Priceline any good for best fares? US to Australia?

I see that Priceline offers significant reductions in cost over regular airlines, but does not show the airlines until tickts have been purchased.

Who has experience with Priceline.com?

Planning to fly from IAD USA to MEL Austr.

In article ,
"Karl" wrote:

I see that Priceline offers significant reductions in cost over regular
airlines, but does not show the airlines until tickts have been purchased.

Who has experience with Priceline.com?

Planning to fly from IAD USA to MEL Austr.


My bet is that it would probably be UA IF such a ticket is offered at
Priceline.

Karl wrote:

I see that Priceline offers significant reductions in cost over regular
airlines, but does not show the airlines until tickts have been purchased.

Who has experience with Priceline.com?

Planning to fly from IAD USA to MEL Austr.


If you can at all avoid it, buy with a company you know of ahead of
time. If price will make or break the trip, then you really have no
choice.

I only use them as the a absolute last resort - with the exception of
hotels.

Not the Karl Orff wrote in message ...
In article ,
"Karl" wrote:

I see that Priceline offers significant reductions in cost over regular
airlines, but does not show the airlines until tickts have been purchased.

Who has experience with Priceline.com?

Planning to fly from IAD USA to MEL Austr.


My bet is that it would probably be UA IF such a ticket is offered at
Priceline.

Could also be AA as they codeshare with Qantas. It's worth noting,
though, that in the "transparent" world, bundling transcontinental and
trans-Pacific flights together can be significantly more expensive
than purchasing the flights separately. [Insert usual disclaimers
about interline agreements, lost luggage, etc. here.] I haven't found
U.S./Australia quotes on biddingfortravel.com...lots of luck if you
try that route. Check www.qantasusa.com, www.airnz.com, and
www.hawaiianair.com/sydney/index.asp to get a feel for official sale
fares, and see what others have bid for flights from WAS to LAX (and
nearby airports) or SFO (and nearby airports).

Nancy

On Mon, 12 Apr 2004 22:53:10 -0400, "Karl"
wrote:


Who has experience with Priceline.com?

No experience for flights, but they were absolutely brilliant last year
for hotels. That is, until they discovered that australia wasn't a town
in Alaska. Last year, when I used them, it was restricted to US cc
holders only. Took them until I was trying to book in Frankfurt to wake
up.

I averaged US$30 at fourteen 2 1/2 star + motels/hotels in the US,
US$72 at the Capitol Hilton and US$111 at the Millennium Bradway on
Times Square. And an average of 60 euros at the Renaissance/Marriott 4/5
stars in Vienna, Munich and Brussells.

I'd be prepared to try them for flights. I never had a low class hotel
through them, although some of the hotel staff needed reminding of
Priceline's strict rules. Beware, no cancellations AFAIK.

They may have changed the eligibiity rules now. I've re-joined thru the
singapore group at http://www.priceline.com.sg where aussie addresses
are accepted.


Cheers, Alan
--

I thank all the respondents so far.

One of you suggested also NZ Air and so far I got the best price there
(except Priceline.com which I am still hezitant to try for such a large
amount of money and distance).



"Alan" wrote in message
...
On Mon, 12 Apr 2004 22:53:10 -0400, "Karl"
wrote:


Who has experience with Priceline.com?

No experience for flights, but they were absolutely brilliant last year
for hotels. That is, until they discovered that australia wasn't a town
in Alaska. Last year, when I used them, it was restricted to US cc
holders only. Took them until I was trying to book in Frankfurt to wake
up.

I averaged US$30 at fourteen 2 1/2 star + motels/hotels in the US,
US$72 at the Capitol Hilton and US$111 at the Millennium Bradway on
Times Square. And an average of 60 euros at the Renaissance/Marriott 4/5
stars in Vienna, Munich and Brussells.

I'd be prepared to try them for flights. I never had a low class hotel
through them, although some of the hotel staff needed reminding of
Priceline's strict rules. Beware, no cancellations AFAIK.

They may have changed the eligibiity rules now. I've re-joined thru the
singapore group at http://www.priceline.com.sg where aussie addresses
are accepted.


Cheers, Alan
--

I like priceline, I have used them for hotel rooms in the past. The only
problem is, you need to have a credit card with a US address to use them, so
when coming from Oz I can't use them.

ant

"Alan" wrote in message
...
They may have changed the eligibiity rules now. I've re-joined thru the
singapore group at http://www.priceline.com.sg where aussie addresses
are accepted.

when I first used them, Aussie CCs were OK, then suddenly they changed.
so Aussies can join the singapore one, and book stuff in the US? That could
be very useful!!!!

ant

Well, I am in the US and want to book for Australia. I just wanted to know
of people who had experiences with Priceline.com firsthand.

Especially since one cannot see stops and airlines until After booking.


"ant" wrote in message
...

"Alan" wrote in message
...
They may have changed the eligibiity rules now. I've re-joined thru the
singapore group at http://www.priceline.com.sg where aussie addresses
are accepted.

when I first used them, Aussie CCs were OK, then suddenly they changed.
so Aussies can join the singapore one, and book stuff in the US? That
could
be very useful!!!!

ant

Yes I have had exceedingly good expereince with Priceline.com. The deal
with them once you choose there is no turning around. So, they charge your
CC and it is paid for in advance that is why you get such a great deal. I
have used them for everything and I highly recommend them. I asked a vendor
once how priceline can offer these deals and make money. The vendor said
,"it is all cause it is prepaid--guarantee money so they are willing to take
less". I have been a road warrior for years and never had a bad experience
with tickets, hotels, or cars.



"Karl" wrote in message
...
Well, I am in the US and want to book for Australia. I just wanted to know
of people who had experiences with Priceline.com firsthand.

Especially since one cannot see stops and airlines until After booking.


"ant" wrote in message
...

"Alan" wrote in message
...
They may have changed the eligibiity rules now. I've re-joined thru
the
singapore group at http://www.priceline.com.sg where aussie addresses
are accepted.

when I first used them, Aussie CCs were OK, then suddenly they changed.
so Aussies can join the singapore one, and book stuff in the US? That
could
be very useful!!!!

ant