I want to use Priceline, but I'm scared!

[snoodledoo]

I'm planning a road trip this summer and don't need to stay at any particular hotels, but I must have a non-smoking room with 2 beds and prefer a free breakfast.

Should I chance it by going through Priceline to save money?
Have you had good experiences getting your room preferences?

Thanks!

 

[Planogirl]

We've used Priceline twice, once for Orlando and once Philadelphia. It worked out well but I was sure to request a higher category and I was cautious about the area I chose. In both cases, I got a Doubletree which is a chain we like.

It is a bit of a gamble but sometimes it's surprising what people get.

 

[buckler]

I used Priceline once and probably would not do it again if traveling with 4 people. We got a room with a king size bed and the hotel would not switch us to a room with 2 beds unless we paid an extra $10 at check in. Fortunately, it worked out that there was a pull out sofa in the room too so we managed with out paying the upcharge. There was no reason they couldn't switch us due to capacity (the hotel was FAR from full). The hotel person was very reluctant to finally tell me about the pull out sofa...they really wanted to upsell me to the double bed room.

On the other hand, I've heard of people being switched to double bed rooms without a hitch.

 

[Gretta]

I used Priceline for a hotel room pre cruise for 2 nights in Puerto Rico. I did some research and was happy with my winning bid. I called the hotel and let them know that I would need two double beds because I was traveling with my 20 year old son. They said they would note the account and said no problem. Perhaps you could call the hotel directly after your winning bid like I did.

Good luck, I would definately use Priceline again if I needed to.

Gretta

 

[ncmickeyluvr]

Priceline only guarentees occupancy for 2. Most people have good luck getting the hotel to give them a room with 2 beds....but they don't HAVE to occomodate you. Personally, every time I've used Priceline I've stressed over it until arrival....not worth it to me. I use Hotwire instead.....I put in 2 adults/ 2 children and they guarantee a bed for everyone.

 

[msmayor]

In my opinion, if you have these "must haves" then Priceline is not for you.

 

[irisesareblue]

I have travelled and used priceline numerous times for my 2 daughters and myself. I am always careful with the area I'm bidding on and the star rating - each time I've booked with priceline, I've called the hotel directly (their direct number is on your reservation details from priceline) and asked questions or asked about having 2 beds in the room.

I've never had any problems but I agree the PP is right - if you're worried about getting your wants, don't do it.

 

[rockyroad]

I used priceline recently for the first time.

I was nervous about it too.

http://www.betterbidding.com/

This web site helped a bit.
It listed the possible hotel by amenities and the hotel was the one that it looked like it would be.
I googled all of the hotels, according to betterbidding, that seemed to be possible and made sure that none of them would be unacceptable.

I did bid for a four star for four people...if that helps...

 

[hopeforus]

Make sure you check betterbidding.com. It takes alot of the guess work out of Priceline and Hot Wire. I have used both and would again.

 

[kaytieeldr]

There was no reason they couldn't switch us due to capacity (the hotel was FAR from full)

Right. More likely, they wouldn't switch you at no charge because Priceline only promises sleeping facilities for two.

 

[Andrea]

we used it on our last trip to orlando and we just told them what road we wanted and got a pretty good hotel out of it. when we checked in we asked for non smokeing and that was not a problem. but we did not have a free breakfeast

 

[sk!mom]

If you must have two beds then, no, Priceline is not a good idea for you. Most of the time, hotels have been good about honoring our requests but you are bidding on a room for two people. That could be a room with only one bed.

 

[chobie]

We've used priceline for Orlando about 10 times over the last five years for the 4 of us and never had a problem with getting 2 beds -- they always asked us a check in. We've only bid on resorts, though. Have stayed at Gaylord Palms, Hyatt Grand Cypress, Omni, Hilton DTD -- all for about 85-90 a night.

 

[Purseval]

You stand a pretty good chance of getting 2 beds in Orlando but most places aren't set up for tourists like Orlando is. As others have said, skip Priceline if you "must" have something.

