priceline.com success

[kerri0616]

I'm a priceline.com virgin, so I was wondering if you all had good success at using it or if it isn't worth my time. Would you recommend it for air? hotel? do they do car rental? Just wanting to hear some good/bad reviews. Thanks!

[MJames41]

Personally, I will never again use Priceline for anything. We tried it for our trip after Thanksgiving and got the Orlando Mariott World Conference Center, which really is a world class hotel - but it is secluded. If you are going for Disney, go to Disney - the resorts. Right now they have some great prices if you are going in October to December (you can even book them on Travelocity or Expedia). If you want Disney and have a tight budget go to an All Stars - which is exactly what we did when we got tired of OMWCC after 2 out of 3 prepaid days. Not only that, they had so many other add on charges that we saved money by skipping out the final day and going to All Star Sports. Good luck.

[CapHook]

I recently had a great experience with priceline on a hotel. I don't know much about the air travel side but there is no doubt you can get a great deal on a 4 or 5 star hotel with Priceline. However you have to be very flexable. I would never consider using Priceline for a WDW trip (hotel) because you will not stay on site. Swan and Dolphin at one time participated but it has been over a year from my understanding. Mousesavers.com can has the best rated on Disney resorts posted. http://biddingfortravel.com is the best Priceline site you can find. You should look at those two sites.

[waltfan]

If you follow the link in the previous post and follow the rules you will do very well with Priceline. Thanks to Priceline I have been down to WDW about 5 times this year because of the savings and have received great accomadations at excellent prices. Over the last two years I have stayed vis priceline at Swan(twice), Wyndham Palace(twice), Grosvenor, Sheraton Safari, Summerfield Suites LBV, and a Holiday Inn. The important thing is to learn the rules at the website and stick to the star level you want. Some people swear by Disney accomadations (I am a DVC owner myself) but the savings on Priceline can be substantial and you will get a quality room at a fraction of the cost. But do check out mousesavers as WDW is offering some great deals this year. As far as flights, this would be your call, you have to decide if you are willing to give up the flexibility of choosing your own flight times--eg you could leave for MCO at 5 pm and return at 7 am.

[robinb]

Waltfan:

I am also a DVC owner, but I extend my stays with Priceline. I've had some really good stays at all levels of hotels (except the 1* Travelodge).

MJames does have a good point about current Disney discounts ... they're great! I am skipping my regular Priceline hotel in November because I can stay at the All Stars Sports for only $49 per night. With Resort* hotels going for a minimum of $47 plus the resort fees of about $8 per day, I'd be paying $55 to stay off-site. While the MOWC and the Wyndham Palace are nicer than the All Stars, I prefer to stay on-site if I can for the same $$.

[AdrianB]

Priceline is great for people who do their research and understand how priceline works. Only bid if you are willing to accept what they give you. I have saved sooo much using priceline for hotels, follw the links provided to Biddingfortravel.com and read everything you can. Priceline gets a bad rap when consumers dont understand what they are doing and want a do over when they dont get what they want. Good luck if you choose to go that route.

[Jane E.]

I've used Priceline for hotels this past year and gotten some great deals. Be forewarned that you cannot cancel a reservation. Also, there is no guarantee of having a room that sleeps more than two. Since most hotels in Orlando do accomodate 4 its a risk I've been willing to take. I've had 5 Priceline stays and each time we've had a room that would sleep 4. I've paid anywhere from $30-$49 which is a good savings. Our last trip, we saved enough for a one night stay at AKL. If you decide to use Priceline do your research!

[Lindateddy]

I think Priceline is great for air travel. You do have to be a bit more flexible than you would if you were just booking flights, but the savings are definitely worth it! I have gotten great airfares from my home in CO to my family in NJ, saving as much as $400 on each flight. You don't know what time you will get there or when your return flight leaves, but if you are able to schedule an extra day into your vacation, it's well worth it!
I got the Anaheim Marriott for $37/night for our Disneyland trip in October...most hotels were much more than that, so it was definitely a good deal!!! :D :D :bounce:

[JenniferW]

To each their own...

I love Priceline as well, but you really need to do your homework. I wouldn't have been able to visit all the places we have without it!

Jenn

[NancyIL]

I got the Marriott Orlando World Center for 3 nights in March 2000 and loved it! I decided that I would NOT pay $104 plus tax for the All-Stars when I could get a 4* hotel for less than $50.

I've also used Priceline for my last 2 flights to Orlando. I wouldn't use it for airfare for a family, but it was worth it for my solo trips.

[lovepuzzles]

Definitely check out the site Caphook recommended. It's an excellent sight for getting info on priceline and you'll learn what to bid...on hotels, car, and flights. I bought my airfare for my September trip thru priceline and got a great rate. The ladies on that site helped me with my bidding strategy. I've also booked hotels before and have been very pleased. I probably would have for this trip had I not gotten that great rate for the Marriot. If you bid on hotels, you will not get a disney owned hotel, however, you can choose the Disney vicinity and most of the hotels have transportation to the parks. I've been very pleased with Priceline and wouldn't hesitate to use it again. With flights you do have to be a little flexible. My flight times have always been great though. Good luck if you try it.

One more thing. The site that was mentioned usually has bonus money. Don't forget to use it if you decide to go for it.

