You might rarely notice differences in seat prices between ITILITE and an airline's direct website. This guide explains the various reasons behind these discrepancies to help you understand what to expect.
Table of Contents
Understanding Seat Price Differences
Seat prices on ITILITE may differ from those on airline websites for several reasons:
- Different Sources and Rules for Seat Prices: ITILITE fetches seat availability and prices through direct integrations with airlines and travel partners. Airlines, however, may display special member-specific, promotional, or bundle-inclusive seat prices on their own channels that are not always available through these third-party integrations.
- Bundled Fares vs. Standalone Seat Fees: When you book directly with an airline, especially with a bundled fare, seat selection might be included for free or at a discounted rate. On ITILITE, the system typically displays the standalone price for seat selection, which is quoted separately by the seat vendor and added as an add-on to your trip's total.
- Loyalty, Membership, and Channel-Specific Offers: Airlines often provide discounts or free seat selection to elite frequent flyers, co-branded cardholders, or through specific promotional codes. These loyalty-based or direct-channel offers usually do not flow through to the global seat map APIs used by ITILITE, meaning you might see a lower or zero price on the airline's website when logged into your account.
- Dynamic Pricing and Timing Differences: Seat fees can change dynamically based on airline yield management and demand. The price you see on an airline's website at one moment might differ from the price ITILITE fetches from its seat map APIs at a later time.
- Different Seat Types: Even on the same flight, different seat types (e.g., standard, premium, extra legroom, window, aisle, exit row) will have varying prices. ITILITE displays the specific price returned by the vendor for each seat type.
- Currency Conversion and Mapping: Seat prices are converted into your company's billing currency. Occasionally, there can be technical issues with currency conversion or data mapping that might lead to an incorrect display of seat fees. These are treated as bugs and are corrected when reported.
- How ITILITE Handles Seat Prices: Seat fees displayed in your ITILITE price breakdown are direct reflections of what our integrated partners provide. They are added as an add-on to your base fare and taxes, and are stored as part of your trip's price details.
Pro-Tips & Guardrails
NOTE: Always review the seat fee displayed on the ITILITE confirmation page and price breakdown before finalizing your booking. The fees shown there are what will be charged.
PRO-TIP: If you notice a significant discrepancy where the same seat on the same flight is clearly cheaper on the airline’s website than what you’re charged through ITILITE (and it's not due to loyalty programs or bundled fares), please share the details with ITILITE support. Include a screenshot of the airline seat price, your PNR, and the seat number for verification and potential adjustment. You can often find more information by interacting with the Seat Price Information icon next to the seat selection options.
Verification & FAQs
To verify your seat charges, always check the final price breakdown on the ITILITE confirmation page. If you have further questions, please refer to the FAQs below or contact support.
A: ITILITE sources seat prices from airline and partner APIs, which may not reflect member-specific, promotional, or bundled fare prices offered directly by airlines. Dynamic pricing and timing differences can also cause variations.
Q: I'm an airline loyalty member. Will my discounted seat prices show on ITILITE?
A: Loyalty-based discounts or free seat selections often do not flow through to the third-party APIs ITILITE uses. Therefore, you might see the standard public seat price on ITILITE, even if you qualify for a lower price directly with the airline.
Q: What if the airline website shows seat selection included in a bundled fare, but ITILITE charges for it?
A: Airlines may include seat selection in a bundled fare on their own website. ITILITE typically displays the standalone seat price as an add-on, as provided by its integrated partners, which may not reflect the bundled pricing.
Q: What should I do if I believe there's a mistake in the seat pricing on ITILITE?
A: If you notice a significant discrepancy that isn't explained by loyalty programs or bundled fares, please contact support@itilite.com with details. Provide a screenshot of the airline's price, your PNR, and the seat number so we can investigate and, if applicable, adjust the charge.
Q: Can seat prices change after I view them?
A: Yes, seat prices can change dynamically due to airline yield management. The price ITILITE fetches at the time of your selection might differ from what you saw earlier on an airline's website.
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