Priceline v. Hotwire: Which is better?
 

I am thinking of using one of these services to get tickets for Christmas travel. Has anyone had any experience with both? Are there any substantial difference in the quality of the service they provide? <BR> <BR>Thanks!

Have used noth and had good experience - both are reputable. The big difference is that Hotwire gives you the price before you commit to buying. Priceline require that you make a binding bid. If it gets accepted you'll never know if you could have gotten it much cheaper. Some people suggest using the lowest Hotwire price as a reference for your priceline bidding - start by bidding 30% below it and then move up if necessary. I've only used these services on a few occasions as my vacation time is limited and I prefer know before buying, what time of day the flights are running. I also use www.orbitz.com as a price reference. It's run by a consortium of four or five airlines and the prices are sometimes lower than hotwire.

I have used Hotwire twice now, once for a rental car and once for a hotel. I have tried to use Priceline before and never had my bids accepted so I got frustrated and moved on. I prefer the style of Hotwire, where they show you the price, but I don't know about purchasing airline tickets. If you go to purchase the tickets just be prepared to fly anytime but I have found the prices on Hotwire to be excellent....you might go to www.biddingfortravel.com and read up, some people get some excellent deals on Priceline according to that site.

I used hotwire and liked it. I thought the hotels were definitely great deals, but do some comparison shopping for car rentals. I was quoted an astronomical price (in my opinion) for a three day car rental on hotwire, then logged on to alamo.com and got the same type of car for $20 less per day.

I am a big fan of Priceline - I've used them for hotels quite a few times. There is a website I use to help with bids, and they also have a section on Hotwire. The administrator there does not seem to have a good opinion of Hotwire. Here is the link: <BR>http://pub4.ezboard.com/bpricelineandexpediabidding <BR>Scroll all the way down, and you will read some interesting facts about Hotwire and Priceline. <BR>Hope this helps! <BR>

I've used Priceline twice. On both occassions, it was for travel on short notice (only 1 week ahead). <BR> <BR>First time was this past Xmas and second time, 4th July --- both trips were of short duration, visiting family. <BR>As others have said, you need to do your research in order to get sense of available airfare prices via the airlines or other vendors (Travelocity or Orbitz, for instance). <BR> <BR>I flew from Dallas/Fort Worth to Boston --- paid $187 (including tax, etc.) and other time, paid $171. <BR> <BR>ALSO, if you're not a member of 'Smarter Living' then definitely sign up to get their newsletter. In addition to providing good travel advice of current sales, they often tack on extra dollars to anyone using Priceline (access Priceline website thru Smarter Living). Right now, they're offering to "up your bid" by $35 --- for example, you submit your bid to Priceline of $160 (bid amt does NOT include taxes); then 'extra $35' is added to that --- means that a total amt of $195 is submitted to airlines for the travel itinerary you are seeking. <BR> <BR>I've been fortunate in that on both of my trips, the flights were direct, non-stop flights. One was on American & second one, on Delta. When you place a bid, you do so with agreement that you may get at least one stop in your itinerary.

Thanks, everyone!