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Incognito mode to book flights?
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kayen
Posts: 64 Forumite

Hi, I was wondering of peoples experience using incognito mode to book flights.
I've seen mixed reports that websites can track what your previous searches and due to the 'interest' increase the price. I've had this happen before (price increasing mysteriously without warning just as I'm about to book), but don't know if this was a coincidence!
I've already started searching in normal mode so if I now go to incognito mode, would this still be effective? Would it help to search on a different device?
So what do you think?- incognito mode or doesn't make a difference? Any tips/sites to book cheap flight?
thank you
I've seen mixed reports that websites can track what your previous searches and due to the 'interest' increase the price. I've had this happen before (price increasing mysteriously without warning just as I'm about to book), but don't know if this was a coincidence!
I've already started searching in normal mode so if I now go to incognito mode, would this still be effective? Would it help to search on a different device?
So what do you think?- incognito mode or doesn't make a difference? Any tips/sites to book cheap flight?
thank you

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Comments
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If concerned I think just clearing your cached data and cookies from your previous search would be as effective.1
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Incognito mode will just stop them accessing cookies they have previously placed on your machine but cookies are not the only way to identify someone. For a start if using your home wifi all your devices connected to it will appear with the same IP address so switching between computers still would give them reasonable certainty its the same person if both are on the same wifi.1
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The flight provider themselves no doubt logs the number of searches for routes and flights, and will likely edge the price up where there are lots of searches for any particular flight. I would were I an airline pricing analyst person/more likely "algorithm". So try not to search the same flight multiple times is likely more helpful in not inflating the price.
I'll ask my analyst community... Or perhaps someone here knows better... Interesting to see what we find outFriendly greeting!1 -
danthemoneysavingman said:I'll ask my analyst community... Or perhaps someone here knows better... Interesting to see what we find out
Havent looked in recent years, where with improvements of AI you'd imagine things could be getting more powerful, but previous external analysis showed no evidence of price manipulation however did show ordering could be changed by OS - ie if they thought you were budget they show your cheapest options first whereas if they thought you were wealthy show you the more luxury options first.2 -
Would using a VPN be better at providing anonymity?0
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bigfer said:Would using a VPN be better at providing anonymity?
Its often cheaper to buy flights from the airlines home country - both in terms of where you are taking off from and which version of their website you look at. VPNs can be helpful in that regard too so you dont get redirect to the UK version of the site when wanting to book an internal flight in another country.1 -
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