 

[pal-mickey]

I used Priceline last summer for the first time. I thought it worked out well. We were going to Pittsburgh and ended up in the city at an Omni hotel. The hotel was beautiful. Someone has told me to put in for at least a 3 star rated hotel.

 

[JennCa]

If you NEED 2 beds then it is not for you. That said, I have used it for many years and for most of our trips and we usually get 2 beds non smoking if we ask. I have had a smoking room twice, ugh!!! It is rare we have gotten free breakfast but that is because I usually bid 3, 4 or 5 star and those places don't usualy include it. I also have gotten only 1 double bed or 2 twin beds when we have been in the big cities like San Fran, New York, London, Paris, Zurich, Madrid, Sydney, etc. Space is at a premium there.

Jenn

 

[Petraman]

Bottom line is Priceline is about price... special requests are just that... requests.

If you MUST have non-smoking, then it probably isn't for you.

We have a child who medically cannot be in smoking room. Even though it was medical, the 3 times we got rooms through PL that did not give us non-smoking, would NOT change us when we got there. We loved their prices and service, but had to stop using them for this reason

 

[Munchkin'sMommy]

I have used priceline 4 times and I have always had good luck. First time I ended up with a Marriott Courtyard, 2nd time I got a Marriott Springhill Suites, 3rd time I got a full service Holiday Inn Crowne Plaza that I bid on 3 hrs before checkin. Bid at 1100 checked in by 2. Very easy. As I type this, I am a full service Holiday Inn that I bid on at 1030 this morning and checked in by 1pm. Again, no problems. All of these are in the Dallas area. In fact, the the Crowne Plaza and the the Holiday inn both upgraded my room for free.
The Crowne Plaza upgraded me to Club Level Rm and even included breakfast and some goodies for my 3 yr cause it was the wk of Xmas and we got stuck in the area due to an ice storm. The Holiday Inn where I am right now gave us a king room with a sleeper sofa and all the rooms include a fridge, microwave and FREE wi fi. I asked for a fridge at the Courtyard and the front desk clerk waived the $10 fee for me since I needed it for meds for my son.

As soon as my reservation is confirmed, I call the hotel directly and make my requests such as 1st floor, 2 beds, away from an elevator due to my son being a very light sleeper and I havn't had any problems so far.

My son had abdominal surgery 4 days ago and was released from the hospital today. There was no medical reason to keep him in the hospital another day so he was released this am. But since we live 6 hrs away from the DFW area, we decided just to stay overnight in case he has any complications.

My only complaint about priceline is that you are bidding blind. It's hit and miss. When i need specific things like a free breakfast and fridge and micro, i just pay full price or book online throught the hotel website. It's the only way to ensure my choices.

 

[tar heel]

I've used priceline about a few times but, always just for overnights when we were traveling to visit colleges and for personal business. You absolutely cannot have any guarantees.

I've been given smoking rooms twice, so you have to go in knowing that might happen. Both times I was told there were no other rooms when I asked to switch. It was the truth one of the two times -- became clear the next morning that it was lie at a Hilton.

 

[andrews_dad]

I've used priceline about a few times but, always just for overnights when we were traveling to visit colleges and for personal business. You absolutely cannot have any guarantees.

I've been given smoking rooms twice, so you have to go in knowing that might happen. Both times I was told there were no other rooms when I asked to switch. It was the truth one of the two times -- became clear the next morning that it was lie at a Hilton.

My co-worker (in office next to me) flew to Cali (from East Coast) and was exhausted when she went to check in at midnight. Her ressie from Priceline was messed up. She got the run-around as the desk pushed her to priceline and priceline was pushing her to the front desk. 3 hours of phone calls later she fell asleep in the lobby of the hotel!!

Another co-worker booked a deal on the Vegas strip several years ago, "won" a junk room at the Boardwalk (now imploded). It was a horrible room and should not have even been on the site .. below 2 stars, below ANY stars.