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Incognito mode to book flights?

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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 :)

Comments

  • Westin
    Westin Posts: 6,311 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    If concerned I think just clearing your cached data and cookies from your previous search would be as effective. 
  • DullGreyGuy
    DullGreyGuy Posts: 18,566 Forumite
    10,000 Posts Second Anniversary Name Dropper
    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. 
  • danthemoneysavingman
    danthemoneysavingman Posts: 1,403 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Car Insurance Carver!
    edited 15 December 2022 at 10:03AM
    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 out
    Friendly greeting!
  • DullGreyGuy
    DullGreyGuy Posts: 18,566 Forumite
    10,000 Posts Second Anniversary Name Dropper
    I'll ask my analyst community... Or perhaps someone here knows better... Interesting to see what we find out
    There has always been a lot of speculation about it along with things like if you are searching using MacOS etc that you will get a higher price than if you are searching using Win7 (or some other long outdated version of windows).

    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. 
  • bigfer
    bigfer Posts: 321 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 100 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    Would using a VPN be better at providing anonymity? 
  • DullGreyGuy
    DullGreyGuy Posts: 18,566 Forumite
    10,000 Posts Second Anniversary Name Dropper
    bigfer said:
    Would using a VPN be better at providing anonymity? 
    Not better, it should be used in conjunction with private/incognito mode, else tracking cookies give you away despite the different IP.

    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. 
  • heatherw_01
    heatherw_01 Posts: 6,787 Ambassador
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    Just clear cache and cookies.
    I’m a Forum Ambassador and I support the Forum Team on the Quick Grabbit, Freebies, Overseas Holidays & Travel Planning and the UK Holidays, Days Out & Entertainments boards.
    If you need any help on these boards, do let me know. Please note that Ambassadors are not moderators. Any posts you spot in breach of the Forum Rules should be reported via the report button, or by emailing forumteam@moneysavingexpert.com.
    All views are my own and not the official line of MoneySavingExpert.
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