Early Bird charge - $15?
Mar 3, 2016, 11:16 am
#31
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2011
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Totally not the same thing. WN IT stuck in the 90's just because they don't do dynamic EBCI pricing? Then how do they manage to do it for general ticketing of their flights?
One of the main purposes of EBCI is so you don't have to be at a computer, and you get your place in line before those that are checking in online manually.
Low EBCI demand will probably always occur closer to when tickets for such flights go on sale. High EBCI will occur closer to the flight.
Why would Southwest risk losing EBCI sales closer to the flight? If you were to tell me EBCI a week away from my flight was $40, I wouldn't do it. Plus, knowing that EBCI is $40 would just tell me to definitely wait and find a way to check in 24 hours in advance. If it was $15, I would be more inclined to book it.
It's not that EBCI systems can't handle it. It's because it's not a great idea to begin with.
One of the main purposes of EBCI is so you don't have to be at a computer, and you get your place in line before those that are checking in online manually.
Low EBCI demand will probably always occur closer to when tickets for such flights go on sale. High EBCI will occur closer to the flight.
Why would Southwest risk losing EBCI sales closer to the flight? If you were to tell me EBCI a week away from my flight was $40, I wouldn't do it. Plus, knowing that EBCI is $40 would just tell me to definitely wait and find a way to check in 24 hours in advance. If it was $15, I would be more inclined to book it.
It's not that EBCI systems can't handle it. It's because it's not a great idea to begin with.
But that's beside the point, since DenverBrian was suggesting dynamic pricing based on individual flight, not time of purchase. On routes with low EBCI sales, the price would be cheaper. Higher penetration would have a higher fee. Upgraded Boarding is currently sold in a similar fashion.
Dynamic pricing of EBCI using any formula isn't necessarily a great idea, and would present challenges for Southwest -- not the least of which would be their notoriously horrible IT.
Mar 3, 2016, 1:36 pm
#33
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One suspects Southwest's IT is incapable of the latter, making the former more likely. Sometimes it not better to get what you wish for.
Mar 3, 2016, 6:02 pm
#34
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Mar 4, 2016, 11:57 pm
#36
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Makes for a nice wager - do I buy now when my plans may change or wait and pay 20% more for a worse spot.
Interesting how WN is rapidly pricing itself out of competition. IME reserved seats on AA flights often cost $25-59 and that gets you a guaranteed aisle or window near the front of the plane. And AS sells UFC @$50 for flights <1250mi, which gets you a first class seat, free checked bags and drinks.
I don't think anyone would give WN a second look were it not for the ability to cancel and use TTF.
Interesting how WN is rapidly pricing itself out of competition. IME reserved seats on AA flights often cost $25-59 and that gets you a guaranteed aisle or window near the front of the plane. And AS sells UFC @$50 for flights <1250mi, which gets you a first class seat, free checked bags and drinks.
I don't think anyone would give WN a second look were it not for the ability to cancel and use TTF.
Mar 15, 2016, 5:57 pm
#38
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Mar 15, 2016, 7:32 pm
#39
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Mar 16, 2016, 7:52 am
#43
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