Many over 65s could be paying more for their flights than their younger counterparts when they book online, new research published by AA Travel Insurance suggests.
In an online survey of more than 9,000 people nationwide, the AA quizzed respondents on their habits when it comes to booking flights. While airline pricing technology does not factor in age, the AA’s research suggests that preferred search techniques could have a bearing.
For example, 43% of the 17 – 24 year olds who participated in the AA’s survey indicated that they will go directly to a price comparison website when pricing flights. This figure is three times higher than among the over 65s with just 14% of this age group stating it’s their go to method of booking flights.
Another factor likely to be influencing these figures is the nature of the journeys being undertaken, with several participants sharing that they tend to be a more diligent shopper when booking long-haul flights. Others said they were conscious that not all airline providers are included in searches by online comparison websites.
Concealing Browsing History
The Millenials are also far more likely than the Baby Boomers to turn off their cookies or operate within an ‘incognito’ website when booking flights to conceal their browsing history, according to the AA’s survey. 12% of those aged between 25-35 said they would typically do so compared to 2% of the over 65s in a bid to make it appear that they were first-time visitors to the site.
The AA shares that it notes a similar trend vis-à-vis its insurance customers when it comes to the clearing of browsing history. However, they clarify that it has no impact on the quotes that its customers receive.
“We also put the theory to the test looking up a series of flights from Dublin to Paris with multiple airlines. What we found is that the prices remained consistent irrespective of whether or not we had cleared our browsing history in advance of repeating the search,” said Conor Faughnan, Director of Consumer Affairs, AA Ireland.
Deleting cookies will, however, help to reduce temptation by eliminating those ads linked to your search history that follow you around the Internet.
In addition to encouraging the over 65s to seek out the best value on flights, the AA also encourages this age group to be savvy shoppers when it comes to their travel insurance. 
“The pool of policies available to you can start to narrow when you reach this age or a little older. Having said that, you can still get some excellent cover,” added Conor. “With flights we know that it’s all about the lowest fares, however we would encourage holidaymakers to think differently about their travel insurance policies. Look at the benefits that are most important to you and compare and contrast. For the sake of a few euro you can get a far superior product.”
