worried here - flights & wrong fare - what does airline do?

[ColetteN]

I just booked my flight to MCO via United. Paid $257 each ticket round trip (I couldn't wait for Southwest - I know, 2 more days hopefully, but it was physically making me sick because they kept going up daily on all other airlines.)

Now not 2 hours after I booked my flight, the price shot up to $661. No Lie. I can't figure it out - do they change that drastically, that quickly?

And in the fine print of my reservation confirmation, it says "on rare occassion errors in pricing or product information may occur. When a pricing error is apparent, you may be given the option to amend you itinerary, cancel the reservation or pay the correct fare."

I thought finally booking the flight would let me relax, but now I'm going to worry the rate I paid was a mistake. Has this happened to anyone?

OMG! I just realized I'm turning into my mother!!!!(the worrying!)

 

[CarolA]

I wouldn't worry about it.

Yes, the price can shoot up that dramatically. Basically what probably happens is that the "el cheapo" fares you bought sold out and the computer adjusted.... I see it happen all the time when booking business travel. The days of "airfares only adjust at night" are gone, plus there are only x seats at each fare class as they sell the price goes up!

Your $257 is reasonable. The "Fares' they quote are the ones where someone makes a keying error and the fare is $2.67. (Just a few weeks ago there was a post on flyer talk, one way business class to Italy $160, that's normally more like $1,600 and the airline is honoring the fare)

 

[seashoreCM]

$257. is a "reasonable" fare. It does not look like a mistake. United has had that fare from time to time in the past.

A "mistaken" or "unreasonable" fare would be something like fifteen dollars and sixty two cents.

Do you have a printout of your reservation on paper? If not, print it now. You cannot argue about any misunderstanding without something in writing to go by.

Disney hints:
http://members.aol.com/ajaynejr/disney.htm

 

[AllyBri]

Call United right now and tell them you want to confirm a flight that you just booked. They will read everything back to you, times, date, price, etc.
Let us know how it turned out.

 

[ColetteN]

thanks to all for calming me a little. I do have a printed confirmation & I will call United in the a.m. just to be sure - great idea. I have since gotten my eticket confirmation email, and it has the same amounts I paid listed.

I'll be sure to let everyone know if there's a problem.

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

I have since gotten my eticket confirmation email, and it has the same amounts I paid listed.

You're fine then.

Airlines usually have several different fare inventories for the same class of service on the same flight. You may have purchased the last seats on your flights at the lower price, and now only higher priced seats are left.