Priceline

[XOMichelle]

Hello GC,

Has anyone ever "bid" on tickets at priceline.com? I'm thinking about using the "name your price" option for a trip in July, and I wanted to know if anyone else had done that, and how it went. Did you have any problems? Were your flights reasonable? How much less was your ticket? I'd appreciate your feedback!!!

-Michelle

[AOII*Azra-elle]

I tried once, but I didn't want to give them my card number unless I had gotten a good deal. I've heard good things about them, but I've heard that other companies are better. (Orbitz, hotwire, etc)

[GammaButterfly]

I tried Priceline before, but didn't care for all the extra fees that went along with using the "name your own price" option.

I do like www.cheaptickets.com though. I have gotten some great deals on it.

[ZTAngel]

How much are the extra fees? I was thinking about using Priceline to buy a plane ticket. I've also heard that you could end up with really weird flight times. I've bought my tickets either directly from the airlines or through Expedia so I'm wondering if it's worth it to go through Priceline.

[_Lisa_]

I used it before & ended up flying in & out on Sundays @ like 4 AM. I wouldn't suggest it if I were you. If you are buying enough in advance you'll probably pay what the flight is worth by buying your tickets through the airlines.

I've bought all but one of my sets of plane tickets through priceline. As far as you're a little flexible on what time you fly out (the one time I went through the airline, I had to leave at very certain times), they're great. I've generally paid 40-60% of the "retail" fare. There are some fees, but I don't think they're exorbitant... I seem to recall it being in the neighbourhood of $30 with 9/11 fees and such.

Edited to note: Everytime I flew I went out between 10am - 5pm... I think you will always fly out between 8am - 10pm unless you check a box saying you're willing to take a red-eye (and likely get a cheaper price)

[XOMichelle]

It says your flight will be between certian times during the day. The fees are 20.00, but that may not include tax. The cheapest flight price I can find from an ariline would be about $60-$80 more than what I would ask to pay on priceline. I'm still debating.

[tri-deltgurl]

I've used priceline before and never had luck with the times. Even being flexible, the times are horrible usually..and i get less time at the place i want to go to. Same with hotwire too. I would suggest going through a general carrier that you can pick the actual times so you don't get screwed over..

I used Priceline once and I wasn't happy about leaving Honolulu at 5:30 in the morning, especially when I know there are lots of flights leaving for the mainland in the late afternoon. Heck, a red-eye would have been better! I guess I shouldn't really complain because the price they gave me was significantly cheaper than other places. But that was before Hotwire came out.

I've used Hotwire since then, and though you don't know the carrier and times before you purchase, I wasn't really too worried because they tend to use major carriers anyway (but then again I'm in Hawaii where most smaller carriers don't fly here).

Basically if you're flexible and don't care what time you leave or arrive, then both are okay.

[lovespink88]

Bump!

Anyone have experience with name your own price on priceline.com? I know that if they accept your bid, you're charged for the ticket, no matter what times they give you...but I'm looking for a super last minute flight (this weekend) and everything else is too expensive.