Price of the same search increases if I log in.

blug · Feb 18, 10, 2:10 pm

I did a multi-city search on DL.com: PHX-ZRH 3/13, ZRH-MSP 3/22, MSP-PHX 3/22. Did so because I want to force a ZRH-AMS-MSP-PHX routing inbound.

If I search without logging in, I got $762. If I logged in (I'm PM), the same search returns $1000+. Not sure if this has been extensively discussed but I didn't expect it at all

sbagdon · Feb 18, 10, 2:16 pm

Did you try clearing cookies, then logging in as PM, then doing a fare search?

It's also possible that your search removed the last ticket from that bucket.

Also, someone could have purchased that lowest fare, between searches.

Content/context-sensitive price increases is a widely known "feature" of the current web environments.

blug · Feb 18, 10, 2:29 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by sbagdon

Did you try clearing cookies, then logging in as PM, then doing a fare search?

It's also possible that your search removed the last ticket from that bucket.

Also, someone could have purchased that lowest fare, between searches.

Content/context-sensitive price increases is a widely known "feature" of the current web environments.

I just used a colleague's computer which has never been used to visit Delta.com, and tried the search with and without logging in. I got the same result: if logged in, $1047, otherwise, $762.

I also logged in with another skymiles# which has no status. This time I get $762. Seems DL.com is indeed "context-sensitive"

Thomas Hudson · Feb 18, 10, 2:32 pm

Screenshots?

ludocdoc · Feb 18, 10, 2:32 pm

So you booked it without logging in, then called to have your # added to the PNR, thus averting their treachery, yes?

blug · Feb 18, 10, 2:43 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thomas Hudson

Screenshots?

http://lh5.ggpht.com/_F8MSt2Cmu4U/S3...0/Untitled.jpg

Quote:

Originally Posted by ludocdoc

So you booked it without logging in, then called to have your # added to the PNR, thus averting their treachery, yes?

I booked it by logging in after DL.com quoted me the price.

Jaimito Cartero · Feb 18, 10, 2:45 pm

Baaaaaaa! Baaaaaaa!

Thomas Hudson · Feb 18, 10, 2:46 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by blug

http://lh5.ggpht.com/_F8MSt2Cmu4U/S3...0/Untitled.jpg

I booked it by logging in after DL.com quoted me the price.

can you get ss of the lower one? That would be messed up if you could confirm they were doing that....

Not sure how they could track a computer if you cleared the cookies... can't imagine they are tracking IPs....

Stripe · Feb 18, 10, 2:50 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thomas Hudson

can you get ss of the lower one? That would be messed up if you could confirm they were doing that....

Yes, you need both screen shots, to compare which fare buckets it's presenting you with for each scenario.

Thomas Hudson · Feb 18, 10, 2:55 pm

CLeared cookies and got this not logging in

Avoid direct ticketing charges and online booking fees. Prices shown include all taxes and fees.

Your Flight Selection:
Leg 1: Phoenix, AZ (PHX) to Zurich, Switzerland (ZRH) on Sat, 13 Mar 2010
Leg 2: Zurich, Switzerland (ZRH) to Minneapolis/St Paul, MN (MSP) on Mon, 22 Mar 2010
Leg 3: Minneapolis/St Paul, MN (MSP) to Phoenix, AZ (PHX) on Mon, 22 Mar 2010

Your Flight Selection: Departs Arrives Stops Flights & Cabin (Class) Travel Time
Leg 1: Phoenix, AZ (PHX) to Zurich, Switzerland (ZRH) on Sat, 13 Mar 2010
8:15am
PHX 1:44pm
ATL Nonstop Delta 1026
Boeing 737-800
In-Flight Services Coach (T)
View Seats 15 hr 30 min
4:40pm
ATL 7:45am
ZRH
Arrives 14 Mar Nonstop Delta 66
Boeing 767-300
In-Flight Services Coach (T)
View Seats
Leg 2: Zurich, Switzerland (ZRH) to Minneapolis/St Paul, MN (MSP) on Mon, 22 Mar 2010
10:10am
ZRH 11:55am
AMS Nonstop Delta 9525
Boeing 737
operated by Klm Royal Dutch Ai
In-Flight Services Coach (T)
View Seats 13 hr 50 min
2:40pm
AMS 6:00pm
MSP Nonstop Delta 265
Airbus Industrie A330-300
In-Flight Services Coach (T)
View Seats
Leg 3: Minneapolis/St Paul, MN (MSP) to Phoenix, AZ (PHX) on Mon, 22 Mar 2010
8:00pm
MSP 9:31pm
PHX Nonstop Delta 2299
Boeing 757-300
In-Flight Services Coach (T)
View Seats 3 hr 31 min

Price per passenger: $663.20 (USD)
Taxes/Fees: $98.80 (USD)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Subtotal per passenger: $762.00 (USD)
Total for all passengers (1): $762.00(USD)

Thomas Hudson · Feb 18, 10, 2:59 pm

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Step 2 of 5 - Trip Summary
BookingTrip Summary
Avoid direct ticketing charges and online booking fees. Prices shown include all taxes and fees.
One or more of your selected flights is not eligible for Pay with Miles. If you choose to continue with this itinerary, you will not be able to use Pay with Miles.

