delta price increase

[jessrose18]

I know my complaint was minor-just thought some people here could sympathize w/ the vacation fare watching game we play while waiting to book. I have considered myself very lucky to pay under 200 bucks to fly believe me, I know that you can't beat that, living in MN and having 2 different airlines based here has afforded us w/ great airfare, this was just my first experience w/ delta. I have never flown Airtran before, this will be a first there prices were great, but they just have one nonstop from here a day, we'll give them a try. I can't believe some of the prices people have to pay to fly to Orlando, we have even flown to Paris for $800 from MSP, thanks Northwest! Even before Northwest went cheap, we always had Suncountry so never paid over $250 for airfare. Good luck to everyone who is watching and waiting for those sales

 

[bavaria]

I am the general public. I'm not a Disney cartoon character.


I seriously don't get it - how can there be that much difference.

I mean that this website does not represent the greater public, just a small cross-section of the (mostly) American public. The focus is Disney, and many readers do not have a larger experience with travel. They may have been to other destinations, but not as regularly as to MCO.

MCO long had some of the cheapest airfares in the country, and the cheapest rental car rates in the WORLD.

When suppliers cut capacity, many people here were very upset. They didn't have a frame of reference for rental rates or airfare in other locations because they didn't travel much to other destinations, or were used to booking very far in advance or had the flexibility to get the cheapest restricted fares.

Visit other travel websites, and there isn't the same drama. People fly to a variety of destinations and while they may not like the fares, they are used to paying a lot more for flights than most people do here.

$151 or $200 or $300 is not the norm and most people in REALworld pay more than that.

 

[ironz]

I am definitely booking at a high demand time of year - Easter break. I just booked three flights last week leaving on March 31st and I paid $345 round trip. I am now trying to book a flight for my son who is leaving one day later on April 1st. I just checked the fare this morning and it went up again - now it is at $1,044.40 and is non-refundable. The flight that leaves two hours later at 7:50 (and is the same return flight home as the one I mentioned above for $1,044) is still at $475. Let's see - I could fly out at 5:40 pm for $1,040 or I could wait until 7:50 pm and save $569. I'm just simply stating that from a consumer's standpoint, it's frustrating. My original intent when posting on this thread was just that - how frustrating it can be at times to make airline reservations, not to get in a debate on airline viability.

So, not ALL flights are over $1000.
Is 2 extra hours of time at WDW worth over $500?

Sorry you're frustrated...but the low, low fares aren't going to happen. And sometimes we still get lucky.
We're also not likely to see gas below $2/gallon again either, where it stayed for years and years until the last few years (just as a weak analogy).

 

[uva185]

I am definitely booking at a high demand time of year - Easter break. I just booked three flights last week leaving on March 31st and I paid $345 round trip. I am now trying to book a flight for my son who is leaving one day later on April 1st. I just checked the fare this morning and it went up again - now it is at $1,044.40 and is non-refundable. The flight that leaves two hours later at 7:50 (and is the same return flight home as the one I mentioned above for $1,044) is still at $475. Let's see - I could fly out at 5:40 pm for $1,040 or I could wait until 7:50 pm and save $569. I'm just simply stating that from a consumer's standpoint, it's frustrating. My original intent when posting on this thread was just that - how frustrating it can be at times to make airline reservations, not to get in a debate on airline viability.

I have posted the flight inventory and fare information below. The fare you are looking at is in fact a Full Fare Coach ticket and IS REFUNDABLE. If your return is a non-refundable fare then it may show nonrefundable for the entire itinerary but the outbound fare is most certainly refundable.

It is very clear that the flight you are looking at is close to being sold out due to high demand from tourists. An airline will sell a certain number of tickets at low prices, a certain number at medium prices, and the rest at high prices. In this case all the cheap and medium priced tickets have already been sold so all that is left is the high price tickets.

