Law of Supply and Law of Demand

The Law of Supply...

Sure, average air fares have risen steadly since 1990, but they go up and down at the same times year after year, and that makes predicting prices a cinch. Experts put togteher the numbers that show what you always suspected : Fares are lowest during the dspring and summer when the airlines have the most difficulty filling their planes.

... And the Law of Demand

Is this week's fare half of what you paid last week? Here's what to do:

You've already bought your ticket when you see the ad in the newspaper: a lower fare on the same route. Getting your ticket rewritten for the lower fare – and pocketing the savings – is not always possible. First you must meet all the qualifications listed in the ad in the small print: there must be the right numbers of days in advance of your trip: you must have been booked to travel when the fare applies; and there must still be seats available in the cheaper fare category. Even then, you might be charged a fee to have your ticket rewritten.

Don't give up if the first airline person who answers tells you your ticket is non-refundable and non-changeable, though. Insist on speaking with a supervisor. Also, move fast. The number of seats available at the lower fare is probably limited. Even if you meet all the restrictions, you will not be able to claim one of the cheap seats unless they are still unsold when you call.

A travel agent can give you further assistance. Some agents now guarantee you the lowest fare through use of a computer that monitors reservations systems overnight. Your agent may call you when a lower fare pops up. (You certainly won't hear about it from the airline). If the agent is still holding your tickets, he or she could rewrite your ticket at the new price even before you open your morning paper.

Horizons far away. Photo by Elena.