A traveler's one-day delay in booking just cost them an extra $1,300—and it's raising questions about airline pricing strategies and when to pull the trigger on international flights.
LATAM flights from Santiago, Chile to Los Angeles jumped from $1,500 to $2,800 overnight for the same seats, according to a frustrated post on r/TravelHacks. The traveler was waiting for a credit card payment to post before booking.
Should You Wait or Book?
The question now facing the traveler is familiar to anyone who's watched flight prices fluctuate: wait and hope prices drop, or accept the increase?
Flight pricing algorithms are notoriously opaque. Airlines use demand forecasting, competitor pricing, remaining inventory, and booking patterns to continuously adjust fares. A $1,300 jump suggests either very limited remaining seats or a surge in demand.
For routes from South America to North America, pricing can be particularly volatile. LATAM is often the dominant carrier on Chile routes, giving them significant pricing power when seat inventory tightens.
The Booking Window Reality
Travel industry data generally shows international flight prices are most stable 2-3 months before departure. Prices within six weeks of travel become increasingly volatile as airlines adjust based on how quickly seats are selling.
Waiting for prices to drop after a major increase is risky. While occasional fare corrections happen, airlines know travelers closer to departure dates have fewer alternatives and less flexibility.
What Travelers Can Do
Set up price alerts on Google Flights or similar platforms immediately. If prices do drop, rebook if the fare difference exceeds change fees.
Check if the credit card used offers price protection or trip insurance that might cover unexpected fare increases.
Consider alternate routes through Lima, Panama City, or Bogotá. Sometimes routing through another South American hub costs significantly less, though total travel time increases.
Look at nearby departure airports. Buenos Aires or other regional airports occasionally have lower fares to Los Angeles, though positioning flights add complexity.
The Painful Lesson
The hard truth: when you find acceptable international fares, book them. Waiting to save $100-200 risks losing $1,000+.
Credit card timing shouldn't dictate booking decisions for major purchases. Better options include using a different card temporarily, requesting a credit limit increase, or timing purchases differently.
For travelers on tight budgets, this stings. But flight pricing is designed to penalize hesitation, especially on routes with limited competition.
The best travel isn't about the destination - it's about what you learn along the way. One expensive lesson: when international fares look reasonable, waiting rarely makes them cheaper.
