Darn you Delta!

[sam_gordon]

So I've been stalking airfare for a trip in July. I happened to check today and the price was one we're willing to pay, and the itinerary was all but perfect (yes, I know subject to change).

I put in information for all travelers (six of us), and pick seats. There's a HANDFUL of individual seats taken and the back two rows are marked off. Put in my CC info, click "purchase" and get "That fare is now sold out, please search again". When I search again, the prices have gone up $30 each, and now there are six ADDITIONAL rows marked off... on BOTH flights (departure & return). What are the odds?

I search again for just one traveler and the price is still the elevated one. It was probably ~20 minutes from when I searched the first time before I finished the final entry (double checking a bunch of information for six people).

 

[lockets]

I can’t stand when airlines do that. United always does this too.

And I firmly believe it’s an algorithm, not someone who came along and actually booked those seats.

Sometimes I wait for it to “cool off” and the price goes back down (but that can take a day) and sometimes I just eat it.

But for a family of six??? SMH. I’m so sorry!

I hope someone comes along one day and sues the industry for price gouging or deceptive practices because again - it’s a money grab using an algorithm - not a real supply/demand free market issue.

Oh and BTW it will always go up by either $15 or $30. That’s the other dead giveaway to me that it’s their online yield system just trying to capture more money when someone takes more than X minutes to compete transaction.

They also try to scare you into “but it now” by falsely propping price up before it goes “higher.”

Just despicable.

 

[Goldelpack]

Wow! Same thing happened to me yesterday - I was searching for RT flights from LGA to MCO end of June depart, beginning of July return - Got distracted and returned about an hour later and all the fares had gone up by a lot. Since it's so far ahead and I still have 2 -- (4 flights) to take & earn SkyMiles I figured I'd wait and see what the prices are. Plus - due to elevated COVID numbers I decided to book 1st class for these flights and seriously hope that I don't have to do that in June/July. It's like when looking for hotel rates and the site says how many people are looking and how many have booked.. or last seat/room every available. This is all part of the price we all pay for modernization! Back in the day unless we had access to SABRE to book a flight you called or visiting a travel agent. Supply, demand and technology have changed so much for us!

 

[DuskKodesh]

Have you tried clearing your cookies and browsing history then going back in? also worth trying another browser if you can, or if you have a VPN use it and move yourself to another part of your country. Not saying these are foolproof methods but worth a shot. I know our VPN has saved us cash in the past for this exact task.

 

[sam_gordon]

Have you tried clearing your cookies and browsing history then going back in? also worth trying another browser if you can, or if you have a VPN use it and move yourself to another part of your country. Not saying these are foolproof methods but worth a shot. I know our VPN has saved us cash in the past for this exact task.

I went to incognito mode and got the same price. I even did a text with Delta and they came up w/same price

 

[Sweettears]

Have you tried clearing your cookies and browsing history then going back in? also worth trying another browser if you can, or if you have a VPN use it and move yourself to another part of your country. Not saying these are foolproof methods but worth a shot. I know our VPN has saved us cash in the past for this exact task.

This

 

[DaveNan]

I think they may track your IP specifically, but I think they also track overall hits to a specific flight. Even with VPN or incognito, I have searched the same flight through several services, work, airline direct, travelocity, orbitz....... and by the 3rd or fourth search, the price goes up. 8 hours later.... the price is back down.

 

[sam_gordon]

Just to update... checked again this morning and the lower price was back. Before I searched, I had made sure I had all the information gathered and ready to go. Had everything entered within 5 minutes and got it booked! Granted, the price isn't the lowest I've seen over the last six months (yes, have been tracking that long), but only $18 more than the low point.

The prices might go lower, but when booking for six, and picky on flight times, I was satisfied with the price. RT for <$300 w/direct flights both directions, "main cabin" (not Basic Economy) And since I have Delta's AmEx card, everyone gets one free checked luggage.

 

[DuskKodesh]

Just to update... checked again this morning and the lower price was back. Before I searched, I had made sure I had all the information gathered and ready to go. Had everything entered within 5 minutes and got it booked! Granted, the price isn't the lowest I've seen over the last six months (yes, have been tracking that long), but only $18 more than the low point.

The prices might go lower, but when booking for six, and picky on flight times, I was satisfied with the price. RT for <$300 w/direct flights both directions, "main cabin" (not Basic Economy) And since I have Delta's AmEx card, everyone gets one free checked luggage.

I'm so glad you were able to get the good price back!