Originally Posted by
hazelrah
There are many clueless city folk chiming in on this thread
. It's not your fault; we don't expect you to know what is going on in the small markets
.
The simple answer is that Delta charges what they think they can get away with, based on market forces. They know full well in a market like mid-Wisconsin that there is bleed to Allegiant, and bleed to Southwest at MKE. Based on my ad hoc price search a Delta $525 - $550 fare doesn't seem too bad (if it doesn't mysteriously disappear).
If Delta thought they could charge +$1000 for this route and the market would bear it that's what they'd do. Just look at MQT, about 3 1/2 hours to the North of GRB - No LCCs, a lagacy duopoly dominated by AA and Delta, and Delta fares to Tuscon pricing out over a grand for March.
It's not rocket surgery in this case to figure savings for a family of 3 in MQT to save $1500 on airfare by driving to GRB. Better still drive another 2 1/2 hours to MKE and save an additional $600 on Southwest for saving of $2100 and get free bags (for now) - and many people in this area do drive the extra difference.
True, it is what I have been trying to say. These little county airports are expensive to fly in and out of. Availability becomes an issue. Driving to Madison is worse than driving to MKE. MSP too far. The weather is a crap shoot that time of year. (no icy roads for me- thank you) Plus Tucson is expensive as well because of the time of year.
I have booked the Sat Feb date with a Friday return. $460- with one stop (I can always change it up to midnight tonight) (American has it for $408) But my husband is flying Delta on miles, I am flying on fare. I know the market for this area. I know I can try and wait it out. But for the 30 -50 some odd dollars difference, from when I
started researching flights.. its ok.(fare has continually gone up) Certainly beats the almost $800 fare I am seeing for the date/route I was attempting to fly on. Last year when I flew this route I watched Delta go back and forth, back and forth etc on the fares.
Thanks for all the input and sorry if some think I have overreacted with my frustration -I don't fly for business - I fly 1 - 2 times a year - I know it is the airlines job to get the greatest dollar for that seat that they can.
Thanks
Babs