Priceline

This reverse-auction site allows you to specify the amount you are willing to pay for flights, hotel rooms and car hire. Priceline will then match this up with suppliers who are prepared to meet these terms. Muddled already? It is a popular formula. Since the company's launch in 1998, they have sold 7.5 million airline tickets and 2.5 million nights of hotel accommodation.



Buyers do not need to register. Simply file your requirements, the amount you are prepared to pay, and provide your credit card number. Priceline will then run a search and if one of the contributors agrees to match your terms, they will purchase the tickets and charge your credit card. This sounds a bit scary and there is no come back once the deal has been struck.