I'm posting this again, since the topic was moved and closed for some reason.

I'm doing this little research on topics of how often do people use Priceline, hotwire and ebay for their travel needs. And how often do you get your tickets on the airline where you have FF miles or status. I would like to get everybody's opinion on those topics if possible.
Note: I'm not an airline employee, nor in anyway I'm associated with airline industry, or the companies listed above. I'm not getting paid to do this research.

I only use Priceline for hotels on leisure trips only when I'm going to a major city. So far, I have been very pleased.

I used hotwire last year for airline ticket and hotel stay for a trip to San Diego. I was pleased with the service. The hotel was grand, they had my pre-payment set up and noted on my reservation. There was no problem with that aspect of it. The only complaint I might have is that my return flight from San Diego was 6:30am, so, I had to be at the airport at 4:30am. Back then they were advising a two-hour window.

I use Priceline very often for hotel stays. I find that, in most major cities, the zones are defined narrowly enough for me to usually be pleased with hotel locations. I generally bid 4* or higher and have always been pleased with the hotel quality.

I've only used PL one time for a flight. If you fly from a small airport (as I often do) that is served by only one or two airlines, it makes it much easier to figure out which flights/carrier you might get. I've read on the biddingfortravel message board that PL will not have you change carriers during a connection on domestic flights, so that also helps in figuring out how to bid.

Anybody else?

I use PCLN for leisure hotels all the time. In many zones, you know exactly what you will get before you bid (by researching the 'Net boards). I especially like finding a Starwood-only zone because Starwoods treat PCLN guests just as nice as they do regular guests. (Marriott is hit-and-miss. Hilton tends to get snippy at checkin: "Oh...I see you used PRICELINE. You're lucky we have a room for you.")

I have done a couple of rental cars via Priceline as well, but this is less lucrative. I've only been successful saving about $20 (after fees/taxes) per week on convertibles and SUVs. Therefore, at a calm airport where there are no long rental car lines, I will take the twenty bucks.

For "normal" cars, PCLN has never been successful beating Hertz rates (using the best CDP/PC combos) for me except on 1-day rentals.

I have never even thought about using Priceline for airline tickets.

Oh...one other thing...a little birdie told me one time that people sometimes buy AA VIPOW upgrades on eBay. Sometimes for $34 per cert in late February ( they expire 2/28) when FTers are still asking for $200 per cert on Coupon Connection. But I don't really know much more about it than that...

Been a few years since I've used Priceline or Hotwire for flights. I hardly ever even use Hotwire for price check anymore. Hotels I use Priceline, sometimes Hotwire if I can't get a Priceline deal cheap enough. Typically these are leisure stays, though. I don't do a lot of overnight business travel, but when I do I generally try to get a more pinpointed location than Priceline/Howire offers. Not always, though; I have used them for biz before. I rarely rent cars, but I would consider Priceline or Hotwire if I couldn't find a decent deal elsewhere.

Bump

I have used priceline twice now in the last month thanks to being pointed in the right direction by Scotty. I used bidfortravel.com to learn the ropes.

I scored to great deals IMHO for my vactation in May. The Veneitan for $79 per night and the Marriot Mountain Shadows, Scottsdale for $79 also.

I wouldn't use priceline for flights as I always need flexability.

I increasingly use Priceline for hotel stays, especially since the devaluation of Hilton points. I use Hotwire when I have more of a need for a specific hotel.

Lemonthrower,

It would be appreciated if you posted your winning info at www.BetterBidding.com which is building has a database for Hotwire and Priceline hotels. It may also be able to help you identify a few hotels that you are looking for in an area.

I used Priceline for two hotels recently in MAD over two different weekends and got five star hotels for $120 all in.One was the westin Palace which is just about the nicest hotel in MAD and the other was the Miquel Angel also a top 5* place.
My only disapointment with Westin/Sarwood is they won't give you points for those room stays but will credit your account for extras such as meals and telephone calls.