[sablair]

I love priceline! My family likes to get away and it really makes a difference in how many trips we can plan during the year. I cant justify paying twice the lodging cost at a Disney resort when we are more than happy at the priceline hotels.. big waste of money for us. We like to stay on the go and priceline makes it possible to do that :)

biddingfortravel.com is an excellent website!

Sheila

[tinaluis]

Priceline is wonderful if you understand the rules and if you stick to a 3* (or 2.5* in WDW or Universal area) or higher hotel. Definitely visit TravelSheryl's website and make sure you read the FAQ's. They answer alot of questions. You can also have them help you with a bidding strategy.

We are using Priceline for our upcoming November trip for hotel and car. We got a full-size from Hertz for $17/day.

Good luck!

[sablair]

Tinaluis - have you had any luck with a hotel in Nov yet? We are going Thanksgiving week and Im hoping to get something on Priceline soon!

Sheila

[Kay1]

I'm with NancyIl on this one. We got MOWC for a few days aroung Christmas and lovd it. So beautiful and elegant and almost on Disney property. I love Priceline but it's true, you need to do your research.

[bafmrf]

I can't tell you how much we've saved on trips this year but I can tell you how much more we are travelling compared to years past. We went to myrtle beach for $75 round trip and a luxury rental car for $22 a day and we got orlando from milwaukee for $100 round trip for this November. And I am surprising my husband for his 35th in October with a trip to San Antonio for $125 round trip from Milwaukee. We are also staying at a 4* Westin on the Riverwalk for $60 per night. (Best price at that time was $219.00) I've also used Priceline for various stays at hotels in the Chicago area while visiting my family there. Again, do your homework. Look for bonus money opportunities and I personally always bid 2.5* or better for hotels. If your willing to be flexible with your flight times, you can't go wrong.

Martha.

[tinaluis]

Sablair,
We are going from 11/6 - 11/13 and we made our reservations when the $20/nt. bonus money was still available (back in March, 2000, I think) so we got the 2.5* Amerisuites Convention Center on International Drive for $13/nt. We've heard lots of great stuff about it, including the fact that each room has a refrigerator, microwave and small sink and they have a free deluxe continental breakfast buffet every morning. We're really looking forward to our trip.

[phins_jazy]

I'm thinking of using priceline for our hotel stay at Disneyland in March. I understand that you're only guaranteed a room that will sleep 2. But the hotels that seem to be coming up allow more than 2. My question is this.........if you place the bid and win, what will happen if you bring more than 2 people? Will you be charged for the additional people or will the additional people simply be turned away? I know I can aleviate this by just bidding on 2 rooms but I don't want to do that unless I have to. Also, since we're going the first week in March I'm guessing it's not wise to try to place a bid yet. Correct?

[waltfan]

There are a few hotels in certain markets, ie New York, that provide only bedding for two. This does not seem to be a problem in WDW area. Have not heard any complaints about not getting a room that will accomadate four.

[phins_jazy]

So you don't think there will be an extra charge or anything like that? (crossing fingers, hoping and praying :) )

[waltfan]

No one really seems concerned about how many are in the party when you are checking in.

[phins_jazy]

Thanks waltfan!! You've made my day!! ;)

[jaccceee]

Where I live we have 2 Airlines (USAir and Delta) with nonstop
service to Orlando. The price is always under $200. Sometimes as low as $78.00!
Priceline doesn't offer nonstop guarantee. You have to agree to at least 1 stop.
You can't even pick the times. With all the websites selling airfare IMO no one
should use it unless their airport doesn't offer nonstop flights.

[sablair]

Thanks tinaluis!! That is a great deal!! Hopefully something will open up for us soon :) Im getting impatient!

Sheila

[waltfan]

jaccceee,

Research is key to priceline success. If you find 78 r/t air you jump on it and skip priceline, especially for non-stops. But when you can't seem to find anything other than those fares just under 200 dollars, priceline becomes a godsend. Say you have four people travelling and the lowest fare you can find is 179 r/t. But you get tickets on priceline for 100 total, you save 312 bucks. Then you hit a great rate at a hotel (eg of a rate you you see accepted often is 48 when you use the five dollar bonus money at Wyndham Palace in Downtown Disney), then your airline savings pays for five nights completely (factoring in taxes and resort fees). To me it is worth taking the risks if getting lousy flight times since I would probably just add more time to my vacation up front to offset the possibility of lousy flight times and I would still be way ahead of the game. If I get great flight times then I have an even better and longer time at WDW. IMHO

[jaccceee]

waltfan,
I always get great flight times (Because I pick them)therefore I make the best out the first and last day saving at least 312 on the hotel

[waltfan]

Jaccceee.

If by not spending two extra nights at WDW you can save 312 dollars in hotel costs, I have to wonder why we are having this discussion on the budget board, LOL. I priceline so I won't have to pay that kind of money for hotels. For 312 I can get anywhere from 5 to 9 nights of lodging in the WDW area.

[jaccceee]

waltfan
I wouldn't use priceline for hotels either. Just have to stay on site.
Stayed in AKL in May but this september I'm taking a budget trip to get my disney fix.
ASM $49 Delta $99 Tif Town Car w/ $8 coupon . Those prices are pretty hard to beat!