Good or bad experience booking through Priceline? Please report

[icydog]

I have another thread started about my fears because I got the the Wyndham Hotel on I Drive for $35 using Priceline. I have gotten very mixed reviews and I think the good ones came from ordinary guests booking on their own and the horrible ones came from Priceline guests. It seems as if this hotel treats Priceline guests like unwanted relatives. Certainly not good, or even acceptable accomodations for some Priceline guests who posted or left reviews by PM.

This brought up an interesting topic, "What are your experiences with Priceline"- good reports and bad please! Any wonderful sucess stories, any horror stories?

Marylyn

 

[Steve P]

I've used them 3 times, all resort class, all bid $70-78 range. Got MOWC once (good) Dolphin once (good) and DD Hilton once (waaahhhh not that DDH is a bad hotel but was hoping for Dolphin. MOWC or Gaylord). I ended up having to eat the Hilton rez because of a sudden higher priority commitment. MOWC and Dolphin treated me just as superbly as any other guest I think. I even got a room request honored at the Dolph.

 

[Roxie A]

I have used Priceline many times and have never been treated any differently than a reg. paying customer. Last week we stayed in the Sheraton Safari $24 a night thru Priceline and I was upgraded to a suite that ran $129 a night for the nights that we were thru. We were treated GREAT, I would go back a pay full price for that hotel. There have been a couple of hotels that were renovating and they seem to put the Priceline customers in the unrenovated rooms but never anything horrible.

 

[A Mickeyfan]

I have used Priceline countless times and only one hotel treated me as if I was a second class travler and that was the Grovesner (can't spell it) on Hotel Plaza Blvd. When I checked in, they informed me that I was a Priceline Guest & would have to stay in the wing section & wouldn't have any requests granted. I have stayed at the Wyndham on I-Drive 3 times thru Priceline, and each time I was usgraded to the kids suite!!! I have also been upgraded to the deluxe room (room with the sofa sleeper as well as the 2 queen beds) each time I have stayed at the Best Western Lake Buena Vista (at least 3 times thru Priceline). Have also stayed at the Wynham Palace 2 times, Renissance World Gate 2 times, Hyatt Orlando 2 times Days Inn near Old Town, Days Inn & Comfort Inn on W 192, The Swan and Sheraton World.... all of which granted me with my requests..... Oh also forgot the Marriott in DTD and one in St. Louis......they granted me my requests as well...... there are others but I cannot think of them..... But I can tell you, the Grovesner was the only one. I stayed there 3 times thru Priceline and each time I was told the same thing..... I love Priceline

 

[FreshTressa]

We have used priceline at least 50 times.

We have never been treated anything but wonderfully. Many times we have received better than average rooms, etc.

But, remember, there are no guarantees. And each hotel and even each employee will treat it differently. So, you are taking a risk! But that is why it is so cheap. At this point, we have saved so much money over time, that even if occassionally it didn't work out as well as we had planned, it would still be worth it!

 

[icydog]

Originally posted by Steve P
I've used them 3 times, all resort class, all bid $70-78 range. Got MOWC once (good) Dolphin once (good) and DD Hilton once (waaahhhh not that DDH is a bad hotel but was hoping for Dolphin. MOWC or Gaylord). I ended up having to eat the Hilton rez because of a sudden higher priority commitment. MOWC and Dolphin treated me just as superbly as any other guest I think. I even got a room request honored at the Dolph.

What is MOWC please???

 

[tinaluis]

MOWC is Marriott Orlando World Center. We've used Priceline at leat 30 times over the past five years and have never had a bad experience. We were given an unacceptable room at the Renaissance (in Orlando) once but we complained and were given another room. We've stayed at the Wyndham 5-6 times in the past 5 years and we've never had a bad room. It really does depend on the person who is checking you in, whether with a conventional reservation or a Priceline one. I'm not a complainer but I will call it to their attention if a room is unacceptable and ask to be moved, Priceline or not.

 

[icydog]

Originally posted by tinaluis
MOWC is Marriott Orlando World Center. We've used Priceline at leat 30 times over the past five years and have never had a bad experience. We were given an unacceptable room at the Renaissance (in Orlando) once but we complained and were given another room. We've stayed at the Wyndham 5-6 times in the past 5 years and we've never had a bad room. It really does depend on the person who is checking you in, whether with a conventional reservation or a Priceline one. I'm not a complainer but I will call it to their attention if a room is unacceptable and ask to be moved, Priceline or not.

