Do fares increase on weekends?
Mar 11, 2011 | 9:17 am
#1
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Join Date: Sep 2010
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Do fares increase on weekends?
I am looking to travel OPO->ORD roundtrip, departing april 11. The fares seem to have increased today, so I was wondering if fares increase on fridays (and go back down the week after)?
Mar 11, 2011 | 9:25 am
#2
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There are many people and news stories out there who believe that weekends are when an airline will raise it's fare and see if the others will match. If they match, the new fare will be the increased one, if they don't, they will bring it back down on Monday or so. From one story about it a couple years ago:
The 13th airfare increase this year was announced last Saturday. This one was kicked off by American Airlines that raised fares $20 roundtrip on most of its domestic routes. And while Continental, United, Delta, and others joined in the increase, Continental on Monday changed its mind and rescinded the increase. Competitors followed suit.
Which is why buying airline tickets on a weekend isnt a good idea. Thats when airlines try out fare increases. If competitors dont go along, those prices are often rolled back on Monday or Tuesday.
The other thing to watch is how many days out the trip is, with today being the 11th and you wanting to fly on the 11th, it could be you passed a 30 day advance purchase requirement or something.
The 13th airfare increase this year was announced last Saturday. This one was kicked off by American Airlines that raised fares $20 roundtrip on most of its domestic routes. And while Continental, United, Delta, and others joined in the increase, Continental on Monday changed its mind and rescinded the increase. Competitors followed suit.
Which is why buying airline tickets on a weekend isnt a good idea. Thats when airlines try out fare increases. If competitors dont go along, those prices are often rolled back on Monday or Tuesday.
The other thing to watch is how many days out the trip is, with today being the 11th and you wanting to fly on the 11th, it could be you passed a 30 day advance purchase requirement or something.
Mar 11, 2011 | 10:04 am
#3
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And there was a story featured a few weeks ago:
http://news.travel.aol.com/2011/01/3...rline-tickets/
And to directly answer the question:
They go up and down, every day, every hour. It is extremely fluid.
http://news.travel.aol.com/2011/01/3...rline-tickets/
And to directly answer the question:
They go up and down, every day, every hour. It is extremely fluid.
Mar 11, 2011 | 10:20 am
#4
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As the previous posts have explained the fares change so rapidly that its very difficult to judge exactly what it will be.
As a general rule flying Thu-Mon Is always more expensive on a domestic routing. International fares sometimes have a clause that you stay a Sat Night to get the cheaper fare.
Hope this helps
As a general rule flying Thu-Mon Is always more expensive on a domestic routing. International fares sometimes have a clause that you stay a Sat Night to get the cheaper fare.
Hope this helps
Mar 11, 2011 | 10:32 am
#5
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2010
Programs: United
Posts: 88
And there was a story featured a few weeks ago:
http://news.travel.aol.com/2011/01/3...rline-tickets/
And to directly answer the question:
They go up and down, every day, every hour. It is extremely fluid.
http://news.travel.aol.com/2011/01/3...rline-tickets/
And to directly answer the question:
They go up and down, every day, every hour. It is extremely fluid.
I will wait till tuesday.
Mar 11, 2011 | 5:33 pm
#6
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And there was a story featured a few weeks ago:
http://news.travel.aol.com/2011/01/3...rline-tickets/
http://news.travel.aol.com/2011/01/3...rline-tickets/
American Airlines again bumps up airfares
Mar 11, 2011 | 6:55 pm
#7
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Mar 12, 2011 | 8:15 am
#8
Join Date: Feb 2011
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Demand and supply sets prices. If there is any discernible change in prices on the weekends, it's because people buy tickets more on weekends. As people buy more, supply diminishes, price increases.
I doubt you will find the same flight at $500 on Saturday and then it drops to $400 on Monday. What you will probably find is the flight at $400 on Monday, then at $500 on Saturday. So the impression is that fares went up on Saturday. But that $500 will still be there on Monday.
I doubt you will find the same flight at $500 on Saturday and then it drops to $400 on Monday. What you will probably find is the flight at $400 on Monday, then at $500 on Saturday. So the impression is that fares went up on Saturday. But that $500 will still be there on Monday.
Mar 12, 2011 | 9:48 pm
#9
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Demand and supply sets prices. If there is any discernible change in prices on the weekends, it's because people buy tickets more on weekends. As people buy more, supply diminishes, price increases.
I doubt you will find the same flight at $500 on Saturday and then it drops to $400 on Monday. What you will probably find is the flight at $400 on Monday, then at $500 on Saturday. So the impression is that fares went up on Saturday. But that $500 will still be there on Monday.
I doubt you will find the same flight at $500 on Saturday and then it drops to $400 on Monday. What you will probably find is the flight at $400 on Monday, then at $500 on Saturday. So the impression is that fares went up on Saturday. But that $500 will still be there on Monday.