Priceline for airfare?

[JasonDVC]

Has anyone ever used Priceline's "Name your own price" for airfare? What your experience?

 

[msmayor]

Never have...and never will after hearing of a neighbor's experience.

When you "name your own price", you have no control over the flights you are given. They could be early or late or have multiple stops. They are, most likely, the 'harder' flights to fill.

Problem is you won't know what the flight schedule is until you've already forked over your non-refundable fare.

 

[goofy4tink]

Nope....I try to go through the airline's official site. That way if something goes wrong, I can get it fixed. If you book through a third party, it can be a real nightmare getting flights changed or moved.

 

[JasonDVC]

The problem is that my wife's employer just changed their April vacation week to the week of public school vacations. This is after we had already planned and booked our vacation for the week prior. Now, while we can still get the rooms and dining ADR's we had, flights are scarce and expensive for the new week! I was considering just putting in a low price on priceline and take what they give us. But that is really a last resort.

So you say NO to pricline?

 

[DonnaL]

Don't know what airport you fly from, but, try putting in other airports that are a reasonable drive for you........say within two hours rather than going the Priceline route. I know we live within 5 minutes of a small regional airport (AVP) but, have Lehigh Valley (ABE) an hour away and Philadelphia, Newark, and Harrisbug are two hours. I try all of them when booking airfare to MCO because we can't get a nonstop flight from our airport, but, can from the others.......so, I figure if it's going to take us four to six hours to get there on connecting flights ........might as well try for a nonstop at a cheaper price from a different airport and drive a bit to the airport.

 

[JasonDVC]

Don't know what airport you fly from, but, try putting in other airports that are a reasonable drive for you........say within two hours rather than going the Priceline route. I know we live within 5 minutes of a small regional airport (AVP) but, have Lehigh Valley (ABE) an hour away and Philadelphia, Newark, and Harrisbug are two hours. I try all of them when booking airfare to MCO because we can't get a nonstop flight from our airport, but, can from the others.......so, I figure if it's going to take us four to six hours to get there on connecting flights ........might as well try for a nonstop at a cheaper price from a different airport and drive a bit to the airport.

Oh Donna...the hours I have logged online in the last 2 days searching for airfare.

We normally fly out of Providence or Boston. I checked Manchester, NH; Hartford, CT; Albany, NY; LaGuardia, NY; Islip Long Island, NY...the nest fare was Islip but it is over a 3 hour drive there.

This is why I am considering Priceline. Help!

 

[prncess674]

The problem is that my wife's employer just changed their April vacation week to the week of public school vacations. This is after we had already planned and booked our vacation for the week prior. Now, while we can still get the rooms and dining ADR's we had, flights are scarce and expensive for the new week! I was considering just putting in a low price on priceline and take what they give us. But that is really a last resort.

So you say NO to pricline?

I find that seats aren't released to PL this early on popular leisure routes that will likely sell out. Be sure to do your research on what the airlines are currently charging for connecting and nonstop and make sure your "name your own" price is below that. If the flights are already sky high I would doubt that you will get much of a deal on PL.

Remember you have no control over times/connection points/airlines and seat availability. You could potentially lose out on two days of vacation also. Your departure may not get you to WDW till midnight and your return could be scheduled for 6am on your selected departure day.

Also remember if you are traveling with kids you may not get seats together since you can see seat maps till AFTER you book.