Flying from Buffalo - few questions

[mtmbyck]

We have done the Marriott twice. FIrst time it was a later flight so I actually got a club floor room as we got in earlier day before and this included appetizers and snacks the night before (with a few drinks) and then a continental breakfast the next morning. We were 5 in a room so adding $50 to the room proce was justified knowing I would need to feed everyone.

THe other time was an early flight so we had breatfast at the airport. BUffalo`airport doesn`t have a ton of places to choose from but we were able to get through security, check luggage and then relax at the gate for a while.

Remember parking was free so add that into your calculations. To me, $100 isnt a bad deal if you have to drop $60 on parking somewhere else.

 

[iluvwesties]

We have a 2 pm flight on September 18 & we're leaving our house (Hamilton) at 8:30 am. You just never know with that construction in St. Catherines. That worries me more than Ft Erie. Also do Ft Erie. There's a ton of construction on the US side if you cross at Niagara Falls.

There's a coupon for park & fly on the Buffalo Airport website. Shuttles are fast & the parking lots aren't huge! You could walk it if you really had to.

Hey Alderbrook

I'm leaving for the overnight stay on September 18th at Holiday Inn Buffalo Airport, on September 19th parking at the airport and flying down with SWA

We are staying at Pop Century......can't wait

Hoping the drive to Buffalo on September 18th goes well for you and us!

 

[Camilo]

An update with less than a month to the day of departure:

1) We still haven't booked the car rental. I got a pretty good rate using a Costco.com code. Have any Canadians here used Costco codes before? On the "term a condition", it says it's only for American memberships, but I read somewhere else on the web that as long as you have a Costco card, you're ok.

2) I keep trying to get the Marriot hotel for my Buffalo stay. Recently, people that had the guts to wait until the day before the trip got it for around U$ 60.00, so I'll probably do that as well.

Other than that, everything is set.

thanks...

Camilo

 

[Eveningsong]

I rented with Hertz last time, CAA rate, I paid around $118.00 plus tax for seven days, double miles, free child seat. We used the Gaylord Palms Resort location and got excellent service free pickup and return.

We stayed at the DAYS INN directly across from the Buffalo airport. You park your car in a secure, monitored, gated, lighted parking facility next door (I believe it is called Thrifty parking). Again we used the CAA stay, park fly rate.

Days Inn has an indoor pool and hot tub, free cont. breakfast and speedy shuttle service. Highly recommended.

 

[webworm]

An update with less than a month to the day of departure:

1) We still haven't booked the car rental. I got a pretty good rate using a Costco.com code. Have any Canadians here used Costco codes before? On the "term a condition", it says it's only for American memberships, but I read somewhere else on the web that as long as you have a Costco card, you're ok.

2) I keep trying to get the Marriot hotel for my Buffalo stay. Recently, people that had the guts to wait until the day before the trip got it for around U$ 60.00, so I'll probably do that as well.

Other than that, everything is set.

thanks...

Camilo

I have used my Costco card with no problems in the US for car rentals and to shop as well. They have never asked for Costco card in the times I have used it. Costco does not always have the lowest rate however for car rentals so shop around. Try Budget BCD Number x474200 (travelocity public code)and E-Coupon MUWZ023 for $25.00 off. The coupon will be applied against the total when you checkout. You can use the Budget link from Costco site to book and just enter BCD Number and Coupon Code.
https://book1.carrental.com/dcweb/a...&budgetCoupon=MUGZ029&CID=W852802_30offweekly

 

[Camilo]

I have used my Costco card with no problems in the US for car rentals and to shop as well. They have never asked for Costco card in the times I have used it. Costco does not always have the lowest rate however for car rentals so shop around. Try Budget BCD Number x474200 (travelocity public code)and E-Coupon MUWZ023 for $25.00 off. The coupon will be applied against the total when you checkout. You can use the Budget link from Costco site to book and just enter BCD Number and Coupon Code.
https://book1.carrental.com/dcweb/a...&budgetCoupon=MUGZ029&CID=W852802_30offweekly

Thank you for the tip and confirmation that you've used Costco discounts before..
I'll check the different rates from home and will post here the ccheapest I can find for my dates.

 

[Camilo]

I rented with Hertz last time, CAA rate, I paid around $118.00 plus tax for seven days, double miles, free child seat. We used the Gaylord Palms Resort location and got excellent service free pickup and return.

We stayed at the DAYS INN directly across from the Buffalo airport. You park your car in a secure, monitored, gated, lighted parking facility next door (I believe it is called Thrifty parking). Again we used the CAA stay, park fly rate.

Days Inn has an indoor pool and hot tub, free cont. breakfast and speedy shuttle service. Highly recommended.

You got a god rate on that one.
Days Inn is coming up on their website with 169.00+taxes for the park and fly rate and 130+taxes for the CAA rate without park and fly (room only).

I'll keep trying to get the Marriot until the day before my trip. Otherwise, I'll stay at La Quinta.

PS: I had a friend who stayed at Super 8 motel 2 weeks ago in Buffalo and she told it was a nightmare (dirty, bedbugs, etc). That's why the only requirement I have is being clean.

 

[Eveningsong]

CAA Stay Fly Park rate should be $143.?? at the Days Inn (I phoned the hotel directly and they confirmed the price had increased since my last stay).

