Airline pricing can be confusing, which is why many of you have long wondered if airlines are tracking your search history to raise prices on flights you’ve searched multiple times. A viewer named John emailed Jeff Rossen about it. He says, “When searching travel sites and airlines, I’ve noticed after an initial flight search to secure pricing info, that subsequent searches often have higher prices on the same exact flight… even when that subsequent search is done minutes afterwards.”We investigated this and found that airline prices fluctuate for all kinds of reasons. It could be related to demand, or it could be that they’ve already sold their allotment of seats at that price. It’s not unusual for prices to change on a daily — even hourly — basis.As far as tracking your data — yes, the airlines and booking sites do that to show you relevant information — like the correct language and currency based on where you live. However, we couldn’t find any concrete evidence that they’re looking at your individual search history and increasing prices.The travel site Going, formerly known as Scott’s Cheap Flights, for example, says it performs thousands of flight searches each day, and no matter how many times they search, browsing data doesn’t affect the outcome.With all of this in mind — how can you make sure you’re getting the best deal on a flight?It’s recommended you book one to three months in advance for a domestic flight, and two to eight months out for an international flight.If you’re using Google Flights – you can click View Price History to see when the cheapest time to book usually is. You can also click Track Prices to get email updates when prices change.If you want peace of mind about your data – you can also search on private or incognito mode. You can do that in your browser by clicking on the three dots to the right of the search bar. There should be an option that says New Incognito Window or New Private Window.Have a question for Jeff Rossen? He’s answering your consumer questions every Friday in the new segment “Rossen Responds.” Email your questions to him at RossenResponds@hearst.com.

Airline pricing can be confusing, which is why many of you have long wondered if airlines are tracking your search history to raise prices on flights you’ve searched multiple times.

A viewer named John emailed Jeff Rossen about it. He says, “When searching travel sites and airlines, I’ve noticed after an initial flight search to secure pricing info, that subsequent searches often have higher prices on the same exact flight… even when that subsequent search is done minutes afterwards.”

We investigated this and found that airline prices fluctuate for all kinds of reasons. It could be related to demand, or it could be that they’ve already sold their allotment of seats at that price. It’s not unusual for prices to change on a daily — even hourly — basis.

As far as tracking your data — yes, the airlines and booking sites do that to show you relevant information — like the correct language and currency based on where you live. However, we couldn’t find any concrete evidence that they’re looking at your individual search history and increasing prices.

The travel site Going, formerly known as Scott’s Cheap Flights, for example, says it performs thousands of flight searches each day, and no matter how many times they search, browsing data doesn’t affect the outcome.

With all of this in mind — how can you make sure you’re getting the best deal on a flight?

It’s recommended you book one to three months in advance for a domestic flight, and two to eight months out for an international flight.

If you’re using Google Flights – you can click View Price History to see when the cheapest time to book usually is. You can also click Track Prices to get email updates when prices change.

If you want peace of mind about your data – you can also search on private or incognito mode. You can do that in your browser by clicking on the three dots to the right of the search bar. There should be an option that says New Incognito Window or New Private Window.

Have a question for Jeff Rossen? He’s answering your consumer questions every Friday in the new segment “Rossen Responds.” Email your questions to him at RossenResponds@hearst.com.

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