I'm amazed how often Southwest flight prices change...
Mar 5, 2013, 8:41 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2010
Posts: 352
I'm amazed how often Southwest flight prices change...
A week ago I booked our family of 5 Omaha-Orlando (and back). I got $76 on the way there (great price for Omaha) and $119 on the way back.
Since then the Orlando-Omaha the past 7 days here have been the prices...
$119
$109 (rebooked)
$374?
$199
$104 (rebooked)
$119
$222
How often do people recheck their flights? I've done it once every morning just to get a few points back and each morning it was different than yesterday.
Since then the Orlando-Omaha the past 7 days here have been the prices...
$119
$109 (rebooked)
$374?
$199
$104 (rebooked)
$119
$222
How often do people recheck their flights? I've done it once every morning just to get a few points back and each morning it was different than yesterday.
Mar 5, 2013, 9:01 am
#2
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2001
Programs: DL 1 million, AA 1 mil, HH lapsed Diamond, Marriott Plat
Posts: 28,190
Regrettably, you can't let Yapta do the work for you.
http://www.yapta.com/faq/content/13/...-airlines.html
http://www.yapta.com/faq/content/13/...-airlines.html
Mar 5, 2013, 11:22 am
#4
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Phoenix, AZ
Programs: HH Gold, AA Gold
Posts: 10,458
At least three things are going on here:
1. Southwest/Competitor Sales -- Southwest usually starts sales on Tuesdays; sometimes on Fridays. Competitors may have sales at other times which Southwest may match.
2. Changes in Inventory -- Southwest does re-optimize its inventory, usually over the weekend but can happen during the week, too. If they open up more inventory in lower fare classes, the fare essentially goes down. If the close inventory in lower fare classes, the fare essentially goes up.
3. Fare Chanages -- Southwest and/or other carriers may decide to raise fares. Sometimes those price increases stick; other times they don't (which then appears to be an increase followed by a decrease).
1. Southwest/Competitor Sales -- Southwest usually starts sales on Tuesdays; sometimes on Fridays. Competitors may have sales at other times which Southwest may match.
2. Changes in Inventory -- Southwest does re-optimize its inventory, usually over the weekend but can happen during the week, too. If they open up more inventory in lower fare classes, the fare essentially goes down. If the close inventory in lower fare classes, the fare essentially goes up.
3. Fare Chanages -- Southwest and/or other carriers may decide to raise fares. Sometimes those price increases stick; other times they don't (which then appears to be an increase followed by a decrease).
Mar 5, 2013, 12:04 pm
#5
Join Date: May 2012
Location: DCA, lived MCI, SEA/PDX,BUF (born/raised)
Programs: Marriott (Silver/Gold), IHG, Carlson, Best Western, Choice( Gold), AS (MVP), WN, UA
Posts: 8,701
Southwest is also open to much more dynamic pricing because it's relatively easy to change and rebook flights.
If you think each 12 seats on n aircraft have ifferent price points....someone books 4 seats using up a bucket thus fares go up. Then they cancel or change then price goes own.
The high price you saw could have been just poor timing on your part of running the queue during an update causing an inaccurate pricing.
If you think each 12 seats on n aircraft have ifferent price points....someone books 4 seats using up a bucket thus fares go up. Then they cancel or change then price goes own.
The high price you saw could have been just poor timing on your part of running the queue during an update causing an inaccurate pricing.
Mar 5, 2013, 8:19 pm
#10
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Bay Area, CA
Programs: AAdvantage, HHonors Diamond, WN RR A-list+
Posts: 584
Mar 5, 2013, 8:56 pm
#11
Join Date: Jan 2012
Posts: 220
Often wondered if they tracked deman by number of seats booked or number of searches...
Mar 6, 2013, 7:21 am
#12
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2010
Posts: 352
If I look once a day for a saver award from someone else, I'm wondering if the airline has enough data to know people are searching and don't need/want to open that award.
Mar 6, 2013, 8:01 pm
#13
Join Date: Feb 2013
Posts: 801
I had a drop but only cause they launched a sale on nonstop flights right after I booked one. Saved $100 total for two people. Cha-ching!
Oops...i did it again. Just saved $8 on an upcoming business trip.
Oops...i did it again. Just saved $8 on an upcoming business trip.
Last edited by WhateverDude; Mar 6, 2013 at 8:09 pm
Mar 6, 2013, 11:47 pm
#15
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Bay Area, CA
Programs: AAdvantage, HHonors Diamond, WN RR A-list+
Posts: 584
I read here that you need to cancel because of the way points are credited... something along the lines of just changing to the cheaper flight will screw up the points you receive for the flight.