Flight Inventory

Fares

Label  	Description
 FLIGHT APPLICATION	UNLESS OTHERWISE SPECIFIED   NOTE - RULE FLT1 IN DGR
 APPLIES
 UNLESS OTHERWISE SPECIFIED
   THE FARE COMPONENT MUST BE ON
       ONE OR MORE OF THE FOLLOWING
         DL FLIGHTS 1 THROUGH 1334
         DL FLIGHTS 1400 THROUGH 5899
         DL FLIGHTS 5932 THROUGH 5996
         DL FLIGHTS 6000 THROUGH 9999
   IN COMBINATION WITH
       ONE OR MORE OF THE FOLLOWING
         ANY DL FLIGHT.
   THE FARE COMPONENT MUST BE ON
       ONE OR MORE OF THE FOLLOWING
         DL FLIGHTS 1 THROUGH 1334
         DL FLIGHTS 1400 THROUGH 5899
         DL FLIGHTS 5932 THROUGH 5996
         DL FLIGHTS 6000 THROUGH 9999.
          NOTE -
           1. NO DELTA SHUTTLE.
 ADVANCE RES/TICKETING	UNLESS OTHERWISE SPECIFIED
          NOTE -
              STANDBY IS NOT PERMITTED.
              SAME DAY CONFIRM/SDC -
                PASSENGERS HOLDING CONFIRMED RESERVATIONS AND
                TICKETS MAY CONFIRM EARLIER/LATER SAME DAY
                FLIGHTS BETWEEN SAME ORIGIN/DESTINATION/
                STOPOVER POINTS.  NEW ITINERARY MAY NOT BE
                CONFIRMED MORE THAN 3 HOURS PRIOR TO
                DEPARTURE TIME OF NEW OUTBOUND FLIGHT. THE
                NEW ITINERARY MUST BE VALID FOR ORIGINAL FARE
                PURCHASED.
                SEE PENALTIES/VOLUNTARY CHANGES FOR COMPLETE
                RULES AND RESTRICTIONS.
 MINIMUM STAY	NONE FOR ONE WAY FARES
 MAXIMUM STAY	NONE FOR ONE WAY FARES
 TRANSFERS	UNLESS OTHERWISE SPECIFIED   NOTE - RULE CAT9 IN DGR
 APPLIES
 UNLESS OTHERWISE SPECIFIED
   IF THE FARE COMPONENT INCLUDES TRAVEL FROM/TO JRB/TSS
   AIRPORTS
     NO TRANSFERS PERMITTED
       FARE BREAK AND EMBEDDED SURFACE SECTORS NOT PERMITTED
        ON THE FARE COMPONENT.
   2 TRANSFERS PERMITTED IN EACH DIRECTION
     ONLINE ON THE PRIMARY CARRIER
     FARE BREAK AND EMBEDDED SURFACE SECTORS NOT PERMITTED ON
      THE FARE COMPONENT.
PERMITTED COMBINATIONS	FOR ONE WAY Y- TYPE FARES
    ADD-ONS NOT PERMITTED.
   END-ON-END
     END-ON-END COMBINATIONS PERMITTED. VALIDATE ALL FARE
     COMPONENTS.
    PROVIDED -
      COMBINATIONS ARE FOR CARRIER DL/NW/AF/AZ/KL/OK/AS/EK/
      GF/EY/QR
   OPEN JAWS/2-COMPONENT CIRCLE TRIPS/MULTI-COMPONENT CIRCLE
   TRIPS/END-ON-END
     FARES MAY BE COMBINED ON A HALF ROUND TRIP BASIS
     -TO FORM SINGLE OR DOUBLE OPEN JAWS.
      A MAXIMUM OF 2 FARE COMPONENTS PERMITTED.
     -TO FORM 2-COMPONENT CIRCLE TRIPS
     -TO FORM MULTI-COMPONENT CIRCLE TRIPS
      A MAXIMUM OF 2 FARE BREAK POINTS PERMITTED.
     END-ON-END COMBINATIONS PERMITTED WITH US-CANADA
     TRANSBORDER/DOMESTIC FARES. VALIDATE ALL FARE
     COMPONENTS.
    PROVIDED -
      COMBINATIONS ARE WITH ANY FARE FOR CARRIER DL/NW/CO/UA/
      AA/AS/AC/YX/HA/US/9K/WP/JV IN ANY RULE AND TARIFF.
  NOTE - THE CITY PAIRS BELOW ARE CONSIDERED THE SAME POINT-
         BWI-WAS  FLL-MIA  LAX-ONT  LAX-SNA  NYC-EWR  OAK-SFO
         OAK-SJC  SFO-SJC  LAX-BUR
BLACKOUT DATES	FOR Y0 FARES   NOTE - RULE 1111 IN DGR APPLIES
SURCHARGES	FOR Y0 FARES
   IF INFANT 0-1 WITHOUT A SEAT.
     THERE IS NO FUEL SURCHARGE FARE COMPONENT.
   A SURCHARGE OF USD 9.30 FARE COMPONENT WILL BE ADDED TO
   THE APPLICABLE FARE FOR TRAVEL ON 13JUN 10.
          NOTE -
           THIS PEAK TRAVEL SURCHARGE IS ASSESSED ON A FARE
           COMPONENT BASIS.
   AND - A SURCHARGE OF USD 9.30 FARE COMPONENT WILL BE ADDED
         TO THE APPLICABLE FARE FOR TRAVEL FROM 17JUN 10
         THROUGH 18JUN 10.
          NOTE -
           THIS PEAK TRAVEL SURCHARGE IS ASSESSED ON A FARE
           COMPONENT BASIS.
