You bring up a good point. Rarely do I have to change or cancel plans, but it can happen. It only take a couple nights for a prepaid, non-refundable hotel room, or one prepaid, non-refundable car rental to make up for a whole lot of previous savings using the "discounters".

Losing 6 nights of prepaid hotel reservations via Priceline, means that at least the past 12 or more you did with Priceline have just cancelled out any value you had earned. I have to be VERY, VERY sure that there's not a snowball's chance in Hell that I'd have to change or cancel when I make a non-refundable purchase -- which is exactly why I rarely do that.

Of course, airline tickets are another matter, as there really isn't a lot of choice. Paying for refundable tickets may cost as much extra as you'd lose if you'd have to change them.

NeoPatrick,

Skybus headquarters are in Columbus, OH, and yes, they do fly to Punta Gorda. The actual destination is the Charlotte County Airpot. They also fly into the St. Augustine airport.

I flew out of Boston, according to the Skybus website, although it's actually Portsmouth, NH, about an hour away. When we landed back in Portsmouth, there was a bus waiting to take passengers to Boston.

When I booked with Priceline for my hotel and car rental, it was my first time. I was thrilled to get a Hyatt Regency for $52/night. I'll probably keep using them, but next time, I'll make 100% sure my plans are set in stone.