| Do you think the best way to get the cheapest | | | | the systems are not updated at the same times. |
| plane tickets is by calling the airline? Or, do you scan | | | | And, each system may use different algorithms |
| through hundreds of websites provided by search | | | | when searching for low airfare tickets, which can |
| engines to find low airfare tickets? Maybe you hope | | | | provide a variety of ticket prices. |
| to find cheap airfare in the local newspaper's travel | | | | Demand drives fare prices up or down, and explains |
| section. | | | | why it's usually cheaper to fly on weekdays, late |
| Finding cheap airline tickets can be one of the most | | | | nights, or non-holidays. Ticket pricing is based on |
| frustrating experiences that most of us learn very | | | | competition. And, to complicate matters if one airline |
| quickly. Of course, most people eventually give up | | | | drops rates by 20 percent, most airlines will drop their |
| after spending hours scanning websites that offer | | | | rates as well. This eliminates a discounter's (cheap |
| virtually the same flight schedules and pricing. People | | | | airfare) competitive edge. |
| purchase what they believe is the cheapest plane | | | | Differences in fares can exist for identical routes on |
| ticket, only to find their neighbor paid just a third of | | | | different airlines because one airline might dominate |
| what they did! | | | | the market share for that destination, thus cheap |
| Unless you understand the concept of of how airlines | | | | airfare tickets are not needed to entice passengers. |
| set prices, all the searching in the world won't provide | | | | And, all this happens at the speed of light! Prices can |
| the cheapest airline ticket prices. The following | | | | change while your credit card information is being |
| information will give you a guide to follow, as you | | | | provided, and what you thought was the cheapest |
| wander through the maze searching for cheap airfare. | | | | plane ticket, suddenly isn't so cheap. |
| Understand how prices are set by airlines! Ticket | | | | Inventory is another advantage used by airlines to |
| pricing is complex and unpredictable, and driven by | | | | entice potential fliers. Airlines designate seats into |
| competition, demand, and inventory. Airlines call this | | | | price ranges on flights to offer cheap airfare. Of |
| "yield management." | | | | course, people hoping to secure the cheapest plane |
| Competition is the beast behind the cheapest plane | | | | tickets are attracted to these advertisements. But, |
| tickets. All major airlines utilize central reservation | | | | most often, by the time you place the call to the |
| systems (owned by various airlines) to fill available | | | | airline, the seats are gone. |
| seats. The systems are known as Apollo, Sabre, | | | | Inventory relates to demand, and if the availability is |
| Worldspan and Galileo. Prices are based on demand, | | | | low but demand high, the wait for the cheapest |
| and if some flights are selling well, the price will | | | | plane tickets can be lengthy. But, this does not |
| increase. If the flight is unpopular and has very little | | | | mean you will not be successful in finding low airfare |
| demand, the fare is lowered in hope of attracting | | | | tickets. Sometimes, airlines change fares or |
| consumers. In short, fares and inventory change | | | | designate additional seats, depending on ticket sales. |
| every minute of every day! | | | | These three factors (competition, inventory and |
| Finding the cheapest plane tickets is difficult because | | | | demand) are essential when looking for the cheapest |
| travel agents and Internet websites use the central | | | | plane tickets. Before booking tickets for your next |
| reservation systems that are updated periodically | | | | trip, take the time to do some comparison |
| throughout the day. The reason why different | | | | shopping. Cheap airfare tickets are out there for |
| searches come up with different results is because | | | | the taking, and can be found. |