Priceline or Hotwire for airfare??? Insurance?? HELP

[Dunkeress]

Not sure if I'm asking this in the correct place but I need help!

We've decided to fly instead of drive and I'm so excited... it will be our daughters first time ever flying. Usually we take on the 24 hr. drive with the girls.

So I've started searching for the best possible prices on tickets. It seems like using Hotwire or Priceline would save us money. BUT since I haven't ever used these places I'm scared there is a hidden fee or something may go wrong. I want to use the name your own price with priceline but am not sure if that is a good idea either?

What if our flights get delayed or we miss our connecting flight due to our first flight coming in late??

Travel insurance is expensive... is it worth it?

I think I may be panicking a little.... I don't want to do something wrong and get all of us stuck in an airport because I have no clue what I'm doing

 

[JennSaint]

When are you going? Personally I try not to use priceline for airfare. No guarantee's on the type of flights you can end up with.
What are your dates? Where are you flying from?
I use kayak.com as a research site then usually book directly with the airline.

 

[jreed1920]

I agree, use kayak.com or sidestep.com and do your flight search on a Tuesday. Weekend prices are generally highest with discount fares coming out on Tuesday morning.

 

[robinb]

I would never use Priceline or Hotwire for airfare because you cannot choose your flight times. With my luck, I would get the last flight into MCO and the first flight out. Use Kayak or something similar to find the best airfare at times that you are comfortable with.