Priceline?

[Lulu76]

OK, so I am running back and forth with these flights and prices and right now it is looking like I will have to drive to Atlanta and fly from there because everything from Nashville is either insanely expensive or ends up on that ridiculous American Airlines flight that you can't make the ferry on. No good.

I have a friend who swears by Priceline, and I was wondering if anyone has used it. Did you really save any money on your tickets? Am I going to end up on that flight that requires me to lose all the money I saved by staying on STT for a night?

I think it's really risky to do that on a trip to a place that requires so much different transportation -- too much could go wrong.

I guess I'm just wondering if anyone has a Priceline success story of sorts! Can't hurt to ask, right?

[mbw1024]

never used it for flights but just used it today for 2 different hotel stays!

[California Girl]

I'm always skeptical of Priceline, because the way I understand it, you reserve & pay for your flight based on price... not schedule. Personally, I would hate to pay for non-refundable tickets and then find out I have 3 stops, 15 hrs. flight time, and get into STT at 9 p.m. or something weird like that. I prefer to set my own schedule, and I like the shortest flight possible, considering I have to fly from the West Coast. I believe with Priceline, you get what you get... for a good price, I'm sure, but....

[Lulu76]

They say you never get more than 2 connections. But I know what would happen, you'd get on that flight that arrives on STT at 10:55 p.m. (I noticed that that's the only flight that's not filling up, yet the airlines wonder why they have money trouble! That's a stupid flight) and then you'll get that 8 a.m. return flight that requires you to bust a move to get to the airport, as well. Not to mention lose two days of your trip.

I think it's just too risky. I need to just suck it up and spend $500 for my plane ticket AND drive to Atlanta this year. By then I'm sure gas will be $7, 8 a gallon. I really wish I knew that the economy was going to be even further in the toilet when we booked our house this year.

[California Girl]

It just sucks everywhere these days.

[Lulu76]

Yeah, it does. I'm starting to be in panic mode over this trip.

I'm predicting that my bushwacker at the airport will be the most precious thing that I ever drink.

On the plus side, I did buy my swimming suit yesterday and it is cute. And I'm going to get another one, I think. No one pieces this year, even though I did learn some creative ways to manuever in the Woody's bathroom!

[Puddlejumper]

Maybe I can be of some help. Priceline used to be a decent way to get low airfare. But with today's search engines and discount websites, you can find what you want usually by bypassing Priceline for air travel. You will notice some comments about Priceline and airfare within the website link I provided below. However, Priceline and hotel deals are different stories. Also car rentals with the major chains. I have saved a ton of money booking hotels and cars through Priceline. I found a website that explained how to bid on Priceline. I spent a lot of time studying bidding strategy and ended up saving hundreds for one stay in So. Cal. a couple years ago. Here is a link to the website...
http://biddingfortravel.yuku.com/

[kma27]

I used Priceline in April for a trip to STT in February of 2009 and got a real good deal...IAD to STT for $693.62 total for 2 tickets and the flight down is a direct flight on United. I thought that was a really good price...especially for February travel. It was the first time I ever used Priceline and I'll probably try it again for the next year. We have been going down there now for close to 10 years and have paid upwards of $862.00 per ticket. Ouch!!!

[Lulu76]

If there weren't a flight in now (which seems to be the only flight available) that got there without time for the last ferry, I would suck it up and do it. But I do not want to be stranded in the STT airport for seven hours, and I don't save any money if I have to stay at some hotel on STT.

There's also that early morning return flight that requires overnight stay on STT because you can't get off STJ in time! I need to just find a rich man with a boat to take care of these things for me.

[pipanale]

Goofy question here?

Can you get to FLL on Southwest and then switch to Spirit? 2 airlines with separate check ins may be a mess, but it COULD work

[Lulu76]

It's not any cheaper, or I would. My brother lives in Miami, so it wouldn't even be a problem to do an overnight flight so I don't miss my connection. But it's even more to go that route.

Most likely what I will do is drive to Atlanta (about 4 hours away) and fly out on Spirit for about 450. Even with a tank and half of gas, better than flying from Nashville.

[designbyroe]

It is just as $$$ to fly from FL to STT as from ATL to STT?
I have not checked flights as I am not sure about anything til we know about my sis and bro in law and their treatment.
Lord knows I almost jumped on a plane yesterday with someone headed to the islands to go and cry on Ivans shoulder

[Lulu76]

It would cost just as much (more, actually) for me to get to MIA and then on to STT as it would to get to ATL and then STT. The actual flights from Miami were cheaper than Atlanta, but the flights from BNA to MIA, PBI or FLL were all higher than the cost to drive to ATL and fly to STT or even to fly straight from Nashville.