Does anyone get how this worrks or what they actually analyze to make their fare predictions? I've been tracking a fare from IAD to CDG for this winter. Been getting alerts of maybe 3 months. when the fare drops a few dollars I get buy now, when it goes up, I get a wait. Meantime the fare has been all over the place and in general has come down. Had I followed their first "Buy" I would be paying more than the current fare.

I realize fare predicting is an art and really predicts little. I use it to get a sense of the air fares and the trends, but this has me puzzled.

I hear you, yestravel.

I've been tracking a winter flight on Bing, too. (EWR-MAD) My alerts say "Buy" but when I do the search on their web site (literally 1 minute after receiving the email) it says "Wait". Time after time. Needless to say, I don't pay much attention to my Bing alerts anymore.

I've found the fare alert and fare charts on Kayak to be better. If you haven't already, sign up for a fare alert with Travelzoo and Farecompare. They seem to be on the ball, too.

But, if you have an idea of which flight/airline you want anyway, check the actual airline's web site. Daily. Even twice daily.

For example, when I woke up and checked, the flight I wanted on Continental was $610. About an hour ago it dropped to $599. Still hasn't appeared on the search engines yet.

FWIW, the prices seem like they're dropping for winter travel today -- British Airways just announced a sale this morning, hopefully others will, too. Continental's prices dropped this morning for the flights I was looking at. So, fingers crossed...

Good luck.

NanBug - I really thought I was missing something on Bing.com.

Yes, I do check the other sites u mentioned and since I know I want to go on UA, I check their site practically daily! Good to hear that some sales are starting. I've only seen ones thru December.

Good luck to u 2. We're going to Spain in the Spring. ALready bought that tix cause UA had a big sale announcing their new service (code share with AerLingus).

Funny, I thought I was missing something, too, with Bing!

Sounds like you're doing all the right things, though. Keep searching, you'll get your tickets soon. Have a great trip!

I've been monitoring Bing, too, & they do not seem reliable at all!!!! They keep saying wait & I just keep watching the fare go up & up. Done with them!

and as soon as it drops they will say BUY even though it may keep dropping in subsequent days. I think they use your set point and any movement up gets a wait, while a decrease gets a buy. Doesn't appear to be much analysis going on!