Priceline.com Releases Top 50 Destinations for Memorial Day 2005

Business Wire,  May 23, 2005  

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NORWALK, Conn. -- Hotel bookings shift away from beach destinations in the Eastern U.S.; Trend could be attributable to a cooler-than-average May

Internet travel service priceline.com(R) (Nasdaq: PCLN) today released the results of its 3rd annual survey of the 50 most-popular destinations for the Memorial Day weekend (May 28-30). The survey is based on more than 30,000 actual hotel room booking requests made by priceline.com customers for the upcoming long weekend. Priceline.com also said it still has hotel rooms, airline tickets, vacation packages, rental cars and cruises available for the big weekend, often at significant discounts over other online travel reservation services.

Travel trends for Memorial Day weekend 2005 showed some differences from the same period a year ago. Most prominent was the drop-off in requests for East Coast beach destinations. Virginia Beach, Hilton Head, Myrtle Beach and Destin/Ft. Walton all made last year's list; none made it this year. The weather could be a factor. May forecasts by the National Weather Service's Climate Prediction Center called for cooler-than-average temperatures in the Eastern and Central U.S., with "unusually cool and damp conditions" in the Northeast.

While beaches were less in demand, the nation's major cities, including Chicago, New York, San Francisco and San Diego were very much in vogue for the last weekend in May. Chicago was the big winner, claiming 7 of the top 50 spots, compared to 3 last year. New York was steady year over year at 5 spots. Last year's World War II Memorial dedication boosted Washington, DC, to capture 4 spots on the list. This year, the nation's Capitol makes the list once. And, for the 3rd consecutive year, Las Vegas was the #1 most-requested destination for the Memorial Day weekend.

The Priceline Top 50 Destinations List for Memorial Day 2005

1. Las Vegas, Strip Vicinity

2. New York, Upper Midtown

3. Chicago, River North Area

4. New York, Midtown West

5. New York, Upper West Side

6. San Diego, Coastal Area

7. Washington, DC, Downtown

8. Chicago, The Loop/Grant Park

9. Las Vegas, West of Strip Area

10. Miami, South Beach

11. Niagara Falls, U.S. Side

12. Orlando, Universal Studios/Sea World

13. Monterey

14. Chicago, North Michigan Ave. Area

15. San Antonio, Downtown/Riverwalk

16. New Orleans, French Quarter

17. San Francisco, Union Square West

18. San Diego, Downtown & Harbor Island

19. Palm Springs

20. Austin, Downtown

21. Orlando, Disney World Vicinity

22. Philadelphia, Downtown

23. Montreal

24. St. Louis, Downtown

25. San Francisco, Union Square East

26. Vancouver

27. Boston, Downtown

28. Orange County, Disneyland Area

29. Waikiki, Waikiki South

30. Key West

31. New York, Midtown East

32. Orlando, West Disney Area

33. San Antonio West City

34. Seattle, Downtown

35. Chicago, Evanston Area

36. Toronto, Downtown

37. Chicago, Millennium Park Area

38. Niagara Falls, Canadian Side

39. San Diego, Mission Valley

40. San Diego, Sorrento Mesa

41. Los Angeles, Santa Monica

42. Baltimore, Inner Harbor

43. New York, Midtown South

44. San Diego, Point Loma

45. Orange County, Newport/Huntington Beach

46. Chicago, River North Area

47. Chicago, O'Hare Area

48. Philadelphia, University Area

49. Las Vegas, UNLV Area

50. South Lake Tahoe

Here is a listing of some of priceline.com's travel deals for the upcoming Memorial Day weekend.

Airline Tickets

Quoted prices are for published-price tickets where customers see the airline, flight times, itinerary and price before purchase. Ticket examples were purchased on priceline.com between May 10-16, 2005 for trips departing between May 27-29, 2005. Prices include all taxes and fees and are rounded to the nearest dollar. Prices and availability are always subject to change. Some restrictions may apply.

--  Atlanta to Washington             $140
   --  Chicago to Philadelphia           $166
   --  Orlando to New York City          $193
   --  Pittsburgh to Chicago             $113
   --  Washington to Ft. Lauderdale      $230
   --  Denver to Las Vegas               $202
   --  Washington to Chicago             $167

Hotel Rooms

Quoted prices are successful Name Your Own Price offers booked between April 18 and May 18, 1005 for check-in between May 28 and 30, 2005. With priceline.com's Name Your Own Price hotel service, customers learn their specific hotel after their offer has been accepted. Prices are per-night, double occupancy. Prices are rounded to the nearest dollar and do not include taxes and fees. Prices and availability are always subject to change.

--  Las Vegas Strip area, 3-star hotel                $97
   --  New York City, Midtown West, 2.5 star hotel       $135
   --  Orlando, Disney Vicinity, 2-star hotel            $40
   --  Chicago, River North, 3-star hotel                $120
   --  San Francisco, Union Square West, 4-star hotel    $92
   --  Miami, South Beach, 4-star hotel                  $85

Rental Cars

Priceline.com's Name-Your-Own-Price rental car sale is still underway. Customers save on weekly rentals starting from $99 and daily rentals on weekends starting from $12. Quoted prices are for offers booked between April 29-May 2, 2005 for pickup between May 10-20, 2005. Quoted prices do not include taxes and fees. Prices and availability are always subject to change.