One seat left on this price
Sep 18, 2023 | 8:33 pm
#1
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One seat left on this price
When checking the airfare on some websites, I often see the message "xx seats left on this price". Are these message true statements or just sales pitch?
Last edited by AfterHour; Sep 18, 2023 at 8:39 pm
Sep 18, 2023 | 10:52 pm
#2
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But air fares / fare booking class buckets are not fixed. Airline revenue management will change at any time.
Sep 20, 2023 | 2:07 am
#5
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It means that there is only 1 inventory in the booking class that that fare books into. This can easily be checked on a site like expertflyer. Once that inventory is used, subsequent tickets will result in a higher booking class, which will have a higher fare.
Of course inventory can also increase, for example if someone cancels or changes a flight, or if the airline decides to release more. But this is relatively rare (relative to people booking flights, causing inventory to decrease). So inventory does tend to decrease (rather than increase) over time.
It's definitely not just marketing.
Of course inventory can also increase, for example if someone cancels or changes a flight, or if the airline decides to release more. But this is relatively rare (relative to people booking flights, causing inventory to decrease). So inventory does tend to decrease (rather than increase) over time.
It's definitely not just marketing.
Sep 20, 2023 | 8:30 am
#6
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Simple test, do a search for 2 passengers. If the price is more than double that for one person, then it's true. (At the moment, anyway).
Sep 21, 2023 | 10:52 pm
#7
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In fact if there is only 1 seat left at a certain price (which really just means, only 1 inventory in that fare class) and you search for 2 passengers, you won't get lower price + higher price. You will get 2x higher price, because they will book both in the same fare class. The cheaper fare may still be available after you book the two expensive ones.
Sep 28, 2023 | 10:06 pm
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Oct 3, 2023 | 10:46 pm
#9
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Oct 4, 2023 | 12:16 pm
#11
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It's certainly possible but it's not the norm, unless you are booking very far in advance.
Oct 5, 2023 | 1:33 am
#12
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Yes, I have experienced that many times. Either immediately after making a reservation further seats are available - despite the warning - or the next day.