   AND - A SURCHARGE OF USD 9.30 FARE COMPONENT WILL BE ADDED
         TO THE APPLICABLE FARE FOR TRAVEL FROM 20JUN 10
         THROUGH 21JUN 10.
          NOTE -
           THIS PEAK TRAVEL SURCHARGE IS ASSESSED ON A FARE
           COMPONENT BASIS.
   AND - A SURCHARGE OF USD 9.30 FARE COMPONENT WILL BE ADDED
         TO THE APPLICABLE FARE FOR TRAVEL FROM 24JUN 10
         THROUGH 25JUN 10.
          NOTE -
           THIS PEAK TRAVEL SURCHARGE IS ASSESSED ON A FARE
           COMPONENT BASIS.
   AND - A SURCHARGE OF USD 9.30 FARE COMPONENT WILL BE ADDED
         TO THE APPLICABLE FARE FOR TRAVEL FROM 27JUN 10
         THROUGH 28JUN 10.
          NOTE -
           THIS PEAK TRAVEL SURCHARGE IS ASSESSED ON A FARE
           COMPONENT BASIS.
   AND - A SURCHARGE OF USD 9.30 FARE COMPONENT WILL BE ADDED
         TO THE APPLICABLE FARE FOR TRAVEL FROM 01JUL 10
         THROUGH 03JUL 10.
          NOTE -
           THIS PEAK TRAVEL SURCHARGE IS ASSESSED ON A FARE
           COMPONENT BASIS.
   AND - A SURCHARGE OF USD 9.30 FARE COMPONENT WILL BE ADDED
         TO THE APPLICABLE FARE FOR TRAVEL FROM 05JUL 10
         THROUGH 06JUL 10.
          NOTE -
           THIS PEAK TRAVEL SURCHARGE IS ASSESSED ON A FARE
           COMPONENT BASIS.
   AND - A SURCHARGE OF USD 9.30 FARE COMPONENT WILL BE ADDED
         TO THE APPLICABLE FARE FOR TRAVEL FROM 10JUL 10
         THROUGH 12JUL 10.
          NOTE -
           THIS PEAK TRAVEL SURCHARGE IS ASSESSED ON A FARE
           COMPONENT BASIS.
   AND - A SURCHARGE OF USD 9.30 FARE COMPONENT WILL BE ADDED
         TO THE APPLICABLE FARE FOR TRAVEL FROM 15JUL 10
         THROUGH 19JUL 10.
          NOTE -
           THIS PEAK TRAVEL SURCHARGE IS ASSESSED ON A FARE
           COMPONENT BASIS.
   AND - A SURCHARGE OF USD 9.30 FARE COMPONENT WILL BE ADDED
         TO THE APPLICABLE FARE FOR TRAVEL FROM 22JUL 10
         THROUGH 26JUL 10.
          NOTE -
           THIS PEAK TRAVEL SURCHARGE IS ASSESSED ON A FARE
           COMPONENT BASIS.
   AND - A SURCHARGE OF USD 9.30 FARE COMPONENT WILL BE ADDED
         TO THE APPLICABLE FARE FOR TRAVEL FROM 29JUL 10
         THROUGH 31JUL 10.
          NOTE -
           THIS PEAK TRAVEL SURCHARGE IS ASSESSED ON A FARE
           COMPONENT BASIS.
   AND - A SURCHARGE OF USD 9.30 FARE COMPONENT WILL BE ADDED
         TO THE APPLICABLE FARE FOR TRAVEL FROM 01AUG 10
         THROUGH 02AUG 10.
          NOTE -
           THIS PEAK TRAVEL SURCHARGE IS ASSESSED ON A FARE
           COMPONENT BASIS.
   AND - A SURCHARGE OF USD 9.30 FARE COMPONENT WILL BE ADDED
         TO THE APPLICABLE FARE FOR TRAVEL FROM 05AUG 10
         THROUGH 09AUG 10.
          NOTE -
           THIS PEAK TRAVEL SURCHARGE IS ASSESSED ON A FARE
           COMPONENT BASIS.
   AND - A SURCHARGE OF USD 9.30 FARE COMPONENT WILL BE ADDED
         TO THE APPLICABLE FARE FOR TRAVEL FROM 12AUG 10
         THROUGH 13AUG 10.
          NOTE -
           THIS PEAK TRAVEL SURCHARGE IS ASSESSED ON A FARE
           COMPONENT BASIS.
   AND - A SURCHARGE OF USD 9.30 FARE COMPONENT WILL BE ADDED
         TO THE APPLICABLE FARE FOR TRAVEL FROM 15AUG 10
         THROUGH 16AUG 10.
          NOTE -
           THIS PEAK TRAVEL SURCHARGE IS ASSESSED ON A FARE
           COMPONENT BASIS.
 UNLESS OTHERWISE SPECIFIED
   IF INFANT 0-1 WITHOUT A SEAT.
     THERE IS NO FUEL SURCHARGE FARE COMPONENT.
   A SURCHARGE OF USD 18.60 FARE COMPONENT WILL BE ADDED TO
   THE APPLICABLE FARE FOR TRAVEL ON 12FEB 10.
          NOTE -
           THIS PEAK TRAVEL SURCHARGE IS ASSESSED ON A FARE
           COMPONENT BASIS.
