Bundling in Advance Sales: Theory and Evidence from Round‐Trip versus Two One‐Way Tickets

A-Tier
Journal: Journal of Industrial Economics
Year: 2024
Volume: 72
Issue: 4
Pages: 1369-1396

Score contribution per author:

1.341 = (α=2.01 / 3 authors) × 2.0x A-tier

α: calibrated so average coauthorship-adjusted count equals average raw count

Abstract

We theoretically derive an optimal price for a bundle of two goods that are sold in advance to risk‐averse buyers. The theory predicts that a round‐trip ticket is less expensive than two one‐way tickets when demands for the outbound and the inbound are uncertain and positively correlated. Using a unique airlines dataset, we find evidence that is consistent with the theory; round‐trip bundle discounts exist and they are larger for passengers who buy early in advance, stay on a Saturday night, and have higher valuations. We also find that the bundle discounts decrease with competition.

Technical Details

RePEc Handle
repec:bla:jindec:v:72:y:2024:i:4:p:1369-1396
Journal Field
Industrial Organization
Author Count
3
Added to Database
2026-01-25