The last 2 years I've purchased airfare separately 5 times and have paid $480-$640/ticket. Some direct from the carrier and some through Yahoo and Orbitz. Also booked air/hotel a couple more times in between and assume air alone was comparable. Now this summer I'm looking at damn-near $800. I checked Hotwire and see a clearance fare at $555USD incl. all taxes except the departure tax. They don't disclose the airline or flight times/schedule until you book and pay. No changes. I really don't want a flight with 55min. to clear customs and catch a flight in Houston. Nor do I want less than 2 hrs. to clear and connect in Miami. Friends have had good luck w/hotwire on hotels. Has anyone used them for flights to BZE? THANX

I've used them, they are pretty good. The times may be a little tight for you in regards to customs, they usually give about 90 minutes. I would buy from them again, the rates are tough to beat and I will hurry in an airport to save a couple hundred.

tcline1: what airport/airline did they book you through?

US Air's just announced sale going on now offers departures from many East Coast and some Midwest cities in the US$300 range, plus taxes. AA also has a few sale prices, from Miami mostly.

--Lan Sluder

I used Hotwire out of Hartford. I had no problems. The airline was American but they put us through Dalls instead of Miami so it was a little longer day. I'd use them again, saved us a couple of hundred a ticket.

I just ran the flights through Hotwire, Travelocity and expedia, all coming back $412. out of Hartford for travel in July. Wish I had the time off!

If you're non-American you need to allow several hours to clear formalities in Miami, if that's your port of entry into the US. Took me 7 hours once.

Went through Miami a couple of weeks ago and they have what appeared to be a new third floor on the arrivals hall, doubling the capacity of immigration which was where we always got hung up. Whizzed through in ten minutes which must be a new world record. The immigration agent almost smiled once too!!

Perhaps they'll add some interesting shops bars and restaurants next.

CC - are you American?