Flight price changes mid-checkout

[bekkiz]

Has anyone else had this problem? I was buying a ticket on Jet Blue, which lists the total price along the side on each step of the check out. On the seat selection page it was one price, then when I clicked continue and got to the data entry (address etc) page the price jumped almost $30. There was no notice or alert, I just happened to glance over and see. I opened a new private browser and the new price was the same as the price they were trying to charge me.

I didn't buy the ticket out of principle because I think that's kind of shady customer service and I sent them an email. I've bought 100's of plane tickets (it used to be part of my job) and never had this happen before.

 

[Ranger111]

It happens. Had it happen to myself a number of years ago. Might have been Delta, but can't swear to it.

I have seen numerous rants about it on travel boards over the years.

Not really the airlines "fault" per se, air fares are fluid, which is why when you see a good price, jump on it without delay.

Should be some sort of big flashing red triangle though that alerts you if you are in the middle of the booking process -- but seriously -- as you just learned -- you need to pay attention all the way through until the sale is final -- actually a good practice even when buying notepaper on Amazon.

 

[OnceUponATime15]

Has anyone else had this problem? I was buying a ticket on Jet Blue, which lists the total price along the side on each step of the check out. On the seat selection page it was one price, then when I clicked continue and got to the data entry (address etc) page the price jumped almost $30. There was no notice or alert, I just happened to glance over and see. I opened a new private browser and the new price was the same as the price they were trying to charge me. I didn't buy the ticket out of principle because I think that's kind of shady customer service and I sent them an email. I've bought 100's of plane tickets (it used to be part of my job) and never had this happen before.

I had the same thing happen back in March while booking on SW. By the time I'd entered everyone's info the price had jumped by over $40 a person.. The tickets stayed right where I found them, because I also thought it was sketchy so didn't buy... Now booked on another airline.

 

[LBIJim]

Yeah, it happens, and I think it sucks. Maybe the airline sites should have something like the Ticketmaster website. "You have 5 minutes to complete this page." If you get finished in time, you should get the original price quoted. And if you're just browsing, those cheaper seats could be released to someone else after 5 minutes.

Jim

 

[kaytieeldr]

It's possible even one of the lower fare seats you were trying to buy got purchased by someone else as you progressed through the transaction. That would cause all your tickets to go up to the next lowest rate.

Try buying indivdual tickets. See if that gives you the lower rate on one or more seats.

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

I have had it happen, but generally there is a 'notice' someplace that the fare I wanted just sold out.

 

[Ranger111]

>>>>>>>SNIP.....Try buying indivdual tickets. See if that gives you the lower rate on one or more seats.

This is one of the best pieces of advice I have seen here in a LONG TIME

Something everyone should do on a routine basis. When looking for tickets, check price for one ticket, rather than two or three or however many you need.

That way, when you go to make your reservation for multiple tickets and find that the price is "more," you can opt out to back out and try purchasing one or two and see if the price is lower.

Of course, you do run the slight risk of possibly not be able to sit together (depending on airline, etc.), but that is the way to snatch the cheapest seats at any particular time.