I named my own price and saved!

[FairestOfThemAll37]

Ages ago I had tried Hotwire's name you r own price and ended up with a horrible independent hotel that somehow under Hotwire's system met the star requirements. Needless to say I got my money back and booked a hotel through it's own website.

I was pretty scared after that to try to name my own price again. Then I looked at hotel costs for one night in Miami before leaving on a cruise. It made me think getting up before dawn to drive down from Orlando was a good idea lol.

I decided to gamble and try Priceline's name your own price as it was just for the one night. I did some research and I got a $480 room for $250!! I am so happy. It's also a brand I know and love and the property gets great reviews.

 

[Lisa71]

We had a bad Hotwire once too..now I only choose 4 stars and we got the Omni in New Orleans dirt cheap. I do like Priceline better for most bidding however. We saved tons flying to Hawaii!

 

[4HppyCamprs]

We use Priceline name your own price quite a bit because my son travels for hockey and we don't like getting up predawn for games lol. I got a awful room once time by choosing too low a star in a new location so I am careful with that now but overall we save about 50% on rooms.

 

[kiki02]

We use Priceline name your own price quite a bit because my son travels for hockey and we don't like getting up predawn for games lol. I got a awful room once time by choosing too low a star in a new location so I am careful with that now but overall we save about 50% on rooms.

had a bad one too. ugh. from hotwire and used better bidding . com. NEVER again.

 

[wiigirl]

had a bad one too. ugh. from hotwire and used better bidding . com. NEVER again.

Me too.

 

[FairestOfThemAll37]

This time around I stuck to 4.5+ stars. There aren't that many and you pretty much are safe in that range.

I think the 3 star range gets dicey because there's a much bigger difference between a high end and low end 3 star. You can get the amenities that are required to be 3-star but still be run down and not as clean.

There is a certain bar that you can expect from the higher levels.

 

[mum of two pirates]

When we stay in the "Big City" we always do 3* and end up in Red Lion or Double tree. There is only one nicer hotels in the area, then there are two other areas but two far away. I bid $57 and there $120 rooms. At D.T. we have to pay parking but its alright. We have used it in Seattle at the airport and always gotten a nice hotel. I always wonder if you get flights for half price or how it compares price wise. I would be willing to try it as when we fly out here most flights leave at 6am and get in at 6pm or 10 pm to mco. This year southwest has a flight out at 1pm anf gets there at 11:40 pm. but it means I can work that day then drive to the airport and leave a day early.

so what percentage off did you get your flights for?

 

[WanderLuster]

I use Priceline quite a bit since I gave up my apartment and live full-time on the road. Some have been better than others, but so far no disasters! Staying in a 3.5* in Downtkown Chicago tomorrow for $45+fees.

Biddingfortravel.com and betterbidding.com are helpful - I like the lists of possible options for each star level on biddingfortravel.com. And learning to use free re-bids changed the way I bid significantly.

I generally stick to 4* or higher in areas that I don't know well. If I'm in an area I'm familiar with and am comfortable with the potential options, I'll go down to 3*.

I also always check Express Deals for the area and * level I'm looking for. Gives me a ballpark to work from.

 

[tweetylori]

I'm a bidding gal...have been doing it for years with MUCH success. But, you have to really research the area you're going to and educate yourself as to the possibilities first.

I agree that if you stick to the higher up star levels you really can't lose.

 

[jmmess]

There are sites like biddingfortravel.com that will give you an indication of what hotels fall into the various star categories. You just have to be careful now though because Priceline will "upgrade" you to the next star level if they want and the hotel could be worse. They will not refund you either because you have to agree to the terms when you bid. So, I bid on a 2.5 star and got a 3 star, but the 3 star was more like a 1 star.