Originally Posted by
SpinzCity
Apparently Orbitz, per se, isn't modifying
prices (everybody pays the same for the same hotel), but instead is first promoting their pricier hotels to customers that the software predicts are likely to spend more.
But there is software out there that allows websites to charge higher prices for the same goods to specific people, and other companies may be doing that (there's more detail in this related link,
http://www.economist.com/node/21557798 , where United is noted to have refused to comment).
Exactly. I was going to post a link to this continuation of this article, that specifically names United as a big, major customer using "price customization" software. So what DL was doing just charging FFs more is nothing, there is a lot more to be done in this regard (as I earlier noted, based on your cookies, your behaviour on the site, your browsing history, your purchase history, etc.). Well, it seems that DL is already doing that though - if you search for some flights repeatedly, their price will go up (DL thinking that you are ready to buy)...only to go down a few days later, if you haven't booked it yet. Same for award flights. And also some aspects of price customization were specifically listed by DL in the job postings for its End of SkyMiles (EOS) FUBAR (FBATR) project et al.