<<<<<<<... makes me wonder if the prices can go up based on expression of interest in a flight?

I have always wondered that, and wondered whether repeated checks for the trips I want to take only ultimately make that trip impossible on NW. The pricing structure and my pattern of flying make other airlines increasingly worthwhile.

But I just was checking MKE-SAT and MSN-SAT repeatedly, over a period of weeks, for next January, and on the same day of checking the MKE-SAT price went from $208 to $198 and the MSN-SAT price went from $278 to $268 so I booked the MSN-SAT for next January at $268.

I hope that NWA keeps trying to stay competitive!