Sort of makes you all long for the good old days of the FAA and controlled fares, huh? Listen, my children and you shall hear....
Many many years ago, when I was a res agent for TWA (remember them?) you could travel from Philly to LA for the same fare whether you booked it one year, month or day ahead...you could choose first class, coach or maybe qualify for family plans or special roundtrip rates...but that was it. All airlines had the same prices, same plans, thru a travel agent or ticket counter...same same same... and it was all refundable, I might add. No questions asked.
It also inhibited competition, and kept prices relatively high, I'll admit. The biggest deciding factor was which airline had the best-looking stewardesses, or in-flight movie. But on every major line...TWA, United, American...you were treated like a guest, with courtesy and as much comfort as could be provided.
Whatever was wrong with controlled pricing, at least you didn't feel like you were playing Wheel of Fortune. And you didn't find out from the guy sitting next to you that he scored the same tickets for several hundred bucks less than yours. Nobody likes to feel they've been had. And please don't tell me that it's the same as missing Macy's White Sale...it really isn't.
For the infrequent user and especially for the elderly, the internet is a very intimidating place. Most folks of the "greatest generation" don't own or operate computers. And although many of them have the time and disposable income to travel, the difficulty in navigating this new language is just too confusing and frustrating...so they just don't. Here is a revenue stream that never gets off the ground...literally!
I myself fly only occasionally, usually for pleasure, and I refuse to let my anticipation be short-circuited by feelings of internet inadequacy...so, I've adopted a policy of don't ask (the other guy), don't tell (unless you got the better deal). Ignorance is bliss.
I sure don't claim to have the answer to the airline industry dilemma, but this ain't it.
----- Original Message -----
From: Brian Cooley
To: Untours
Sent: Sunday, December 16, 2007 12:24 PM
Subject: RE: [Idyllchat] airline tickets
For the past few years, we have purchased our air tickets for Aug/Sept to Switzerland in December. We have found that the prices reach their lowest point then. I check periodically to see if I could have saved by waiting, but have not yet found the prices to drop. My wife recently saw a TV news story suggesting that the lowest fares are found 3-4 months in advance, but the story did not say if that included international flights. We just booked our 2008 trip from Los Angeles for $986 on American (same price on Continental), all taxes included, which is about the same as last year.
I second the opinion of others to buy now.
Brian Cooley
-----Original Message-----
From: idyllchat-bounces at lists.untours.com [mailto:idyllchat-bounces at lists.untours.com]On Behalf Of alan rudolph
Sent: Sunday, December 16, 2007 9:12 AM
To: Untours
Subject: [Idyllchat] airline tickets
Ed,
Good question. I am in the same dilema. We are going to Paris first part of Sept and leaving from Marseille 2 weeks later. I can get tickets right now for $1096 from Detroit. It was up at $1286 a few weeks ago. I am thinking of waiting till after Christmas and hoping I won't be sorry. Any suggestions from anyone?
Thanks,
Donna
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