On the way back from Indore to Bangalore, I tried to book my ticket online the evening before my flight. This for the KingFisher Red (erstwhile Deccan) flight at 1340 from Indore.
The cost of the ticket normally is 5500 INR, but the web rates showed 8500 INR. An hour later they showed 8500 INR. I went to sleep after that cursing myself for always booking at the last minute.
Next morning the price showed 9500 INR. Crap.
Something told me to take a risk and not purchase the ticket online but go to the counter on the airport just before the flight and try my chances. I did that and got the ticket at the counter for 5500 INR. Nice.
I guess the algorithm airlines use is that if the flight is pretty near full then increase the prices to milk the customer. The increased price might act as a deterrent for some, but for the last minute desperate fliers, its better than not flying at all. So if the increase in price is 40% and the amount of deterred fliers is 20% the airlines still make a bigger profit.
But if you get to the counter right before the flight, then they might as well fill up an empty seat since no one else will be booking online after that time.
Will need to test this theory a few more times.
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