Has anyone ever used Priceline?

[Jan&Chas]

Have you ever used Priceline and named your own price? How did it work out? Just curious. The website says you can save up to 40%. I know the flight times can really vary so I was wondering if anyone used this and what flight times did they ended up with.

[Babaloo]

Originally Posted by Jan&Chas

Have you ever used Priceline and named your own price? How did it work out? Just curious. The website says you can save up to 40%. I know the flight times can really vary so I was wondering if anyone used this and what flight times did they ended up with.

EDIT: sorry, your question was flight specific


i use it all of the time
For hotels
I've saved much more than 40%
Just last night i booked a 4 star hotel for $50
It was accepted
It's a Hyatt with a minimum internet price of $209

Of course, you don't know which hotel you are pricing
but you have control over a geographic area.
If your price is accepted, then they tell you which hotel.

I won't use it for flights because there is no control over flight times and number of connections.

[JimmyMN]

Like Babaloo, I'm also a huge advocate of Priceline for hotels and rental cars. The savings are absolutely phenominal!!

For hotels, use it in conjunction with biddingfortravel.com, which gives some insight to hotels being offered and prices that have been accepted under certain bidding criteria. When choosing rental cars, I generally use Hotwire as a guide and bid slightly lower than that on Priceline.

For flights, I'd use it only as an act of desperation...

Jimmy

[cuffedlinks]

Rick's spot on with the Hotels and flight scenarios for Priceline....
Unless those parameters they control are of no concern for you.

**EDIT**
Mr Jimmy as well.

[bufante]

I used it for a flight once...I got to the airport and I went to leave and Priceline had changed my ticket without telling me...I wasn't going to leave for a couple of more hours. I eventually called Priceline...they worked it out, got me on the original flight...major pain in the ass. Won't use them again....

[Kellyk]

I used it once a few years ago for a flight to Cancun. Saved about 125 bucks but the flight wasnt the best time and I had a connection in mx city. The 125 wasn't worth the time lost at the beach. I have better luck just checking flights and being flexible with my vacation.

[Doggiemom]

I'd be afraid to use them....I'm too much of a planner.

[StewartG]

Originally Posted by Doggiemom

I'd be afraid to use them....I'm too much of a planner.

You know Linda, some of us actually have to PAY to fly!!!

[Rixx]

Had a death in the family a couple years ago, and had to get across country ASAP. Called the airlines..1735.00 R.T. w/ Delta. Nope, sorry.....

Tried Priceline...put in an offer of 200.00 R.T. Immediately got a pop up that said " Price is too low, please consider raising your price, or continue" What the hell....I hit continue.

10 mins go by, and I get a CONGRATULATIONS e mail stating my offer was accepted. Got the same times, same flights, same airline.... Delta. 1535.00 cheaper.

The one time I tried it, it worked great for me.

Rixx

[Jan&Chas]

I don't think we would ever really use it. I just never knew anyone who did. Sounds like it would be a little scarey unless it was absolutely necessary.

[Babaloo]

Originally Posted by Jan&Chas

I don't think we would ever really use it. I just never knew anyone who did. Sounds like it would be a little scarey unless it was absolutely necessary.

for flights...yes
otherwise, it's a great resource

[luvs2sun]

You can use biddingfortravel.com that gives you information about which hotels are contracted through priceline in a certain star rating. I've used it for hotels with great success! But not sure I would use it for flights.

[itsmysecondtime]

Originally Posted by JimmyMN

Like Babaloo, I'm also a huge advocate of Priceline for hotels and rental cars. The savings are absolutely phenominal!!

For hotels, use it in conjunction with biddingfortravel.com, which gives some insight to hotels being offered and prices that have been accepted under certain bidding criteria. When choosing rental cars, I generally use Hotwire as a guide and bid slightly lower than that on Priceline.

For flights, I'd use it only as an act of desperation...

Jimmy

I use it for most of my travelin in the US. The savings can be simply astounding for a stay at a 3 or 4 star hotel. Definitely the way to go about hoteling imho.

As for plane fares, I've concluded that it's not worth it, so far at least. I can get far better deals from Travelzoo.com or other similar sites. There is no advantage in booking plane fares through priceline, in fact, it may even end up costing you more at times.

[wiseguy74]

I've used it twice for hotels and will again. I got great deals.
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The only problem I had once was trying to get a hotel that allowed my wife and I and 3 kids in one room. Priceline did not give this option. The rates are based on double occupancy only. I thought I was going to have to pay for another room when I got there at the hotels price. My oldest is 4 yrs old and at the time our baby was 8 weeks old. I did not want to pay for another room when the children are too young to be alone. The hotel gave me grief on the phone and would not negotiate. However when we got there the hotel did not bother to count my kids. Therefore it was a positive experience.

[roni]

We also have done well with hotels,and have never used it for anything else.