A majority of Americans search for fares online. But in the process, they may be telling the travel provider how interested they are in a particular destination — and then — in many cases — when they go back online for the same flight on the same day to buy the ticket — even an hour later — the price has gone up.

This isn’t just about supply and demand.

It’s about computers identifying you as an interested buyer. And the ticket is then priced accordingly.

There may be a way to protect the original online price you were quoted.

If you still want to research fares online, go ahead. But before you go back online, either clean out your cookies or borrow someone else’s computer.