There are two main ways to research and find the best deals on Priceline and similar sites such as hotwire. The first is the name your own price feature which as of publishing time is for airfare only purchases - not package deals. The second way to get a great deal is utilizing what we'll call the "blind/partially blind package feature." This feature allows you to name your dates and locations and the provider (priceline) picks your exact air itinerary and/or hotel. By learning to navigate both of these options you will be better able to ensure the very best price as well as the the best itineraries. Since most travel sites today are set up to be user friendly you will find that once you have mastered Priceline you will also be able to navigate most other sites as well. This will come in handy when the first site you look at doesn't offer exactly what you're looking for.
First we will look at air only bookings. On priceline there are two options: take what they give you or get what you want. To begin input your dates into the airfare finder to see what the cheapest available published fares are today. If you see an itinerary at your desired times and price, great. If not, and you're flexible, its time to name your own price. Write down the cheapest published fare AND the itinerary. Note that on the name your own price page you are likely to get a similar itinerary- usually early morning or late night departures. Next look at the price. Priceline states that you can find prices around 40% off published fares. This should be your MAXIMUM BID PRICE. Remember that if you bid on Priceline, and they accept, you just bought it so always start your bidding low. Try a bid of 60-75% off the lowest published fare and if its not available increase your bid in $10-20 increments. Now here's a little known trick I stumbled upon: if you bid too low two or three times the system may make you an offer. This allows you to see their absolute lowest fare prior to buying,of course the itinerary is still blind until purchased.
If you need a hotel and/or rental car along with your airfare you can do a similar search in their package section. Most sites will not let you see the hotel name but will give you a general area where its located as well as a list of amminities and a star rating. Want more details? There's no guarantee but just like above you can usually snoop out more information. Start by writing down all of the details listed about the property. Next do the exact same search using the hotel only function. Sort the properties by rating and you have now narrowed your list of "matching" properties. Sometimes there is only one matching property- your property. Sometimes there may be several options but at least you can look through the list and see if the properties interest you.
Nine times out of ten if you use the package function you will find the best rates but now that you know how to compare prices in the sites different sections you can always price out your trip seperately, as well as on seperate sites, to find the best deals. Here is a list of other tips to finding the best rates:
1. Search Multiple Airports - you may be surprised at the price difference at an airport thats only an hour away
2. Always say Anytime - if you are really flexible check off the redeye feature for even more savings
3. Search more than 1 site - most big names are going to give similar prices most of the time but if you look you could save big
4. If your dates are flexible you may cut your price in half
5. Early birds and last minuet lizzards get the worm - best prices are at least 2 weeks out or 1-2 days prior. Start looking early and watch the prices fluctuate.
6. Practice - go on all the sites all the time and you will spot unexpected bonus specials
7. Sign up for the bullitins - if your dates are flexible and your destination open this is the best way to get the best deals right in your inbox