Price Changes on SQ Website

[donald83]

I was in the midst of booking air tix to Brisbane and saw that Economy Super Saver was $586 for the dates that i have selected.

Managed to select all and went to seats selection but did not proceed to book. That was slightly before 9am.

Then i accidentally closed the browser and restarted the process again at 9.05am, however all the prices went up by around $200.

Is there some algorithm in the website that will increase prices during "peak hours" of booking? Has anyone encountered this before?

 

[dede1217]

I was in the midst of booking air tix to Brisbane and saw that Economy Super Saver was $586 for the dates that i have selected.

Managed to select all and went to seats selection but did not proceed to book. That was slightly before 9am.

Then i accidentally closed the browser and restarted the process again at 9.05am, however all the prices went up by around $200.

Is there some algorithm in the website that will increase prices during "peak hours" of booking? Has anyone encountered this before?

each promo normally have x number of seats at that promo prices ...
prices goes up when lesser seats are left ...
Perhaps before you have paid, someone has make payment for their tickets
as seats are lesser, prices will go to the next tier ...

 

[donald83]

each promo normally have x number of seats at that promo prices ...
prices goes up when lesser seats are left ...
Perhaps before you have paid, someone has make payment for their tickets
as seats are lesser, prices will go to the next tier ...

But now when i log in and try again, price went down again

Harder to predict than the stock mkt

 

[Parmesean]

But now when i log in and try again, price went down again

Harder to predict than the stock mkt

That's why you should always book air tickets while in incognito mode...

 

[eric3743]

But now when i log in and try again, price went down again

Harder to predict than the stock mkt

When doing online purchase the store will have a record of your visit & details.
That's via cache in your computer and/or your login profile.
If not right when you login gain to continue, then delete o cancel and logout, clear cache, etc.
So that when you login again you are consider new.

Online sales price stated usually at that point.

Someimes that is how online store just jack up the price to push the unsuspecting buyer to buy, at impulse.

 

[jarvis]

It's probably because there's X number of seats available at the lower price and because you "blocked" those seats the first time you went in (but the transaction was not completed) the system was waiting for you to complete the transaction.

The second time you went in, the seats from your first attempt was probably still "blocked" as the system hadn't timed out yet. So it was probably recognised as another transaction and it just happened that there aren't anymore seats at the lower price.

The third time you went in (I assume quite a bit later), the seats from the 1st attempt had timed out so the seat counter reset and hence the tickets at the lower price became available.

 

[donald83]

When doing online purchase the store will have a record of your visit & details.
That's via cache in your computer and/or your login profile.
If not right when you login gain to continue, then delete o cancel and logout, clear cache, etc.
So that when you login again you are consider new.

Online sales price stated usually at that point.

Someimes that is how online store just jack up the price to push the unsuspecting buyer to buy, at impulse.

I also delete cookies and cleared cache but didn't work. I managed to book it at 586 few hours later for only part of my family.

 

[donald83]

It's probably because there's X number of seats available at the lower price and because you "blocked" those seats the first time you went in (but the transaction was not completed) the system was waiting for you to complete the transaction.

The second time you went in, the seats from your first attempt was probably still "blocked" as the system hadn't timed out yet. So it was probably recognised as another transaction and it just happened that there aren't anymore seats at the lower price.

The third time you went in (I assume quite a bit later), the seats from the 1st attempt had timed out so the seat counter reset and hence the tickets at the lower price became available.

I agree with your theory cos I managed to book at 586 few hours later. However I booked for part of my family and when my sister in law tried to book, it went to 666 since yesterday and ultimately she had to book it at that price this morning. So was quite upsetting.

Plane was almost empty when I booked it yesterday, I booked 4 adults and 2 kids at that 586 price. Does it mean only so few seats are available at 586 price?

 

[dede1217]

sq at least from what I have read here, they would lock the price for you ...

For budget airline, those 250 seats at 0 fare, be it you see the 0 fare price, if someone pays earlier than u, you will receive an error message in the payment page. hence you have to start all over again ...

 

[sky1977]

why not call SQ at that time, cso may help you issue the tix withough any extra charge

 

[eric3743]

I also delete cookies and cleared cache but didn't work. I managed to book it at 586 few hours later for only part of my family.

Hmmm... come to think about this remind me on how agents did in the past without online but similar method.

In short.. Some agents do block booking for several seats in advance based on low fare when offer.
Agents hold on to them to sell to customers at higher pricing.

As time go on without much sales the agents then released back.
Then there are last minute offer much cheaper rates.

Hence my agent always let me delay till within 2 weeks, window period, before offer me cheaper rates.
Since I was her most regular customer with at least 4+ pax.


Conclusion.
This is due to several reasons.
1) block booking by agents thus limited available.

2) agents released some not wanting to hold on for loss sales, thus available.

3) other agents seize the opportunity to block booking.

Result in Demand and Supply so will the prices up & down swing.

Some agents, being regular, could take advantage to make profit on air tickets.

Usually it is not the airline concern as they could throw a big bundle of tickets out.
Someone "A" take the plunge to accept.
As airline may offer way below 50% of actual ticket price.
"A" throw out to all players, the agents.
Hence if there are still available within days, say 1-2, the prices will drop much further to cut losses..

 

[eric3743]

I also delete cookies and cleared cache but didn't work. I managed to book it at 586 few hours later for only part of my family.

In your case, it is better to let the agent to handle this for you.
To them with 10+ pax is big customer.
Tickets earn by agents in quantity is pure profit & easy for them to source.
That it with ample advance notice.
Single or couple of tickets are not enough profit for them.

They are the players and they know when & where to get.
A bundle is by hundred of tickets.
Ticketing staff are experienced & professional, plus reliability.
Just like consider as trading.

Getting to know agents provided me when to get or reject with timing concern.

 

[eric3743]

I also delete cookies and cleared cache but didn't work. I managed to book it at 586 few hours later for only part of my family.

Continue... hehe.
Story on a $200 brand new laptop retail at $2000.

Someone ordered several when online offer $200.00 instead of $2000.00 per set.
This guy was fast to complete the transaction including credit card payment.
It said within minute there were others.
Some went thru but rest block.

Online sales do have feedback to the site inventory.
Alarm bell pop up if something is not right.
Administrator have to act fast.

Conclusion.
It is not only you see such good pricing but many are watching and fingers on the keyboard moving.

Good things never last, especially online is very active.

 

[Arcanell]

I agree with your theory cos I managed to book at 586 few hours later. However I booked for part of my family and when my sister in law tried to book, it went to 666 since yesterday and ultimately she had to book it at that price this morning. So was quite upsetting.

Plane was almost empty when I booked it yesterday, I booked 4 adults and 2 kids at that 586 price. Does it mean only so few seats are available at 586 price?

probably system detect there is interest in the dates selected so it trigger a price jump.

tip...
1) always check/book air ticket in incognito mode
2) family ticket always book together!