Air - Priceline?

[kutchyone]

Any tips and examples would be appreciated from all who have named their own price for air on Priceline. Since our plans are flexible for June I was thinking about giving it a shot. We would be flying out of Cleveland or Akron Ohio anytime after June 02, 2005. I'm not ashamed to admit that I am already planning because I know that most of you will understand. Any and all help would be appreciated.

 

[Lucky4me]

I'm not sure about Ohio, but in upstate NY Priceline airfares don't beat the low cost carriers like Airtran, Southwest, etc.
I've primarily used Priceline for last minute reservations.

If I were you I'd sign up for fare watchers through Travelocity and Hotwire. Check them every day. When you get a price you like, take it. Some of the carriers like JetBlue and Southwest don't participate, so if they are a possibility check them separately.

Good luck!

 

[AMaloy314]

I agree with Lucky4Me. Priceline is good for last minute trips, but if you have this much time to plan, they aren't the best way to go.

I checked Bestfares.com twice a day to find out who had the best sales. I'd check in the morning and the evening because it seemed that different airlines updated their prices at different times. Then I would go to the airline web sites or Travelocity (or other) to book. I liked Bestfares because they showed other airports also.

Also, keep an eye on the transportation board. Often, people will post if they see a really great airfare sale going on.

The worst part about starting to look for airfare this far in advance is that most airlines have not released their schedules for June yet.

Try to set an acceptable price for yourself. I was shooting for $100 rt from Dayton to MCO. I ended up booking at $105 from Columbus to MCO and was very happy with that.

Be patient and keep checking. It will save you in the long run!

 

[bearzabout]

The other danger of using Priceline is that you will likely have to connect. This is an incredible annoyance if you usually fly non-stop.

You could also be stuck on a flight that leaves earlier in the morning than you like or on one that arrives near midnight. I don't think it is worth the risk.

 

[KLAIT]

I am on the other side of coin here. We are in a small town and are only serviced with connecting flights...and 3 air carriers of which 2 participate with Priceline.

I have used this service 2 times in the past 2 years traveling with kids....we have had very positive results.

A connecting flight is a must for us anyway and we are certainly not serviced by any "cheap" carriers..

I have found that both times our price was accepted, we received the flight that was listed first on the carriers own website..always a very early flight to Orlando and a noonish flight home.

Both times I Pricelined, I started very early (like 10 months out and have found that if I have stuck to my guns about not bidding more than my original plan) I have been successful with my original price and saved over $100 per ticket.

Also, if you are flexible in your plans, you would be surprised how much of a difference a day can make on the price accepted.

 

[Lucky4me]

Sounds like you got it covered.

Before the low cost airlines came here I got a few breaks on PL air, but my biggest problem was flight times. One year we didn't get in to MCO until after midnight. It wasn't much fun with a three year old. If it was my only low priced option, I'd still use them anyway.

Good luck!

 

[drumflower]

So do you think if tickets are going around 300 bucks round trip about 100s day before we leave, should we bid maybe 200 round trip? Did anyone ever get a great deal like that one?

 

[KLAIT]

Tickets are usually around $350-$400 from here...and I have been successfull at between $250 and $265....as a bid.

You have options on bidding. If you are flexible on your dates, maybe luck will be on your side!

 

[Lucky4me]

Originally posted by drumflower
So do you think if tickets are going around 300 bucks round trip about 100s day before we leave, should we bid maybe 200 round trip? Did anyone ever get a great deal like that one?

The only problem with waiting until the day before you would like to leave is you're taking a big chance they may not have any inventory left.

If you are totally flexible, then yes it's possible. I have done it many times and paid a little over half of what the regular posted fare was.

 

[Buttercup26]

The organization I work for uses Priceline frequently and in my experience you almost always get very early morning or late night flights and often longer layovers. You can lose a day off each end of your trip with bad travel times. If you are okay with that, then I'd go for Priceline.