I Saved; So Can You!
Written: Apr 07 '00
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Recently I used Priceline.com to purchase airline tickets to Charleston, SC. My wife's brother was having his wedding and because of a prior engagement, I couldn't go with her. Two weeks before the wedding, however, my engagement was cancelled and I had the opportunity to go to the wedding. Unfortunately, the cheapest ticket I could get to Charleston was $383. That seemed a little a high to me so, being a Web professional, I hit the Net looking for bargains.
My first choice is always CheapTickets.com. I've had a lot of success finding low airfare at their site. It's easy to navigate and easy to use. But this time, it wasn't easy to get a cheap ticket. They, too, could only get me a $383 ticket.
I tried several other discount tickets sites that could offer no help.
Finally, I decided to use Priceline.com. I had been a little skeptical because of previously being turned down on hotel prices for Key West, FL. That not withstanding, I gave it another shot. I registered and was off to get a decent fair.
After going to the airfares section, I entered my requested flight plan (To facilitate acceptance, you are asked to be open to Saturday stays and very early or very late flights). I was then asked to enter my price. Thanks to my previous experience, this is where the nerves started to act up.
I don't know what my formula was, but I had determined that $250 would be a fair price for me to pay for a round-trip ticket to Charleston. Apparently so did US Airways. After about 2 1/2 hours, my request was accepted and my credit card was billed. Thanks to the hike in fuel prices the airline stuck on an extra $20 fuel surcharge, but my original price of $250 still held firm.
As expected, I was routed through Charlotte, NC both on the way there and on the way back, but it was worth. I felt like I had gotten a deal. Knowing the way airlines work, I that I really didn't, but my perception was, and still is, that I got a deal. And it was all thanks to Priceline.com.
My only complaint was that it more than 6 days for the charge to posted to my credit card account. That had me sweating. It also had me calling customer service. A very friendly CSR assured me that my flight was booked and that my credit card would be debited the next day. She was right on both accounts. The next day my card was billed, and upon arriving at the ticket counter, my e-ticket was waiting for me.
I don't think this is for everyone, but if you can plan ahead for trips, you might want to see if you can save a few bucks on Priceline.
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
tccarroll
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Member: Teddy Carroll
Location: Pittsburgh, PA
Reviews written: 30
Trusted by: 12 members
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