Don't use PRICELINE!!!

[Alexander]

All I can say is RESEARCH, RESEARCH, RESEARCH. I spend countless hours looking at what hotels people have been awarded through Priceline or Hotwire for the various ratings and locations. You should really be able to narrow it down to 2 or 3 hotels for each rating and most locations. Then you do more RESEARCH, RESEARCH, RESEARCH and check the reviews on TripAdvisor. Everytime I have used this strategy, I have gotten 1 of the 2 or 3 hotels that I knew I would be bidding on.

 

[julezdisney]

I've only used them once and I had a great result. Can I ask what star rating you did the bid on?

 

[3pandas]

What was the hotel chain and star rating?

 

[FLDisneyFan]

I've used Priceline many times as well, and have never been disappointed. Once I tried to get the cheapest room I possibly could in Orlando, which I got at $17. The motel was clean, the room comfortable and there was a nice pool. Not bad for $17!

 

[robinb]

I've used Priceline many times as well, and have never been disappointed. Once I tried to get the cheapest room I possibly could in Orlando, which I got at $17. The motel was clean, the room comfortable and there was a nice pool. Not bad for $17!

I once got a hotel room in Orlando for $1.

OP, I am sorry that you had a problem with Priceline. I guess the real lesson here is to raise a ruckus with your credit card company earlier.

 

[TnRobin]

I too am interested in the Star rating you chose for the hotel in your bid.

 

[Brian Noble]

This is one of the downsides of priceline. You won't know for sure what you are going to get until you actually get it, and by then it is too late. On the other hand, you can save a good chunk of money. Each person has to decide what is more important: saving the money, or having certainty of what you are getting.

I guess the real lesson here is to raise a ruckus with your credit card company earlier.

Even that may or may not be useful. Priceline promises to deliver a room that sleeps two. If that is delivered, then PL has satisfied the agreement---once you get into issues of quality, the credit card might or might not side with you.

 

[keishashadow]

OP that stinks imo

i've stayed away from priceline because it only guarantees bedding for 2 pp, despite any accommodation you may arrange w/hotel afterwards

we have used hotwire as we needed guaranteed bedding for 3 people and got an amazing rate @ Seattle Sheraton downtown pre-cruise.

only problem was there was a marathon that weekend & the Sheraton didn't honor any of the hotwire or priceline reservations.

There were such long lines checking in & all priceline/hotwire guests wee directed to 'special' line for processing. The Sheraton did give both cabfare & free accommodations at other properties, with a refund issued within a few weeks.

I refused the dicey 'boutique' hotel we were assigned & got on the phone with hotwire & let them what was happening. They spoke to manager & we wound up in a suite @ the Fairmont

Things happen, just happy that Hotwire immediately went to bat for us & nipped the issue in the bud. Can't say this is how they handle all situations, certainly beats the OPs experience.

 

[Becky2005]

This happened to my brother! The hotel told him he "couldn't" go anywhere else...his answer was "watch me". I don't think he even attempted to get his money back but definitely will NOT be using Priceline ever again.

 

[Oglet]

All I can say is RESEARCH, RESEARCH, RESEARCH. I spend countless hours looking at what hotels people have been awarded through Priceline or Hotwire for the various ratings and locations. You should really be able to narrow it down to 2 or 3 hotels for each rating and most locations. Then you do more RESEARCH, RESEARCH, RESEARCH and check the reviews on TripAdvisor. Everytime I have used this strategy, I have gotten 1 of the 2 or 3 hotels that I knew I would be bidding on.

I cant say how much I agree with using Trip Advisor. Real reviews from real people who post actual real photos and not ones taken in a display room or staged area for advertising purposes.

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

All I can say is RESEARCH, RESEARCH, RESEARCH. I spend countless hours looking at what hotels people have been awarded through Priceline or Hotwire for the various ratings and locations. You should really be able to narrow it down to 2 or 3 hotels for each rating and most locations. Then you do more RESEARCH, RESEARCH, RESEARCH and check the reviews on TripAdvisor. Everytime I have used this strategy, I have gotten 1 of the 2 or 3 hotels that I knew I would be bidding on.

This is the key!! I've used Hotwire many times and never choose below 3.5*. (Marriott, Hyatt, etc.) The one time I chose a 3*, we felt it was just "ok" but still clean. (The free breakfast was mediocre and carpet was soaked from AC unit by morning.)
We have saved a ton of $$ esp for pre cruise stays at the Hyatt MCO which we often get for $55-75 and usually is almost $200, $159 for AAA rate.

I wasn't even aware of HW's guarantee, never had to call them. I hope you get this resolved.

eta: Just want to say the only reason I don't try PL is that they only guarantee bedding for 2. Yes, some say you can call the hotel directly to request 4 but I don't like having to plead for special favors after I've bought it. Usually our HW stays are for 1 night with a late arrival and I know we'd be too tired to deal with any issues.

 

[a1tinkfans]

OP: several have asked for the star rating and chain hotel you got/requested. Is there a reason you have not indicated that info?

Many of us are curious to know. Not that THAT factor/s are an excuse for filth, but I hate to say, often, you get what you pay for...cheap price means one should expect less and issues are more likely. I mean if it was Billed as 3-4 rating, I'd FLIP!

