Understanding Cleartrip's Flight Visibility and Pricing Practices
Have you ever wondered why certain domestic flights do not show up on Cleartrip? As someone who worked at Cleartrip for two years until the end of 2013, I can provide context and insights into why this might be happening. This article aims to clarify the suspicious practices surrounding flight visibility and pricing transparency, helping users navigate the digital marketplace more effectively.
Why Cleartrip Might Not Show Certain Domestic Flights
One of the most common questions I receive is why Cleartrip does not display certain domestic flights. There are a few reasons for this:
Partnership Agreements and Commission Structures
Cleartrip operates within a highly competitive and fragmented aviation industry. Many airlines and travel agencies have their own proprietary booking systems with complex pricing models. Cleartrip’s business model revolves around building relationships with these airlines and travel partners, often through lucrative commission agreements. Unfortunately, some airlines choose not to list their flights through Cleartrip due to these agreements, or they prefer other platforms to maintain control over their pricing and customer experience.
Fluctuating Flight Availability
Airlines often have a limited number of available seats on specific flights, and they may choose to allocate these seats to other platforms. This means that even if a flight was available for booking on Cleartrip during a particular time period, it may not be available if the airline recalculates its seat allocations for a future date. Factors such as seasonal demand, special promotions, and real-time booking patterns can influence the availability of flights on Cleartrip.
Hiding Flights to Temporarily Lower Prices
Some airlines and travel booking sites practice strategic tactics to manipulate pricing. They might hide certain flights temporarily and then reveal them at a later time, often at a slightly higher price. This is a common tactic used to attract customers who are looking for the lowest prices. Cleartrip, like other platforms, plays a significant role in this dynamic. While Cleartrip is known for transparency in its pricing and break-up, some airlines may choose to keep certain flights off the Cleartrip platform until they can raise prices.
The Importance of Transparency in Pricing
Cleartrip has made a concerted effort to maintain transparency in its pricing. However, issues of flight visibility are not unique to Cleartrip. Many travel booking platforms face similar challenges. The lack of complete flight visibility is often a byproduct of the complex relationships between airlines, travel agencies, and booking platforms.
Cleartrip’s commitment to transparency is reflected in its price break-downs, which provide a clear view of all costs associated with a particular flight. This includes taxes, fees, and any additional charges, allowing users to make informed decisions.
How to Navigate Cleartrip and Ensure Best Prices
Given the factors that influence flight availability and pricing, what can travelers do to ensure they get the best possible deals?
Be Flexible with Dates and Time
Travelers can increase their chances of finding available and affordable flights by being flexible with their travel dates and times. This flexibility can often lead to more options and better prices.
Monitor Multiple Booking Platforms
It's a good idea to monitor multiple booking platforms, including Cleartrip, to compare prices and availability. This approach provides a broader range of options and helps identify the best deals.
Contact Airlines Directly
For travelers who need to book specific flights, contacting airlines directly can sometimes lead to better deals. Airlines may offer special promotions or reduced prices for direct bookings.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the lack of visibility for certain flights on Cleartrip is often a result of complex industry relationships and strategic decisions made by airlines. While Cleartrip strives for transparency, travelers need to be proactive in their approach to booking flights. By understanding these factors and employing a flexible strategy, travelers can maximize their chances of finding the best deals.