After registering, our testers generally said that Cheap Tickets' interface was easy to navigate, especially for domestic flights. A Specials section lists the ultimate air, cruise, hotel, and car deals for prearranged itineraries in major U.S. cities. Toll-free customer service was a plus. While our testers were occasionally frustrated when trying to select hotels, Lowestfare was the clear winner for making international reservations. The service was easy to use for round-trip domestic itineraries but lacks tools to book international hotels, cruises, or special packages, and renting a car overseas was an exercise in frustration.
Customer service is available only through e-mail.
Mandatory registration did not make a good first impression, as having to provide personal information before being able to search for deals raised eyebrows. While domestic itineraries were virtually painless, planning an international trip was thorny. E-mailing customer service required a reservation code. While the company has multiple distribution channels and recent revenue growth, previous agreements for discounted tickets through now-bankrupt TWA may not be continued by AMR, parent of American Airlines. After a turbulent 2000, during which Priceline's stock fell more than 99 percent, the company closed its WebHouse Club and laid off hundreds.