I think your experience is just awful, both thru the hotel AND thru chase! I think that I would document it all in writing, file a complaint with Chase and show all your calls, documentation to them and demand resolution. Its not your fault that chase sat on the situation, waiting for call backs??? and then said it was too late?? Thats not fair by any stretch!
I wish you good luck!

BY the way ...I have used Hotwire, specifically to snag Hyatt at MCO and was very happy, paying pennies on the dollar, both for late mco arrivals and for nite before cruising....I recall someone explaining "how" to get Hyatt/MCO, but its been a while, and I do not recall what they told me to look for when requesting.
If anyone knows, could you again POST this info.....Hyatt mco is an awesome rest/sleep and is so convenient!!
Would like to do that again, actually.
Good Luck OP, sorry you had such a Horror!!!

 

[Lucky4me]

I'm sorry this happened to you. Priceline should reimburse.

I would bet you bid on a lower * level. I learned never to bid below a 3* on Priceline and 3.5* on Hotwire. A 2-2.5* could turn out okay, but it's a risk. I would never even think about bidding on a 1*.
I've booked over a hundred nights in hotels doing this and have never had a problem.
My only gripe about these two sites are the bid prices have gone up so much since I started using them 8 years ago. Gone are the days of $25 a night 4*'s

 

[Detailor]

eta: Just want to say the only reason I don't try PL is that they only guarantee bedding for 2. Yes, some say you can call the hotel directly to request 4 but I don't like having to plead for special favors after I've bought it. Usually our HW stays are for 1 night with a late arrival and I know we'd be too tired to deal with any issues.

Just a thought...

Of course you should always do what's comfortable for you but I don't think that you should consider making a request as pleading or special favors.

I always call the hotel with requests and to verify my reservation whether I've used Priceline, Hotwire, a chain's reservation system or any other distribution system. When I use Priceline I generally call as soon as I've made the reservation and request two beds if I need them and the hotel has that room set-up, along with reiterating non-smoking room and a usual request for a high floor. I've never been made to feel that any of my requests have been inappropriate regardless of how I've booked a room. And I've only once had a two-bed room request refused and then only because the hotel didn't have any two-bed rooms left. For the hotel, a room is a room and the staff is there to help its guests regardless of how they book a room.

Dick Taylor

 

[MiaSRN62]

To the OP. I had bad hotel issue several years ago (Orlando area). I tried all the things you did and finally sat down and wrote the Attorney General of FL. Took another 30 days but I was refunded ALL of my money. If you contact Attorney General with full details and photos you might get some help ? I feel for you and it's why I've been very hesitant to use Priceline. Heard too many horror stories from them. I used HW a couple times. One time had a bad hotel but HW refunded the night in HW bucks so I was satisfied. I'd think this would be the least Priceline could do. Shame on them.
Good luck !
http://myfloridalegal.com/




Maria

 

[The Three Cabs]

I too had a similar experience with Priceline and will never use them again. I have had luck with them in the past but since its been seven months and I still haven't seen my refund I doubt I will ever get it. Their customer service is terrible. I did everything they asked and received a confirmation email from them that I would get my refund but have gotten nothing but a run around. Live and learn...no Priceline for us anymore. I was so excited too when I won the Regal Sun resort but that excitement didn't last long I was given my resort fees back from the hotel so at least I got something back. I changed rooms three times from the hotel and still found bugs in each of the beds. We checked out after the first night. I really didn't expect it from the hotel considering it was in Downtown Disney but I guess you can find them anywhere.

 

[swilshire]

I don't use Priceline too often because I am picky about the type hotel we get. I much prefer a Residence Inn or Homewood Suites and will sometimes try to find them by the Hotwire descriptions.

The few times I have used Priceline, I've been very pleased with our rooms. I did get charged a second time by a Fairfield Inn in Atlanta, but they fixed it right away when I brought it to their attention.

I had given up finding any affordable room in Charleston SC a week ago Friday and tried Priceline again. I was thrilled to get the Embassy Suites near the airport for under $60 including all tax and fees. I hadn't found anything affordable in my searching. Great breakfast and a decent evening reception.

Sheila

 

[MattM]

This is the trade-off with Priceline. 99% of the time, its fine.

1. When you called Priceline, did you ask to speak to the first operator's supervisor? Rarely will the first person you speak with be able to help you.

2. What was the original rack rate for the hotel you were staying at? We've found Priceline really only makes sense when staying at a certain level of hotels to where what you actually win really doesnt matter (i.e. the hotels within the category are an Intercontinental, Hyatt, Westin, JW Marriott, etc). If we're staying at a Marriott Courtyard or Hilton Garden Inn, or something of that level, we'll probably just book at rack rate or discount with our rewards program.

3. Know, and be comfortable with the risks of using Priceline before booking with them. I think it even says that a few times before you bid.

 

[boldlyreal]

We just used priceline for our March stay. I didn't bid on the property I just went with the price they offered which was 50% off the rack rate. We stayed at Lake Eve Resort and my only complaint was I didn't request a room on a higher floor. It was super quiet but the higher balconies looked so appealing.

 

[JACKie SPARROW]

OP, there is a travel web-site www.tripadvisor.com. I frequently use them when I want to research hotels... I like to know what others have experienced prior to my stay and I have found the reviews to be very reliable; but a thing to remember is that everyone's expectations are different. Many have posted their photos of their rooms. Perhaps you could visit the site and see what other guests are saying about that particular hotel. You could share your story there and upload your pics.

I am very sorry to hear about your disappointing experience.