Skyscanner.

[Goldpanner 399]

Yesterday I thought I would try something with checking Skyscanner for flights with and without cookies.

Many people on other forums state that clearing your cookies will prevent a price increase and many say it wont.

I dont think things are as easy as that.

 

I suspect that Skyscanner has some sort of deal going on with the companies they list. They obviously get commision on flights booked through them but I suspect they also get a better rate of commission if they hike the prices a little.

 

Yesterday morning I scanned fares on Skyscanner firstly with the 'Show all' listing, and '1 stop' option

Firstly all was good rreasonable fares.

I logged off and didnt clear my cookies then 20 minutes later went back on. My departure and return dates were already there but strangely some airlines werent even listed this time. When I used the clear all and individually selected the missing companies, sure enough their flights and prices came up but why didnt they show on the first attempt??

Also, when logging back in to Skyscanner without clearing cookies some flights were increased by £25 upwards. I logged off, cleared the cookies then logged back on, using the same dates etc and sure enough the prices were back to the lower fare.

 

I logged off, shut the computer down then restarted just in case some cookies had been retained, doubtfull as I use Firefox and use a lot of their options as well as a Tracking blocker.

This time I logged on to Skyscanner using the Non Stop option but the same dates as previously.

Thai came up at £532 and a few Eva flights at £590.

Clicking reload a few times prices stayed the same.

I logged off then back on again without clearing the cookies. Same details as before. Thai now £596 and Eva over £700 !!

 

This morning Thai are back to £532

 

One can only assume that Skyscanner are arbitrarily raising and lowering prices as their click through's go up

But it also showed that sometimes, clearing your cookies will get a lower price if returning to Skyscanner.

I might try this with Kayak and see what they show.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Irish boy 67]

Yea, if I see a decent price on skyscanner and want to book, I usually went until I go into work next morning and book it then. But I don't book via skyscanner, I just see where they are directing me, Netflights, ebookers whatever, then try that direct.

 

I also usually try travelsupermarket, kayak as well.

 

I got 2 adults and 1 infant with EVA for £940 in January, a proper good deal. Seen it on skyscanner, it was Netflights, so booked with them. Cheap, as the tax on an infant is still a good bit.

[js007 795]

Air fares change so often, it's hard to tell what's going on sometimes. In addition to the airfare search sites, I try to check fares on the airline websites. Sometimes, those can be better. And some of the travel sites have a service where they'll alert you to good fares for a proposed trip. I've seen some pretty cheap fares that way, although if you're not ready to book, the good prices don't do you much good.

[TheFiend 1,181]

I've booked my last 2 trips using skyscanner, ensuring cookies etc have been cleared before making the actual booking.... first one was with netflights and the second one traveltrolley....

[jacko 8,815]

 

I logged off, shut the computer down then restarted just in case some cookies had been retained, doubtfull as I use Firefox and use a lot of their options as well as a Tracking blocker.

 

 

 

In Firefox would using a 'New Private Window' take care of all that for you.

 

I have noticed this tracking phenomenon myself, but only wondered if it came from cookies resident on your laptop, but also hit counts and IP address tracking at Skyscanner. Supply and demand at work.

Edited October 10, 2017 by jacko

[Goldpanner 399]

My point being is it must be Slkyscanner 'upping' the fares as too many airlines prices all go up at the same time. So Skyscanner must be manipulating the prices with relation to demand.

I see this morning Thai is back to £532, still overpriced considering three months back it was £473

[Chris100UK 520]

Saw hotel prices change when I opened a seperate window with Agoda earlier.

I wondered whether these price increases may panic browsers into booking early? A nice trick if they are that devious.

[Goldpanner 399]

Saw hotel prices change when I opened a seperate window with Agoda earlier.

I wondered whether these price increases may panic browsers into booking early? A nice trick if they are that devious.

 

Oh indeed so. Many times you can look at Hotel rates and there will be a red line next to them. "Only 2 rooms left" when in truth the hotel is probably only half full.

[Goldpanner 399]

Another little trick I saw yesterday, not directly related to Skyscanner but I did report it to them.

Booking a flight for my wife. Checked prices and decided to book via Traveltrolley.

3 times I tried to book on the clickable link from Skyscanner to TravelTrolley. 3 times the booking was stopped just before the end stating "Timed Out" and then redirected offsite to the TravelTrolley direct booking link.

By doing that they are denying Skyscanner their commision and I reported them to Skyscanner for that little dodge.

 

In the end I booked direct with Thai from their website. £546 not a bad rate.