Flight Prices Exposed: Why Clearing Cookies and Cache Can Save You Money

Ever searched for a flight, returned a few hours later, and seen the price mysteriously go up? It’s not your imagination. Many booking sites track your activity through cookies and cache, and they may raise prices based on repeated searches.

🍪 What Are Cookies and Cache?

• Cookies: Small files that store your activity on a website (e.g., previous searches, location, currency).
• Cache: Temporary storage that helps pages load faster—but may hold old pricing data or alerts the site of your return visit.

💸 How They Affect Flight Prices

When booking engines detect interest in a route, they may show higher prices to push urgency. This tactic is known as dynamic pricing.

Example: You search for a Sydney–Tokyo flight 3 times today. On the fourth try, the price jumps by $40. Coincidence? Not likely.

🧼 How to Clear Cookies & Cache

• Chrome: Go to Settings → Privacy → Clear browsing data → Select “Cookies” and “Cached images/files”
• Firefox: Menu → Settings → Privacy & Security → Clear Data
• Safari (Mac): Preferences → Privacy → Manage Website Data → Remove All

🧭 Alternative: Use Incognito Mode

Incognito or private browsing disables cookies and search history. It's a great way to check fresh pricing without manipulation.

🌍 Bonus: Use VPN + Incognito for Best Results

Combine VPN with private browsing to simulate first-time, international users. This often unlocks lower geo-targeted fares.

✅ Summary Tips

• Always start your flight search in incognito/private mode
• Clear cookies regularly, especially before big bookings
• Test with and without VPN to see pricing changes

✈️ Final Thoughts

Online booking isn’t just about dates and destinations—it’s about behavior. Knowing how to reset your digital footprint before a search can give you access to the best flight deals in 2025. Start clean, book smart, and fly cheap!

👉 Try it today with Skyscanner or Google Flights.

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