Airfare mind games

[mikehn]

Isn't it fun trying to outsmart the airlines?

 

[FTM22]

Not to me. Maybe some people think it's fun. I don't want to pay half the price of a week long stay just to get there.

 

[mom2cse]

I'll be envious when you're in Disney, but I'm not at all envious of the fun you're having now.

 

[Pooh2]

Just got a Delta flight on Monday for $100 less that it was listed for on Sunday. The pricing seem so random from day to day.
I miss Jetblue's old policy of giving credit if the price goes down so shopping other airlines now.

 

[FTM22]

Anyone have any idea whether Southwest offers you the chance to see how full a flight is? Wondering if they might offer the cheaper seats on a flight listed as sold out on those seats? Not wanting to waste a day by flying in the afternoon. I am waiting to see if I can move my dates - resort availability has been an issue for that option.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

If a flight is sold out, or nearly so, why would seats be offered at the lowest fare bucket? Obviously there isn't a problem selling seats.

 

[ncc1701]

Sorry can't be bothered. We figure 2 location options for our trip ( not always WDW can be Vegas , San Diego, San Francisco or other locations) & look for a price we are OK with, book it and it is done. Of course before that step we price out hotel rates so we know if the location lodging is in the budget.

 

[FTM22]

If a flight is sold out, or nearly so, why would seats be offered at the lowest fare bucket? Obviously there isn't a problem selling seats.

The flight itself is not sold out. They are listing as sold out of the cheap fare seats on that flight on that day. I can't tell how many seats are actually sold which was the source of my question. But I get that I didn't know I should have booked right away. I get that I pay for that by not getting the flight time I wanted and either rearranging my dates of travel if resort rooms are available for my entire party or giving up the chance for a park day because I won't get there until evening on the other available flight. I don't mean to sound as utterly stupid as I apparently did in asking my question as quoted below.

Anyone have any idea whether Southwest offers you the chance to see how full a flight is? Wondering if they might offer the cheaper seats on a flight listed as sold out on those seats? Not wanting to waste a day by flying in the afternoon. I am waiting to see if I can move my dates - resort availability has been an issue for that option.

Please simply note this is ignorance because we never flew Southwest as they weren't a carrier here until they merged/purchased/whatever with Airtran. We did fly Airtran three years in a row and never had to purchase tickets this far out for a decent flight.

 

[kaytieeldr]

I can't tell how many seats are actually sold which was the source of my question.

Proprietary information.
If seats don't sell at the existing fare levels, they may offer more seats cheap. Or they may not.
If anyone with that cheap fare level cancels, the seat/s may be offered at that fare level. Or they may not be.

 

[seashoreCM]

I miss Jetblue's old policy of giving credit if the price goes down so shopping other airlines now.

The reason for that policy was to get more people to buy tickets early.

It is obvious that the airlines found that they would make more money without that "old policy."

(the mind game) Knowing that, the public can react by not buying tickets so early, except for really popular dates such as Sunday after Thanksgiving or except to pounce on a really low fare that might appear.

 

[nluvwithdisney]

Going to North Carolina in July and booked a flight that we thought was reasonable. Sure enough about 3 weeks later round trip price went down by 120 dollars. I wasn't happy but what could I do? It was on American.

 

[sam_gordon]

I wasn't happy but what could I do? It was on American.

As far as what you can do...

If you're booked on an airline that doesn't offer credit if the price drops, DON'T LOOK AT PRICES AFTER YOU'VE BOOKED. If you didn't know the price dropped, how could you be upset?

 

[nluvwithdisney]

As far as what you can do...

If you're booked on an airline that doesn't offer credit if the price drops, DON'T LOOK AT PRICES AFTER YOU'VE BOOKED. If you didn't know the price dropped, how could you be upset?

Good point but someone else pointed it out. I regret for a bit but move on past that place in time! Lol. After all it was my money I was spending!

 

[pooch]

I have been very fortunate/lucky playing the "fare" game. I know what a good price from Hartford to Mickey and back is (less than $200 RT non-stop) and I check SWA constantly until I get it. DD is coming home next month (she lives in Kissimmee) and I got $84 to here and $92 back about 3 weeks ago. The return flight is now $160. I am going down to she her in November and I got $84 down and $115 back. I am not really satisfied with the return trip and will stalk the site for something lower (paid with points). But both segments are up to $179 right now. My best deal? December 2012 I snagged $73 down and $55 back (Wednesday to Wednesday) You have to be vigilant, patient and have nerves of steel!!!!

 

[henry lutz]

I have been very fortunate/lucky playing the "fare" game. I know what a good price from Hartford to Mickey and back is (less than $200 RT non-stop) and I check SWA constantly until I get it. DD is coming home next month (she lives in Kissimmee) and I got $84 to here and $92 back about 3 weeks ago. The return flight is now $160. I am going down to she her in November and I got $84 down and $115 back. I am not really satisfied with the return trip and will stalk the site for something lower (paid with points). But both segments are up to $179 right now. My best deal? December 2012 I snagged $73 down and $55 back (Wednesday to Wednesday) You have to be vigilant, patient and have nerves of steel!!!!

Do you see a " est time " usually to buy ? We are going in nov too

 

[pooch]

I used to have an answer for this. My rule of thumb was 2 1/2 to 3 months out. Now, I don't know. Doesn't see to be any rhyme or reason to fares. When the window for November opened, the flights I wanted were $179. Later that night, like 10PM, they dropped to $84 and $115 which I then booked. The next morning, back to $179 and stuck there ever since. My best advise is look, look frequently, morning, afternoon, just before bed! Also, know what a good price is for your airport. As I mentioned in my post, I know that I can get a non-stop round trip flight for under $200 from Hartford so that's my benchmark and I keep looking until I get it. I am also fortunate in being flexible with my dates so I can get the less expensive Tues-Wed flights.

 

[ExExPirateShopGirl]

Truer words, my friend... truer words!

Proprietary information.
If seats don't sell at the existing fare levels, they may offer more seats cheap. Or they may not.
If anyone with that cheap fare level cancels, the seat/s may be offered at that fare level. Or they may not be.

 

[SandyinMonterey]

Just a tip...make sure you delete you browsing history after checking airline prices.

 

[FTM22]

How far back must you delete your browsing history for this to matter? Just wondering.

 

[debknight]

Just a tip...make sure you delete you browsing history after checking airline prices.

Why??