[Saltador]

I'm a loyal Spirit customer, I've flown with them 15-20 times. I'm a Free Spirit member, and Free Spirit mastercard holder.
Somewhere around June 6 or 7, I looked online to book my flight in September from Chicago to Cartagena. The price
at that time was 506.00 and seemed fair. So, I went to work the next day, checked with my schedule and my boss, and on June 8th I went back online to buy the ticket.
The price shown at that time 670.10, and the flight on the day I wanted was no longer available. I was in shock...why would a ticket go up 170.00 in two days like that, for a fare three months in advance?
The only thing I could figure was that the flights were filling up, because they used to fly to Cartagena every day, but now only three days a week, and the flights are always full.
Knowing my dates were not that flexible, I bought the ticket.
Imagine my shock when I went online three days later to check ticket prices...it was back down to 506.00!
How is that possible? What could cause a fluctuation like that? Again, on the 7th 506.00, on the 9th, 670.00, and on the 12th (or sooner?) 506.00.
I spent 2 hours on hold that night to hear from 2 different "customer service" reps that "all sales are final" "ticket prices are not guaranteed until purchased" yada yada.
Subsequent emails to "Customer Service" yielded absoulutely no explanation for the price increase then drop, only more policy quotes such as
"Please be advised that all sales including promotional sales are limited and based on availability and fares are subject to change at any time. Fares are not guaranteed until they are purchased."
After persisting for an answer to my question as to how the price raised and dropped, they finally gave me this gem:
"As previously stated, fares are subject to change at any time. Please be advised that is the structure of our company.
Your concerns and issues have been addressed and the resolution thoroughly clarified. If we may be of assistance with any other issue, please let us know. In reference to this particular issue, there will be no further correspondence."
Nice "Customer Service" huh?
Anyone have any ideas as to how the prices legitimately raised and lowered in that manner?

[jimworcs]

The price is set by an algorithm which prices the ticket by demand, but can also be affected by people who did exactly as you did and "enquirer" but did not complete the sale. It is ridiculous and makes a mockery of lo cost claims that the earlier you buy the better the deal. However, without a doubt, pricing is dynamic and in the many times you have flown Sprint, there will no doubt be occasions when you have benefited from this system. There is little yu can do except chalkbit up to experience.

[adamr]

You're complaint is that the fare changed? Well welcome to the price war of airlines. Each one calcuates their fares to maximize their revenue.

The fact that you didn't get a specific fare for a specific day has nothing to do with the airline. This happens with all airlines, and you should know that!