Experiences with Priceline.com

[aprilgail2]

Can anyone tell me about their experiences with priceline.com for hotels? I checked on there and they are coming up 250.00 cheaper for the hotel I want to book in Myrtle Beach but I wanted some feedback about them before I book. Thanks.

 

[Pooh Girl 71]

I've used Priceline a lot for hotels and rental cars. I've had good experiences. Have you checked out better bidding?

 

[aprilgail2]

I've used Priceline a lot for hotels and rental cars. I've had good experiences. Have you checked out better bidding?

No whats that?

 

[Pooh Girl 71]

Better bidding and Bidding for Travel will tell you how what hotels are available in each city for each star level. Better bidding also tells you about Hotwire picks.

 

[pr surfer]

betterbidding and biddingfortravel are both good resources, and you generally will have no problems.

However, as a regular business traveler, I am leery booking with priceline, as they have IME a bad reputation communicating requests to hotels, and a worse reputation in that you're usually only guaranteed a run of house room, which in a sold out night, can mean the smoking broom closet in the back corner they've thrown a bed in.

 

[Goofycampers]

We have used priceline many times with excellent results. I think the best thing to do is go on biddingfortravel , betterbidding and other sites and really do your homework before bidding. We absolutely scored in San Francisco, and also have been very pleased with our many priceline stays in Charleston, S.C. I think the key is if you have an area you really want then don't accept other areas if it asks, too risky. Good luck!

 

[Goofycampers]

betterbidding is a good resource, and you generally will have no problems.

However, as a regular business traveler, I am leery booking with priceline, as they have IME a bad reputation communicating requests to hotels, and a worse reputation in that you're usually only guaranteed a run of house room, which in a sold out night, can mean the smoking broom closet in the back corner they've thrown a bed in.

Wow, has this happened to you? We have never had a bad experience and have used priceline 8 or 9 times. Generally once we win the bid we either call the hotel or email them with room requests. We have even been upgraded a couple of times. My husband was on a business trip once and stayed priceline. He got a popular chain, on check in he showed his gold club card and they upgraded him to a suite! Of course we always bid on upper level hotels so that may be why we have been so lucky.

 

[pr surfer]

I've had more than one bad encounter with priceline reservations. That's generally the exception to the rule though. The exceptions though are bad. I've been walked to places I wouldn't go in if I were lost, I've slept in parlor rooms (ie- a couch), and I've had reservations lost.

Since most of my travel is work related, I just book directly with the hotel and let them know of my status in advance so I get the pertinent upgrades.

 

[crz4mm2]

I have booked Priceline a lot.

ONE time I had a problem. Ft. Lauderdale, last July. Had a HUGE problem with the reservation. They said I didn't HAVE one.... So it took quite a while to get that straightened out AND they put us in a real crappy room....
It was only 55 bucks so it was CHEAP, but still. It was a Starwood Hotel and I have NEVER had that problem before.

 

[JessicaR]

I used them twice and hotwire twice. With priceline when we checked in my room had a king bed for 4 people and it took a while to 'find' a room that would accommodate us.

I kinda liked hotwire better. had a great room twice at a really nice property.

 

[Calliaz]

There are two "Pricelines." You are looking at their consumer travel portion. It's just like Expedia, etc. The only downsides to booking through them are usually stricter cancellation policies and difficulties if you have problems with the hotel while you are there (you can't ask for one night comped because technically you didn't pay the hotel).

The other part of Priceline is the "name your own price" portion. This is a pay and get what they give you in the given location. There is no way to cancel. I use this frequently, but I've studied biddingfortravel.com extensively and know how to game the system.

Whatever you do, I would not book below a 2.5 star through the "name your own price" portion. You also need to be somewhat flexible.

I got a hotel room for DH in Orlando for Super Bowl weekend using the "name your own price" feature. He stayed at the Radisson in Celebration for $48 per night.

 

[Calliaz]

I used them twice and hotwire twice. With priceline when we checked in my room had a king bed for 4 people and it took a while to 'find' a room that would accommodate us.

I kinda liked hotwire better. had a great room twice at a really nice property.

I know it was frustrating, but Priceline is very clear that their "name your own price" feature is for a room for two people and bed choices are not guaranteed. Basically, you can only count on getting a room with a queen bed and any other special requests are at the discretion of the hotel. That said, if I've ever wanted something special, I've just called the hotel directly and had them note it on the reservation.

 

[MariDisney]

betterbidding and biddingfortravel are both good resources, and you generally will have no problems.

However, as a regular business traveler, I am leery booking with priceline, as they have IME a bad reputation communicating requests to hotels, and a worse reputation in that you're usually only guaranteed a run of house room, which in a sold out night, can mean the smoking broom closet in the back corner they've thrown a bed in.

I have used priceline many many times, mostly with great results. I agree, though, that they don't communicate to the hotels all the relevant details (e.g., recently my party of 3 was booked into a king room). What I typically do is call the hotel after I'm booked and have requests (non-smoking, etc) noted in the reservation. That has worked out well.

 

[pr surfer]

I have used priceline many many times, mostly with great results. I agree, though, that they don't communicate to the hotels all the relevant details (e.g., recently my party of 3 was booked into a king room). What I typically do is call the hotel after I'm booked and have requests (non-smoking, etc) noted in the reservation. That has worked out well.

When I'm on a heavy duty biz trip, I just don't have the time to make the calls to the hotels.

The requests are in my member profile, and immediately available for the hotel to review.

 

[Green Tea]

I use them all the time, but have never booked conventionally through them. I always bid and get fantastic deals.