I have been obsessing, watching airfare to London from Tampa since January for a possible trip in November for 8 nights. I've seen some disappointing fares throughout these past 6 months. Fares started at about a grand and have slowly dwindling down, 980, 910, in the 800s, and then in the mid 700s, for a round trip ticket. What I wanted was an affordable fare with delta, so I can use my miles for an even cheaper fare. Well, the fares had been sitting in the 700's for half a month or so, but not on delta....then one morning, delta offered round trip to London for $630. Not having the time that morning to book (needed to be at work a bit earlier), I knew what I would be doing as soon as I got home. then by chance, at lunch, I checked again......$615! Holy moly......was gonna buy it at work, but my credit card was at home. So I race home, and airfare on delta is back to $950. My heart broke. And other airfares, back to $880, not even the in the considerable $700 range. And they have been like that for a week now. UGH!
How often do airlines do those temporary dream come true sales? Are there notification sights that can alert you of those "don't blink, they will be gone" sales? I know there is Kayak, but they give you weekly alerts.
Posted by
New York, NY, USA
11294 posts
What you saw has been going on for years. The airlines use sophisticated computer analysis to extract the maximum prices, and change prices many times a day. Now you know the rule: if you see a price you want, be prepared to buy it RIGHT AWAY! Sometimes it's a sale that will last a specified amount of time, and sometimes it's a "blink and you miss it" fare, as in your case. I don't see how there can be notification of a fare that literally lasts an hour. If you sign up on the websites of the airlines that fly your desired route, you can be notified of sales (the "book by midnight tomorrow to get this fare" kind). And, don't despair. I had a similar experience last year with fares to Hawaii (losing the fare I wanted), only to have my desired fare re-appear. I was almost shaking as I raced to book it, not wanting to make the same mistake twice (and I got it).
Posted by
dallas, TX, USA
227 posts
I am signed up for only 1 twitter account and it is Tom Parson's Best Fares. I am not into this twitter stuff at all but his has worked out well. His hype explained it took seconds to notify with twitter and maybe hours for emails so with fares that only last a few hours twitter would be the way to go. You can put in boundaries for notifications.....for example.. no tweets between midnight and 6 am. Thursdays and Fridays seem to be when I receive the most twitters. Last year I got a round trip fare to Paris for $600. Since we were planning a trip I was ready to jump on it and did! DFW - Charlotte - Paris on US Air. All went off well without a hitch!
Posted by
Bay Area
3551 posts
The airfare game is terrible for the consumer. I too have had sim situations like yours. remember it only takes one ticket at teaser price for the airlines to get your attention and then offer you a higher fare as the ONE tix is All Sold Out. After at least 15 yrs of European travel I use Kayak , watch it for about a month half then set a price I am willing to pay. From there I go or not go. The ups and constant checking websites for fares can drive even the most patient person batty. With re to Delta your best bet is prob use miles for a seat hopefully you have ultimate flexibility for days/times of travel. Nov should be a slower time in travel biz and hopefully you can snag a tix.
gd luck we are all exhausted by the airfares and surcharges and huge efforts to get a tix with our miles accrued.
Posted by
Fort Wayne, IN, USA
2349 posts
I guess the lesson is-don't even look if you not ready to buy! The worst part is that you'll remember that the whole trip. "Well, could have had that nice dinner if I had bought the cheaper tickets."
Posted by
Lewiston, Idaho, USA
2092 posts
and memorize your cc numbers!