I was thinking on using priceline.com for hotel rates.. Did you or anyone use this and what success was it?? I was going to Assateaque for 4 days.. Thanks and If you have any tips that would save more let me know... Have a great day...cARRIE

-- cARRIE (onemaur@olg.com), April 22, 2002

Answers

Hi Carrie, we used it to purchase tickets to Boston in an emergency for my husband, we paid much lower than we would have over the phone, even getting the ferry tickets. We use Priceline or Expedia to get our tickets for Cheer Nationals each year in Dallas, we have never paid the prices for hotel tickets, even in the same hotel, that the other parents pay. Another trick is to use the chamber of commerce sites, they usually have specials. Vicki

-- Vicki McGaugh TX (vickilonesomedoe@hotmail.com), April 22, 2002.

We've used priceline many times for airline tickets, with good success. I recommend checking rates for your exact dates to get an idea of how low to go. We have had good success starting out about 1/2 of the going rates advertised by airlines. Never did hotels but let us know how it goes if you do.

-- Drew Whitfield (huhwhat2@hotmail.com), April 22, 2002.

We have used priceline.com for both airfares and hotels. It's been a couple of years since we got airfares and I believe the policies have changed since then, such as when you leave and such. AS for hotels, quite pleased. We put in a quote of $50 and got rooms at hotels such as Radisson, Sheraton, Wyndham Suites. Generally the rooms are for two people with queen beds but after you get the room, you just call the hotel and they will make sure your room has two beds if you need them. You may have to pay a small fee for the extra people over two at some of the hotels. All in all, satisfied but make sure you have an open schedule and aren't fussy. Good luck.

-- JoAnn in SD (jnehls@nvc.net), April 23, 2002.

I've never used Priceline because it seems to get a really cheap airfare you have to be willing to travel really late at night (or super early in the morning), not to mention put up with one or more transfer flights. I've been using BestFares for my airline tickets, although to get the absolute cheapest flights you need to join BestFares ($60 I think) they also list cheap airfares for non-members. I don't fly enough to become a member, but their member's prices really are the cheapest I've seen on the net. Go to: http://www.bestfares.com and click on "QUICKFARE FINDER" on the left side of the screen. Again on the left side, enter the places you're leaving from and wanting to get to in the spaces provided, and click the search button. Both member and non-member airfares will be shown, and even non-members have the option to buy at the site, if you click on "check details". Hope that helps!

-- Patti (cl.p@rcn.com), April 24, 2002.

Priceline has NEVER beaten the price I could get from other sources such as Travelocity and SmarterLiving. I would check rates there and then go bid at Priceline. Even at $50 over the prices I could get from the other vendors, my bid still wasn't accepted. Oh, and then there is the commercial stuff- like 'this' company will add to your bid if you agree to fill out an application for a credit card, etc. I no longer even go to Priceline.

-- Anne (HealthyTouch101@wildmail.com), April 24, 2002.

i have used it sucessfully at least 3X. great service. we got tix on a very, very, tight schedule that the airlines/other services could never beat. I mean the day before flying out! highly recommend for travel that is not expected, but you have to go. for long term, it might not be as feasible. one time i tried it, and had better luck going direct to the airline web site.

-- geegee (mistymt@theofficenet.com), April 26, 2002.