THE PRICE IS RIGHT
I love a good deal. Now, I know you are thinking, who doesn't love a good deal? ...but I am really obsessed. I remember all of my big coups ($49 for a dining room table and hutch from a JCPenney display furniture sale), and I cannot pass buy a clearance table without looking. Most of these items are lucky finds. However, there is one place to find a deal that is always consistent: www.Priceline.com.

A lot of people are nervous about trying Priceline, or they are simply confused about how it works. First, it is a lot easier than it sounds. I have found it to be best when booking hotel rooms only or full vacation packages.

Past deals:

• $25 for a room at the Radisson across from Universal Studios in Orlando, July 2001 (now a Doubletree)
• $40 for a room at the Hyatt in Lexington, Kentucky; December 2004
• $689.61 per person to go to Dublin, Ireland in January 2006, included round trip air, trip insurance, taxes and fees, 3 nights at a 3 star hotel in downtown Dublin, and 3 1/2 days in Dublin.
• $40 for a room at the Sheraton Suites in Houston, Texas; multiple times 2006

Okay, so these are good deals, right? And these are not rare. I use Priceline every weekend I go to school.

So now you may be wondering what the catch is. The only items that some may consider a catch are the following: 1) Priceline charges a small fee for each room booked (under $10), 2) Like any other hotel room, taxes are added to the price, and 3) Once you have booked a room, you cannot cancel your reservation and your credit card is charged immediately.

I suggest trying it for a hotel first.

Go to www.Priceline.com. Select the hotel tab. Click on the Deeper Discounts image. Enter your destination, check in date, check out date, and number of rooms. Once you enter that information, you will be directed to a page that lets you choose the location of where you would like to stay and the star level of the hotel. Always be choosy when first selecting. If your initial bid is not selected, you will have to change another location and/or star level...so pick your best case scenario the first time around. For instance, if you entered New Orleans for a check in date of May 18, 2007, you would have the location options of

• Downtown
• French Quarter
• Garden District
• Metairie-Harahan
• New Orleans Airport
• New Orleans East
• New Orleans West Bank

When choosing a location, remember that downtown or touristy areas typically do not include valet or other parking services. This will be in addition to your hotel rate.

For star levels in our example, you have the following options:

• 4 star deluxe
• Boutique
• 3 star upscale
• 2 1/2 star moderate-plus
• 2 star moderate
• 1 star economy

Based on past experience, only pick a 3 star and up. Sometimes, in smaller communities, 2 1/2 is a good option. I have found the least amount of variation amongst 3 stars. The only caveat to a three star is that you will not have a free, continental breakfast.

Once you have made your selections, name your price. Ahh...the tough part for most people. Go with what you would be happy with. Once you have entered your price, you will be asked to review your selections. Read all of the information carefully, click Next, enter your credit card information, and select Buy My Hotel Room Now. If your bid is accepted, your card will be charged.

If your bid was not accepted, Priceline will ask you to try again.

Priceline is not for everyone and it will take a little practice before you will feel totally comfortable with it. However, if you try it, you may very well be pleasantly surprised.

Email me with any questions: Perky Priceline Pusher at billyandchristy@yahoo.com.

~Christy