AA just taught me a bitter lesson
 

Yesterday I saw a great price on the website for mid-October within US. As I didn't have my FF number with me (at work) I thought, OK, I'll reserve tomorrow.

This morning I came to work, the prices went up by $74!!! OUCH!!!!

Oh, well, live and learn... I need a friendly shoulder to cry on :((

ouch is right! sorry FainaAgain. Maybe it'll come back down?

You don't need your FF# to make reservation. You can always add the number later.

AA, I also don't like to do anything in a hurry, the schedule was not perfect, so I thought I'll just sleep on it... to think it over... never again! :((

You snooze, you loose....:-D

(sorry, couldn't resist)

That said, I just want to let others know that FF# can be added at any time.

Rapidly changing airfares happen on all airlines, not just AA. It's not right to single them out.

We learned a long time ago that when you see a good fare - book it right away as good fares have a way of disappearing very quickly.

Sorry about your bad luck Faina. I have a file on my computer with FF numbers. I bet AAFF doesn't even need his. When he calls they all know him!!

Next time, reserve it and book it later. Usually you can hold it for 24 hours.

OH, why didn't I think of it? YOU'RE KILLING ME!!!

3,5 month... the price can't not go down :))

There's a fairly good chance the price will come down. I haven't used it myself, but I believe the free program from yapta.com and track specific flight and alert you when fares come down on that specific flight.

[It's main purpose is to let people who've already booked to ask for refund when the prices go down. But it can also work if you just state the current price, and let it alert you when it goes lower.]

which reminds me... Orbitz has a similar service! thank you, RK!

I would try again tonight and then again in the morning then again the following night.

Two Sundays ago I saw a fare that I liked on United. Went to book it 6 hours later and the fare had increased by $75. I booked the higher fare on Monday morning. Saw on Tuesday that the fare dropped back down. Called United when I saw the lower fare was back and they are sending me a travel voucher for the $75.

Oh, I will be trying, beleive me! There are great fares out there for coming back, unfortunately, going there (to St Louis) my date is set... Sunday is the worst! But... I will keep trying!

I would also keep checking back with AA..sometimes what can happen is it's showing you the fare in a certain class of service..their lowest class maybe..(which if you didn't know coach seats also have classes of service differentiated with a letter) say for example there are 100 coach seats..maybe it's borken up into 4 classes of service..25 seats are $50, the next 25 $75..you get the point..once the lowest class sells out the price goes to the next class of service...hence maybe when you checked there were a few seats left at that class of service and someone (darn them) snagged it, which normally difference in price in class of service is about $50-$70 a ticket..anyways...if people happen to cancel, that class of service may just open back up for you...also I know AA has "O" class, sale fares for hawaii anyways during the fall..could have had a ticket deadline..which ended and then they extended so wont hurt to look again and keep checking...

Faina for what it's worth, the same happened to us on our recent Savannah trip. This trip was spur-of-the moment and my supervisor dragged her feet on approving the time off. By the time I got approval, the price had gone up about $70/ticket. I wasn't happy, but we still bought the tickets and had a great time in Savannah.

Also, there's certain days of the week that are better to book than others:

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2007/...n2557748.shtml

That much I figgered: prolly the Wednesday leftover cheapies gone up Friday! :)

I once waited until about 11:30 PM to call for an advertised bargain, and after sitting on hold it turned out to be after midnight by the time the ticket was being booked. I had no trouble from the agent about this, but received a call a day later saying there was "a problem" with my fare, because I had not made the cutoff. AA did honor the fare when I ecxplained I had been on hold.

But it did teach me (maybe) tobe quicker about tickets.