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Do airlines raise prices? Finding the right price can be stressful
Finding a flight for the right price can feel like a mad rush – even more so if you think they might go up before the next time you look.
A rumour is swirling around the internet that airlines can spy on your searches – and hike the prices if they are searched for again.
The claim is that the website can recognise that the same computer has been used to search for the same flight.
It is said that this can be sorted by clearing the “cookies” on the browser, or using a different browser all together.
When you search for a particular flight route – the cookie stores the details.
This means that the website can see there is a particular high demand for a route – even if it is you.
If the route is in high demand it will cause the price to surge.
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“Airlines do use cookies but probably not to raise prices”
Tom Church from LatestDeals.co.uk
Do airlines raise prices?
It is a fact that third parties can see what you are doing using cookies.
However, websites have to let you know they are using cookies, which was made into EU law in 2011.
Tom Church from LatestDeals.co.uk said: “Airlines do use cookies but probably not to raise prices.
“When you visit Ryanair, easyJet or a flight comparison site such as SkyScanner, they all use cookies to store information about you.
“That’s not to say prices don’t rise. They do, and it’s very frustrating.
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When is the best time to buy? You can get cheaper tickets depending on when you book
“For example, I found flights earlier in the week from London to Bremen, Germany for £2.99 each way on Ryanair.
“I check again the next day and they had climbed to £79.55. That’s 26 times more expensive for the same seat on the same flight.”
According to Flight Delay Claims Team (FDCT), an airline compensation claims website, claimed they tested out the theory of cookies.
FCDT noticed that the more searches they did for the same route, the higher the prices became.
The company used the example of Brisbane to Auckland, which offered a price of $317 (£228) after being searched a few times.
When using an “incognito” browser, the price of $224 (£161) was offered – meaning a massive saving of $93 (£67).
FDCT say that using an incognito browser will get you around this.
This can be done by hitting Control, Shift and N on a PC, or Command, Shift and N on a Mac if you are using Google Chrome or Safari.
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If you are using Mozilla Firefox or Internet Explorer hit Control, Shift and P for a PC, or Command, Shift and P for a Mac.
Overtime you open an incognito window your cookies will reset.
However, the change in price could be down to other factors.
This could for example be based on how many seats are available, and how popular the route is.
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FLIGHT PRICE: Tuesday morning is when you are likely to get the best deals
When is the best time to buy?
The best time to book your holiday is on a Tuesday morning – this is because airlines usually launch their discount promotions on Monday evenings.
By Tuesday morning you will likely see the best deals.
The worst time to be booking your flights is on Thursdays.
This is the most popular day of the week to be booking getaways – causing airlines to hike their prices.
Similarly, weekends are the most popular times to be traveling – which is why flights will be more expensive.
Try to fly on a Tuesday or a Wednesday.
These days are less popular, thus cheaper to fly on.
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