Last weekend we found some decent fares to San Fransisco for a quick weekend trip and opted to book them before they went away. Since public transportation options from SFO into the city seem to be a bit lacking I decided I'd look into a car rental.

Price comparisons at all of the big rental companies returned rates in the range of $54 to $70 for a single day. Rarely do we rent cars but those price quotes just didn't seem reasonable. Enter Priceline.

I've toyed with the online booking service before, mainly while looking for hotels and such, though never used it fearing I'd end up at a hotel of deplorable location or condition. Priceline'ing a car rental would seem to entail less risk and so I figured I'd give it a try.

I placed an offer of $16.00 (before all taxes, fees, etc.) and it was accepted. The grand total, all in, coming out to $34. Not bad, I say.

Just booked the above on this overcast Sunday morning. It's certainly a long overdue trip as reciprocation for all of the visits Tana has made to the Tampa Bay area and we're thrilled to finally travel to see her for a change.

The $115 ($134.90 all in) one-way fare finally reopened on Continental when I looked this morning and the American Advantage rewards booking for Friday was available for 12,500 miles and $2.50. So, all in all, pretty inexpensive trip for Texas standards.

All upgrades except for the last segment (IAH to TPA) cleared five days out.

First class, round trip from Tampa to San Diego for $187.80 makes me want to keep Platinum status past Feb. 2011. Not sure that will happen though.

Visiting my home stat for the first time since I moved to Florida, 24 years ago.

And that's Illinois with a silent s.