On the other site the Days Inn is $119.00 (the parkflystay site)

You realize at the LaQuinta your car does not even stay at their hotel, it goes down the road to another lot. You follow the shuttle driver down the road and ride back to the hotel with the shuttle driver.

 

[papertraveller]

We have stayed at the Marriott numerous times, including the concierge level, and agree with PPs about the cleanliness and quality of service.

Last trip, we stayed at the Courtyard on Sheridan, and had amazing service. The hotel is super clean. We had a 7 a.m. flight, and wanted to leave by 5:30 a.m., but their shuttle driver didn't start that early. They paid for a taxi to the airport, without us even asking!!!!!

We have also stayed at the Fairfield Inn directly across from the airport. This is new, and exceptionally clean. It's also very close. But it seems that it's getting quite popular, and consequently quite pricey too. In fact, we ended up at the Courtyard the one time because they couldn't accommodate us at the Fairfield.

Fairfield is okay for a one-week stay - they ask you to park your car at the back of the lot. But any longer, and they ask for more $$$.

 

[Camilo]

Thank you all.
I just saw 4 more positive reviews from La Quinta from the last 4 stays.
Reviews quite positive for a one night stay: http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUser...n_Buffalo_Airport-Williamsville_New_York.html

Eveningsong, I am not too concerned about driving to the next parking lot, close to the hotel. I have never read anywhere about cars being broken into and I won't be driving a new car.

I tried calling the Days Inn several times tonight, the call didn't go through, not even once. Even at 119.00, it's over U# 35.00 + taxes for one night.

If I can get the Marriot for cheaper though (trying Priceline on the 7th of November), I will take it, even without breafast.

papertraveller, I've just called the Fairfield and they said the only option they have for park and fly is their package. I don't want to risk paying 125.00 for the roon only and then another 50.00 for parking.

 

[Eveningsong]

My nephew and his family stay at the La Quinta in Buffalo all the time. They have no complaints.

 

[Camilo]

Thank you for the tip and confirmation that you've used Costco discounts before..
I'll check the different rates from home and will post here the ccheapest I can find for my dates.

I finished my research and cheapest rate I could find (by far) was with Enterprise, coupon ESNR9EP, found here: http://www.enterpriserentacar.ca/car_rental/deeplinkmap.do?bid=002&cust=ESNR9EP

A compact car for the 8 days is going to cost us U$ 148.95, all taxes in. From what I read, they are located in the airport and you need to cross the street to go to their parking garage (walking distance).

Thank you all again...

 

[Eveningsong]

Try your priceline bid today, I just got the Marriott for $62.00 US

 

[Eveningsong]

We have done the Marriott twice. FIrst time it was a later flight so I actually got a club floor room as we got in earlier day before and this included appetizers and snacks the night before (with a few drinks) and then a continental breakfast the next morning. We were 5 in a room so adding $50 to the room proce was justified knowing I would need to feed everyone.

THe other time was an early flight so we had breatfast at the airport. BUffalo`airport doesn`t have a ton of places to choose from but we were able to get through security, check luggage and then relax at the gate for a while.

Remember parking was free so add that into your calculations. To me, $100 isnt a bad deal if you have to drop $60 on parking somewhere else.

Do you get to keep your vehicle keys, or are they left at the hotel?

 

[Camilo]

Try your priceline bid today, I just got the Marriott for $62.00 US

***
We're sorry, but we can't accept your offer of $65 for a hotel room in the Buffalo - Niagara Falls, NY area. Your credit card has not been charged for Request Number
***


CONGRATS to you!!! No luck for me yet

I started at 60.00, went to 65.00, no luck. What was your date? Is it over the next few days?

From what I'm seeing, people are getting it for around 60.00 if they wait until the day prior to their trip.

That's what I plan to do.

Camilo

 

[Eveningsong]

We are staying at the Marriott 23 October 2010. I tried yesterday at $60.00 and was rejected. Tried $62.00 today and got accepted. Internet is $12.95 per day so I will do our online checkin at home before we leave.

 

[jeannief]

sorry for the question, but i've never used Priceline. I just tried the first few screens and can someone confirm I'm doing this right to get the marriot?
I select Name your price
select Buffalo/Amherst area
select 3.5 stars
enter bid and cross fingers!
thanks all

 

[Camilo]

sorry for the question, but i've never used Priceline. I just tried the first few screens and can someone confirm I'm doing this right to get the marriot?
I select Name your price
select Buffalo/Amherst area
select 3.5 stars
enter bid and cross fingers!
thanks all

That's exactly how to you do it, Jeannie
The beauty about the Marriot in Buffalo is that is it the only 3.5 stars hotel in Buffalo.
So, if they don't accept your offer, you get several options to increase your bid right away (instead of waiting for 24 hours), by selecting different areas in Buffalo, knowing that Marriot is the only hotel you can get.

Good luck. I'll post here if I am successful.

Camilo

 

[webworm]

Do you get to keep your vehicle keys, or are they left at the hotel?

You keep the keys for your vehicle.

 

[jeannief]

thanks Camilo! i keep trying at 60 and 65, even 70 but no joy for me. :-(

We are 3 adults going for a shopping weekend, my one concern is that we won't get 2 beds since priceline doesn't ask for # of people in the room. had anyone ever only gotten 1 bed out of this hotel?

thanks!!!!