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IN BRIEF
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With the Easter break freshly over, many are beginning to plan their summer vacations in the sun. Among the strategies to get the best prices on plane or train tickets, two myths persist: booking in private browsing and choosing Tuesday as the key day. But do these ideas have a solid foundation? In this article, we will analyze these popular practices to understand if they are truly effective.
Browsing in private mode: a strategy to reconsider
Using private browsing is often advised to avoid what is called IP tracking. This method involves browsing without saving history, hoping to prevent booking sites from tracking the user and increasing prices based on their repeated searches. For example, a traveler wishing to book a Paris-Milan flight might fear that the price of a ticket increases after several visits to the same page.
However, a recent survey by the Cnil (National Commission on Informatics and Liberties) and the DGCCRF (General Directorate for Competition, Consumer Affairs and Fraud Control) revealed that e-commerce and booking sites in France, like SNCF, do not practice IP tracking. Therefore, using private browsing turns out to be less useful than expected, making this practice largely ineffective in the quest for a lower price.
The Tuesday myth: reality or fiction?
Another popular myth is the idea that Tuesday is the best day to book tickets. This belief stems from an observation that many people carry out searches during the weekend, which would lower traffic on booking platforms on Tuesday. The implication is that less demand would translate into lower prices.
In reality, this dynamic strongly depends on the booking sites and the seasons. Dynamic pricing systems continually adjust according to demand. Therefore, it is not guaranteed that a particular day will offer more attractive rates than another. Analyses, notably by HuffPost, corroborate the findings of the Washington Post, indicating that it is often more advantageous to travel at the beginning of the week, either Tuesday or Wednesday, as prices may be more competitive on those days. For a better price comparison, it is recommended to use comparison sites.
Utilizing resources to optimize your choice
It is important to keep in mind that ticket prices can fluctuate based on days, periods, and available special offers. To optimize your chances of getting a desirable price, it can be beneficial to consult online resources. Articles like these can offer valuable insights: discounts on plane tickets to overseas destinations, or to find out what is the ideal day to find your plane tickets at the best price. These tips can enrich your searches and redirect you towards economical solutions.
In conclusion, although many question the effectiveness of private browsing and the choice of Tuesday for booking their trips, it appears that these strategies are based more on myths than on concrete facts. In addition to these techniques, using comparative tools and looking into expert articles could genuinely improve the booking experience and help uncover tickets at the best price, as discussed in the links provided above.
Finally, it is also essential to remain vigilant against various marketing strategies that could skew our perception of prices while keeping in mind potential additional fees, such as the eco-tax, which could influence the final cost of reserved tickets.