   AND - A SURCHARGE OF USD 9.30 FARE COMPONENT WILL BE ADDED
         TO THE APPLICABLE FARE FOR TRAVEL FROM 07MAR 10
         THROUGH 08MAR 10.
          NOTE -
           THIS PEAK TRAVEL SURCHARGE IS ASSESSED ON A FARE
           COMPONENT BASIS.
   AND - A SURCHARGE OF USD 9.30 FARE COMPONENT WILL BE ADDED
         TO THE APPLICABLE FARE FOR TRAVEL FROM 11MAR 10
         THROUGH 13MAR 10.
          NOTE -
           THIS PEAK TRAVEL SURCHARGE IS ASSESSED ON A FARE
           COMPONENT BASIS.
   AND - A SURCHARGE OF USD 27.91 FARE COMPONENT WILL BE
         ADDED TO THE APPLICABLE FARE FOR TRAVEL ON 14MAR 10.
          NOTE -
           THIS PEAK TRAVEL SURCHARGE IS ASSESSED ON A FARE
           COMPONENT BASIS.
   AND - A SURCHARGE OF USD 9.30 FARE COMPONENT WILL BE ADDED
         TO THE APPLICABLE FARE FOR TRAVEL ON 15MAR 10.
          NOTE -
           THIS PEAK TRAVEL SURCHARGE IS ASSESSED ON A FARE
           COMPONENT BASIS.
   AND - A SURCHARGE OF USD 9.30 FARE COMPONENT WILL BE ADDED
         TO THE APPLICABLE FARE FOR TRAVEL FROM 18MAR 10
         THROUGH 19MAR 10.
          NOTE -
           THIS PEAK TRAVEL SURCHARGE IS ASSESSED ON A FARE
           COMPONENT BASIS.
   AND - A SURCHARGE OF USD 27.91 FARE COMPONENT WILL BE
         ADDED TO THE APPLICABLE FARE FOR TRAVEL FROM
         20MAR 10 THROUGH 21MAR 10.
          NOTE -
           THIS PEAK TRAVEL SURCHARGE IS ASSESSED ON A FARE
           COMPONENT BASIS.
   AND - A SURCHARGE OF USD 9.30 FARE COMPONENT WILL BE ADDED
         TO THE APPLICABLE FARE FOR TRAVEL ON 22MAR 10.
          NOTE -
           THIS PEAK TRAVEL SURCHARGE IS ASSESSED ON A FARE
           COMPONENT BASIS.
   AND - A SURCHARGE OF USD 9.30 FARE COMPONENT WILL BE ADDED
         TO THE APPLICABLE FARE FOR TRAVEL FROM 25MAR 10
         THROUGH 26MAR 10.
          NOTE -
           THIS PEAK TRAVEL SURCHARGE IS ASSESSED ON A FARE
           COMPONENT BASIS.
   AND - A SURCHARGE OF USD 18.60 FARE COMPONENT WILL BE
         ADDED TO THE APPLICABLE FARE FOR TRAVEL ON 27MAR 10.
          NOTE -
           THIS PEAK TRAVEL SURCHARGE IS ASSESSED ON A FARE
           COMPONENT BASIS.
   AND - A SURCHARGE OF USD 27.91 FARE COMPONENT WILL BE
         ADDED TO THE APPLICABLE FARE FOR TRAVEL ON 28MAR 10.
          NOTE -
           THIS PEAK TRAVEL SURCHARGE IS ASSESSED ON A FARE
           COMPONENT BASIS.
   AND - A SURCHARGE OF USD 9.30 FARE COMPONENT WILL BE ADDED
         TO THE APPLICABLE FARE FOR TRAVEL ON 29MAR 10.
          NOTE -
           THIS PEAK TRAVEL SURCHARGE IS ASSESSED ON A FARE
           COMPONENT BASIS.
   AND - A SURCHARGE OF USD 27.91 FARE COMPONENT WILL BE
         ADDED TO THE APPLICABLE FARE FOR TRAVEL ON 05APR 10.
          NOTE -
           THIS PEAK TRAVEL SURCHARGE IS ASSESSED ON A FARE
           COMPONENT BASIS.
   AND - A SURCHARGE OF USD 9.30 FARE COMPONENT WILL BE ADDED
         TO THE APPLICABLE FARE FOR TRAVEL FROM 08APR 10
         THROUGH 10APR 10.
          NOTE -
           THIS PEAK TRAVEL SURCHARGE IS ASSESSED ON A FARE
           COMPONENT BASIS.
   AND - A SURCHARGE OF USD 27.91 FARE COMPONENT WILL BE
         ADDED TO THE APPLICABLE FARE FOR TRAVEL ON 11APR 10.
          NOTE -
           THIS PEAK TRAVEL SURCHARGE IS ASSESSED ON A FARE
           COMPONENT BASIS.
   AND - A SURCHARGE OF USD 27.91 FARE COMPONENT WILL BE
         ADDED TO THE APPLICABLE FARE FOR TRAVEL FROM
         27MAY 10 THROUGH 28MAY 10.
          NOTE -
           THIS PEAK TRAVEL SURCHARGE IS ASSESSED ON A FARE
           COMPONENT BASIS.
SALES RESTRICTIONS	UNLESS OTHERWISE SPECIFIED
