It's an urban legend that's hard to shake off among internet users. On social media, as the holidays approach, tips for paying less for your next trip multiply. Among them, the idea of switching to private browsing to take advantage of more attractive rates. Unfortunately, the CNIL (International Commission on Information Technology and Civil Liberties) has been denying the usefulness of this practice in France for several years now.
Browsing in private is useless
Using private browsing to book plane or hotel tickets is a widespread practice among vacationers looking to save some money. At the heart of this practice is the idea that booking sites increase prices after several searches, to encourage you to buy in a hurry. However, studies and official surveys confirm that private browsing has only a marginal, if any, effect on the prices displayed. Price fluctuations depend primarily on supply and demand, not your browsing history. In France, the CNIL and the DGCCRF have confirmed that IP tracking is not practiced by major booking sites. Browsing privately or clearing your cookies before visiting a travel site is therefore, a priori, pointless.
The same goes for your device's geolocation. Using a VPN to simulate a connection close to where you want to book your hotel has no effect on the final price. This is ultimately a fairly logical situation: plane and hotel prices fluctuate according to the law of supply and demand. During busy periods (school holidays, major events), prices automatically increase. Conversely, traveling off-season or choosing flexible dates allows you to take advantage of lower prices and avoid the crowds.
What are some tips for traveling cheaper?
Airlines and hotels adjust their prices in real time based on occupancy rates and the speed of bookings. The earlier you book, the more likely you are to get the best rates, as the first seats are often sold at more attractive prices. So, if you want to travel cheaper, there's no mystery: you have to choose an off-season destination and adapt your trip according to price fluctuations. On this point, a flight or hotel comparison site can be very useful, as it will allow you to compare the best offers and dates.
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