Airlines following you with sale deals not advertised

[NZflygirl]

I was just wondering if anyone had any experience with other airlines 'following' them with deals that aren't otherwise advertised?

Quite a while ago I was searching EY J to check prices but I didn't pay. Then I noticed an advert while I was on another screen saying 30% off. Clicked on it and sure enough 30% off J. I had issues with the credit cards as one was a brand new sign up and the other blocks you buying anything they haven't seen before and doesn't provide great customer service out of hours so I couldn't book.

Anyway got cc sorted. Tried searching for the sale prices and couldn't find them on the site or internet. So I waited and sure enough surfing around the internet the ad came up again I think mainly if I was on a flying related website. The 30% price for our dates had gone up but still an amazing deal so I booked.

Anyone had a similar experience with other airlines? I haven't tried it again as I have't needed to fly that direction. I'm just curious ....for the future!

 

[serfty]

It could be that your initial foray into the "30%" off deal exhausted that fare bucket availability for the fare.

e.g. The special fare booked into I and the inventory buckets went from (say) J7 D3 I1 to J7 D2 I0 with the I being held while you completed the booking - which you didn't.

After a time with the booking not completed, the hold auto cancelled and the inventory returned for sale, so I1.

Other than that, with several airlines after I search while either logged on or entering an email address but not completing a booking, I have subsequently received targeted advertising for the specific search and route I had been doing.

 

[NZflygirl]

Yeah I figured someone else bought the fare at the cheaper price as it was a few days later but was still a good deal and discount.

Anyway so it's 'a thing' then. Do a sort of search or dummy booking then leave it and see if I get a better offer - I like it! If it's a great sale to begin with I'll book it but if not then wait and see.