          NOTE -
           EXTENSION OF TICKET VALIDITY PERMITTED UNDER
           GUIDELINES SET FORTH BY CARRIER.  CONTACT
           CARRIER FOR DETAILS.
PENALTIES	UNLESS OTHERWISE SPECIFIED   NOTE - RULE 16RF IN DGR
 APPLIES
 UNLESS OTHERWISE SPECIFIED
          NOTE -
           -[B]CHANGES ARE PERMITTED ANYTIME[/B]
           -ALL TKTS MUST BE REISSUED
           -CHANGES RESULTING IN A HIGHER FARE MUST BE ADD
            COLLECTED AT THE TIME OF REISSUE
           -IF THE CHANGE RESULTS IN A LOWER FARE THE
            DIFFERENCE MAY BE REFUNDED TO THE ORIGINAL FORM
            OF PAYMENT WITHOUT A CHANGE FEE
            -SAME DAY CONFIRM/SDC-
             PSGRS HOLDING CONFIRMED RESERVATIONS AND TKTS
             MAY CONFIRM TRAVEL FOR AN EARLIER/LATER
             SAME DAY DL NONSTOP AND/OR CONNECTING FLIGHT/S
             BETWEEN THE SAME ORIGIN AND DESTINATION AIRPORTS
             AT NO CHARGE.
            NOTE -
              A. SEAT INVENTORY MUST BE AVAILABLE IN THE
                 CABIN APPLICABLE TO THE FARE CHARGED.
              B. CHANGES PERMITTED TO OUTBOUND OR CONTINUING/
                 RETURN FLIGHTS
              C. FLIGHTS/S AND ROUTING MUST BE APPLICABLE FOR
                 THE FARE CHARGED
              D. IF THE REQUESTED CHANGE IS NOT APPLICABLE
                 FOR THE FARE PURCHASED IE INVAILD ROUTING/
                 AIRPORT/FLIGHT NUMBER/DEPARTURE TIME/ETC-
                 THE CUSTOMER MAY UPGRADE TO A FARE THAT DOES
                 PERMIT THOSE CHANGES USING NORMAL REISSUE
                 PROCEDURES AND PAYING ANY FARE DIFFERENCE
              E. IF THE CUSTOMER REQUESTS THE CHANGE MORE
               THAN 3 HOURS PRIOR TO THE NEW FLIGHT DEPARTURE
               TIME THE CUSTOMER CAN CONFIRM ON A DIFFERENT
               FLIGHT ON THE SAME DAY OF TICKETED TRAVEL
               PAYING ANY APPLICABLE FARE DIFFERENCE
            TICKET REISSUE PROCEDURES
            I.CHANGES TO OUTBOUND PORTION OF UNUSED TKTS
              A. ISSUE A NEW TKT - CANCEL AND START OVER
              B. MUST USE CURRENT FARES
              C. VERIFY ALL RULES
              D. VALUE OF ORIGINAL TICKET MAY BE APPLIED
                 TOWARDS PURCHASE OF A NEW TICKET
           II.CHANGES TO CONTINUING/RETURN OF UNUSED TKTS
            A.ATTEMPT TO KEEP THE FARES AS TICKETED
             -CANNOT CHANGE ORIGIN/DESTINATION OF ANY FARE
              COMPONENT
             -MUST BE ABLE TO KEEP THE ORIGINAL FARES AS
              TICKETED FOR ALL FARE COMPONENTS
             -USE HISTORICAL FARES IN EFFECT ON THE DATE OF
              THE ORIGINAL TKT ISSUE
             -ALL OTHER RULE DATA MUST BE VERIFIED
            B. REPRICE KEEPING OUTBOUND FARES AND REPLACING
               CONTINUING/RETURN FARE COMPONENTS USING
               HISTORICAL FARES
              -CANNOT CHANGE ORIGIN/DESTINATION OF THE FIRST
               FARE COMPONENT
              -USE HISTORICAL FARES IN EFFECT ON THE DATE OF
               ORIGINAL TKT ISSUE
              -ALL OTHER RULE DATA MUST BE VERIFIED
               INCLUDING FARE COMBINABILITY
            C. ISSUE A NEW TKT - CANCEL AND START OVER
              -MUST USE CURRENT FARES/VERIFY ALL RULES
              -VALUE OF ORIGINAL TKT MAY BE APPLIED TOWARD
               PURCHASE OF A NEW TICKET
           III. CHANGES TO PARTIALLY USED TKTS
            NOTE - MUST COMPLETE TRAVEL BY 1 YEAR FROM THE
                    ORIGINAL TKT ISSUE DATE
            A.ATTEMPT TO KEEP THE FARES AS TICKETED
             -CANNOT CHANGE ORIGIN/DESTINATION OF ANY FARE
              COMPONENT
