SFO-BOS pricing
Mar 22, 2016 | 7:57 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: BOS
Programs: AA EXP, Virgin Gold, Marriott Gold
Posts: 204
SFO-BOS pricing
Not sure what's going on here.
This past weekend, pricing for SFO-BOS and vv suddenly jumped up: before when I was looking, it was in the $150-200 range for cheapest flights (across the board on dates and times). A few days ago, all dates in the future became $334 at the cheapest. Any idea what happened there? I thought this might have something to do with the recent software/schedule loads, but its persisted past that.
(Just to be clear, it ended up not mattering for me, since SJC-BOS is still at the lower price - just surprised that it hasn't come down at all, even for multiple months out! I understand a few days getting a bit more expensive, but this is pretty across the board)
This past weekend, pricing for SFO-BOS and vv suddenly jumped up: before when I was looking, it was in the $150-200 range for cheapest flights (across the board on dates and times). A few days ago, all dates in the future became $334 at the cheapest. Any idea what happened there? I thought this might have something to do with the recent software/schedule loads, but its persisted past that.
(Just to be clear, it ended up not mattering for me, since SJC-BOS is still at the lower price - just surprised that it hasn't come down at all, even for multiple months out! I understand a few days getting a bit more expensive, but this is pretty across the board)
Mar 22, 2016 | 8:20 pm
#4
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: USA
Programs: Chase Sapphire Reserve, WFBF
Posts: 1,582
According to EF, the cheapest published SFO-BOS one-way fare is $315 (G class) and the cheapest round-trip is $328 (O class). The O fare requires a 21 day advance purchase and Saturday night stay.
As for why it changed... fares change all the time for more reasons than anyone on FT can enumerate.
As for why it changed... fares change all the time for more reasons than anyone on FT can enumerate.
Mar 22, 2016 | 11:51 pm
#5
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: BOS
Programs: AA EXP, Virgin Gold, Marriott Gold
Posts: 204
I get that, but I'd think it'd be rare that they go up across the board for all dates for one specific domestic route (when the competition has stayed at the lower price).
Could be, though it's even as early as April and they jumped up across the board.
Oh interesting! Did not think about roundtrip fares - I'm so used to domestic one-ways typically being priced independently. I assume it's intentional, but I wonder if the r/t requirement is here to stay?
According to EF, the cheapest published SFO-BOS one-way fare is $315 (G class) and the cheapest round-trip is $328 (O class). The O fare requires a 21 day advance purchase and Saturday night stay.
As for why it changed... fares change all the time for more reasons than anyone on FT can enumerate.
As for why it changed... fares change all the time for more reasons than anyone on FT can enumerate.
Mar 23, 2016 | 5:07 am
#6
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: South Park, Metropolis
Programs: AA LT PLT 3MM, Marriott Ambassador, Hilton GLD, IHG PLT, Club Carlson VIP
Posts: 4,666
Just out of curiosity, you mentioned that this past weekend you where pricing this fare and it was in the 150-200 area. A few days latter it doubled up +++ on you, correct? Any reason why you didn't put the itinerary on hold before hand, then check following date to see where prices are at, if the same or lower then cancel first hold and put new one on hold, if higher then buy the hold. That way you are not on the hook to buy at 300++ range.
Why bother trying to figure out pricing on tickets, they use algorithm to predict supply and demand and what to price. The cost of a direct ticket AA-BB might be higher than AA-CC-BB, other carriers might offer different product. The key is cost, routing.
Why bother trying to figure out pricing on tickets, they use algorithm to predict supply and demand and what to price. The cost of a direct ticket AA-BB might be higher than AA-CC-BB, other carriers might offer different product. The key is cost, routing.
Mar 23, 2016 | 5:46 am
#7
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: SFO
Programs: AA EXP
Posts: 5,270
Mar 23, 2016 | 7:46 am
#8
Suspended
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: DCA
Programs: UA US CO AA DL FL
Posts: 50,253
The simple answer to OP's question is that this is what AA's RM algorithm is recommending. AA believes that demand will support the higher prices, e.g. customers will pay what is being sought.
That algorithm is predictive, but based on many factors and is right much more often than it is wrong.
If the fares are raised and AA can't sell the seats, it is far better for AA to once in a blue moon lower its prices, than to sell seats for less than it could have.
That algorithm is predictive, but based on many factors and is right much more often than it is wrong.
If the fares are raised and AA can't sell the seats, it is far better for AA to once in a blue moon lower its prices, than to sell seats for less than it could have.
Mar 23, 2016 | 11:56 am
#9
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: BOS
Programs: AA EXP, Virgin Gold, Marriott Gold
Posts: 204
- but the SJC timing ended up working out possibly better, so I switched my perpetual hold to that.
Why bother trying to figure out pricing on tickets, they use algorithm to predict supply and demand and what to price. The cost of a direct ticket AA-BB might be higher than AA-CC-BB, other carriers might offer different product. The key is cost, routing.
The simple answer to OP's question is that this is what AA's RM algorithm is recommending. AA believes that demand will support the higher prices, e.g. customers will pay what is being sought.
That algorithm is predictive, but based on many factors and is right much more often than it is wrong.
If the fares are raised and AA can't sell the seats, it is far better for AA to once in a blue moon lower its prices, than to sell seats for less than it could have.
That algorithm is predictive, but based on many factors and is right much more often than it is wrong.
If the fares are raised and AA can't sell the seats, it is far better for AA to once in a blue moon lower its prices, than to sell seats for less than it could have.