airline prices change daily?

[jjj444]

I was trying to book a flight last night but was having credit card issues(long story) and went to book them just now and they are at totally different prices now. Do they change daily or did I miss the boat? It was through Delta. We have enough frequent flier miles for 1 free flight and will need to buy 2 more seats and the times we wanted went up $48 a seat. WTH! Are there days that they lower them and then days that htey are higher?

 

[TaraPA]

Yes they can change daily, and sometimes, even hourly! Which makes it frustrating to know when to book. The price of the flight I've been watching has only changed once in the last 24 hours, but one day last week was at 3 differenrt prices throughout the day.

 

[Cdn Friends of Pooh]

Yes they can change .... and even sometimes by the time you've entered your credit card info and go to click on the link to purchase the tickets, the price can be higher. There are only so many seats sold for each fare class (eg. coach T, coach K, coach V) and when that is sold out, it automatically goes to the next higher class.

 

[jjj444]

So does that mean that the prices won't go back down?

 

[uva185]

So does that mean that the prices won't go back down?

Depends. If you departure date is within 21 days the fares will probably just go up from here. If you are more than 21 days from date of departure the fares could certainly go back down.

 

[disneyfaninaz]

It's all a matter of supply and demand. The airlines want to maximize what they can get for seats. However, if there isn't the demand, they will lower fares to try to get more people to fly. It's kind of like the stock market!

 

[Cdn Friends of Pooh]

So does that mean that the prices won't go back down?

maybe, maybe not ... it all depends on the demand for seats. If the airline is selling seats at the increased price, they'll most likely not reduce the price. If seats for a particular flight aren't selling, there is a possibility of a seat sale. Unfortunately if you wait for that sale, you risk not getting a seat on the particular flight you want if the flight sells out. Remember, Orlando is a popular travel destination.

 

[jjj444]

We are actually flying into Tampa this time and were going to spend the night on Anna Maria Island and then drive over to Orlando. I hope they go back down. We are not leaving until April so I have time. Some schmuck stole me credit card number and was on a shopping spree with it so I had to cancel it and get a new one. Now because of this persom I can't get the flight and price I want.I am patiently waiting for the new card in the mail so I can book it. Wish me luck on the prices going back down.

On a side note why are rental cars so pricey this year? When we went to Disneyland in Cali we got a midsize for a week for $100. I can't find anything under $220

 

[Cdn Friends of Pooh]

We are actually flying into Tampa this time and were going to spend the night on Anna Maria Island and then drive over to Orlando. I hope they go back down. We are not leaving until April so I have time. Some schmuck stole me credit card number and was on a shopping spree with it so I had to cancel it and get a new one. Now because of this persom I can't get the flight and price I want.I am patiently waiting for the new card in the mail so I can book it. Wish me luck on the prices going back down.

On a side note why are rental cars so pricey this year? When we went to Disneyland in Cali we got a midsize for a week for $100. I can't find anything under $220

Wow ... sorry to hear about the credit card!

My DH and I were just discussing that car rentals rates have been going up for the last few years. We usually go down to Orlando twice a year (May and Oct) and can't remember when we paid under $150/week. Our cheapest rental was 2008 when we were able to take an extra trip in January and got a car rental for $87 (with taxes) for the week. This may we've booked a rental through National for $218 for the week ... I'm just waiting for a coupon to come out to help bring that down (most expire at the end of April).

I'd suggest you check out Mousesavers. It' a great website for car rental discount coupons and seems to always be up to date.

 

[jessrose18]

Last week airtran was having a sale and delta was matching their low prices. I did notice as soon as the airtran sale expired delta crept back up. Last year around the end of February airtran had a sale and prices on Delta dropped again that's when I bought my tickets for September last year.

 

[uva185]

We are actually flying into Tampa this time and were going to spend the night on Anna Maria Island and then drive over to Orlando. I hope they go back down. We are not leaving until April so I have time. Some schmuck stole me credit card number and was on a shopping spree with it so I had to cancel it and get a new one. Now because of this persom I can't get the flight and price I want.I am patiently waiting for the new card in the mail so I can book it. Wish me luck on the prices going back down.

On a side note why are rental cars so pricey this year? When we went to Disneyland in Cali we got a midsize for a week for $100. I can't find anything under $220

FWIW, if this is your only credit card next time ask the credit card company to overnight you a replacement.

What dates and airports are you looking at? This isn't over Easter or Spring Break is it?

 

[jjj444]

Thanks everyone for all of your input but I was able to get tickets for $112:through Delta tonight. I am so happy! We went from $220 and no credit card to $112(and hubby helped me to realize that my handy dandy Target credit card is actually a Visa)! So we are all booked up ther and now onto a car rental. We decided to fly into Orlando and visit the beach during our week. So to answer my own question-yes airfare prices do change often!

 

[WizardLarz]

I've been watching the prices for my flight on both Air Tran and Southwest go Up and Down and sideways! One day last week I looked at AirTran and all they only seats avaible were $325 business class on two of the flights! The next day they had $74 (web only) on all the flights!

Last year I was booking my tickets the first screen gave me a price of $168/rt so which was the cheapestfor the two months that I had been watching prices! So I go to the page to put in my CC info and it shows a Price of $146., I don't think I've typed so fast in my life!

Heck right now I'm thinking of flying down and driving back. Flight down is $74 ,return is $130. Alamo has a $10 deal to drive a car Out of Florida, so two day car rental aprox. $30 and hotel $40, equal almost half price savings.

 

[hopeandtink]

I've been watching the prices for my flight on both Air Tran and Southwest go Up and Down and sideways! One day last week I looked at AirTran and all they only seats avaible were $325 business class on two of the flights! The next day they had $74 (web only) on all the flights!

Last year I was booking my tickets the first screen gave me a price of $168/rt so which was the cheapestfor the two months that I had been watching prices! So I go to the page to put in my CC info and it shows a Price of $146., I don't think I've typed so fast in my life!

Heck right now I'm thinking of flying down and driving back. Flight down is $74 ,return is $130. Alamo has a $10 deal to drive a car Out of Florida, so two day car rental aprox. $30 and hotel $40, equal almost half price savings.

Thank you! I just booked alamo from the swan to chicago for $10 per day and was able to use a $25 off coupon so I got a midsize car for 3 days for $13.75!!