Live flight fares: quoted time, expiry, and refresh state
A flight price is trustworthy only when its source and time context are clear. Live inventory still changes, so fare-bearing results need a quoted time, expiry when supplied, and an explicit refresh state.
Last updated: July 22, 2026
Quoted time answers when the price was observed
The quoted time records when the provider returned the offer. It lets you distinguish a recent search from a saved planning record and helps explain why a later total may differ.
A timestamp alone does not promise that the offer remains available. It is evidence about the observation, not a reservation.
Expiry marks the provider's usable window
When the provider supplies an expiry, show it with the result. An expired offer should not continue into payment as though it were current.
Some changes happen before a stated expiry because inventory moves. A final provider check is still required at the transaction boundary.
Refresh state should be explicit
A result can be current, approaching expiry, expired, or unavailable. Those states should be labels with clear behavior, not hidden implementation details.
- Current: recently returned and still inside its known validity window
- Refresh required: too old or too close to expiry for a safe transaction
- Changed: refreshed price or itinerary differs from the selected state
- Unavailable: the provider no longer returns the selected offer
Keep the last decision with the traveler
When a refresh changes the fare, show the new total and require a new confirmation. Passenger information, disclosures, and payment should remain on the hosted checkout surface.
This boundary prevents an AI client, old browser state, or cached page from silently turning stale planning data into a purchase.
Common questions
What does quotedAt mean on a flight result?
It is the time the provider returned that fare. It describes the observation and does not reserve the inventory.
Can a fare change before its expiry?
Yes. Inventory can move, so the selected offer still needs a provider refresh before payment.
What happens when a refreshed fare changes?
The updated total or availability state should be shown, and the traveler must decide again before continuing.