does CO engage in variable pricing based on browser cookies/visits/onepass #?
 

Hi CO experts --

my parents have a suspicion (they are casual CO fliers): they believe that Continental monitors how many times you check a fare at the website, and if you check more than 4 or so times, they yank the fare (for you in particular) and present a higher fare, as if it's been sold out. I guess to get you to believe that you need to act soon.

The evidence they cite is that when searching for a particular flight a few times, they saw it advertised for the same price at Expedia as at Continental.com (for the same day/flights/etc), and then after checking a few more times during the day while logged in with Onepass #, the fare at CO.com disappeared, yet remained at Expedia. And to clinch it (they were suspicious and clever), on using one of their other computers, side by side, the fare was still there at CO.com.

could it be that CO is using the browser/cookie-based price discrimination, which Amazon for example came under heavy fire for using a long time ago?

I had that happen to me once. I cleared the co.com cookie and the lower price magicly showed up again and I booked the ticket then.

I get the same fares whether I am logged in or not. I think the problem is that if you go through the booking process, but do not buy, and perhaps close out your browser - then CO.com is likely holding the reservation and then all fares in that category are gone - thus a higher fare shows later when you check.

If you wait a while the cheaper fare will come back, since it timed out.

+1 This has happened to me a few times. I don't think there's a conspiracy on Continental's part, but I wouldn't put it past them.

It is my understanding many airlines do this. They even monitor how often a certain route is searched and for what days and price accordingly.

Ciao,
FH

This is the most likely explanation. During the booking process the website will "pull" a seat from the fare bucket you have been searching for, and it will normally be released if you don't continue with the booking. It's very possible that what you're seeing here is just the item not being released back into inventory quickly enough, so repeated requests mean that the fare bucket gets depleted.

That's me being optimistic, there could be something going on :)

Although I do not know if it is used in pricing decisions, I know that CO does report daily on city-pair searches and they can trend patterns and whatnot. The spike over the SEA-NRT "sale" was particularly dramatic, as I understand it. :D

If that happens to you buy, the ticket and collect on the $100 co.com low fare gurantee:

http://www.continental.com/web/en-US...nline/lfg.aspx

Because of the gaurentee, it does not make sense CO would be paying these sort of games.

Exactly my thoughts. If it's happening, make CO pay the LFG.

The offer such guarantees hoping most won't take advantage of it.

I, for one, don't trust the airlines enough to do it. I tend to think that they'll try to weasel out of paying. I know from experience that our major US chains with a similar policy do so. If I find a plane ticket cheaper on a different website for the same flights...I buy it on that other site. Especially with the dynamic nature of airline fares....what's there now might not be there in 10 mins. When CO (or whatever airlines) goes to check verify the lower price.. and it is gone...then you're screwed.

The offer such guarantees hoping most won't take advantage of it.

I, for one, don't trust the airlines enough to do it. I tend to think that they'll try to weasel out of paying. I know from experience that our major US chains with a similar policy do so. If I find a plane ticket cheaper on a different website for the same flights...I buy it on that other site. Especially with the dynamic nature of airline fares....what's there now might not be there in 10 mins. When CO (or whatever airlines) goes to check verify the lower price.. and it is gone...then you're screwed. You can take screen shots etc...but will they accept them? Well if they're looking to get out of paying...maybe not.

I've done it and received my payment. Sometimes it takes some hand holding, but overall, it's worth it.

Indeed. They have paid out several people on the LFG. Some of them several times. ;)

I've suspected this goes on for some time with both airlines and cruise lines. I usually won't sign in to the site if I'm only checking fares and delete cache when I leave the site. If a FTer had the time and computers available it would be interesting to see what happens over a longer period. Check the same fares with two computers, one fully signed in, the other cleared of cache and cookies after each search.

I've suspected this as well, as quite a few times have found fares and then come back 15 minutes later to book it, the fare is now way higher...

Then to confirm things, I'll use another browser, not logged in ever as my OnePass, and it shows the lower fare again... so I'll book there and just be done with it...

I do feel that they are tracking and raising accordingly, to get people worried price will keep rising, so they will just buy it and save the fare... and get tricked into paying more in the process...