Seattle based Yapta have launched their public beta service that tracks price changes on specific flights. Users download a browser plug-in and then tag flights on major travel sites of which ten are currently supported.

The main difference from existing sites like Farecast and Kayak is that it helps users get a refund for flights where the price has dropped after you have bought the ticket. Yapta will inform you of a price drop and advise you to get in touch with the airline for a coupon or refund, something that few consumers do.

As Erick Schonfeld points out, the idea of a service that keeps a tab on prices for you could be applied to other areas of travel such as hotels, holidays and rental cars.

Not to be deterred, the team behind Yapta have pressed on with the launch even with the unexpected news that their headquarters went up in flames on Monday morning.