Priceline vs. Travel Agent
 

We are planning a trip to Maui in June of 2000. Friends have told us that a good way to get airline tickets is to head for the Priceline.com site. When I checked out the site, it looked as though I have to submit a price I am willing to pay for my tickets and then wait to see if my bid is accepted. Trouble is--I don't know what would be considered a fair and reasonable price for the trip! We are departing from Atlanta and going to Maui. Anyone out there used this before and might be able to give me some guidelines??? <BR> <BR>Also, is it worth the trouble to go through this type of service or to just use a Travel Agent to book our reservations? <BR> <BR>Thanks for your help!

Wondering: <BR>My very biased opinion: you'll probably have a tough time getting a ticket to Hawaii thru priceline unless you're A) willing to bid relatively close to current fares, or B) willing to wait until last minute and risk not getting a bite. Priceline is an intermediary. They match up empty seats which the airlines project they'll have a tough time filling with bidders willing to pay a 'reasonable' price for those seats. What is reasonable varies widely by route, carrier, day of the week, season, etc. Unfortunately, fares to Hawaii have stayed relatively high for quite some time now from points east of the Rocky Mountains. I keep up with fare specials to destinations worldwide via several internet services, but seldom see Hawaii specials...though there were a couple earlier this summer (still not cheap, though). Booking your flight now will practically ensure that you won't get a good fare. It's far too soon. <BR>As for the Agent question....at the risk of irritating any professionals out there, I must say that I've NEVER found a travel agent who can get a better deal on an airfare than I can by putting in some time poking around the internet, keeping my ear to the ground, and making some phone calls myself. Can they occasionally get free upgrades I can't get? Absolutely. But I've never been to a travel agent who was willing (who had the TIME...they're busy, I know)to do the legwork I'm willing to do to get the best deal. There is such an amazing wealth of resources available on the web, that the motivated traveller hardly needs an agent these days in my book. For those who don't enjoy the research, agents are a huge time and stress saver. For novices, they may prevent some costly mistakes. They're often a great source for ideas, etc. <BR>Have you learned how to use Travelocity and Expedia yet to check basic fares on your own? Check them out as a first step. Keep an eye on Bestfares.com and Economytravel.com, too. Check Travelzoo.com. If you can find fares in the range of $550-600 from Atlanta you're doing pretty well. Good luck and have a great time. Maui's well worth the $$ and travel time IMO.

Thank you so much nj, for your very wise advise. I will begin doing more research on my on to see what I can find. Also, thank you for giving me some idea on a flight price range to Hawaii. I am so excited about going there that I started early trying to make travel plans! <BR> <BR>I appreciate the info on sites. I have looked at Expedia, but not the others. <BR> <BR>Thanks again--people like you make this forum a great place to find travel info! <BR>jh

Thank you so much nj, for your very wise advise. I will begin doing more research on my on to see what I can find. Also, thank you for giving me some idea on a flight price range to Hawaii. I am so excited about going there that I started early trying to make travel plans! <BR> <BR>I appreciate the info on sites. I have looked at Expedia, but not the others. <BR> <BR>Thanks again--people like you make this forum a great place to find travel info! <BR>jh

Sorry about the message repeat--had a computer hangup and didn't expect the first one to get through. jh

Hello! I agree with everything NJ said - I found much better deals through the internet than many travel agents quoted me. We are going to Maui in 3 weeks (can't wait!) and I found my tickets for what I believe is a very reasonable price at Hawaii on Sale (www.vacationweb.com/air/). The tickets are actually from Los Angeles (we live in Oklahoma), but it was cheaper to take a separate airline to LA. But definitely look at all the travel sites - they're wonderful! hope I've helped some!

Thanks Kellie for some more ideas. Do you mind my asking you where ya'll plan to stay in Maui? I have always had the impression that good rates were not to be had for those of us who book our own. <BR> <BR>jh

You may want to call some airlines for their fly/drive packages. I often find that the airline package of air plus car is lower than I can "piece it together" even with discount coupons and/or airline vouchers from being "bumped." Just a thought. Also check in on www.bestfares.com for daily updated travel information

If it's not "worth the trouble" to shop like mad, just use one of those "reputable" travel agents... Be sure to ask the folks next to you on the plane what they paid and how they achieved same. Priceline specifically advises that you shop, then try a bid there. It is surely not likely that you will achieve much for a destination such as Hawaii in high season through Priceline. There are dozens of websites for shopping airline fares - and, the more flexible you can be, the better the fares will be. All in all, the more "trouble" you are willing to endure, the more you'll save.

As far as reasonable places to stay on Maui, I got a Deluxe studio room at Aston Kaanapali Shores. This is a resort with all the conveniences of a hotel, but rooms have kitchenettes, extra bedrooms. Their usual rates start about $140/night, but I got $98/night. I heard that you can use the entertainment book and get $83/night on the deluxe studio. <BR> <BR>Good luck. I leave Saturday!! Can't wait!! <BR> <BR>Aloha

Maureen said: <BR> <BR>"Be sure to ask the folks next to you on the plane what they paid and how they achieved same" <BR> <BR>This reminds me of the Click Rewards commercial with the couple who is on the plane to Hawaii and the man tells the people next to them that they are flying for free. <BR> <BR>I liked those Click Rewards commercials.

JH - <BR> <BR>We are staying in the Kihei area at Kauhale Makai (or Village by the Sea, as it is also called) condos. They are nothing fancy - certainly not like the Hyatt or Four Seasons. They're more like apartments, with a full kitchen. We found them on the web at www.vacationspot.com. Aloha!