Southwest prices

[leebee]

Is there any rhyme or reason about when Southwest adjusts their prices? Last summer we had two trips, and I used rapid rewards points for all the reservations. Prices changed twice between when I purchased the fares (March) and when we actually traveled (July)! Fortunately the changes were in my favor; prices dropped and the rewards went back into my account.

Right now, SWA is running a "sale" (ends 2/18) and I purchased airfare for MHT/MCO in March. I am hoping there'll be another "sale" or price adjustment between now and the middle of March. Does anyone know what factors are considered or how SWA decides when to drop prices? I know, it sounds silly... but they really do drop the costs sometimes. I have DING, am watching the website daily, hoping for another fare decrease!

 

[Tdubswife]

I am interested to hear input on this topic, too. We booked our airfare a couple of weeks ago for our June trip and I am also hoping to see a price drop. I think we got a pretty good rate. We priced the trip during their recent sale and we still got a cheaper rate.

 

[KINGBOBOFTHENORTH]

All airlines have sophisticated computer programs designed to maximize profits. The programs are constantly raising and lowering prices based on secret algorithms that take into account existing supply and demand, anticipated supply and demand plus actions by competitors. The goal is to sell every seat on every flight at the highest yield knowing that some seats have to be sold for less to accomplish the full plane.

BobK/Orlando