I’m seeing a consistent drop in lower leisure buckets in Sabre vs direct channels; on BOS–MCO Tuesdays in February, K/M availability was roughly 20% scarcer and upsells triggered sooner… If this holds, it points to pricier spring break quotes — are you offsetting with NDC plug-ins or consolidator fares, and how is it moving your close rate?
Same BOS–MCO Tuesdays; when ‘K/M 20% scarcer’ I auto-route to NDC via Duffel (https://duffel.com/). Close rate steady?
Before I jump to NDC, I re-shop split parties in Sabre (e.g., 1+2) on BOS–MCO — the single often pulls K/M back, then I issue linked PNRs and seat them together; keeps the quote down, but watch for rule/fee mismatches on changes. @rWallace88, are you seeing the same party-size throttle?
, seeing the same February Tuesdays — when “K/M 20% scarcer” in Sabre, I pre-block small group space (10+) with DL/AA and then spin off names into individual PNRs to hold a friendlier net; it’s kept spring-break quotes sane and close rate steady. Caveat: watch the name/deposit timelines and attrition terms — DL’s are here: 404 - Page Not Found. Anyone else leaning on mini-groups instead of jumping straight to NDC or consolidators?
Quick example: on those February Tuesdays in Sabre, I schedule an auto re‑shop around 01:30 ET — carriers often republish and lower leisure buckets reopen for 1–2 seats, which curbs the “upsells triggered sooner” effect. If it doesn’t, I’m cautious jumping straight to NDC because some contracts won’t allow post‑ticket EMD moves on bags.
I quote RT with a dummy return to unlock lower buckets, then change. @Owen thoughts?