Gambling on air fares (not what you think)

[sam_gordon]

I saw this article in the paper this morning and of course thought of the DISboards...

http://travel.usatoday.com/flights/post/2011/03/allegiant-fares-fuel-costs/146973/1
An excerpt:

Allegiant envisions two options, according to AP. One would allow customers to purchase a standard fixed-price ticket. The second would allow customers to buy a "variable" ticket, one that would give them money back if fuel costs fell after they bought the ticket -- or require them to pay more if fuel costs rise.

I would not participate in this but wondered if others would. Or for those conspiracy theorists out there, is this just a plan to get the law changed so they (airlines) can change ticket prices after they've been purchased?

 

[seashoreCM]

I think that the airline's strategy is to sell more tickets earlier.

I think that we should start a fad to break that strategy, namely not book early. (Except for the really popular dates such as Sunday after Thanksgiving)

By making a concerted effort to not book early we the traveling public can get the airlines to re-offer an incentive to book early: Price match if the ticket price is lowered but not charge more to early purchasers if the ticket price is raised.

Disney hints: http://www.cockam.com/disney.htm

 

[lllGurulll]

I'll continue to book early. The heck with this.

 

[WDWisTheBest]

I'll continue to book early. The heck with this.

Agree with you.

 

[mickey2000]

I'll continue to book early. The heck with this.

I also agree!!

 

[JoeCathyAngelina]

We're already booked at Orange Lake Resort for April 2012 school vacation week and I'm preparing to book the April 2012 Airfare the minute the flights become available in May on a major carrier.
If the rates are ridiculous, more than $1,000 for the 3 of us and the flight times are just as bad, more than 1 stop and more than 8 hours of flight time, we drive down to WDW.
We've driven down twice and it's not that bad of a ride, a lot cheaper, can be easier than flying, especially if the flight times are bad and it's not a non-stop flight.
Good luck all,
Joe