Your Flight Selection:
Leg 1: Phoenix, AZ (PHX) to Zurich, Switzerland (ZRH) on Sat, 13 Mar 2010
Leg 2: Zurich, Switzerland (ZRH) to Minneapolis/St Paul, MN (MSP) on Mon, 22 Mar 2010
Leg 3: Minneapolis/St Paul, MN (MSP) to Phoenix, AZ (PHX) on Mon, 22 Mar 2010
$1,047.00 (USD) + 0 miles
Pay with Miles
Your Flight Selection: Departs Arrives Stops Flights & Cabin (Class) Travel Time
Leg 1: Phoenix, AZ (PHX) to Zurich, Switzerland (ZRH) on Sat, 13 Mar 2010
8:15am
PHX 1:44pm
ATL Nonstop Delta 1026
Boeing 737-800
In-Flight Services Coach (U)
View Seats 15 hr 30 min
4:40pm
ATL 7:45am
ZRH
Arrives 14 Mar Nonstop Delta 66
Boeing 767-300
In-Flight Services Coach (U)
View Seats
Leg 2: Zurich, Switzerland (ZRH) to Minneapolis/St Paul, MN (MSP) on Mon, 22 Mar 2010
10:10am
ZRH 11:55am
AMS Nonstop Delta 9525
Boeing 737
operated by Klm Royal Dutch Ai
In-Flight Services Coach (Q)
View Seats 13 hr 50 min
2:40pm
AMS 6:00pm
MSP Nonstop Delta 265
Airbus Industrie A330-300
In-Flight Services Coach (Q)
View Seats
Leg 3: Minneapolis/St Paul, MN (MSP) to Phoenix, AZ (PHX) on Mon, 22 Mar 2010
8:00pm
MSP 9:31pm
PHX Nonstop Delta 2299
Boeing 757-300
In-Flight Services Coach (Q)
View Seats 3 hr 31 min

Price per passenger: $948.20 (USD)
Taxes/Fees: $98.80 (USD)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Subtotal per passenger: $1,047.00 (USD)
Total for all passengers (1): $1,047.00(USD)

Thomas Hudson · Feb 18, 10, 3:00 pm

Somehow, it appears SM members do not get to see T fares for this one? Not sure...

Thomas Hudson · Feb 18, 10, 3:06 pm

Logged back out and cleared cookies and seached with no SM number AGAIN after I got the higher fare, so it is not an inventory issue...

Your Flight Selection:
Leg 1: Phoenix, AZ (PHX) to Zurich, Switzerland (ZRH) on Sat, 13 Mar 2010
Leg 2: Zurich, Switzerland (ZRH) to Minneapolis/St Paul, MN (MSP) on Mon, 22 Mar 2010
Leg 3: Minneapolis/St Paul, MN (MSP) to Phoenix, AZ (PHX) on Mon, 22 Mar 2010

Your Flight Selection: Departs Arrives Stops Flights & Cabin (Class) Travel Time
Leg 1: Phoenix, AZ (PHX) to Zurich, Switzerland (ZRH) on Sat, 13 Mar 2010
8:15am
PHX 1:44pm
ATL Nonstop Delta 1026
Boeing 737-800
In-Flight Services Coach (T)
View Seats 15 hr 30 min
4:40pm
ATL 7:45am
ZRH
Arrives 14 Mar Nonstop Delta 66
Boeing 767-300
In-Flight Services Coach (T)
View Seats
Leg 2: Zurich, Switzerland (ZRH) to Minneapolis/St Paul, MN (MSP) on Mon, 22 Mar 2010
10:10am
ZRH 11:55am
AMS Nonstop Delta 9525
Boeing 737
operated by Klm Royal Dutch Ai
In-Flight Services Coach (T)
View Seats 13 hr 50 min
2:40pm
AMS 6:00pm
MSP Nonstop Delta 265
Airbus Industrie A330-300
In-Flight Services Coach (T)
View Seats
Leg 3: Minneapolis/St Paul, MN (MSP) to Phoenix, AZ (PHX) on Mon, 22 Mar 2010
8:00pm
MSP 9:31pm
PHX Nonstop Delta 2299
Boeing 757-300
In-Flight Services Coach (T)
View Seats 3 hr 31 min

Price per passenger: $663.20 (USD)
Taxes/Fees: $98.80 (USD)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Subtotal per passenger: $762.00 (USD)
Total for all passengers (1): $762.00(USD)

GBadger · Feb 18, 10, 3:23 pm

W.O.W....

more justification for using ITA!!!

Shawn02139 · Feb 18, 10, 3:24 pm

I think an economist wrote a paper about how in theory the airlines could practice pretty careful/clever price discrimination.

They set teh base flight at $10,000 / segment, and then offer discounts based on freqeunt flyer number. So they can charge each person a different price.

Now in practice this may violate transportation law (anyone know?) but you could easily imagine offering bigger discounts to "new customers" or "people who havent' flown with delta in a year"

That said, i think it's probably an IT problem, though not a trivial one, rather than an attempt to earn greater profits from elites.