Anyone Use Priceline?

“I'm trying to get plane tickets to Denver around Thanksgiving. The best prices I've found so far are $260 round-trip. I think that is ridiculous and can't afford it. What do you guys think of Priceline? Do you think I can get something better?

I can drive to Denver for much cheaper, but I don't want to do it, by myself, at that time of the yr., in my old car w/ my precious 2 yr. old. I drove to WA, by myself in the summer when she was 7 months old, and that was pretty hard. I doubt she'll sleep as much this time.”

“Anyone? I love this board.”

“I haven't....but if William Shatner is their pitchman, it must be good!

<rolls eyes>

Seriously, I have never used it. From what I've heard, it just hooks you up with someone who's willing to sell what you want at the price you specify. But I could be wrong.”

“I've heard that you can't pick the time during the day you want to fly in and out, and that you pay for the nonrefundable ticket before you find out what the times are. I don't know if that has changed, but that was the case with priceline.com a few years ago.

Newgirl, have you looked at cheaptickets.com? I've found deals there that were much cheaper than other sites like Yahoo Travel.”

“Artex, what you heard is exactly right. That's why I asked. I didn't want to commit to buying the tickets before I knew times and everything. I did try cheap tickets, but maybe I'll look again.”

“I did it a couple of times but you really can't pick the times, plus if you get the bid you are paying for it and there's not return... i've tried that one.”

“you can get on an email list with delta. they'll send you the cheap flights. worth a shot. i don'tknow how to get on teh list but my friend's dad gets insane cheap tickets all over the place off it.”

“I used Priceline last year when I flew up for the New Hampshire trip. Saved almost $100. Ticket only cost about $150 after that.”

“Thanks for the tips you guys. I'll keep checking it out.”

“Newgirl You might try ”

“Lets try this again:

Bestfares

Bestfares.com”

“I use sidestep.com mostly for hotel rooms but they do airfares too.”

“when I have traveled.

Problem is that you're wanting to travel during the "holiday season" (Thanksgiving to New Years.) Most carriers have "blackout dates" during that time. Read, supply & demand, or airlines figure that "people are willing to pay more to be with family during the holidays!"”

“We used Priceline once to get tickets on short notice and saved several hundred dollars, but we couldn't pick the time, just the days.

We use Travelocity.com more than any of the other sites metioned.”

“THANKS! I didn't even know about a couple of sites you guys mentioned. Let the search begin. I will find the lowest fare possible!!!”

“cheaptickets.com has always been my best bet.

I flew with my kids to Ft Lauderdale in June for $170 each,,tax, title and transfer fees included.”

“also, Southwest always has specials listed on their site. you can fly places for like $50 or something ridiculous. there was an Onion article entitled "Man Has Mixed Feelings About Flying for the Price of a McDonalds Meal" (or what the heck ever) about them, LOL! but i would totally use it. you just have to check and see if Denver and MT connect during the time you're looking for...”

“I like priceline a lot. But you have to be flexible with your times... They are real good for hotel rates as well, usually get about half the price.”

“Southwest is the greatest airline around. Too bad they aren't available in all cities. They always run specials they can't even compare to other airline prices. Last summer I flew to Tampa to visit OPIE for $60 roundtrip direct flight. I just continuously searched their site for specials, because they are always running some kind of deal. Its also a very friendly laid back airline.”

“I tried Priceline but it didn't work for me. You only get one "bid" then you have to change your time/date. When I asked why, they said it would not be good for the airline to truly auction the flights off.

I know there is a price for each seat at which they will let it go empty rather than lower the fare. Why don't they just set it and skip all the bs?

I use SW a lot, I hate the boarding policy, but it is cheap, and I like that they fly only one model airplane-they are all trained on the same model. If you can get the exit seats, its spacious. And if you want some drink tickets, let me know.”

“I like SW too, but you have to be careful with your flight times, especially if you're travelling with Newergirl. I got a round trip ticket from Detroit to Sacramento once for $100, but I had so many stops, it took me 12 hours to get there.”

“You can get around the one time deal with priceline by just changing a couple of options, or like adding an airport or something. You can also try 24 hours later. Besides... if they just put on the lowest price that they were willing to sell it to you for you would never pay more than that... and of course they hope that you will pay more. It of course has restraints... but if your flexible in terms of time/airports ect... it really does work.”

“Jet blue is also good... if you happen to be one of their cities. Great from Long Beach to DC, cheaper than Southwest and nicer seats.”

“You can also look at orbitz.com.”

“Check directly with the airlines. I get the best deal that way or try www.orbitz.com”

“I've found some better deals on some of the airline websites.

Only complaint I have with Southwest, is the cramped space. Hard on the knees sitting in a semi-fetal position!”

“Check hot wire they advertise that they have low air fares”

“$224 @ Bestfares
$275 @ Expedia
$275 @ Cheaptickets
$275 @ Orbitz
$281 @ Travelocity

Another question, doesn't a 2 yr. old fly for free? Some of the sites are charging.”

“I have heard that if your child takes up a seat they will charge you, but if you hold her in your lap they don't. I don't know how true that is though.”

“did you check directly with airlines websites yet?”

“No, I'm checking that now.”

“It's not any cheaper to go w/ the airline sites.”

“how did hot wire compare to the others”

“The only way an infant flies for free is she/he sits on someone's lap.”

“Hotwire was $221, that's the best offer, but I don't get to know the airline or flight times until after I purchase the ticket”

“"Hotwire was $221, that's the best offer, but I don't get to know the airline or flight times until after I purchase the ticket"
newgirl
02:02:37 PM
09/26/02

That sucks, I can see it now, we have a flight for you at 2:36 AM on Wednesday morning, you will be flying via A Wing and A Prayer Airline where our stewardess are angels”

“LOL @ Ewker! Exactly! Not sure it's worth the risk.”

“don't they assure you certain hours and a major carrier? priceline does at least....”

“Nope! They're even riskier than Priceline. No carrier or schedule until you pay up.”