international flight bidding?

[isis1405]

I AM THINKING ABOUT PURCHASING AIRLINE TICKETS FROM PRICELINE FROM DC TO CAIRO, IS THERE ANY SUGGESTIONS? I HAVE USED PRICELINE BEFORE FOR HOTELS BUT NEVER FOR AIRLINE TICKETS. I AM A LITTLE HESITANT ABOUT THIS. DOES PRICELINE HAVE MORE THAN 1 STOPOVER FOR INT'L? AND MY LAST QUESTION IS WHAT IF I WANTED TO CHANGE THE RETURN DATE, WOULD I BE ABLE TO DO THAT? THANKS

[WillTravel]

You can't change the return date.

Priceline gives you the option of choosing how many connections you want, so you won't get more than you are willing to accept.

I think most people would suggest you look hard to find a ticket with a consolidator who specializes in Middle Eastern travel first, because many of the best deals for this area are not necessarily available online. Then once you find a price to compare with, you could try Priceline.

[thereuare]

isis1405, welcome to BetterBidding!

Best advice is to do your research first to find out the non-Priceline cost to make sure you don't over-bid. Also, know how much taxes and fees are on your route, as that amount will be added to your bid and can be well in excess of $100 (another way of accidentally overbidding). Also, don't forget to check the website of non-US based airlines.

You won't be able to change your depature date once your purchase has been made.

PS- please don't type in all CAPS as it makes your post more difficult to read

[isis1405]

thank u very much for your helpful replys. I have found out that i can purchase the tickets from a travel agent for around 800 bucks, which is a pretty good rate, however i dont know if i can get them cheaper at priceline. The max price i think i would bid on at priceline is $650. Do u think it would be a smart idea to use priceline to save $150?

[thereuare]

Have you found out the fees and taxes that are imposed by the airlines? (i'm not refering to Priceline's fee). I think that a $650 bid will likely bring you very close to the $800 ticket you have after you add taxes and fees onto your bid amount.

I won't usually use Priceline or Hotwire for airfare, but many people do everyday. I think the only time i would consider it would be for a very common itinerary like NYC>>LAX or NYC>>ORD and the savings would need to be significant enough for me to give up flight time selection.

[isis1405]

The total price including taxes and fees is $800. And on priceline the highest I would go is $650 including taxes and fees. The reason I would be happy saving $150 is because I am purchasing 3 tickets, so in essence i would be saving a total $450.

[thereuare]

But my point is that you have to find out how much the taxes and fees are before you bid. Your bid is before taxes and fees, so you're actually bid amount will need to be much lower than $650.

[isis1405]

I understand what you are saying, i have done that. I bid $500, and then it tells me that total amount is $615 with taxes and fees, but this is even before i put a credit card number in or anything, i havnt actually bid yet.

[isis1405]

Offer Price:

$500.00 (per ticket)

Applicable Taxes:

$108.62 (per ticket)

Ticket Cost:

$608.62 (per ticket)

Processing Fee:

$6.95 (per ticket)

Travel Insurance:

$25.00 (per ticket)

Subtotal:

$615.57 (per ticket)

Number of Tickets:

1

Total Charges:

$615.57