Priceline

[Jamie]

I've never used them but was wondering if anyone here has and what kind of experience did you have?

Flights from where I am located are generally pretty high (usually in the $1800 range a few months out), though if I go with the vacation package of course the price does come down quite a bit ($1300 for a 4 or 5 day stay). I would like to stay longer, but the price is prohibitive.

Any input would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Jamie

[londonthai]

try travel agents, adverts in free newspapers, google adwords displayed by your seach results. Takes time - but will save you hundreds.

[calibanjr.]

Priceline is a great tool. It used to be RIDICULOUSLY great. Eventually the pricing managers of airlines, hotels, etc. got better at pricing their spare rooms/seats, etc.

Still good though. Generally I'll look at loosely-affiliated hotwire.com to check out what's offered there, then knock 25% off that and try priceline.

Where are you looking to fly to/from?

Kayak.com is pretty good tool.

[lomatopo]

I've never used them but was wondering if anyone here has and what kind of experience did you have?

Flights from where I am located are generally pretty high (usually in the $1800 range a few months out), though if I go with the vacation package of course the price does come down quite a bit ($1300 for a 4 or 5 day stay). I would like to stay longer, but the price is prohibitive.

Any input would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Jamie

You'd be much better off locating a travel agent who acts as a consolidator for UA or NW, with a focus on Asian markets (assuming you are in WI as your sig indicates). Many times these agencies will be located in Chinese-American neighborhoods. You should be able to get fares in the $1,100 - $1,300 range (all in, 6 day min. stay requirement).

Go to http://www.flyertalk.com/milesfr.shtml and look around for info. on "consolidators".

A sample Consolidator website --> http://www.consolidatorwebfares.com/asia/a...-to-bangkok.htm

I use Priceline a lot for rental cars in the U.S.A.; and have used them for hotels in Bangkok. Oh the days when the Shangri-La was $55 a night all in.

[lomatopo]

Also, you can review bidding results at BiddingForTravel.

[migrant]

I was always a huge believer in priceline, and similar sites. Used to do a fair amount of travel first from the east coast of the US, then from California.

After meeting my Thai GF here, and after a proper period we went to Thailand together. She had been in California 10 years, and never traveled back in that time (or anywhere else by plane).

I did my research, and told her approx costs from the web (she paid for her own ticket).

She said "Too mut, we go Thai agent" (10 years here, but still strong accent)

I said "But honey, I have done this a lot" (old GF in Honduras, play vacations elsewhere, didn't push this fact)

Her "Too expensive, we go Thai agent"

Me " Sure honey, we'll go (and waste our time)"

Down to a little hole in the wall travel agent/beauty parlor in Long Beach. The agent set the ladies perm she was working on, brushed the curlers off her desk, and proceeded to quote the exact day we wanted, seat assignments, and a 15% discount from what I found on the web.

We left with tickets in hand (the GF did not once say I told you so) and the sceptic in me took over. I called the airlines, and they confirmed everything. OK, I thought, the credit card charges will be higher, and we will have to battle it later.

Well, no all was fine, price quoted was the best.

Her ex husband (Thai, dead) knew a lot of higher ups (he was a actor in Thailand) and used to go back and forth (leaving her in the states). He taught her that the Thai agents have the inside connections, and get the preferential deals (welcome to Thailand).

What a surprise huh!

[jdinasia]

I've never used them but was wondering if anyone here has and what kind of experience did you have?

Flights from where I am located are generally pretty high (usually in the $1800 range a few months out), though if I go with the vacation package of course the price does come down quite a bit ($1300 for a 4 or 5 day stay). I would like to stay longer, but the price is prohibitive.

Any input would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Jamie

From the US I recc'd setting up an account with travelocity for pricing info ... set your routes and they will email you with changes in rates

[Jamie]

Thank you everyone for the input...I will look in to all of these links.

I'm about 4 hours from Minneapolis MN, so I'd be taking a puddle jumper there. From Minneapolis, I think the route goes to Tokyo and then on to Bangkok. I would be flying via Northwest.

I sure wish I lived on the coast. Flights are about $600 or $700 cheaper.