We all know that airfares to europe fall in the winter, to about the $300 level. Why can't I buy those fares now? The prices to Europe are still over $600, even for travel in January.

Why do airlines price based on when you buy, instead of when you fly?

The airlines figure if you have to buy a ticket now for travel so far in the future, the dates are pretty much set in stone so they can get away with charging whatever they want. This sort of revenue management has been established by computer models that have functioned pretty well, as the New York Times reported recently, until consumers, both private citizens and businesses, gained through the Internet a much greater ability to comparison shop, and thus to evade the expensive fares that subsidized the cheap ones.

As for winter travel to Europe, there are some bargains available...just search around. Continental and USAirways both currently have winter fare sales to Europe, though fares are expected to go lower.

Happy trails.

This is not a mileage specific question, rather it is something appropriate for "TravelBuzz". Please follow the thread there.

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Craig6z
Buzz & United Moderator
[email protected]