             -MUST BE ABLE TO KEEP THE ORIGINAL FARES AS
              TICKETED FOR ALL FARE COMPONENTS
             -USE HISTORICAL FARES IN EFFECT ON THE DATE OF
              THE ORIGINAL TKT ISSUE
             -ALL OTHER RULE DATA MUST BE VERIFIED INCLUDING
              FARE COMBINABILITY
           B. REPRICE KEEPING FARES FOR FLOWN FARE COMPONENTS
              AND REPLACE UNFLOWN FARE COMPONENTS USING
              HISTORICAL FARES
             -MAY CHANGE ORIGIN/DESTINATION OF ANY FARE
              COMPONENT EXCEPT FLOWN FARE COMPONENTS
             -USE HISTORICAL FARES IN EFFECT ON THE DATE OF
              THE ORIGINAL TKT ISSUE
             -ALL OTHER RULE DATA MUST BE VERIFIED INCLUDING
              FARE COMBINABILITY
           C.REPRICE REPLACING FARES FOR FLOWN FARE
             COMPONENTS WITH HISTORICAL FARE/S IN AN EQUAL OR
             HIGHER BOOKING CLASS AND REPLACE UNFLOWN FARE
             COMPONENTS USING HISTORICAL FARES
             -MAY CHANGE ORIGIN/DESTINATION OF ANY FARE
              COMPONENT EXCEPT FOR FLOWN FARE COMPONENTS
             -USE HISTORICAL FARES IN EFFECT ON THE DATE OF
              THE ORIGINAL TKT ISSUE
              -ALL OTHER RULE DATA MUST BE VERIFIED INCLUDING
              FARE COMBINABILITY
             -REPLACEMENT FARES FOR FLOWN FARE COMPONENTS
              MUST BE OF EQUAL OR HIGHER VALUE AND BOOKING
              CLASS THAN THE ORIGINAL TKTD FARE
            -USE BOOKING CLASS HIERARCHY WHEN REPLACING FARES
             FOR FLOWN FARE COMPONENTS
             THE HIERARCHY IS
             ECONOMY CLASS - Y B M H Q K L U T
             BUSINESS CLASS - J C D I
             FIRST CLASS - F A
           D. ISSUE A NEW TICKET
              -ORIGINAL TICKET HAS NO RESIDUAL VALUE
              -CALCULATE NEW TICKET USING CURRENT FARES
              -VALIDATE ALL RULES
   CANCELLATIONS
     PER TICKET CHARGE USD 100.00 FOR LOST TICKET.
          NOTE -
           NO SERVICE CHARGE WILL BE IMPOSED FOR MILITARY
           PASSENGERS WHEN TRANSPORTATION IS PAID WITH A U.S.
           GOVERNMENT TRANSPORTATION REQUEST FORM NO. 1169.
CHILDREN DISCOUNTS	UNLESS OTHERWISE SPECIFIED
   1ST INFANT UNDER 2 WITHOUT A SEAT - NO CHARGE
         TICKET DESIGNATOR - IN00.
     MUST BE ACCOMPANIED ON ALL FLIGHTS IN SAME COMPARTMENT
       BY ADULT
   OR - INFANT UNDER 2 WITH A SEAT - CHARGE 100 PERCENT OF
          THE FARE.
          MUST BE ACCOMPANIED ON ALL FLIGHTS IN SAME
            COMPARTMENT BY ADULT.
AGENT DISCOUNTS	FOR Y0 FARES   NOTE - RULE 6050 IN DGR APPLIES
          NOTE -
           AGENT DISCOUNT RULE 6050 APPLIES.
 UNLESS OTHERWISE SPECIFIED
          NOTE -
           DISCOUNTS APPLY
VOLUNTARY CHANGES	UNLESS OTHERWISE SPECIFIED   NOTE - RULE 31RF IN DGR
 APPLIES
 UNLESS OTHERWISE SPECIFIED
   IN THE EVENT OF CHANGES TO TICKETED FLIGHTS
    BEFORE DEPARTURE OF JOURNEY AND WITHIN TKT VALIDITY
     CERTAIN DOMESTIC REISSUE PROVISIONS MAY BE OVERRIDDEN BY
     THOSE OF DL INTERNATIONAL FARES
      FOR REISSUE AND
       REPRICE USING CURRENTLY TKTD FARE
        PROVIDED ALL OF THE FOLLOWING CONDITIONS ARE MET-
        1. NO CHANGE TO 1ST FARE COMPONENT/FARE BREAKS
        2. DL FARES ARE USED
        3. PRIVATE TARIFFS ARE INCLUDED
        4. ALL RULE AND BOOKING CODE PROVISIONS ARE MET
        EXCEPT ACCOMPANIED TRAVEL
        5. VALIDATE ADVANCE RES REQUIREMENTS WHEN BOOKING
        DATE KNOWN
        6. ADV RES IS MEASURED FROM ORIGINAL TKT DATE TO
        DEPARTURE OF PRICING UNIT
       OR -
       REPRICE USING FARES IN EFFECT WHEN TKT WAS ISSUED
