Priceline.com
Priceline.com boldly proclaims that you can "name your own price." That's not quite true, of course. Bids too low are rejected. Log on and you first look at prices for airline tickets, hotels, car rentals, vacation or cruises. On many products, you also have the option of bidding for a lower price.
Read the directions carefully prior to any bidding. On hotels, for example, you'll bid by geographic zone and star-quality levels. If a bid is rejected, you'll have the chance to bid again right away if you're willing to add a new star-level or zone. If not, the wait is 24 hours. Sales are final and non-refundable.
Results vary greatly. Check what others have bid successfully at Web sites such as BetterBidding.com and BiddingForTravel.com
Hotwire.com
Hotwire's brand of auction sets forth a price to which you agree without knowing the specifics of the deal. For example, it will offer you a three-star hotel in Boston in a certain geographic area for $155/night. It will tell you the amenities offered, but not the name or address. This way, hotels can move their unsold inventory without the embarrassment of a public markdown.
As with Priceline, you can learn this information before agreeing to a deal, but the prices won't be as low. Hotels, cars, flights, packages and cruises deals are offered.
Sites such as BetterBidding.com are helpful in trying to identify the "hidden" hotel names using the amenities offered as clues. As with Priceline, all sales are final.
eBay.com
Most people with an Internet connection have been to eBay.com at least once. But you might not know that amid the bicycles, toys and antique postcards you will also find travel auctions.
There are products on which you bid and others offered as a "buy it now" option. A recent visit revealed thousands of auctions -- including trans-Atlantic airfares for less than market price and low-cost apartment rentals in London. There were also offers of matching pink polka-dotted luggage sets (alas, it will probably be gone by the time you visit), time-shares in Mexico and property in Hot Springs. You'll need to read the offers carefully and ask the seller questions prior to bidding.
SkyAuction.com
Like so many sites using the name "auction," this one does a booming business selling travel in conventional ways. But SkyAuction also has a page for bidding on a variety of travel products. A recent visit showed 370 "auctions closing soon" for a resort stay in Ft. Lauderdale, a trip to Jamaica and one-week stay in Branson, Mo. Click on each offer for an expanded view that reveals the details and even a countdown clock showing how much time remains in the auction.
