Is Priceline.com a USELESS?
Apr 12th, 2002, 07:17 AM
#21
Guest
Posts: n/a
So funny lisa I won't use priceline on hotels because well why would you? The hotel is everything if you are going to a place like Hawaii. Airfares is something that I am comfortable bargaining for.
2000 I bid and got a round trip fare (Continental) from Philadelphia to Honolulu for $484 (1 stop over). I am sorry but it is one of my best fares EVER. This was high season August. The trick with priceline is to bid during a regular sale time, also do not agree to concessions they force you into when bid is rejected just go to another bid service, return in a week. Also know the routes. If you know all planes out of Newark for some destination go direct than make that your departure airport. I also would never use expedia and travelocity as a measure of what the sales are. Orbitz is the best guide at the moment. But if you watch flight cost trends you will see that this will even change.
Also in 2000 sister won a bid for $500 a ticket to Israel. That was a direct flight also on Continental from Newark. She took her entire family, something that would have been out of the question with regular rates that exceed $1000 .
2000 I bid and got a round trip fare (Continental) from Philadelphia to Honolulu for $484 (1 stop over). I am sorry but it is one of my best fares EVER. This was high season August. The trick with priceline is to bid during a regular sale time, also do not agree to concessions they force you into when bid is rejected just go to another bid service, return in a week. Also know the routes. If you know all planes out of Newark for some destination go direct than make that your departure airport. I also would never use expedia and travelocity as a measure of what the sales are. Orbitz is the best guide at the moment. But if you watch flight cost trends you will see that this will even change.
Also in 2000 sister won a bid for $500 a ticket to Israel. That was a direct flight also on Continental from Newark. She took her entire family, something that would have been out of the question with regular rates that exceed $1000 .
Apr 12th, 2002, 07:47 AM
#22
Guest
Posts: n/a
Those of you that bid for tickets for funerals you should know that most airlines honor bereavement fares when family members pass or are near passing. I forget what he had to do to get this fare. He flew from Hawaii to Newark when his mother was about to pass and received 70% off counter fares. He flew 4 hours after he got the call.
Babs shouldn't you know this?
Babs shouldn't you know this?
Apr 12th, 2002, 07:57 AM
#23
Guest
Posts: n/a
See some stuff was deleted I was talking about my friend traveling home when his mother way dying. Was not sure what type of certificates or Doctors notes that were needed to get this fare. Friend's sister found out about this when their father died and she needed to fly home.
Apr 12th, 2002, 08:09 AM
#24
Guest
Posts: n/a
I agree that sometimes it is difficult to be successful on Priceline.com, however, if you keep trying you often can get a good deal. Of course it all depends on when you are traveling and where. I was in Philadelphia about 2 years ago and was able to get a $50 per night room rate at the Crowne Plaza downtown at 18th and Market for a Saturday night. I agree with the fact that not knowing which airline you will be on is a major disadvantage for those of us who belong to a frequent flier program. If price is your main objective, Priceline.com is worth a try.
Apr 12th, 2002, 08:39 AM
#25
Guest
Posts: n/a
I LOVE priceline.com!!! I have only used it for airline tickets. I spend alot of time bidding but it has pays off. The last two fares were Den-Milwaukee for Thanksgiving $78.00 round trip and Den-L.A. last May for $100 RT!!!! Both these fares retailed way over $300!!!
It does help if you have more than one airport to "play" with (for instance, I checked departures out of Colorado Springs as well as Denver)
You DO have to be flexible tho. Both my flights were EXCELLENT times. No Red-eyes. Guess you just have to work hard at it to make it work & be flexible!
It does help if you have more than one airport to "play" with (for instance, I checked departures out of Colorado Springs as well as Denver)
You DO have to be flexible tho. Both my flights were EXCELLENT times. No Red-eyes. Guess you just have to work hard at it to make it work & be flexible!
Apr 12th, 2002, 03:16 PM
#27
Guest
Posts: n/a
Yes, of course I know that airlines have "emergancy" fares. Generally they are 70% of the "Y" fare which is the highest coach fare. Just checked my computer - leaving April 13 LAX to NYC on American, the Y fare is $2443.00. 70% off that is still $732.90. I advise, if my clients are flexible with flight times, that they may be able to get a much lower fare on priceline. Maybe $200-$400 dollars. Only thing is that once they buy the ticket - that's it - no changes.
Apr 12th, 2002, 08:34 PM
#29
Guest
Posts: n/a
Just submitted a successful bid for the Monterey, CA area for next week. Am staying at the three-star Hyatt Regency Monterey for $50 +tax +PL's $5.95 processing fee. Total is $60.55. Least expensive room on the hotel's website is a $99 senior citizen special. The Marriott, also a three-star in the same area, is $159 for a city view. I'm a happy camper. See my 4/11 post above.
