One Seat Left at This Price
Sep 19, 2017, 7:50 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Boston, MA
Programs: AA Million Miler, Mosaic, Delta Platinum
Posts: 1,560
One Seat Left at This Price
I've often wondered whether this note was true on various airline ticket booking sites (including direct purchases from the carrier).
Just booked a flight in Air France Premiere/First Class over the Christmas holiday where that alert was posted. Went back the next day to see what was happening with the cost, and the return leg price increased by $7500! So maybe it's not just a tease.
What do folks think?
Just booked a flight in Air France Premiere/First Class over the Christmas holiday where that alert was posted. Went back the next day to see what was happening with the cost, and the return leg price increased by $7500! So maybe it's not just a tease.
What do folks think?
Sep 19, 2017, 11:22 pm
#3
Moderator, Hilton Honors
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: on a short leash
Programs: some
Posts: 71,422
Inventory is dynamic so purchase of the last seat for a particular fare does not necessarily mean no more will be sold again for that flight. The airline may add further availability later.
Sep 19, 2017, 11:29 pm
#4
Join Date: Feb 1999
Location: San Jose, California, USA
Programs: AS 100K, UA MM, AA MM, IC Plat Amb, Marriott Gold, Hilton Gold, Hyatt Explorist
Posts: 3,146
The "one seat left" message might be true at the time the fare is displayed, but this does not mean that the airline won't open up another seat at that price after you purchase the last one.
Example: "Buy now -- there is only one seat left at this price!" the Airline warns. The Customer frantically buys the last available ticket in that class. After ticketing, the Airline opens another seat in that same booking class, only to exclaim again, "Buy now -- there is only one seat left at this price!" Rinse and repeat.
In effect, the airline creates a false sense of urgency to spur immediate purchases, so the "one seat left" message might actually be a tease! In fairness, I have no evidence that the airlines do this, but the cynic in me wouldn't put it past them.
Example: "Buy now -- there is only one seat left at this price!" the Airline warns. The Customer frantically buys the last available ticket in that class. After ticketing, the Airline opens another seat in that same booking class, only to exclaim again, "Buy now -- there is only one seat left at this price!" Rinse and repeat.
In effect, the airline creates a false sense of urgency to spur immediate purchases, so the "one seat left" message might actually be a tease! In fairness, I have no evidence that the airlines do this, but the cynic in me wouldn't put it past them.
Sep 20, 2017, 1:47 am
#5
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: PEK
Programs: A3*G, UA Gold EY Silver
Posts: 8,954
The "one seat left" message might be true at the time the fare is displayed, but this does not mean that the airline won't open up another seat at that price after you purchase the last one.
Example: "Buy now -- there is only one seat left at this price!" the Airline warns. The Customer frantically buys the last available ticket in that class. After ticketing, the Airline opens another seat in that same booking class, only to exclaim again, "Buy now -- there is only one seat left at this price!" Rinse and repeat.
In effect, the airline creates a false sense of urgency to spur immediate purchases, so the "one seat left" message might actually be a tease! In fairness, I have no evidence that the airlines do this, but the cynic in me wouldn't put it past them.
Example: "Buy now -- there is only one seat left at this price!" the Airline warns. The Customer frantically buys the last available ticket in that class. After ticketing, the Airline opens another seat in that same booking class, only to exclaim again, "Buy now -- there is only one seat left at this price!" Rinse and repeat.
In effect, the airline creates a false sense of urgency to spur immediate purchases, so the "one seat left" message might actually be a tease! In fairness, I have no evidence that the airlines do this, but the cynic in me wouldn't put it past them.
Sep 20, 2017, 5:16 am
#6
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: PSM
Posts: 69,232
Most airlines have inventory/revenue management systems significantly more modern that that. Seats and fares available change in real-time, not on a 24-hour cycle.
Sep 20, 2017, 7:34 am
#7
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Boston, MA
Programs: AA Million Miler, Mosaic, Delta Platinum
Posts: 1,560
The "one seat left" message might be true at the time the fare is displayed, but this does not mean that the airline won't open up another seat at that price after you purchase the last one.
Example: "Buy now -- there is only one seat left at this price!" the Airline warns. The Customer frantically buys the last available ticket in that class. After ticketing, the Airline opens another seat in that same booking class, only to exclaim again, "Buy now -- there is only one seat left at this price!" Rinse and repeat.
In effect, the airline creates a false sense of urgency to spur immediate purchases, so the "one seat left" message might actually be a tease! In fairness, I have no evidence that the airlines do this, but the cynic in me wouldn't put it past them.
Example: "Buy now -- there is only one seat left at this price!" the Airline warns. The Customer frantically buys the last available ticket in that class. After ticketing, the Airline opens another seat in that same booking class, only to exclaim again, "Buy now -- there is only one seat left at this price!" Rinse and repeat.
In effect, the airline creates a false sense of urgency to spur immediate purchases, so the "one seat left" message might actually be a tease! In fairness, I have no evidence that the airlines do this, but the cynic in me wouldn't put it past them.
Sep 20, 2017, 11:52 am
#9
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: SEA (the REAL Washington); occasionally in the other Washington (DCA area)
Programs: DL PM 1.57MM; AS MVPG 100K
Posts: 21,363
Sep 21, 2017, 7:20 pm
#10
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Cockeysville, MD
Programs: Marriott Rewards Lifetime Titanium, Amex Plat, Hertz Gold 5*, National Exec, AA Plat
Posts: 9,467
Whenever pricing tickets for family travel, I always price one seat first. That way, I know if going to two or four seats (depending on who is going) kicks us into other buckets. If it does, we can buy sep PNR's or bite the bullet if the difference isn't much.
Sep 21, 2017, 7:41 pm
#11
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: SEA (the REAL Washington); occasionally in the other Washington (DCA area)
Programs: DL PM 1.57MM; AS MVPG 100K
Posts: 21,363
yep, good strategy; I've done similar for several years ... also when looking for "U" space (upgrade inventory) on AS flights (particularly valuable when using the companion cert)