        self.session.close()
diff --git a/elasticsearch/transport.py b/elasticsearch/transport.py
index ad2c9021..08d7c4c2 100644
--- a/elasticsearch/transport.py
+++ b/elasticsearch/transport.py
@@ -218,6 +218,24 @@ class Transport(object):
 
         return list(node_info['nodes'].values())
 
+    def _get_host_info(self, host_info):
+        address_key = self.connection_class.transport_schema + '_address'
+        host = {}
+        address = host_info.get(address_key, '')
+        if '/' in address:
+            host['host'], address = address.split('/', 1)
+
+        # malformed address
+        if ':' not in address:
+            return None
+
+        ip, port = address.rsplit(':', 1)
+
+        # use the ip if not overridden by publish_host
+        host.setdefault('host', ip)
+        host['port'] = int(port)
+
+        return self.host_info_callback(host_info, host)
 
     def sniff_hosts(self, initial=False):
         """
@@ -231,27 +249,7 @@ class Transport(object):
         """
         node_info = self._get_sniff_data(initial)
 
-        hosts = []
-        address_key = self.connection_class.transport_schema + '_address'
-        for n in node_info:
-            host = {}
-            address = n.get(address_key, '')
-            if '/' in address:
-                host['host'], address = address.split('/', 1)
-
-            # malformed address
-            if ':' not in address:
-                continue
-
-            ip, port = address.rsplit(':', 1)
-
-            # use the ip if not overridden by publish_host
-            host.setdefault('host', ip)
-            host['port'] = int(port)
-
-            host = self.host_info_callback(n, host)
-            if host is not None:
-                hosts.append(host)
+        hosts = list(filter(None, (self._get_host_info(n) for n in node_info)))
 
         # we weren't able to get any nodes, maybe using an incompatible
         # transport_schema or host_info_callback blocked all - raise error.
@@ -329,6 +327,9 @@ class Transport(object):
                 status, headers, data = connection.perform_request(method, url, params, body, ignore=ignore, timeout=timeout)
 
             except TransportError as e:
+                if method == 'HEAD' and e.status_code == 404:
+                    return False
+
                 retry = False
                 if isinstance(e, ConnectionTimeout):
                     retry = self.retry_on_timeout
@@ -347,11 +348,14 @@ class Transport(object):
                     raise
 
             else:
+                if method == 'HEAD':
+                    return 200 <= status < 300
+
                 # connection didn't fail, confirm it's live status
                 self.connection_pool.mark_live(connection)
                 if data:
                     data = self.deserializer.loads(data, headers.get('content-type'))
-                return status, data
+                return data
 
     def close(self):
         """