Have you used Priceline? And have you ever had a problem?

[Melissa R]

We are going to Boston (well, actually Franklin, MA) for a wedding next month. All of the out of town guests are booked at a particular hotel. I was reading reviews of the hotel the other night and decided to see if there were any lower rates available through the internet.

Priceline has rooms for about $20 a night lower than the rate we were offered by the hotel as part of the wedding block. Since we're staying for 6 nights, I'm really interested in cancelling with the block and reserving through Priceline. But I'm nervous.

I called the hotel (hoping that maybe they'd want to match the rate - I know, not likely, but worth a shot). The lady told me that by being in a wedding block, I'm guaranteed a room. But being on our own through Priceline, if something weird happened and the hotel became overbooked, we'd be "walked." In other words, they'd bump us from the hotel. (Not a horrible thought, considering then we'd get some space away from the other relatives!) But in reality, I really wouldn't want to get bumped. (She did say that the currently have plenty of rooms, and our stay is only 2 weeks away, so it should be fine.)

Has anyone reserved through Priceline? And how did it work out? Have there been any problems? (I think another part is that I have to pay in advance, so if there was a problem, I'm worried about what happens to the money I've already paid!)

Thanks for any input!

 

[princesspumpkin]

I have used priceline many, many times and have never had a problem. I have bid on hotels in NJ, MD, NY and CA. I do use biddingfortravel.com for advise on how to bid to narrow the choices of areas and hotels. You really must be knowledgeable in bidding strategies to get something close to the type and area that you want. You must know what you "could" get and what you are willing to accept. Good luck! I have received some great deals (a waterfront Marriot with a rack rate of $295 for $65 on the night before my stay for example.)

 

[escape]

I've booked several hotels through Priceline and for the most part, I have been pleased with the results.

You do realize, don't you, that you are not guaranteed the hotel of your choosing through Priceline? Unless, of course, that is the only hotel offered for a specific location and star rating.

Good luck!

 

[jimmiej]

Here's a recent discussion:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1119062

 

[Melissa R]

escape - Well, my understanding is that Priceline works two ways now - either you name your own price (where you bid and then see what hotel you end up with), or you take the rate they are offering. The way I'm looking into doing it is where you choose the specific hotel and book with the price they are offering. ($20 or so less than what the wedding group was offered). But if I'm misunderstanding how Priceline works and I'm wrong, I hope that someone will please correct me!!

jimmiej - Thanks, but that thread looks like mostly airfare discussion. I'm just looking for hotel info. (and I did finally get a search to work...when I tried earlier, it said the server was too busy, so I posted instead)

princesspumpkin - It sounds like you normally bid too, but at least I know that you've never had a problem. I know my husband would strangle me if we got bumped from the hotel because we were Priceline customers! ;-)

I hope I'll hear more good things! Keep the info coming! Thanks!

 

[DawnCt1]

The only time I have used Priceline is when we have bid. I got a great rate at the hotel that I was hoping for in Ft. Lauderdale and we got a great rate on a last minute car rental. It was so easy and fun that I wanted to book a vacation just to bid! I wouldn't hesitate to book a fixed price room with them either.