Thanks, from my other thread I got the impression it was "take it or leave it" at the Wyndham. My Dh and I are not afraid of complaining but I thought with a priceline ressie they just wouldn't care. I hope you are right. When you stayed at the Wyndham on I- Drive did you indeed use Priceline to book the room?
Do you know where I can get a list of abbreviations of hotels and where can I read reviews? Thanks
Marylyn

 

[CarolynU]

Have used Priceline many times including Hilton at DTD and all have been fantastic. Will be staying at Hilton again through Priceline this Aug so hope everything is just as good. My daughter and boyfriend Pricelined a ressie at Hyatt New York and I did read about some guests being treated differently so I e-mailed Priceline in advance and got a specific answer that this should not happen merely because you used them. It didn't, and they were fine. I only use 4 star and above though although I may bid three star next Xmas. So all should be good in theory at that level.

 

[palmtreegirl]

We've used Priceline 3 times, bid resort level only and got the DTD Hilton all 3 times, it was great! The staff treated us just as they would any guest, we even got very early check in(9am) 2 times we arrived early with no problem.

The rooms were very clean and large and the my kids loved the 2 big pools and baby pool. Ny DH and I really enjoyed the 2 secluded hot tubs as well. There's a pool bar, Disney Store in the lobby, a few restaurant options, we even had pizza delivered one night. I also really loved being able to walk to DTD, it's right across the street.

I'd definitely go back to the Hilton via Priceline again.

 

[Lewisc]

I've used PL (not in Olrando) and have been treated fine. I think some people, NOT PEOPLE POSTING IN THIS THREAD, have unreasonable requests. The "deal" is for a room with double occupancy. People want to put 5 in a room and ask for a fireworks view.

I don't think there is anything wrong with a hotel like Grovsenor using PL reservations to fill their wing rooms. Don't you think people who paid a lot more are entitled to the premium rooms?

I've always asked for non-smoking king bed and haven't had any problems. Once (in NYC) I was upgraded to the executive tower. I don't call in advance, I don't demand I just ask for a nice NS King room. I even low key the king bed request (if possible). I would complain if my rooms was dirty or otherwise no good.

Complain if the room is unclean or is otherwise horrible but accept the fact that perks like frequent flyer miles, free fruit baskets and room upgrades are generally not available to PL customers.

A better way to look at it, what room would you get for $35 /night? Maybe a Days Inn?

Wyndham stopped offering Wyndham by request perks for PL. Other hotel chains are enforcing the rules more. Many of the complaints are from people who didn't get their food and/or upgrades.

 

[AnnMorin]

I think you are expecting an awful lot! You are getting a room that MANY people pay over a hundred dollars a night for at the rate of $35.00 and then are upset because they won't give you a birthday gift basket? With the 65.00 you save you could get yourself a great basket! I have a very hard time believing any hotel would instruct it's staff to treat guests differently based on how they paid for the room. (or what they paid) my experience with the Wyndham-(yes I have not actually STAYED there yet but will post a full trip report in December) has been so positive. I think people only tend to post when they have had an extreem experience-either good or bad. Thousands of people stay there every year and you have only heard from a select few.

 

[DianeV]

I'm sorry but I dont agree that just because you happened to pay less by using Priceline that you deserve a not as nice room as anyone else. Why should it be your fault that they participate with Priceline anyway? You are supposedly getting a good deal on a good room, not a good deal on a bad room that no one else wants. At least thats not the premise of Priceline as far as I have read.

By the way with the Grovsenor they sell their rooms by Wing and Tower. If someone else paid for a Wing room then of course they get a Wing room and if someone else did pay more for the Tower room they should get that. BUT if any upgrading is to be done from Wing to Tower, why should there be any difference between who would get it (priceline versus conventional)

I guess what I am saying is if in fact many do believe that you dont "deserve" as nice a room as someone paying conventionally then why bother using Priceline? It is not what Priceline is about in my opinion.

 

[AnnMorin]

Diane please don't get me wrong I do think you should get a good quality room with priceline, what I am saying is that you should not expect the extras like gift baskets etc that people paying full price are entitled to. I think you should have a good room with clean linens, good soap etc, I don't think you should expect the best view as the people who paid directly for that view have the right to request it. I think if a particular view/room is available that you would like that you should be entitled to it (not just stick you somewhere off in the boonies and let the good room go empty) but it does seem fair to give the preferred views to the people who pay for them. I think everyone should get a nice clean room with the standards that someone would come to expect with that hotel regardless of how you booked it.
In regards to the upgrades I do disagree and feel that they should be given first to the people who paid more, as much as I would love an upgrade it only seems fair. I get so annoyed on the cruise when people complain they did not get a free upgrade to a cat. 6 (veranda cabin) from their cat.11 (lowest priced cabin) when I paid $4000.00 to insure I would have one.

