LOS ANGELES -- Consumers who bid for a domestic airline ticket at
www.priceline.com will get an answer back in an hour, officials of
the on-line ticketing service said.
The Stamford, Conn.-based Priceline.com launched the service
this month. Visitors to the site name the price they are prepared
to pay for tickets when they specify their desired route, travel
date and a credit card number to guarantee the booking. The credit
card number can be typed into the site or called in to a customer
service facility.
Priceline.com promises to answer back within an hour for
domestic tickets and within 24 hours for international.
If seats are released, confirmed tickets are issued
electronically or via overnight mail.
The first request for an itinerary is free; the second request
for the same itinerary costs $25.
Jay Walker, Priceline.com chairman, told an audience at the
recent @Travel conference, sponsored here by Jupiter
Communications, that the service is geared to leisure travelers
such as college students, senior citizens and families.
Walker said travel agents can charge fees for advice and
information to enable clients to make an appropriate bid.
Flights can be nonstop or direct, although the company requires
potential buyers to agree to at least one stop or connection each
way. Tickets can only be purchased roundtrip.
Priceline.com chooses the airline. Walker said participating
carriers are major domestic and international lines, but the firm
would not disclose airline participation details.
The tickets carry no black-out dates, and no Saturday-night stay
or advance-purchase requirements. All tickets are nonrefundable and
non-changeable, and they do not do not earn frequent flyer
points.
Walker said 600,000 seats on flights by U.S. carriers go unsold
every day. His company has commitments from airlines to sell
100,000 daily.
Priceline.com is unveiling the service with $20 million worth of
print and radio advertising in the next 60 days, using actor
William Shatner as the company spokesman. Bids also can be made by
calling (800) PRICELINE. There is a minimum $5 fee for
operator-assisted telephone bids.