Fare Increases...do they ever go back down?

Hello,

I apologise for being the typical new forum member who joins and immediately posts a question.

I've been looking at PE fares to NYC and then back from Chicago in mid/late May but due to a fear of flying (and being scared that I'd bottle it & not get on the plane!) I've not taken the plunge and booked.

Last night I decided to be brave and go for it... but this morning I was shocked to see the return fare had increased by about 50% overnight. The Fare Watch page still shows a fare of about £750, virgin now quoting £1250. Not good!

So... my question is, was there a sale on that I have now missed? Do fares ever go back down again once they've risen? Or should I quickly book now before they go up even more?

Any advice would be amazing. I'm keen to fly PE as I think the extra space, smaller cabin etc will help with the fear of flying...but the price change is going to be a bit of a stretch.

Thank you!

PS. I promise to post a very thorough Trip Review when I go!

[Pete]

Hi and welcome to V-Flyer.

Fares do go up and down all the time. With alarming regularity. The advice is always to buy at a level you're happy with, then don't look again!

Depending on how far in advance you're booking, it may be worth waiting. The Apex fares have restrictions such as 45 / 21 days, so the later you leave it, the less chase that they will be there.

Pete

Thank you for your reply.

Sadly I worry I might've missed the level I'm happy with!

I'm looking at roughly May 11th as a departure date, so I suspect my nervousness and indecision may have cost me!

[Pete]

Possibly. Have you checked the dates around the one you want to fly? If they've all gone up, then you have more hope of another reduction later than if it's just your flight, which would imply availability of the cheap seats has gone.

Pete

As far as I can see, every single PE fare has risen dramatically between today and yesterday. My dates, a week either side, even several months in advance.

No PE fares on the "Low Fares" page of the website anymore either. So it's a gamble between grabbing it before it rises more...or being brave and waiting for a reduction!

nj49 -- there was indeed a recent North American PE sale and I suspect it ended yesterday because the prices of some flights I was watching jumped horribly overnight too.

It's hard to give advice because no one knows what will happen. Sometimes sales suddenly reopen again a few days later; other times you can wait forever and the prices just get higher as departure date approaches. Pete has given you the best advice, which is to buy at a price you are happy with, and then try to forget about it!

Wow, fares really do chane regularly, they've gone back down a little bit now!

Is there any cunning way to know what seats are left before booking? Trying to work out whether to sit on my hands for a day or two or go for it quickly!