Monday, May 22, 2017

Flights - Using Data to Set Pricing


Ever try to plan a trip, and you browse flight prices a couple days in a row, and notice dramatic increases in price? This is because the website that you are on can track your IP address and set pricing rules for each time you visit the website. Additionally, travel companies can set rules for the device that you are on when looking at flights. There are actually many companies that charge a higher price to people using a Mac versus a PC. This is because Macs tend to cost a lot more money than a PC, and these travel companies presume that Mac owners will be more fortunate than a PC owner, and have a greater disposable income, willing to pay a higher price for a flight. This is an outrageous way of thinking! I have a Mac myself, and I am in no means rich. In fact, I am drowning in student loan debt, and I am in school pursuing my Master’s taking on more student loan debt! However, I saved for a while to purchase a Mac because I knew it was a reliable laptop that is great for graphic design use, and the career path I have taken. Many people have Macs because they save, and make the large purchase because they are confident it is going to be a great long term investment – Mac’s have a longer life expectancy than a PC! So, I wonder, should airline companies really be setting price rules by device? My answer would be no, but maybe that’s because I’m the one receiving higher prices for my Mac!

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