        PROVIDED ALL OF THE FOLLOWING CONDITIONS ARE MET-
        1. NO CHANGE TO 1ST FARE COMPONENT
        2. SAME FARE ON 1ST FARE COMPONENT IS USED
        3. DL FARES ARE USED
        4. PRIVATE TARIFFS ARE INCLUDED
        5. WHEN SAME FARE USED - ALL RULE AND BOOKING CODE
        PROVISIONS ARE MET EXCEPT ACCOMPANIED TRAVEL -
        OTHERWISE ALL PROVISIONS MUST BE MET
        6. VALIDATE ADVANCE RES REQUIREMENTS WHEN BOOKING
        DATE KNOWN
        7. ADV RES IS MEASURED FROM ORIGINAL TKT DATE TO
        DEPARTURE OF PRICING UNIT
       OR -
       REPRICE USING FARES IN EFFECT TODAY
        PROVIDED ALL OF THE FOLLOWING CONDITIONS ARE MET-
        1. DL FARES ARE USED
        2. PRIVATE TARIFFS ARE INCLUDED
        3. VALIDATE ADVANCE RES REQUIREMENTS WHEN BOOKING
        DATE KNOWN
        4. ADV RES IS MEASURED FROM REISSUE DATE TO DEPARTURE
        OF JOURNEY
       OR -
       REPRICE USING CURRENT FARES - ONLY BOOKING CODE
       CHANGES PERMITTED
        PROVIDED ALL OF THE FOLLOWING CONDITIONS ARE MET-
        1. SAME TRAVEL DATES
        2. DL FARES ARE USED
        3. PRIVATE TARIFFS ARE INCLUDED
        4. VALIDATE ADVANCE RES REQUIREMENTS WHEN BOOKING
        DATE KNOWN
        5. ADV RES IS MEASURED FROM REISSUE DATE TO DEPARTURE
        OF JOURNEY
    REFUND VIA ORIGINAL FORM OF PAYMENT
    ENDORSEMENT BOX- HIGHER NON-REF AMT AND NEW ENDORSEMENTS.
   OR -
    AFTER DEPARTURE OF JOURNEY AND WITHIN TKT VALIDITY
     CERTAIN DOMESTIC REISSUE PROVISIONS MAY BE OVERRIDDEN BY
     THOSE OF DL INTERNATIONAL FARES
      FOR REISSUE AND
       REPRICE USING CURRENTLY TKTD FARE
        PROVIDED ALL OF THE FOLLOWING CONDITIONS ARE MET-
        1. NO CHANGE TO 1ST FARE COMPONENT/FARE BREAKS
        2. FULLY FLOWN FARE NOT REPRICED TO FURTHER POINT
        3. DL FARES ARE USED
        4. PRIVATE TARIFFS ARE INCLUDED
        5. ALL RULE AND BOOKING CODE PROVISIONS ARE MET
        EXCEPT ACCOMPANIED TRAVEL
        6. VALIDATE ADVANCE RES REQUIREMENTS WHEN BOOKING
        DATE KNOWN
        7. ADV RES IS MEASURED FROM ORIGINAL TKT DATE TO
        DEPARTURE OF PRICING UNIT
       OR -
       REPRICE USING FARES IN EFFECT WHEN TKT WAS ISSUED
        PROVIDED ALL OF THE FOLLOWING CONDITIONS ARE MET-
        1. NO CHANGE TO FARE BREAKS
        2. FULLY FLOWN FARE NOT REPRICED TO FURTHER POINT
        3. DL FARES ARE USED
        4. PRIVATE TARIFFS ARE INCLUDED
        5. WHEN SAME FARE USED - ALL RULE AND BOOKING CODE
        PROVISIONS ARE MET EXCEPT ACCOMPANIED TRAVEL -
        OTHERWISE ALL PROVISIONS MUST BE MET
        6. VALIDATE ADVANCE RES REQUIREMENTS WHEN BOOKING
        DATE KNOWN
        7. ADV RES IS MEASURED FROM ORIGINAL TKT DATE TO
        DEPARTURE OF PRICING UNIT
       OR -
       REPRICE USING FARES IN EFFECT WHEN TKT WAS ISSUED
        PROVIDED ALL OF THE FOLLOWING CONDITIONS ARE MET-
        1. NO CHANGE TO 1ST FARE COMPONENT
        2. SAME FARE ON 1ST FARE COMPONENT IS USED
        3. FULLY FLOWN FARE NOT REPRICED TO FURTHER POINT
        4. DL FARES ARE USED
        5. PRIVATE TARIFFS ARE INCLUDED
        6. WHEN SAME FARE USED - ALL RULE AND BOOKING CODE
        PROVISIONS ARE MET EXCEPT ACCOMPANIED TRAVEL -
        OTHERWISE ALL PROVISIONS MUST BE MET
        7. VALIDATE ADVANCE RES REQUIREMENTS WHEN BOOKING
        DATE KNOWN
        8. ADV RES IS MEASURED FROM ORIGINAL TKT DATE TO
        DEPARTURE OF PRICING UNIT
       OR -
       CHANGES NOT PERMITTED/REFUND TKT-ANY REMAINING AMT
       WILL APPLY TO NEW TKT
   [B] REFUND VIA ORIGINAL FORM OF PAYMENT[/B]
    ENDORSEMENT BOX- HIGHER NON-REF AMT AND NEW ENDORSEMENTS.

