As a reporter focusing on airlines, I frequently receive questions regarding travel tips. One common misconception I encounter is the belief that repeatedly checking flight availability can lead to a price increase. People think that by showing interest in a flight multiple times, the airlines will see this and raise the prices just for them.

I’m here to clarify that this is not the case – at least not at the moment. Airline pricing is intricate, and you might be paying a different rate from someone sitting next to you, even if you book the exact same flight simultaneously.

“It would not be an exaggeration to say that on a plane with 100 seats, there could very easily be 75 different ticket prices,” stated William J. McGee, a senior fellow focusing on aviation and travel at the American Economic Liberties Project.

However, airlines still lack the ability to adjust pricing so precisely that a few searches from one individual lead to a personalized price hike.

“It’s not due to your frequent searches; it’s about delaying your booking and approaching the departure date,” explained Ahmed Abdelghany, an associate dean for research at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University’s David B. O’Maley College of Business.

Abdelghany further elaborated that pricing algorithms at airlines would require analyzing vast amounts of data to determine if a specific user was performing multiple searches during the ticket-buying process. Generally, he pointed out that pricing is determined by analyzing larger data sets.

Both Abdelghany and McGee concur that airline pricing mechanisms are not transparent, and airlines are increasingly adopting detailed control over the prices that potential travelers can view.

How are airline tickets priced?

Like many aspects of air travel, ticket pricing is complex.

“Numerous elements influence the price you encounter when searching for a flight,” Abdelghany said. “Factors include your travel dates and how early you purchase your ticket. Booking in advance is critical; last-minute purchases may lead airlines to categorize you as a business traveler rather than a leisure one, who typically books in advance.”

This is why tickets bought well in advance tend to be cheaper; airlines understand that leisure travelers are often more budget-conscious.

Abdelghany mentioned that the day of the week you choose to travel, such as whether your stay includes a Saturday night, can indicate the purpose of your trip and affect pricing.

Are airfare prices personalized?

Currently, airlines do not display entirely different prices to different passengers based on their individual profiles, evidenced by the fact that nearly everyone sees the same rates when searching for the same flight at the same moment. However, both McGee and Abdelghany believe the industry is heading in that direction, particularly as airlines implement innovative technologies for targeting advertising and offers based on a passenger’s frequent flyer profile.

“I believe this situation will worsen as technology continues to improve and pricing processes become more opaque,” McGee stated. “(Airfare is) going to be customized upwards in several ways. In just four years, the situation might reach a point where everyone has their own price.”

As an aviation consultant for Consumer Reports, McGee led a 2016 study examining ticket prices on various travel sites for the same itinerary searched simultaneously. The study looked at factors like browser cookies and found inconsistent pricing even among users performing identical searches at the same time.

Even after eight years, McGee noted that the study’s findings have stayed with him.

“I have no doubt that fares are being tailored in some form for certain users,” he remarked.

Abdelghany added, however, that the airlines’ unreliable pricing structure likely contributes to inconsistent and unpredictable fare rates.

If you searched yesterday and conducted another search today, remember that you are closer to the travel date. This closer timeframe may impact the pricing.

This is also why airfares often surge during peak demand periods.

Abdelghany pointed out that airlines are more capable of identifying genuine demand spikes than they are at detecting multiple one-off searches from individuals.

“It’s not about the searches; it’s about existing bookings,” Abdelghany clarified. “Airlines regard this as a premium flight due to robust demand.”

How can you get the best deal on airfare?

Experts have clarified that it’s a misconception that searching for flights too often will increase their prices. The most effective strategy to find good airfare deals remains consistent: shop around.

“After 20 years, my advice has not changed: it’s essential to compare prices,” McGee stated. “As a best practice, when you have a moment, consider clearing your browser history.”

However, keep in mind that in the ever-changing world of airline pricing, results may differ for each individual.

Zach Wichter is a travel journalist located in New York.