Advice please - using Priceline to get airline tickets

[SpaceAce]

I am planning a trip for 4 (2 adults, 2 kids) to Orlando during spring break 2008- the week after Easter, or maybe even arriving a day or 2 before easter - and am looking for the best way to get cheap airfare...

If I were to use priceline, would I only get deals when we get much closer to the date (I mean using their name-the-price feature), or does that work well in advance? (I am almost a year away now, and couldn't buy the tickets if I wanted to right now because airlines don't sell tickets for another couple weeks for my timeframe.)

Because I have a lot of time, should I start naming a really low price and just increase it every week, trying a new one?

During this holiday time, will priceline not have much available?

Thanks to all!

 

[CarolA]

A few things to consider

1. You don't get to pick the flight time so it's not uncommon to get a flight that won't get you to Orlando until LATE on your first day or have to leave EARLY on your return.

2. Over on www.flyertalk.com I have read reports that on some airlines (I don't recall which one) you cannot get preassigned seats with PL tickets. Since you have kids I wanted to mention it.

3. Make very sure you know what the absolute LOWEST price the airlines sell the tickets for so you don't bid more then you would have spent just buying direct.

4. You are correct, if the airline thinks they can sell the ticket they aren't going to release it to PL, holiday periods are slim pickings (resulting in the horrid flight times or connections)

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

I don't know if Southwest Airlines is at your airport but they have some great deals. We just had a ding tonight for Philly to MCO for $39 each way pp. Yes, they don't have assigned seats but we just check in early (at the 24 hr point) at I've never been separated from my kids.

I would love to try Priceline but I can't stand having connections and who knows if you'll even have only 1? what if it's 2? You may spend an entire day in airplanes and airports (missed connections) just to save a few bucks.
Also would it bother you to have to fly home at 6 am?

IMHO, I'd rather pay more for a non-stop flight with times that are just right for us.
Good luck whichever you choose. If you go with PL, let us know how it goes. I'm curious what flights they offer.

 

[ExPirateShopGirl]

For the sake of sanity and control, please buy your airline tickets directly from the airline. If something happens and you are unable to fly, you would lose everything by buying them through priceline.

If you buy them directly, you will not get a refund, but you'll have the funds to use as credit in the future. Not only that, but you'll be able to fiddle with seat assignments, etc., online. No can do with priceline.

Use sidestep.com or kayak.com to keep on top of the lowest published fares for your travel dates. After a couple of months you'll see a fare pattern develop and you can get a good idea of what a bargain is (and isn't.)