 

[KevGuy]

We paid $239, non-stop, round trip flight from Boston to Tampa last May when the fares became avaliable; for our upcoming April 2010 school vacation week trip.
Today, the fare for that same flight goes for $1,500 each.
I'll start looking for April 2011 tickets in May, I'd be thrilled to pay only $239 again.
Good Luck All,
Joe

We are going that week in April too. I booked with Delta the day they came out last May as well. Flights were $539 r/t non-stop Logan to Orlando (MCO) to start and it has been my experience that when they come out is usually the cheapest. I got $200 off each ticket by using 20k miles each ticket so now I am only paying $339 each. last time I looked they were well over $1k. The prices are crazy....

 

[bavaria]

In case anyone does not understand uva's very helpful chart, look at all the zeros.

Each letter represents a fare code; the numbers are the number of 'seats' left in each code (shown up to a maximum of 9)

Most of the fare codes are sold out because the flight is anticipated to be full or almost full and the airline is trying to maximize revenue.

Some airline websites (like UA when in expert mode) show similar information.

 

[kaytieeldr]

One more thing - a previous poster mentioned being happy with a $300 cross country flight. I just wanted to add that I'm not flying cross country. I'm flying Detroit to Orlando - which is about a 2 to 2 1/2 hour flight.

Ah, but technically that is cross-country; it's just north/south, not east/west

 

[Yzerbear19]

I just booked our flights for our April/May trip. In the past we've paid $118 RT and $170 RT, but I was happy to pay $265 for our flights. We're flying from our local airport rather than Detroit because it was only $45 more to fly from home than Detroit. I knew the fares would be more than in the past, but I'm happy with what we got. Excited to finally use our local airport which is about 10 minutes from my house.

 

[jessrose18]

In the last three days first it was 185, then 239, now Suncountry dropped to 179 and delta/airtran droppped to 179 today too. The whole point is that airfare is a gamble huh

 

[bavaria]

No, it's not really a gamble. There is actually quite a bit of rationale to the pricing structure and fare sales. If anything, it is more of a science than an art.

Get to know the prices on your route for peak periods, do some research, watch fares, sign up for fare watching services, and once you find a fare acceptable to you, book (after of course reading and understanding the fare rules) Be open to learning about the pricing structure - by that I mean read here and on flyertalk.com and accept that others may actually have useful information which can help with making decisions. Be humble enough to know when you don't have the knowledge and need to learn more - that is how Safetymom and I and thousands of others gained the knowledge that we needed to fly smart.

Then conventional wisdom here is do not continue to check fares once you have made the purchase, unless your carrier offers a credit without a significant change fee.

 

[jessrose18]

Thanks, point noted and taken

 

[bavaria]

You'll soon get a 'feeling' for what constitutes a 'good' price for your route, on your preferred carriers. I fly certain routes very regularly, and know when the fare is about the best I will see. I also check fare rules very carefully; if I see a fare I like but cannot yet book, I click on 'fare rules' and read the advance purchase restriction and the sale window if applicable. That way I am not disappointed when I go back to book and the fare is gone.

Some carriers still allow a 24 hour grace period; if you book you can still cancel with no penalty within 24 hours. This allows you to shop around some more.

But CHECK before you do that - not all carriers in America allow that.

One final note - if you are booking more than one ticket, you may want to price out one ticket at a time rather than for instance four. If there are only two seats left at the lower fare, when you price out four seats it will default to the higher fare.

 

[Brian Noble]

Then conventional wisdom here is do not continue to check fares once you have made the purchase, unless your carrier offers a credit without a significant change fee.

I confess that I often still check, unless I know I got a *great* price. Checking fares often gives you more information for the next time you book. That said, you have to be a little careful about assuming pricing will behave the same from one month (or year) to the net.

 

[bavaria]

I confess that I often still check, unless I know I got a *great* price. Checking fares often gives you more information for the next time you book. That said, you have to be a little careful about assuming pricing will behave the same from one month (or year) to the net.

And I believe that checking is okay (when do I EVER fall into the 'conventional' category here?!)

But if you do check, understand the rules for rebooking, and don't come here and throw a tantrum and expect sympathy if you didn't do your research properly. Venting does get some empathy here, believe it or not. Many people learn by reading vents.

I think that some people feel better after venting, and something like 'Darn, my flight went down $100 but it costs $150 to change it - ah well, at least I know for next time' is far different than throwing a fit. I think that venting can help others. Fit throwing isn't quite so educational!