 

[daannzzz]

With Priceline you are guaranteed a "standard" room and as most of you know a standard room at most resorts is usually the least expensive rooms which can have bland views or views of rooftops, Hvac units and parkinglots. If a hotel or resort has a tower and less expensive rooms in two story wing, the wing rooms are often considered standard.
I have used Priceline many times and have always been treated well. We did receive two rooms at the Rosen Center that were down behind a large facade looking at HVAC units on a flat gravel roof. Didn't make a difference for our one night. If I were staying longer I would ask to be moved. If they granted it fine. If not, fine. That is one of the trade offs you get using Priceline and getting such a great rate.
I have used Priceline for rental cars and did have the employee at the rental desk make a call and ask for the"Priceline" car. It was a one way rental and the car had a few more miles on it than usual but it was still fine.

 

[DianeV]

Here is the thing about "standard" rooms. Many rooms at most hotels are "standard" rooms. I can pay for a room on a hotels website and book a "standard"room but if I end up with a nicer room then someone who booked a "standard" room through Priceline I dont think thats fair..also many have said that it was mentioned about them getting a "priceline" room so that to me means it is not just a "standard" room they are giving out.

 

[A Mickeyfan]

I want to clarify what I am saying about the Grovsenor. I am not saying that I should have been upgraded to a Tower room. Infact that wasn't my request, my request was that we DIDN'T want a room past the 3rd floor,(my husband has a fear of heights), we prefered the first floor. What I am saying is that the hotel staff didn't have to tell me that Priceline rooms are only (certian rooms) in the wing sections and that I wouldn't have any requests honored. All they had to say was that there wasn't any availability on the first floor. Each time I have gotten that hotel thru Priceline they have mentioned Priceline during my check in one way or another. As far as other requests.... one time it was to be as close to the parking lot or elevator as possible.... that to me isn't a room most people would want anyway.....and they made no attempt, all they said was that only certian rooms are Priceline rooms etc...... What I am trying to say is that they didn't treat me with the same respect as a "full" paying guest.
Like I said in my first post.....they are the only hotel that has ever done that to me..... We may not be paying "full" price, but we are still paying guests.

 

[DianeV]

A Mickeyfan:

THAT is exactly what I am trying to say. Just because its a Priceline reservation doesnt mean you should get the "junk" room and that they should be so unwilling to even consider the simplest requests. Pricelines own site says to contact the hotel regarding bedding or other special requests so it must be "possible". My take is that these employees are not being trained correctly on what to do with Priceline reservations or the hotel has made it their own policy to treat Priceline customers a certain way.

I have not said its all hotels but many do tend to treat Priceline customers different, some dont.

I say once your reservation is accepted you should be treated the same as any other guest. In fact, I dont really think the employees should even know you are Priceline.


QUOTE]Originally posted by A Mickeyfan
I want to clarify what I am saying about the Grovsenor. I am not saying that I should have been upgraded to a Tower room. Infact that wasn't my request, my request was that we DIDN'T want a room past the 3rd floor,(my husband has a fear of heights), we prefered the first floor. What I am saying is that the hotel staff didn't have to tell me that Priceline rooms are only (certian rooms) in the wing sections and that I wouldn't have any requests honored. All they had to say was that there wasn't any availability on the first floor. Each time I have gotten that hotel thru Priceline they have mentioned Priceline during my check in one way or another. As far as other requests.... one time it was to be as close to the parking lot or elevator as possible.... that to me isn't a room most people would want anyway.....and they made no attempt, all they said was that only certian rooms are Priceline rooms etc...... What I am trying to say is that they didn't treat me with the same respect as a "full" paying guest.
Like I said in my first post.....they are the only hotel that has ever done that to me..... We may not be paying "full" price, but we are still paying guests. [/QUOTE]

 

[tinaluis]

icy-dog - every time we've stayed at the Wyndham it has been through Priceline. Never a problem. One time our room was a little small, but it was very clean and otherwise acceptable. Good luck!

 

[icydog]

Originally posted by tinaluis
icy-dog - every time we've stayed at the Wyndham it has been through Priceline. Never a problem. One time our room was a little small, but it was very clean and otherwise acceptable. Good luck!

Thanks for the good wishes. Did they treat you differently than a "regular guest" at check in? Did you make any requests like non smoking etc? I am very glad the rooms are clean. One last thing do they have dataports in the rooms?