US Airways Dividend Miles (Pre-FlightFund Merger) - USAirways.com Advance Booking Timezone..

Ran into an interesting thing last night ...

Was trying to book a ticket on USAirways, with seven day advance. Price was $171. At just after midnight, the price jumped to $264 - no longer 7 day advance, I guess.

Anyway, no matter what I tried, I could not get the lower price. I proceeded to try Orbitz - priced at $368. Expedia - $171 still available. Travelocity - $171 still available. United.com, choose USAirways flights, $171.

Seems like USAirways.com knows the 7 day advance issue, but used East Coast Time for this. However, several other sites appear to still be using giving the lower rate. Do they base the 7 day advance off of the time zone they are in ?

The company basically operates on Eastern time. As an example, West Coasters seeking to upgrade during the advance window can actually do so at 9 PM the night before, their time. Travelocity actually operates USAirways.com, as well, and those of us who use that from time to time have come to learn that there is quite a disconnect between it and regular reservations. No telling how those guys price, and whether they are doing "free sale", or selling from inventory specifically set aside for them. Ditto Expedia, Orbitz, etc. The short answer is, if you don't like the fare, just keep shopping the same flight at these other sites. As a further example, those of us who have installed Side Step regularly see it display very different fares for the same flights as it runs simultaneously with other fare engines.

[This message has been edited by deelmakur (edited 01-08-2002).]