get as much revenue as possible then wouldn't it be in all our best interest if we (those of us who are spontaneous and can't do the two week in advance thing without great stress) could just show up at the airport and buy a ticket at the same cost that an advance purchaser would. I don't do it because it's too expensive, and thus end up not flying, but would do it it a lot if the fare was lower. I am one of those people who can only take things a day at a time. I just don't get it-as it would benefit the airlines to get more passengers too. So, what say you? Why the penalizing.
2006-09-28 14:06:06 · 7 answers · asked by birdy 3 in Travel ➔ Air Travel
just because they can
2006-09-28 14:13:33 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
First...to the comment about buying from Expedia....those websites buy the lowest fares from the airlines...then put their booking fees on them. So, really you arent saving buy useing thise websites, they are traps for idiots. Airlines have a low price guarentee.
Airlines work on a first come first serve basis. Some have a 12 fare structure, some are less complex and offer 3. But...it is just that, you act early, you get the good deals. You get in line early, you get the better seats. And as the other person said, if the plane isnt full, you are going to get the bottom tier discount fare. Why do they do it this way?? Profitablilty. Selling a plane of 200 seats for $199 isnt going to make money. You arent going to even pay the cost of fuel for sitting in the gate for that much.
You can still be spontaneous, you just have to know when and where to travel. Friday and Sunday are always the most expensive days, holiday's and events drive the price too. Right now there is a HUGE price war going on, so deals are everywhere. Sign up for Travel Zoo, they post some good last minute deals, sign up for e-mails from the airlines that service your local airport. Most airlines roll out their sales at midnight of wherever their home office is. Delta posts Monday nights for example, some are Tuesday or Wednesday's. Spirit Airlines services a few cities, Atlanta, Detriot, Las Vegas, Los Angelos, Fort Lauderdale and the carribean...and several other cities and they have fare sales all the time....I bought a ticket for $7 each way from Atlanta to Vegas as their introductory offer for beginning non-stop service between Atlanta and Vegas.
You can get good last minute deals, you just have to educate yourself and learn where to find them. Travel websites again are traps and you need to read the fine print before you book with them. Usually its a bulk fare and you can not have a pre-assigned seat and you are at the mercy of what is left at the ticket counter or gates AND the airline can not and will not touch that ticket if you need to make any changes for any reason OR you may have rediculous connections.
I dont call it penalizing at all. ITs the nature of the beast. You want the good fares, you have to get in there and get them while they last. Its a very good business strategy. Even then, air travel is cheaper than it has ever been. 10, 20 even 30 years ago I would NEVER imagine selling a ticket from Las Vegas to Orlando for $99, $300 to Europe.....seeing that someone paid $110 round trip for a trans continental flight just makes me sick honestly....that is why I lost my job, because fares have to be lowered so much to accomidate the masses. People will spend $1000 to put rims on their 1985 Impala or $200 on their hair...but be the first to complain when it costs $200 to fly to see their mother.
You can find good deals...you just have to know when and where.
2006-09-28 19:54:26 · answer #2 · answered by southrntrnzplnt 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Well, if everyone knew that we could simply walk up and purchase a ticket, the airlines coud not have fluctuating fares, and I do see your point. but its how the airlines set it up. They do it so they can make more money from desperate people who need to fly tomorrow.
Trains in Europe for example, let you walk up and purchase without a penalty. But the airlines like to have revenue to purchase fuel, peanuts, etc in advance.
Yes, its a crazy system, but unfortunately its how they designed it thinking it would benefit them.
2006-09-28 15:16:04 · answer #3 · answered by rickbrowntravels.com 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think Louis C has the right idea. I think you could take your laptop to the airport and buy a same day e-ticket from Expedia, etc. for a lot less than if you went to the counter to buy the exact same seat.
2006-09-28 17:42:00 · answer #4 · answered by michinoku2001 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The airlines charge the rate they do because people are willing to pay it. They simply don't have enough empty seats yet to worry about it. As for you, either make more money, or lighten up about two week advance purchases.
2006-09-28 14:21:58 · answer #5 · answered by presidentofallantarctica 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Go on the net a few days before you plan to go.
If the flights aren't full, you should get a discount. If you just show up at the ticket counter, they have you where they want you, and you won't get the deal. You can beat them at their own game.
2006-09-28 15:10:06 · answer #6 · answered by Louis C 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's the baby boomers fault. 'Stand By' flying used to be allowed, so everyone just showed up at the last minute and didn't buy tickets. That is why they don't offer cheap tickets last minute anymore.
2006-10-02 10:16:35 · answer #7 · answered by nativeAZ 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